We acknowledge and recognize that we do not all start from the same place. Equity focuses on systemic, systems-level change that works to adjust imbalances and repair historical harms. Together we can improve lives, strengthen communities and build a better—and more equal—Boston.
Who We Are
The Annual Fund, which supports the Boston Foundation’s research, convenings and policy work on issues of critical importance to Boston and the region, has a fundraising goal of $3,500,000 before June 2025.
Learn more about the new co-chairs
The new report looks at the slow progress of getting new climate technology into Boston's small buildings, and looks to philanthropists and other partners to accelerate adoption.
Read and download the report
Boston Indicators, in partnership with the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies and the Boston-based design firm Utile, call for bringing outdated codes in line with global standards to increase housing diversity and livability while using space more efficiently.
Read more about the report here
Produced by the Instituto Diaspora Brasil, the new report provides a first-of-its-kind look at the history of Brazilian immigration to Massachusetts, the demographics and today's Brazilian population and first-hand accounts from members of the nation's second-largest Brazilian community - right here in Massachusetts.
Click here to read moreWe believe that closing the gap on the region’s greatest disparities opens pathways to opportunity, prosperity and equitable outcomes. This complex, challenging and critical goal requires tackling the individual-, systems- and root-level causes of inequity. Here's where we are digging in.
What We Do
The systemic and structural inequities at the core of our region’s disparities cannot be dismantled without extraordinary perseverance and collaboration among visionary and courageous partners, donors and leaders. Together we can improve lives and strengthen communities.
Our Work with Donors
Last fall, with support from TBF, the Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP) launched its Well-being Initiative – an effort to research, develop, teach, and disseminate a set of interventions that address rising burnout, turnover, and workforce shortages in the social sector. Join us for the release of INP’s well-being report – Thriving Together: Cultivating Well-being & Sustainability in the Social Sector – a panel discussion and special networking hours. See the event description for details.
A highly-anticipated annual report for more than two decades, the Greater Boston Housing Report Card will again analyze the latest trends in the Greater Boston housing market and go deeper into the metrics and analysis of key housing issues. For 2024, the Boston Indicators team will analyze the core metrics of the region's housing, while researchers from Boston University’s Initiative on Cities took a close look at the opportunities and obstacles in using publicly-owned land to develop affordable housing in this year's Special Topic. Be among the first to explore the new report.
The second convening by TBF and EdVestors on career-connected learning for Boston's youth, this conversation will focus on how to make high-quality, relevant, and equitable pathways from high school to college and careers. Featuring a panel of leaders from the school district, higher ed, local nonprofits, and employers, we will explore building an infrastructure of supports for high school and district staff, aligning state and local policies and resources, and fostering innovations that advance equitable access for students.
Wealth disparities influence outcomes in health, education, and career, with greater wealth providing significant advantages. However. decades of disinvestment and racial discrimination limit the ability of households and communities of color to accumulate wealth. Join us for the final event in TBF's wealth gap event series, “Minding the Gap: Personal Wealth," for an examination of this gap and how wealth-building opportunities can enhance quality of life. This event will bring together experts to discuss the effects of wealth inequities in Greater Boston and explore potential solutions.
Working beyond grantmaking, we collect data, commission research and share knowledge to inform public policy and catalyze conversations on issues with the greatest impact on the people of Greater Boston.
The Boston Foundation's 2023 annual report, organized around our four pathways to equity, tells some profoundly personal stories about how our donors and our nonprofit partners have the capacity to change lives. We offer deep thanks to our nonprofit partners who collaborated with us on this report and especially to those who shared their personal and inspiring stories with us.
