Some people just can’t take no for an answer. Bill Snow was one of them. John English, Don Foresman, Mary Morgan, Jim Rice, and Murray Rust weren’t any better at it. Many people told them Cape Cod didn’t need a community foundation and couldn’t sustain one. Someone even recommended they work with a bigger, existing foundation in a nearby city. That didn’t go over well at all.

So, the group said no to the naysayers and established The Community Foundation of Cape Cod, now known as The Cape Cod Foundation. The H.H. Snow Family Scholarship Fund was the new foundation’s first asset. Ten thousand dollars. The founders’ goal was to raise $5 million more. Back in 1989, the earnings from a $5 million investment could generate from $450,000 to $500,000 each year to help meet community needs.

Well, the visionaries worked their networks. They raised that—and more. Now, more than three decades later, The Cape Cod Foundation has more than 330 funds and assets over $127 million. At the end of 2025, we had distributed more than $113 million back into the community in the form of grants and scholarships since inception.

Thanks to Bill, John, Don, Mary, Jim, and Murray—and hundreds and hundreds of other people who have contributed along the way—you have a community foundation here to help you. It’s not all about assets. In the Foundation’s first Progress Report, Bill Snow wrote, “Our only assets were the interest and the foresight of a small group who saw the opportunity for what could someday be one of the Cape’s greatest resources.”

Their powerful legacy lives on!

1989
The Cape Cod Foundation was established.

1996
We hired our first paid Executive Director.

1999
The GALE (Gay and Lesbian Equity) Fund was established.  It is one of the first funds of its kind in the country. With great community support, as of 2024, the Fund has raised and distributed more than $250,000 in grants to improve the lives of LGBTQ individuals and families on Cape Cod.

2000
By 2000, the Foundation had a solid decade under its belt.  We started with one fund.  Eleven years later, we were administering 140 funds which reflected the varied interests of our donors and the needs of our region—from scholarships for high school students to housing initiatives. We distributed over $600,000 in grants and scholarships and grew our assets to more than $14.4 million.

2001
We formed a partnership with the Cape Cod Association.  Established in 1851, it is one of the oldest scholarship providers in New England. In 2024, it awarded more than $525,000 in scholarships to students who were born on and reside on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, or Nantucket.

2002
We launched Cape Youth Force in partnership with YMCA Cape Cod and Barnstable County UMass Extension/4H. This program puts high school students at the center of local grantmaking.  As of 2024, we’ve awarded more than $35,000 through the Youth & Philanthropy Program.

2003
Local restaurateurs Bill and Linda Zammer established the Cape Restaurants Inc. Scholarship. As of 2024, the Fund has awarded a total of $136,690 in scholarships to 28 local students pursuing careers in culinary arts, the hospitality industry, or other fields.

2004
The Davenport Companies established the Seaside Lemans Fund.  As of 2024, The annual Formula One Race has raised nearly $9 million for local nonprofits.

2005
The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children awarded the Foundation its “Champion for Children Award” for our work to support children, youth, and families across Cape Cod.

2006
The Foundation was one of 30 other community foundations to receive a grant from The Atlantic Philanthropies. The funding supported the HOPE (Helping Older People Engage) Project. This successful incubator project evolved into Cape Cod Volunteers.

2007
The Foundation created the Cape & Islands Nonprofit Leadership Program in partnership with the Gestalt International Study Center in Wellfleet. Seventeen nonprofit executives participated in the first class of this 7-month program funded by a 3-year grant from The Peter and Elizabeth Tower Foundation.

2008
The Foundation conducted its first community needs assessment.  The data published in “Understanding Cape Cod” helped shape our strategic plan and grantmaking and became a valued, shared resource for the community. It also received a gold medal for excellence from the Council on Foundations.

2009
The Foundation celebrated its 20th Anniversary and welcomed its first Town Fund.  A group of Falmouth residents established The Falmouth Fund to build resources to support nonprofits serving the Falmouth community. As of 2025, the Fund has invested over $1.3 million in more than 100 nonprofits serving the Falmouth community. Today, The Chatham Fund, The Harwich Fund, and The Fund for Sandwich are funds of The Cape Cod Foundation. They actively fundraise to build resources for local grantmaking. LEARN MORE

2010
The Foundation collaborated with two other funders to award a $100,000 challenge grant to the Cape Cod Symphony and Cape Cod Conservatory to support their merger. The organizations met the challenge by raising an additional $200,000.  Today, Cape Symphony brings live musical performances and arts education to the region.

2011
The Foundation convened more than 50 community leaders to create a regional Youth Action Plan. This plan would provide a common vision and roadmap for organizations working to support youth and families. It would also provide opportunities to expand partnerships and leverage resources to expand impact.

2012
The Advocates for a Community College Education Student Scholarship Fund was established. As of 2024, the Fund has distributed over $250,000 to more than 100 local students.  Students also receive mentoring and other support to help ensure postsecondary success.

2013
The Foundation established the Worthington Campbell Jr. Fund through a bequest. This unrestricted fund gives us flexible resources to deploy wherever they are needed. From 2019-2024, we invested nearly $1 million back into the community from this fund alone.