We, the undersigned residents, parents, seniors, volunteers, and supporters of the Cambridge Community Center (CCC), respectfully urge the City Council to delay the vote to approve the proposed $20 million allocation to East End House.
This agreement did not go through the transparent, community-guided process that the Community Benefits Fund was specifically created to uphold. That fund was designed to ensure that all nonprofits in Cambridge have a fair and equitable opportunity to access development-related contributions based on need and impact, not insider access or private negotiations.
The current deal undermines that principle. While CCC was included in a last-minute revision and is now slated to receive $420,000, this allocation does not reflect the scale of CCC’s impact, the severity of its infrastructure needs, or its historic role as a hub for Black and Brown families in Cambridge. CCC was not part of the negotiation process, and we do not want its inclusion used to validate a flawed and inequitable agreement.
This is not just about one organization. It reflects a broader pattern of decision-making that benefits those best positioned to leverage existing power, while leaving grassroots organizations and historically marginalized communities behind.
At a time when many nonprofits are facing declining revenue, increasing demand, and mounting infrastructure challenges, we believe it is more important than ever that developer contributions be distributed through a fair, transparent, and accountable process.
We call on the City Council to:
Delay the final vote on this allocation
Reopen the process in partnership with the nonprofit and broader community
Commit to distributing these funds in a way that reflects equity, need, and shared responsibility
Let us build a solution that reflects the values of justice, fairness, and community voice.
