News and Insights

As Greater Boston's community foundation, the Boston Foundation is focused on the myriad of factors which make our city unique and successful. With an emphasis on strengthening this region's competitiveness in the global economy, the Foundation works with many partners to publish cutting edge research, hold public forums, and convene task forces of experts and stakeholders to create action agendas for real change.

TBF News

In a new report, Boston Indicators and the American Insititute for Boys and Men explore the growing gaps between women and men in health and education, and the widening gulf among men in areas like education and employment.

The application period for this special round, which opens Tuesday, has been simplified to accelerate the process at a time when many nonprofits face existential threats to their funding and support.

As we launched a special round of Safety Net Grants to meet the current crises facing many nonprofits, TBF also recognized the 20 Massachusetts organizations receiving a share of $1 million in grants to meet the basic needs of their communities.

A new report from Boston Indicators, in partnership with TransitMatters, highlights the relationship between housing density and transit access, and finds numerous places in Greater Boston where a focus on 'transit-supportive density' could inspire housing development.

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TBF in the Media

To offer rental assistance to more low-income families, a coalition of a housing advocacy groups including TBF lobbied lawmakers for a spending increase for the MA Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), which has a 160,000-person waitlist, Banker & Tradesman reports.

With high housing costs, MassLive digs into the budget and demand for the MA Rental Voucher Program (MRVP), which offers rental assistance to low-income families, as a coalition of a housing advocacy groups including TBF lobbied lawmakers for a spending increase for MRVP, as well as legislation to codify the program into law.

Preserving existing housing and preventing displacement, the Dorchester Reporter shares that Fairlawn Estates in Mattapan has been purchased with plans to keep all of its 347 units affordable, supported with the Boston Acquisition Fund's first investment and a grant from the city of Boston.

Sharing from the Dorchester Reporter, WBUR highlights the purchase of Fairlawn Estates with a plan to keep all of its 347 units affordable with the first investment of the Boston Acquisition Fund, a fund backed by TBF alongside other foundations and hospitals, and funding from the city of Boston.

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The Latest Reports

In this report, Boston Indicators and the American Institute for Boys and Men explore important, and concerning, trends for men and boys in health, mental health, education, and employment, with widening gaps between men and women in health and education, and a widening differential among men in employment and wages.

Written in partnership with TransitMatters, this new report explores the supportive relationship between housing density and effective transit, and highlights some of Greater Boston's best opportunities to craft a stronger ecosystem.

Commissioned by Boston Indicators for the Racial Wealth Equity Resource Center, this report by researchers at the Institute for New England Native American Studies explores Native American wealth, and perceptions of it, using data and focus groups with 18 Tribal members in a first-of-its-kind report.

During the 2024 season of gratitude and generosity, we know that giving from your donor advised fund is on your mind! We asked our expert Program staff to share key partner organizations that would benefit from additional support.

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Even as fire still rages in Southern California, community foundations and other organizations are working to comfort and support the victims. This giving guide includes organizations that could use your support.

In an exceptionally busy year, these are the reports and pieces of research from TBF and Boston Indicators that jumped to the top of the list for 2024, led once again by the Greater Boston Housing Report Card.

A series of significant financial investments by TBF's Business Equity Fund in TARTTs Day Care Centers highlights the wealth-building power that can be unleashed when a company owned by people of color has access to the advice and capital they need to grow.

Designated as National Native American Heritage Month, November finds many Americans reflecting on the historic and present-day harms committed against Native people in our country. We have accumulated information and resources to guide our own education and action this month, and are happy to share for others to explore.

At our 2024 Annual Meeting, TBF President and CEO Lee Pelton shared his thoughts on our work, where we are as a nation and a community, and where we can and must go to build a more equitable future for Greater Boston. Read the full text here.

October is National Arts & Humanities Month. In this blog post by Laura Reyes, Program Officer, Arts and Creativity at TBF, we're spotlighting the importance of arts in our community, celebrating and sharing several artists and organizations and contributions to the creative communities in recognition of the month.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, there are a number of places where donors can help support the communities that are affected. This giving guide has been compiled as a resource for donors.

With the 2024 Election approaching, many donors are looking for ways to support organizations focused on voting rights and democracy. TBF has compiled a list of non-partisan organizations working to increase civic engagement and strengthen democracy in both Massachusetts and across the country.

Yesterday, at the Massachusetts State House, Gov. Maura Healey signed into law the Frances Perkins Wage Equity Act. The Boston Foundation is a proud partner, leading advocate and convenor of the Wage Equity Now coalition, which has been working for years to bring this new law to fruition.

A thread running through much of the work of the Boston Foundation is the concept of spatial justice—the equity-centered preservation of communal spaces that define and exemplify the character of Boston’s neighborhoods. Faced with the increasingly rapid loss of spaces that are welcoming and meaningful, especially to residents of color, we believe there is a critical need to proactively preserve these invaluable community assets.