Serving our neighbors
Harvard is committed to giving back to the places we call home through building and sustaining strong partnerships, providing educational and employment opportunities, and driving research and innovation that benefit our cities and state.
How we give back
From long-standing public school partnerships in Cambridge and Boston, to cutting-edge research, generous financial aid, strategic partnerships, and many more mission-driven programs across our cities and state, we are committed to enriching our home communities.
Harvard’s local and statewide impact
Learn more about the work we do across Cambridge, Boston, and Massachusetts in our annual reports.
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$19.3 million
in scholarships awarded to Harvard College students from MA in 2020-2021 academic year.
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$913 million
in research funding attracted to Massachusetts by Harvard in the 2021 fiscal year.
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4,465
patents held by Harvard as of July 2021.
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5th
largest employer of Massachusetts residents.
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$1.3 billion
in construction, supplies, and services directed towards Massachusetts-based companies and organizations in the 2021 fiscal year.
Leading locally
Harvard University is committed to a mission of teaching, learning, and research, shaping a vibrant and shared future for the betterment of our neighbors and communities around the world. Learn more about our work in Boston, Cambridge, and Massachusetts.
Help at home
Upcoming local events
Measuring Difference
Measuring Difference
Kim and Judy Davis Dean’s Lecture in the Arts with Celeste Ng
Kim and Judy Davis Dean’s Lecture in the Arts with Celeste Ng
Harvard Museum of Natural History
The Harvard Museum of Natural History (HMNH) presents lectures and exhibitions to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the human place in it. HMNH also offers yearlong adult classes, professional development for educators, kids programs, and family activities.
Harvard Ed Portal
The Harvard Ed Portal brings the Harvard and Allston-Brighton communities together through learning, exploring ideas, and embracing a diversity of participants. Programs include programs for youth and adults; including K-12 mentoring, clubs, arts, career and economic development, wellness, and digital and online learning opportunities.
- 106 Allston-Brighton students participated across youth programs, including mentoring and free academic support.
- 1,650 Boston residents participated across all the workforce development programs.
- $350,000+ in estimated sales generated by vendors, including through the online Winter Market.
- $3 million in Harvard funding provided in support of affordable homeownership in Allston-Brighton through the All Bright Homeownership Program.
HarvardX
The HarvardX portal enables learners around the globe to gain access to Harvard’s collection of free online courses. Online courses in a variety of subjects can be audited for free or students can choose to receive a verified certificate for a small fee.
LabXchange
LabXchange, developed by Harvard, is a free science education platform that brings the lab virtually anywhere by curating and creating world-class digital content. Teachers, families, and individuals can use this resource to learn or teach online with virtual classrooms, lab simulations, and more.
- 26,000+ Massachusetts educators, students, and lifelong learners supported.
- 110 school and institutional collaborators.
More free courses and learning opportunities
Technology Entrepreneurship: Lab to Market
Exercising Leadership: Foundational Principles
Tangible Things: Discovering History Through Artworks, Artifacts, Scientific Specimens, and the Stuff Around You
Local stories
We strive to strengthen the vibrant communities that surround us.