Cambridge Panel Backs Broader Use of Community Benefits Fund for Nonprofit Capital Projects

CAMBRIDGE — March 30, 2026 — Cambridge Ordinance Committee votes to allow nonprofit capital spending from community benefits fund. The committee voted 6-0 on March 30 to send proposed amendments to the Community Benefits Ordinance to the full City Council with a favorable recommendation, lifting a prohibition on using the fund for capital and operating expenses. City Solicitor Megan Beer determined the fund is likely exempt from the state's Anti-Aid Amendment because it consists of private developer contributions, not tax revenue. Approximately $1.6 million remains available in the fund, with up to $3.2 million more potentially incoming from development agreements out of $20 million pledged. Chair Sabrina Wheeler pressed for a formula requiring a percentage of developer mitigation to flow to the citywide fund, warning that without one, developers will continue to favor direct neighborhood nonprofit gifts over contributions to the broader pool. The advisory committee, led by chair Sandra Clark, is targeting a distribution framework by summer 2026.