City Of Somerville Awards $10M To Local Nonprofit Organizations

SOMERVILLE, MA — The City of Somerville has announced that it will award $10 million to local nonprofits as part of its federal American Rescue Plan Act allocation to support community organizations.

According to Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, more than 35 local nonprofit groups will receive funding to help strengthen and grow their organization and programming

"Building a city that supports progress for all doesn’t happen in a vacuum," Ballantyne said in a statement. "It takes thoughtful and collaborative partnerships with our nonprofit community. Whether their focus is food accessibility, healthcare, career development, or cultural growth, these organizations are out in Somerville every day, tirelessly assisting our residents. Their commitment and dedication have made a tremendous impact in our community, and with these funds, we are demonstrating our unwavering support for their continued efforts."

This round of funding allowed nonprofits to individually determine where funding was most needed in order to best serve community members, Ballantyne said. As a result, the $10 million will support both specific new projects and general capacity building for the Somerville nonprofit community.

Funded projects include creating a science club for young women interested in STEM, revitalizing the Magoun Square & Winter Hill commercial district, and expanding the Cambridge Health Alliance’s mobile medicine program for unhoused persons.

These projects also align with the mayor's ARPA Advisory Committee recommendation that 60 to 80 percent of funds be spent on housing, youth services, economic development, and infrastructure.

“In its 19 years of service to Somerville, Union Square Main Streets has never seen anything more taxing for the 200 local businesses we serve as the COVID-19 pandemic," said Jessica Eshleman, Executive Director of Union Square Main Streets. "These independently-owned mom-and-pop shops were on the frontlines of the unknown and endured extended business disruptions while fighting to stay alive and to keep Union Square a unique and diverse place. Many continue to reel from recovery, catching up on rent, supply chain disruptions, and staffing and inflation challenges."

"ARPA funds enable our economic empowerment nonprofit to better serve these businesses on their path to a resilient recovery and provide resources to facilitate meaningful connections between them and the thousands of new residents and day time workers that are beginning to fill the many developments that are changing Somerville’s skyline," Eshleman added. "We are grateful for our collaboration with the City."

To see the full list of awardees and distribution allotments, visit somervillema.gov/arpa