Last Tuesday, November 28, nonprofits and donors around the world, including many of you, generously celebrated #GivingTuesday, a day dedicated to uplifting volunteerism and giving. Launched in 2012 as an antidote to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration that, this year, resulted in $247 million in donations to nonprofits, the highest yet for this annual event.  

But what should you take from that, as a donor or a nonprofit?

Earlier this week, we released the 15th annual Greater Boston Housing Report Card in a packed event at the Edgerley Center for Civic Leadership.

Once again, Barry Bluestone and his team did yeoman’s work, pulling together state and local data on sales, rentals, permits and the general state of our economy - and laid out a possible plan for a new type of development that could meet the needs for the city’s growing millennial and senior populations - a 21st century village of smaller, but mixed units designed to feature and provide elements that create and support community.

This week, the staff and Board of Directors of the Boston Foundation will throw open our doors to hundreds of our closest friends, welcoming them to our Annual Meeting. 

But we’ll welcome them to a very different space than we had a year ago. 

What’s more important than teaching STEM in schools? Taking STEM students out.

--My 4 year-old, Audrey, referring to her little sister: “Eleanor just poked my eyeball!!”
--Me: “You’re okay sweetheart, just use your other one.”
--Audrey: “But I need them BOTH!!”

My parenting tactics aside, boy is Audrey right!  I cannot recall a time when we needed both of our eyes more than we do now.

In our third "Voices of Success" post this month, we highlight the story of Elisio Depina, who began his involvement with Success Boston as a student, returned as a coach, and found both experiences had a profound impact.

The benefits of a post-secondary credential are indisputable. From increases in lifetime earnings to longer life span and greater involvement in civic life. But for many, earning a certificate or degree has an impact on more than just their own future.

On October 10th, the Massachusetts Health Council celebrated statewide public health accomplishments at their annual "Dining with the Stars" gala event at the Sheraton Boston. This year’s event was particularly exciting for us at the Boston Foundation because our longtime partner, Dr. Christina Economos, co-founder of ChildObesity180, was honored for her strong commitment to public health and improved health outcomes for children in Massachusetts and across the country.

October is "College Month" in the Boston Public Schools, so this month we are beginning a series of posts to introduce you to some of the students and coaches who are making our Success Boston partnership shine.

Success Boston coaches play a powerful role. Today, meet two of them: Fernando Rodriguez from Sociedad Latina, and Patrice Charlot of Bottom Line.

Over the course of the coming academic year, we will be sharing the insights of students and coaches from Success Boston, Boston’s citywide college completion initiative. Together, the Boston Foundation, the Boston Public Schools (BPS), the City of Boston, Boston Private Industry Council, and 37 area institutions of higher education led by UMass Boston and Bunker Hill Community College join with local nonprofit partners in an effort to double the number of BPS graduates completing college. 

This week, we meet Oscar Torres, a student at UMass Boston and Juanita Tabb, a Success Counselor with Bottom Line.