Foundation & Corporate Relations

  • Our goal is to connect a wide range of foundation and corporate funding opportunities both locally and nationally with the exciting and innovative work taking place across the Boston Public Schools. We do this by working closely with our foundation and corporate partners, learning about their specific philanthropic interests and developing strong relationships. We research specific funding initiatives and work with BPS teams and departments on developing proposals. We also provide technical assistance in all aspects of the grants research, writing, and reporting process, helping BPS staff develop key capacities.

    For questions about Foundation & Corporate Relations please contact Russell Hansen at rhansen@bostonpublicschools.org. 

    Spotlight On:

    Vertex

    Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a multi-avenue partner, providing both school-year and summer programs for the students of Boston Public Schools. The Thomas M. Menino Learning Lab offers laboratory-based instruction as well as mentorship opportunities. Learn More

    Celtics

    This year, kindergarten through fifth grade students in Higginson/Lewis, Tynan, Channing, Taylor, King, Chittick, Harvard/Kent, Curtis Guild, and Winship schools participated in the annual Read to Achieve initiative (sponsored in part by InvestBPS partner Houghton Mifflin Harcourt). Students were rewarded with individual incentives and opportunities to win school assemblies with Celtics players. Learn More

    Nellie Mae Education Foundation

    Awarded December 2017

    Funding from Nellie Mae will help Boston Public Schools with its goal of improving and personalizing professional learning, by empowering teachers and bringing their voices and experience to district level decision-making. This project will pilot a new context-informed process of needs assessment coordinated by “Networkers,” an innovative new teacher leadership role. They will connect approximately 200 district teachers with shared learning interests through a series of innovative, job-embedded, teacher-led professional learning models. Working with others, the Networkers will cultivate and curate best practices aligned to the “Essentials for Instructional Equity,” BPS’ vision for coherent student-centered learning.

    Barr Foundation

    Awarded October 2017

    Support from Barr Foundation will enable TechBoston Academy to begin a two-year planning process to enhance the school’s student-centered and hands-on approaches to teaching science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM). TechBoston Academy, which serves students in grades 6-12, was one of 11 schools in New England to receive the funding. The partnership allows TechBoston Academy, an open-enrollment, public pilot school serving nearly 1,000 students, to build on its innovative personalized-learning work. This will allow students to develop the skills necessary to access the economy of the future — in areas such as engineering, computational thinking, and biotechnology.