Boston Common - Niche Media - A side of Boston that's anything but common.
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photography courtesy of the Boston foundation If the Boston Foundation were a cor- poration, it would rank quite nicely in the Fortune 500 —if not for the fact that its mission is pretty much the antithesis of the standard corporate business model. The foundation makes money, sure—billions, actu- ally—but then gives it all away. At the helm is President and CEO Paul S. Grogan. In his whip-smart lead- ership, he personifies the corporate titan. Luckily for the nonprofit sector, the markets he's interested in growing are healthcare, education, culture, and the arts, in addition to boosting the local economy and revitalizing Boston's neighborhoods. "I came from a family dominated by people in some form of service—educators, doctors, ministers," says Grogan, who grew up in upstate New York. "From a very early age, I just assumed I would be in some form of public service myself." Call him a venture philanthropist. On December 2, Grogan will lead the celebration at the Boston Foundation's Centennial Gala Dinner Charity register Opportunities to give. Boston Children's hospital What: The popular Champions for Children's event returns. Guests will enjoy dinner as well as silent and live auctions. Devin McCourty of the New England Patriots will be honored with the Champion Award. The event raised $4 million in 2014. bostonchildrens.org/champions When: December 1, 5:30 pm Where: Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd. david ortiz Children's Fund What: Boston's most popular slugger, David Ortiz, will mingle with his fans during a four-day celebrity golfng geta- way in his native Dominican Republic. The David Ortiz Celebrity Golf Classic benefts the David Ortiz Children's Fund, which has partnered with World Pediatric Project and MassGeneral Hospital for Children to help sick children in both the island nation and New England. davidortizchildrensfund.org When: December 3–6 Where: Sanctuary Cap Cana and Punta Espada Golf Club, Dominican Republic Big Brothers Big sisters oF MassaChusetts Bay What: Experience the power of music as Flo Rida headlines the annual Big Night. Shaggy and the Goo Goo Dolls starred in 2015's sold-out show at the House of Blues, which raised $1.9 million to support mentoring programs for more than 2,000 local young people. bbbsmb.org When: February 6, 2016 Where: House of Blues Boston, 15 Lansdowne St. new england Conservatory What: "Dinner and a show" takes on new meaning at the gala A Feast of Music, which pairs each course with music. The organizing committee hopes to raise $800,000 to beneft the conservatory's annual scholarship fund. necmusic.edu When: February 27, 2016, 6 pm Where: Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St. James Ave. Hedging His Funds Paul S. GroGan, PRESiDENT AND CEO OF THE 100-yEAR-OLD BOSTON FOuNDATiON, iS CAREFuL ABOuT CHOOSiNG NONPROFiTS TO iNvEST iN. SO FAR, HE'S ON A WiNNiNG STREAk. by lisa pierpont at The Westin Copley Place. It's been quite a century for the nonprofit power- house. Some of the institutions of which Boston is proudest owe their very exis- tence to the foundation, which provided them with key leadership, seed capital, and grants—often serving as their sole financial resource. The New England Aquarium, Citizen Schools, WGBH-TV, Charles River Conservancy, American Repertory Theater, Tufts Medical Center… the list goes on and on. "We pick the issues very carefully," Grogan says. "We research extensively and cre- ate strategies based on questions: What are the public-policy issues in this area right now? What do we have to do?" Grogan has ensured that the foun- dation does plenty. Since joining the organization 14 years ago, he and his staff have supported the expansion of charter schools ("We spearheaded major legislation in 2010"), produced a report analyzing challenges in the city's Probation Department ("The costs turned out to be out of control; the report was picked up by The Boston Globe Spotlight Team and ended up on the front page"), and helped pass a municipal healthcare plan. Now Grogan has his sights set on lowering costs and increasing service at the MBTA. But perhaps his proudest effort is the Success Boston College Completion Initiative, which aims to double the number of Boston public school graduates. So far, so good: "The overall graduation rate has risen from 35 to 50 percent." Fresh out of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Grogan got his start as a speechwriter for Mayor Kevin H. White. "You know, I've met two or three people whom I'd regard as real geniuses, and White was one," he says. Up the ranks Grogan and his signature mustache continued to rise, serving as an aide to Mayor Raymond L. Flynn; as vice president for government, community, and public affairs at Harvard University; and as president of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. "It was an incredible education to be in the public sector and to under- stand how it works, to understand how hard it is to accomplish things, and to have respect for people who can," Grogan says. That insight has served him well in his role at the foun- dation. "Given my interests, I am so fortunate with my work at the Boston Foundation. Literally, there isn't a job I would rather have." The Boston Foundation Centennial Gala Dinner will be held on December 2 at The Westin Copley Place, 10 Huntington Ave. For tickets and more information, call 617- 338-1700 or visit tbf.org. BC As president and CEO of the Boston Foundation, Paul S. Grogan has championed the expansion of charter schools (top). 58 bostoncommon-magazine.com PeOPLe spirit of generosity