2026 Health Promotion Mini-Grants Awarded to Cambridge Organizations

The Cambridge Public Health Department is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the Health Promotion Mini-Grants Program. The Health Promotion Mini-Grants Program is a combined effort of the Cambridge in Motion Healthy Eating, Active Living unit and the Youth Engagement unit at the health department.

“The record number of applications we received this year reflects the significant need for continued investment in these important and innovative programs that support wellness in our community,” said Interim Chief Public Health Officer Tracy Rose-Tynes. “The Health Department is committed to offering these grants to our community partners.”

The 2026 mini-grant awardees for Healthy Eating, Active Living and their funded projects:

• Community Conversations Sister to Sister will hold a 4 part series called “Sista, I’m with Ya!” The series centers on supporting Black women in reclaiming their relationship with food, their bodies and physical activity. The series will include movement conversations and one culturally-affirming nutritionist to incorporate health education conversation. 

• East End House’s School Age program will incorporate physical activity equipment to support expanding the physical activity programming for children grades K-5. Fidget tools and toys will be included to support children’s sensory needs.

• The Cambridge Squash Alliance will expand access to squash as a sport for Cambridge Rindge and Latin School students. Increased classes, including preseason sessions will be offered in the fall to new and returning squash players. The program promotes equity, physical activity, and teamwork through inclusive practices and open play opportunities for middle and high schoolers.

• Majestic Community Wellness will provide culturally responsive, trauma informed prenatal and postnatal yoga classes for women of color. Classes will be led by instructors of color and will be offered in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole. All classes will be offered in a hybrid format. 

• On the Rise will support individuals moving through homelessness by offering three sessions on nutrition and disease prevention. The sessions will incorporate healthy eating with limited resources, understanding preventive screenings and basic cooking skills.

• Mass Farmers Markets Power of Produce Club will provide 20 older adults a $5 voucher to spend at the farmers market to encourage engagement at the market while also offering wellness activities, nutrition education, and cooking demonstrations.

• The Navigation Games will offer themed outdoor, family-friendly treasure hunts. The event will support orienteering skills while enjoying the outdoors.

• North Cambridge Senior Center will increase the number of summer physical activity and movement series offered including Qi Gong and eight strength classes which will support increasing physical activity for older adults.

• Nurtury Early Education will implement the Stronger Starts Initiative at their Harvard Street location to provide new materials for their gross-motor room. This is to support the dedicated indoor space designed to help children improve balance, coordination, and strength through safe, sensory-rich play.

• Transition House Market is a no-cost grocery style pantry that will be offered in six sessions to domestic violence survivors and their families. The sessions will incorporate fresh and shelf-stable groceries and essential household supplies, as well as recipes and local food resource materials. 

The 2026 mini-grant awardees for Youth Wellness:  

• Prospect Hill Academy Student Health and Wellness Equity Project aims to reduce period stigma and improve student well-being by installing free menstrual product dispensers in middle and high school restrooms. By normalizing period care as a basic necessity, the project will support student confidence, mental health, attendance, and academic success while promoting long-term menstrual equity in schools.

• Parkour Generations will deliver three on-site “Introduction to Parkour” workshops for Cambridge youth, primarily middle school students, using portable pop-up equipment. The program aims to improve physical and mental wellness by building confidence, resilience, teamwork, and equitable access to physical activity opportunities.

• Cambridge Public Access Corporation (CCTV) will establish a Youth Exhibit Council to curate and launch Cambridge’s inaugural Youth Art Show at CCTV, showcasing artwork by local youth while centering underrepresented voices and youth leadership. Through exhibitions, wellness-focused events, and an interactive resource wall, the project aims to strengthen community connections, increase awareness of youth wellness resources, and create inclusive spaces that support creativity, mental health, and civic engagement.

• Tutoring Plus of Cambridge will create portable “wellness corners” across its after-school spaces to help youth manage stress, build emotional regulation skills, and stay engaged in learning after long school days. 

• The Spot Cambridge Threadz program will host a Creative Thrift & Style event that provides middle and high school students with access to free clothing in a welcoming, youth centered environment that promotes dignity, choice, and self-expression. 

The mini-grants are a partnership between the Cambridge Public Health Department and the Hideo Sasaki Foundation, a Boston nonprofit. The grants were awarded through a competitive process and reviewed by representatives from nonprofits, city departments, residents, teens, and staff from the Cambridge Public Health Department. 

To learn more about the Health Promotion Mini-Grants Program, contact Brigitte DeVeau (617-665-3759) at [email protected] or Sarah Lincoln (617-665-3874) at [email protected].