MIT cares deeply about its neighbors. The Institute’s students, faculty, and staff are committed to supporting the City and nonprofit partners in addressing the needs of our local community. Below is a snapshot of MIT’s impact and involvement.
Through the Community Service Fund, MIT supports both local nonprofits and student-initiated community service projects.
The Office of Government & Community Relations (OGCR) hosted over 65 public events for nonprofits and the City of Cambridge during the 2017–2018 fiscal year.
OGCR frequently connects researchers on campus with community partners. For example, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities works with the MIT Energy Initiative on grid modernization and designing utilities of the future.
MIT employees offer their time and experience to dozens of City of Cambridge and nonprofit boards, committees, and task forces.
The Priscilla King Gray (PKG) Center promotes volunteerism and civic education among MIT students and supports efforts to connect the MIT community with area nonprofits.
MIT continues to be Cambridge’s number one taxpayer, accounting for 14.7% of the city’s total tax revenue in 2017. The Institute paid $54.9 million in real estate taxes and over $2 million in payment in lieu of taxes.
2,213
Events in 2017 at MIT that were free and open to the public. Find what is happening on campus at calendar.mit.edu.
130+
Through volunteerism, direct donations, in-kind contributions and the use of campus event space, MIT collaborated with more than 130 local nonprofits in 2017.
$137M
In direct economic contributions to the city. From the Cambridge First purchasing policy to taxes and fees paid to the City of Cambridge, MIT’s direct economic contributions have steadily increased over the last 5 years.
Affordable Housing
As part of the Kendall Square Initiative and Volpe Redevelopment projects, MIT is building approximately 1,700 units of housing, including approximately 320 affordable and 20 middle-income units.
K-12 Education
MIT works closely with Cambridge Public Schools and local nonprofits to support K-12 students. In hiring a K-12 outreach administrator, the Institute aims to strengthen the relationship between its programs and Cambridge’s K-12 curricular needs.
Arts & Culture
Through the Creative Current partnership with the Community Art Center, MIT has enlivened pedestrian walkways on Main Street with three vibrant murals during construction projects while supporting youth artists from The Port neighborhood.
The Environment
Led by the Office of Sustainability, the Institute is performing a rigorous campus-wide climate change vulnerability assessment. Working with the City of Cambridge, the assessment hopes to inform next steps to mitigate against future impacts of climate change.
Civic Advocacy
In 2017, MIT collaborated with local organizers to host the inaugural Data for Black Lives conference. Over three days, participants discussed ways to use data science to create concrete and measurable change in the lives of black people.
Helping the Homeless
In 2018, the Institute celebrates the 25th anniversary of the tripartite agreement among MIT, the City of Cambridge, and CASPAR that established CASPAR’s Emergency Services Center at 240 Albany Street on MIT’s campus.