Report
Family Wealth in Massachusetts
A new report takes a first-of-its-kind look at family wealth across demographic groups in Massachusetts, highlighting the broad disaparities between and among groups in the state.
Read MoreDonor Education + Events
Our programs and events keep you in touch with community issues and your own approach to philanthropy.
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.
Donor-Only Events
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:
- Responding to Financial Markets: Life Income and Related Plans
- Charitable Planning with Real Estate Interests
- Estate and Gift Planning Basics
- Charitable Contributions of IRA and Qualified Retirement Plan Assets
- Planning for the Future of Your Donor Advised Fund
Report
Persisting through the Pandemic and Beyond: Trends In College Enrollment, Persistence and Completion Experiences of Boston Public Schools Graduates
This report from the Boston Private Industry Council and the Boston Foundation explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the following years on college enrollment, persistance and completion for graduates of the Boston Public Schools. While results are improving from pandemic lows, the report highlights the challenges of regaining momentum, especially for the groups of students facing the hardest paths to a postsecondary education.
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Report
An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens Massachusetts’ Labor Force
A new report from Boston Indicators and the MassINC Policy Center couples data and interviews and finds that Massachusetts faces significant demographic and economic impacts from the Trump Administration's efforts to implement broad-based cuts to immigration.
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Report
ADUs Turn One
Produced by Boston Indicators in partnership with Abundant Housing Massachusetts, ADUs Turn One finds the statewide allowance of accessory dwelling units has had a positive impact on permitting, but costs and complex local codes are limiting the success.
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Report
The Power of Us: Amplifying AAPI Visibility & Belonging
The ACF’s Impact Report captures the fund's path from its start in 2020 through 2025, highlighting the power of research, convening, partnerships, advocacy, narrative change and grantmaking to bring greater strength, stability, and inclusion to AAPI businesses and communities, and to uplift the many contributions AAPI people provide to the diversity and dynamism of MA.
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Video
Unlocking Small Multifamily Housing Through Building Code Reform recap
In a one-hour author briefing hosted by Boston Indicators, researchers explored how the two international codes that provide the backbone of local building codes can limit our ability to develop much-needed multifamily housing in Massachusetts.
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Video
Recap: Voices from Home: The State of Homeownership in Massachusetts
This online webinar featured data from a new survey by MassINC Policy Center exploring how homeowners have fared in the months and years after their home purchase, and a panel discussion on how the state can expand support.
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Video
Recap: Persisting through the Pandemic and Beyond
A large online audience tuned in for a new presentation of data showing how well Boston Public Schools graduates have rebounded from the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of college enrollment, persistence and completion, presented by the Boston Private Industry Council
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Video
Coffee & Conversation: Strengthening Early Childhood Systems Through Research and Policy
At the June Coffee and Conversation, policy leaders announced the formation of the Early Childhood Exchange, known as ECX, as a new collaborative effort by philanthropy and leading nonprofits to advocate for improving early childhood education and care for Massachusetts families and caregivers.
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Video
Recap: An Uncertain Future: How the Immigration Crackdown Threatens the Massachusetts Labor Force
Nearly 200 people gathered in person and online to hear about a new report examining the impact of federal immigration restrictions on the Massachusetts economy, and to discuss how businesses and others can navigate the damage and uncertainty.
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