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:
Produced in partnership between the Boston Foundation, Firefly Energy Consulting, and the Building Electrification Institute, this report explores how philanthropy can provide “catalytic capital,” using impact investments and other vehicles to supplement local, state, and federal funding to reduce carbon emissions in low- and moderate-income areas.
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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.
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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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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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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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In a wide-ranging discussion, panelists discussed the elements high quality early education, both inside and outside the classroom.
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This half-day event featured the release of a new report from Boston Indicators and urbanist Jonathan Berk on permitting reform, plus robust discussion of zoning and building codes' roles in slowing housing production.
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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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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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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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