The Heller School for Social Policy and Management
  • We create accessible publications that guide funding in social justice areas and explore just, socially responsible philanthropic practice.
  • We design and host free educational programming, webinars, strategy sessions and other gatherings for funders, their advisors and nonprofit leaders.
  • We teach courses, fund fellowships, mentor students and host guest speakers for the Heller-Brandeis community.
  • We collaborate with numerous community-based groups, university-based philanthropy centers, social justice funders and national networks to build strategy, co-sponsor events and long-term projects and to support and learn from each other’s work.
Philanthropy Massachusetts has created a Disaster and Emergency Relief Resource List due to the COVID-19 crisis. This list will be constantly updated and is extremely useful for funders and individuals looking to provide thoughtful resources to our communities. Please stay safe and take care of one another.

Social Justice Giving Circles

On October 6th, 13th, and 20th of 2020, the Sillerman Center hosted a series of Social Justice Giving Circles Heller Faculty Giving Circle gave a $5,000 grant to MCAN, the Heller Student Giving Circle gave a $5,000 grant to Community Change Inc., and the Heller Staff Giving Circle gave a $5,000 grant to Boston Area Gleaners. 

New Report: A Steady Habit of Segregation: The Origins and Continuing Harms of Separate and Unequal Housing and Public Schools in Metropolitan Hartford, Connecticut
This report represents a collaboration with several nonprofit partners. It includes recommendations for grantmakers and policymakers who aspire to redress and reduce racial and economic segregation in housing and public schools. 

New Report: Inhabiting Change: Roles for Philanthropy in Reducing and Redressing Housing Segregation
This report provides the historical and policy context to inform funding for nonprofit organizations working to redress and reduce housing segregation.

New Report: Community-Centric Youth Philanthropy: A Case Study of Greater Worcester Community Foundation's Youth for Community Improvement Program
This case study aims to demonstrate how youth philanthropy can be an avenue to democratize philanthropy while it simultaneously benefits young people. 
Plant with $100 bill wrapped around it

Projects
Our long-term ongoing projects provide learning opportunities for grantmakers and foster community building among funders, scholars and community leaders.
Sillerman folder on table

Publications
Our publications explore contemporary issues in philanthropy, provide guidance and resources to socially concerned grantmakers and illuminate equitable, democratic philanthropic practice.
Wall with "Make Good" mural painted on it

Fellowships
Each year, we select up to three eligible Heller students and help to place them in paid philanthropy-related summer internships.