New Research
Research by Geography
Neighborhood/City of Boston
Metro Boston/Massachusetts/New England
National
New Research
The Boston Foundation, Passion & Purpose: Raising the Fiscal Fitness Bar for Massachusetts Nonprofits (June, 2008): A primer on the state's nonprofit organizations and a call to action. It aims to further the understanding of Massachusetts nonprofits and the values they provide, as well as take a hard look at the sector to underscore the importance of financial health as a necessary and critical condition to meeting its public purpose. The report calls upon all stakeholders-government, foundations, investors and nonprofits themselves-to raise the fiscal fitness bar by looking at strategies, practices and policies to strengthen the Massachusetts nonprofit sector so that it can continue to serve as a powerful 'glue' for our communities, an expression of our values, and an important contributor to our state's competitive edge.
UMB Institute for Asian American Studies, Asian American Non-Profit Organizations in US Metropolitan Areas (01/2008): Using Federal 990 data, provides a picture of Asian American non-profit in America's 10 largest metro areas.
Corporation for National and Community Service, Volunteering in America (07/2008): Provides data at the national, state and city level about the level of volunteering, with Boston ranking 34th among the 50 largest cities.
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, Understanding Our Tax System: A Primer For Active Citizens (03/2008): Provides an overview of the Massachusetts tax system and provides insight on what the average citizen can do to assess tax policy.
UMB Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, Women of Talent: Gender and Government Appointments in Massachusetts, 2002-2007 (11/2007): Although representation of women in high-level state positions has improved since 2002, the state ranks 22nd among the 50 states on this measure.
U-Mass Boston Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy, A Seat at the Table? Racial/Ethnic & Gender Diversity on Corporate, Hospital, Education, Cultural & State Boards (05/2007): This study found that there are low levels of diversity on the boards of the different types of institutions studied, with corporations being the least diverse (both in terms of gender and race/ethnicity), and cultural institutions being more diverse, especially in terms of gender.
U-Mass Boston Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy, A Benchmark Report on Diversity in State and Local Government (02/2007): Focusing on Boston and nine other Greater Boston communities, the report finds that representation of people of color in local elected and appointed offices does not equal the percent of people of color in these communities, with the exception of appointments in Boston and Somerville.
Social Capital Inc., Massachusetts Civic Youth Website (02/2007): This website gives youth a "voice and a platform for civic engagement that improves the Commonwealth of Mass," through web based services such a calendar of events, suggestions for getting involved, and a blog.
U-Mass Boston Institute for Asian American Studies, Far from the Commonwealth: A Report on Low-Income Asian Americans in Massachusetts (01/2007) (pdf): Highlights low-income Asian Americans in Massachusetts. Many Asian American sub-groups have higher unemployment and poverty rates and lower levels of educational attainment than other racial/ethnic groups.
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, Property Taxes in Massachusetts: Trends and Opinions (01/2007) (pdf): Reports that property taxes have increased as a proportion of personal income over the last five years, and it has hit moderate- and middle-income households harder than high-income households, and provides options for alleviating the problem.
Neighborhood/City of Boston
Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, U. Mass. Boston, As Tough as It Gets: Women in Boston Politics, 1921-2004 (10/2005): a historical review of the challenges faced by women in Boston politics that continue today.
www.SearchBoston.com provides links to a wide variety of resources, including a calendar of upcoming events and links to information on 15 sectors.
Boston Partnership for Older Adults, 100,000 Voices on Growing Older in Boston (4/2003); Boston's Vision for Aging with Dignity (8/2004);Views of Aging in Boston (9/2004): three reports which present, respectively, the experiences of Boston's aging population, a plan for making Boston a model for the nation in the care and support it provides to its seniors, and a series of maps that portray indicators of vulnerability as well as basic services that exist to meet the needs of Boston's older residents.
Metro Boston/Massachusetts/New England
The Boston Foundation, Passion & Purpose: Raising the Fiscal Fitness Bar for Massachusetts Nonprofits (June, 2008): A primer on the state's nonprofit organizations and a call to action. It aims to further the understanding of Massachusetts nonprofits and the values they provide, as well as take a hard look at the sector to underscore the importance of financial health as a necessary and critical condition to meeting its public purpose. The report calls upon all stakeholders-government, foundations, investors and nonprofits themselves-to raise the fiscal fitness bar by looking at strategies, practices and policies to strengthen the Massachusetts nonprofit sector so that it can continue to serve as a powerful 'glue' for our communities, an expression of our values, and an important contributor to our state's competitive edge.
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, Understanding Our Tax System: A Primer for Active Citizens (03/2008): Provides an overview of the Massachusetts tax system and provides insight on what the average citizen can do to assess tax policy.
UMB Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy, Women of Talent: Gender and Government Appointments in Massachusetts, 2002-2007 (11/2007): Although representation of women in high-level state positions has improved since 2002, the state ranks 22nd among the 50 states on this measure.
Corporation for National & Community Service, Volunteering in America: 2007 Trends and Rankings (07/2007): Based on US Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics data, America's 50 largest metros are assessed and ranked on volunteerism. Over 2004-2006, Boston ranked 30th in volunteer rates and 43rd in volunteer hours per capita.
U-Mass Boston Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy, A Seat at the Table? Racial/Ethnic & Gender Diversity on Corporate, Hospital, Education, Cultural & State Boards (05/2007): This study found that there are low levels of diversity on the boards of the different types of institutions studied, with corporations being the least diverse (both in terms of gender and race/ethnicity), and cultural institutions being more diverse, especially in terms of gender.
U-Mass Boston Center for Women in Politics & Public Policy, A Benchmark Report on Diversity in State and Local Government (02/2007): Focusing on Boston and nine other Greater Boston communities, the report finds that representation of people of color in local elected and appointed offices does not equal the percent of people of color in these communities, with the exception of appointments in Boston and Somerville.
Social Capital Inc., Massachusetts Civic Youth Website (02/2007): This website gives youth a "voice and a platform for civic engagement that improves the Commonwealth of Mass," through web based services such a calendar of events, suggestions for getting involved, and a blog.
U-Mass Boston Institute for Asian American Studies, Far from the Commonwealth: A Report on Low-Income Asian Americans in Massachusetts (01/2007) (pdf): Highlights low-income Asian Americans in Massachusetts. Many Asian American sub-groups have higher unemployment and poverty rates and lower levels of educational attainment than other racial/ethnic groups.
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center,Property Taxes in Massachusetts: Trends and Opinions (01/2007) (pdf): Reports that property taxes have increased as a proportion of personal income over the last five years, and it has hit moderate- and middle-income households harder than higher-income households, and provides option for alleviating the problem.
Graduate School of Policy Studies, Transformation and Taking Stock: A Summary of Selected Findings from the McCormack Graduate School of Diversity Survey (12/2006) (pdf): Reports the results of a survey on race conditions in Massachusetts. Among its findings: Blacks and Latinos are more likely to believe that conditions for minorities has not improved.
Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Measuring Disparities in Non-School Costs and Revenue Capacity among Massachusetts Cities and Towns (12/2006) (pdf): In a new approach to the formula for State aid to cities and towns, this report take a look at the ability of municipalities to raise additional funds.
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, Measuring Up: Taxes and Spending in Massachusetts--FY2004 Edition (11/2006): Massachusetts ranks 32nd among the states in the share of personal income going to state and local government taxes, and 39th in terms of spending as a share of personal income. In terms of expenditures as a share of personal income, Massachusetts ranked 48th on wages and salaries for government workers, and on education.
Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, State of Women: A County by County Report on Women and Girls in Massachusetts (11/2006): Provides a county level analysis of the status of women in terms of demographics, income, poverty, education, health and political representation.
Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, Creating a Transparent Budget for Massachusetts (10/2006): Outlines 18 recommendations that would make the budget and the budget process more user-friendly for citizens and advocates.
Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, The Long-Term Mismatch Between Available Resources and Important State Priorities: A Five-Year Fiscal Analysis (9/2006): Even with optimistic revenue projections, Massachusetts will need to level fund most programs in order to maintain budget integrity.
The Greater Boston Food Bank, Hunger in Eastern Massachusetts 2006 (3/2006): discusses emergency food distribution in Eastern Massachusetts in 2005, assessing the demographics of those who use food aid, and drawing comparisons to previous years
Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, Local Services, Local Aid, and Common Challenges (11/2005) (pdf): A Rappaport Institute Policy Brief by Phineas Baxandall, Assistant Director of the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston based chiefly on the Municipal Finance Task Force's September 2005 report, "Local Communities at Risk: Revisiting the Fiscal Partnership Between the Commonwealth and Cities and Towns."
Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, Policy Notes, Volume 2, Number 2 (6/2005): highlights policy-related research about Greater Boston, including the connection between civic capacity and urban education.
Associated Grant Makers, Giving Report (5/2005): charitable giving in Massachusetts by individuals, foundations, public charities, and corporations – giving exceeded $4 billion in 2002, the most recent year analyzed.
MassInc, The Massachusetts Nonprofit Sector: An Economic Profile, (03/2005): The Massachusetts nonprofit sector employees 13% of the state's employees, and the number of jobs increased from 2001 to 2003, while other sectors had job losses.
National
UMB Institute for Asian American Studies, Asian American Non-Profit Organizations in US Metropolitan Areas (01/2008): Using Federal 990 data, provides a picture of Asian American non-profit in America's 10 largest metro areas.
Corporation for National and Community Service, Volunteering in America (07/2008): Provides data at the national, state and city level about the level of volunteering, with Boston ranking 34th among the 50 largest cities.
Corporation for National & Community Service, Volunteering in America: 2007 Trends and Rankings (07/2007): Based on US Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics data, America's 50 largest metros are assessed and ranked on volunteerism. Over 2004-2006, Boston ranked 30th in volunteer rates and 43rd in volunteer hours per capita.
National League of Cities, Research Brief on America's Cities: City Fiscal Conditions in 2006 (10/2006): Reports that the fiscal condition of cities has stabilized, but are facing increased health and pension costs.
FairVote, The Shrinking Battleground and Who Picks the President? (2/2006): a report discussing the Electoral College and its impact on American Presidential politics. Citing detrimental effects on voter turnout, the marginalization of the large majority of Americans who do not live in battleground states, and racial inequalities, the study concludes by calling for an end to the College and a simple national vote for President, consistent with the principle of "one person, one vote."
New Tithing Group, The Demographics of Charitable Giving (12/2005): an analysis of IRS data finds that the wealthy give less, as a percentage their income, than less-wealthy peers. The study reports on differences in philanthropy by gender and age.
US Census Bureau, Preliminary Estimates of Business Ownership by Gender, Hispanic or Latino Origin, and Race: 2002 (7/2005): results of the 2002 Survey of Business Owners, featuring national and state data for black, Hispanic, Asian, Native Hawaiian, American Indian and women-owned businesses. Press release. Massachusetts data.
US Census Bureau, National Characteristics Population Estimates (6/2005): the latest national population estimates by sex, age, race and Hispanic origin - the nation’s Hispanic population reached 41.3 million as of July 1, 2004, accounting for nearly one-half of the nation’s population growth since the previous year.
US Census Bureau, November 2004 Voting and Registration Supplement to the Current Population Survey (5/2005): voting and registration data from the November 2004 Presidential election by state, race, sex, age, educational attainment, employment status and other key characteristics – 64% of U.S. citizens age 18 and over voted in 2004, up from 60% in 2000. Press Release.
MetLife Foundation/Civic Ventures, New Face of Work Survey (6/2005): work and career priorities among American baby boomers aged 50-70. Half of the individuals surveyed report wanting jobs that contribute to the greater good.
National Urban League, The State of Black America Series: examines equality gaps between US blacks and whites according to measures tracked by its Equality Index..
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