Our donors are always invited to Boston Foundation programs that are open to the public. Chief among these is Understanding Boston, a series of forums, educational events and research presentations that provide information and insight into issues affecting Greater Boston, its neighborhoods and the region. See recent Understanding Reports and forum videos below.
The Boston Foundation hosts events for donors that engage them in programmatic topics (an evening at Commonwealth Shakespeare, for example, or a screening of a film about a prison transition program) and that introduce them to thought leaders in philanthropy: Donors were invited to a “Jeffersonian Dinner” with Dr. Atul Gawande, and to a concert and conversation with Peter Buffett at the Isabel Stewart Gardner Museum. We offer a series of philanthropic workshops each year to help donors and their friends learn more about the mechanics of estate and charitable gift planning from experts in the field. Past programs have included:
Written in partnership with TransitMatters, this new report explores the supportive relationship between housing density and effective transit, and highlights some of Greater Boston's best opportunities to craft a stronger ecosystem.
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Commissioned by Boston Indicators for the Racial Wealth Equity Resource Center, this report by researchers at the Institute for New England Native American Studies explores Native American wealth, and perceptions of it, using data and focus groups with 18 Tribal members in a first-of-its-kind report.
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During the 2024 season of gratitude and generosity, we know that giving from your donor advised fund is on your mind! We asked our expert Program staff to share key partner organizations that would benefit from additional support.
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The 2024 Annual Report features a focus on a number of Boston Foundation donors whose interest, insights and generosity make it more possible for the Boston Foundation to improve lives and strengthen communities. Read more about their commitment to some of Greater Boston's most vital nonprofits.
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This report, by the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation with the support of TBF, explores how well the state is doing at supporting and strengthening the Child Care Finance Assistance system, which serves more than 65,000 of the most vulnerable children across the state - and what can be done to protect and expand access as COVID-era supports come to an end.
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TBF hosted the release of a new report from Boston Indicators and TransitMatters on the relationship between housing density and effective transit, and the possibilities for strengthening transit hubs in Greater Boston.
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TBF hosted the release of new data from a pilot project that captured significant differences in heat across Boston neighborhoods, and sparked a discussion of how neighborhood-level heat data could be used to help residents and save lives.
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The racial wealth gap has gained significant attention recently, but Native American families are almost always left out of these discussions, in part due to data limitations. This is why Boston Indicators commissioned the Institute for New England Native American Studies at UMass Boston to produce this unique report, “To Live and Thrive” in Massachusetts: Native American Perspectives on Wealth. The event featured a detailed presentation of the report by the researchers, followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A.
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Research shows the "Great Wealth Transfer" of more than $70 trillion from Baby Boomers to their descendants has the possibility of exacerbating racial wealth gaps. In this conversation, panelists say it doesn't have to be that way.
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On December 11, the Asian Community Fund, the Asian Business Empowerment Council and the Boston Foundation were proud to host the second annual #ShopAAPI forum and night market at TBF’s offices in Boston.
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