Right about now some of you are enjoying the Harbus for the first time. Soon you’ll find yourself grabbing a copy weekly and letting its witty writers ease the stress of topics like how to process wet and dry cranberries. While I won’t spoil that secret for you I will let you in on a little known fact about the Harbus News Corp – eight years ago it founded a foundation, the Harbus Foundation.
Similar to other foundations, each year the Harbus Foundation awards grants. The Harbus Foundation supports Boston area non-profits serving causes primarily related to literacy and education. Where the Harbus Foundation differs from other foundations is that it is the only totally student-run foundation in the United States. In fact, in addition to giving back to the community through grants, getting HBS students actively involved in philanthropy is part of its dual mission. Close to 60% of HBS alumni serve or served on a board after graduation so exposure to non-profits is valuable even for those who have not considered a career in non-profit. In this regard, the Harbus Foundation represents a unique opportunity to get to know and have impact in the non-profit sector.
I speak for many participants of the Harbus Foundation when I say that the impact is there. 2004 grant recipient Ian Lane of Minds Matter of Boston describes how immediate the impact of a Harbus Foundation grant was to his organization:
“Minds Matter of Boston is a 100% volunteer organization so the entire $10,000 will go directly to fund scholarships to send our students to summer college preparatory programs.ÿ The Harbus Foundation’s generous contribution to our scholarship fund will allow our students to attend high quality summer programs that will ultimately open up immeasurable opportunities for the students, including acceptance to a four-year college.ÿ Broadly, the funds will allow Minds Matter of Boston to accomplish its goal ofÿplacing inner-city Boston high school students on a realistic path to a college education.”
To learn more about how you can get involved with the Harbus Foundation this year speak with us at the following dates:
HBS Club Fair: Tuesday, September 20th and Wednesday, September 21st at the Social Enterprise Booth at the Club Fair in Spangler, 3 pm – 6 pm
Harbus Foundation Kick-Off Meeting: Thursday September 22nd at the McCulloch Hall Lounge, 5 pm – 6 pm
Please email Courtney Frank (cfrank@mba2006.hbs.edu) or Marni Weil (mweil@mba2006.hbs.edu) with questions.
