Community Need

While our natural environment has long been our most valuable asset, it has also become one of our most vulnerable. Frequent, severe storms, flooding, and coastal erosion continue to plague our region. We have also seen changes to our fisheries and ecosystems.

As we build infrastructure to combat future issues, we must also continue to restore aging infrastructure and bodies of water that have already deteriorated. About 40% of Cape Cod’s freshwater ponds and lakes are at-risk from pollutants and have been graded unacceptable. Over the years, excess nitrogen has deteriorated the quality of groundwater, ponds, and coastal waters. According to the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, roughly 80% of this nitrogen comes from on-site septic systems. This has prompted a diverse group of stakeholders to call for the design and implementation of wastewater treatment systems to remove excess nitrogen.

Many local organizations and collaboratives are working to mitigate impacts on our environment. Community education, awareness, and advocacy are critical to conservation and restoration. They are also key to finding the balance between preservation and the development necessary for housing and economic growth.

Foundation Strategy

Our grantmaking priorities are to invest in the preservation, conservation, and restoration of natural resources, particularly water and wetlands; to promote public education and outreach on environmental issues facing our region; and to support educational experiences for children and youth. 

Recent Grantmaking

• Endorsed “Smart Growth Cape Cod”, a joint effort between the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC), one of the region’s leading environmental organizations, and Housing Assistance Corporation, a regional housing leader. This mapping project uses the best available existing data and GIS technology to identify priority areas for either natural resource protection or affordable moderate-density housing development. While housing and environmental advocates frequently work in opposition, the two organizations hope that by agreeing on the data and criteria employed, they can streamline town-level land use planning and help local leaders focus on areas that will positively impact housing needs and regional environmental challenges.
• Supported a variety of experiential field trips and learning experiences for local schools.
• Contributed financial resources for land conservation, preservation, and restoration.
• Helped an organization promoting environmental stewardship and responsible tourism build capacity by hiring additional staff

UNRESTRICTED FUND

ANIMAL PROTECTION & WELFARE FUND

ARTS & CULTURE FUND

EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS FUND

HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES FUND

HOUSING FUND

WOMEN AND GIRLS FUND

WORKFORCE
& CAREER DEVELOPMENT FUND

TO MAKE A MULTI-YEAR PROMISE
Kristin O’Malley
President and CEO
The Cape Cod Foundation
komalley@capecodfoundation.org
508.790.3040, Ext. 115