Strengthening the communities in which we live and work
We are making a positive impact where we live and work
The firm’s leadership has always understood the value of engaging in fulfilling, non-work activities and being a good corporate citizen. Today, our charitable giving and volunteering program provides opportunities for our teams around the globe to support causes that are important to them.
Standing with Ukraine
The world looked on in horror this year as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked a humanitarian crisis and an uncertain future for Ukraine’s citizens. Colleagues at HarbourVest immediately responded by giving to organizations providing supplies, meals, and support to those in-country and those who fled to safer havens. Financial contributions were raised through employee giving and firm matches, including a peer match campaign that tripled the impact of donations to World Central Kitchen.
Global Volunteer Weeks
HarbourVest holds two Global Volunteer Weeks per year, allowing staff to work together and donate their time to local causes during business hours. Events have been held virtually during the pandemic and went hybrid in November 2021, with colleagues worldwide coming together to embrace both virtual and in-person opportunities to give back locally.
2022 Summer Volunteer Weeks
300+ volunteers
2,600+ volunteer hours
Global Employee Service Days
In early 2021, we launched our Employee Service Days program, which grants each employee globally two days of paid “time off” per year to volunteer with organizations addressing social inequality in our local communities. The program focuses on non-profit organizations dedicated to providing improved access to basic needs such as food, shelter, and healthcare, or opportunities for advancement through education, technology, training, and employment.
“Despite the many challenges of remote learning, One Bead was able to double our impact in 2021 thanks in part to the tremendous support we received from HarbourVest. Week after week, their team showed up to support our students. The positive energy each volunteer helped bring into the space helped make our students feel empowered as leaders in their community.”
Sara Wroblewski Founder and CEO of One Bead www.onebead.org
Service Days: One Bead
In support of One Bead, a Boston-based organization that provides high-impact, entrepreneurial programming to students, HarbourVest employees volunteered as mentors for local elementary-school aged students. Our volunteers helped students research a topic of their choosing and prepare for a presentation to a group of their peers, parents, and teachers.
Students chose topics ranging from equitable access to the Internet to enable at-home learning; police brutality; online bullying; and getting kids outside and active. Students earned credit throughout the process that they were able to “cash in” in the form of a donation to a local non-profit focused on their chosen topic.
“One Bead is an incredible program! The sessions I attended included presentations on racism, the environment, poverty, and animal abuse.· It felt great to be able provide feedback and encouragement to these kids."
Julie Eiermann Managing Director, HarbourVest