Boston Foundation Hosts Forum Civic Engagement & Education in Massachusetts on May 18

Boston - The Boston Foundation and Tisch College for Civic Life at Tufts University will host a forum and discussion on the importance of civics education in Massachusetts on Thursday, May 18 at the Boston Foundation. Although many parts of the country have seen marches and protests in response to last year's presidential election, the United States lags most highly developed, democratic states when it comes to voter turnout. Our own Commonwealth is ranked dead last among states in terms of competitive legislative races. This is true at a time when it has never been more important to impart the importance of government, civics and electoral politics at all levels to the next generation.

Engaging Citizens: Civics, Education and the New Political Landscape
Thursday, May 18, 2017
8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
The Boston Foundation, 75 Arlington Street, 10th Floor, Boston

Welcoming Remarks

Paul S. Grogan, President & CEO, The Boston Foundation 

Presentation

Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg, Director of CIRCLE, Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University

Panel Discussion

Gary Blank, Senior Vice President of Policy, Planning & Strategy, Fidelity's Public Affairs & Policy Group; Board of Directors Vice Chair, Generation Citizen
Caroline Angel Burke, Vice President, Education, Visitor Experience & Collections, Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
Kevin Dua, History Educator, Somerville Public Schools
Eric Lesser, Senator, Commonwealth of Massachusetts 
Keith Mahoney, Panel Moderator, Vice President of Communications & Public Affairs, The Boston Foundation

Closing Remarks

Ambassador Alan D. Solomont, Dean, Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University

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The Boston Foundation, Greater Boston’s community foundation, is one of the largest community foundations in the nation, with net assets of some $1 billion. In 2016, the Foundation and its donors made $100 million in grants to nonprofit organizations and received gifts of more than $107 million. In celebration of its Centennial in 2015, the Boston Foundation launched the Campaign for Boston to strengthen the Permanent Fund for Boston, the principal endowment fund focused on the most pressing needs of Greater Boston. The Foundation is proud to be a partner in philanthropy, with more than 1,000 separate charitable funds established by donors either for the general benefit of the community or for special purposes. The Boston Foundation also serves as a major civic leader, think tank and advocacy organization, commissioning research into the most critical issues of our time and helping to shape public policy designed to advance opportunity for everyone in Greater Boston. The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), a distinct operating unit of the Foundation, designs and implements customized philanthropic strategies for families, foundations and corporations around the globe. For more information about the Boston Foundation and TPI, visit tbf.org or call 617-338-1700.