As we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month this May, the Chinese American Association of Cambridge (CAAC) is proud to share some wonderful news that reflects the strength and growing recognition of our community. This past year has brought us meaningful support from our city and Commonwealth — in the form of generous grants and official honors that affirm the value of our cultural work.
$10,000 in Grants to Advance Our Cultural Mission
We are thrilled to announce that CAAC has received a total of $10,000 in grants from two distinguished Cambridge institutions to support our work celebrating Chinese American heritage.
Cambridge Arts has awarded CAAC a $5,000 Project Grant for our project Chinese American Celebrations of its Cultural Heritage, part of the 2025/2026 Cambridge Arts Grant Program. Cambridge Arts Executive Director Jason Weeks congratulated CAAC as one of their 2026 LCC Project Grant recipients, noting that inclusion in this program “represents a significant endorsement of your project by the Cambridge Arts Council and the twenty-member Grant Review Committee comprised of Cambridge-based artists and arts professionals.”
In addition, the Cambridge Community Foundation (CCF) has awarded CAAC a $5,000 Community Fund Grant (FY26). CCF President Geeta Pradhan expressed the Foundation’s appreciation for our work, writing that they are “excited to support your impact in the community.”
These grants will fuel our ongoing efforts to share, preserve, and celebrate Chinese American culture right here in Cambridge — through events, education, and community engagement.
Official Recognition from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Beyond the grants, CAAC has been honored with two official recognitions from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts this year.
The Massachusetts House of Representatives, through Speaker Ronald Mariano and offered by State Representative Marjorie C. Decker, presented CAAC with a certificate of congratulations on February 17, 2026 — recognizing our organization in celebration of The Lunar New Year and the Year of the Horse, with the entire membership extending “its very best wishes and the hope for future good fortune and continued success in all endeavors.”
On February 1, 2026, Diana DiZoglio, Auditor of the Commonwealth, presented CAAC with an Official Citation in honor of the Cambridge Lunar Year Celebration 2026 for the Year of the Horse. This recognition from the Commonwealth’s highest financial officer is a testament to the meaningful role our community plays in the civic life of Massachusetts.
This AAPI Heritage Month, these grants and citations remind us of something our community has always known: our culture enriches Cambridge and Massachusetts. The support we have received from Cambridge Arts, the Cambridge Community Foundation, the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and the Office of the State Auditor is deeply humbling and motivating.
CAAC exists because of you — our members, volunteers, partners, and friends. Every Lunar New Year celebration, every cultural program, every gathering where our community comes together is possible because of your dedication. These recognitions belong to all of us.
We look forward to continuing this work together, and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating the vibrant contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout this month and beyond.