Boston Scholars Program Receives Coverage in Improper Bostonian

The Boston Scholars Program received coverage in major Boston publications for participating in the 18th Annual SnowBall Charity Benefit. Over 1,000 people attended the gala event which was held at the Boston Park Plaza hotel and raised over $50,000 for 11 charities in total.

Click here to see the Improper Bostonian photo coverage of the Boston Scholars Program board of directors.

Boston Scholars Program News Coverage in Boston Herald

The Boston Scholars Program received coverage in major Boston publications for participating in the 18th Annual SnowBall Charity Benefit. Over 1,000 people attended the gala event which was held at the Boston Park Plaza hotel and raised over $50,000 for 11 charities in total.

Click here to read the Boston Herald article featuring the Boston Scholars Program and a quote from Rob Higby.

Boston Scholars Program Participates in 18th Annual Snow Ball

The Boston Scholars Program was selected by Santa Claus Anonymous to participate in the 18th Annual SnowBall Charity Benefit. Over 1,000 people attended the gala event which was held at the Boston Park Plaza hotel and raised over $50,000 for 11 charities in total.

Click here to see photos form the event.

Quote from a Boston Scholar

"[My teacher] told us about Boston Scholars and how they were giving scholarship money away... When they read my name, I was dumbfounded with this huge smile on my face... and I thought I was going to cry. I am very thankful for Boston Scholars and am going to do my best in high school. When I told my parents, my mother yelled, 'Thank you Lord' and gave my brother and I a hug."

- 8th Grade Boston Scholar Award Winner, June 2004

Boston Scholars Program Receives IRS Approval as a 501(c)3 Tax Free Nonprofit Organization

After filing our nonprofit tax application with the IRS only a few weeks ago -- almost a year ahead of the deadline -- The Boston Scholars Program was granted expedited review of our application, and subsequently was approved by the IRS as a 501(c)3 nonprofit and tax free organization. This is great news as it is a significant hurdle for many new nonprofits that often can take over a year to clear.

Click here to view an official copy of our IRS Certification.

Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay Partners with Boston Scholars Program to Deliver Educational Advocacy

Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay (BBMB) and The Boston Scholars Program have entered into a partnership whereby BBMB will provide mentoring to students selected for the merit-based Boston Scholars scholarship award. This new partnership was kicked-off with a cookout on June 6 honoring the award winners and introducing the scholars and their families to the program.

John Pearson, President and CEO of Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay, said that "Educational Advocacy is one of our key initiatives and we are proud to have partnered with the Boston Scholars Program to deliver on this for the ultimate benefit of our Littles. The Boston Scholars Program may be a much younger organization than we are, but we are confident that they are fulfilling a needed mission and expect this partnership to grow in the future."

The Boston Scholars Program is one of the most exciting local non-profits in Boston. What began just a year ago has already conducted outreach with hundreds of students. BSP's mission is to "open doors through educational opportunity". It achieves this mission by granting scholarships to rising high-school students, and matching these "Boston Scholars" with qualified mentors - these mentors will now be matched and managed as part of Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay new partnership with Boston Scholars.

The Boston Scholars Program was founded by several MBA graduates of the MIT Sloan School of Management. "We felt it was our responsibility as business people to give something back to our community. That was why we founded Boston Scholars," said MBA Rob Higby, co-founder of the Boston Scholars Program. "We felt the partnership with Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay will complete the mission we envisioned. We deliver on our mission by providing scholarships and mentoring to our award recipients. We were ready to do this mentoring ourselves - but wanted to leave it to the experts so we could focus on our mission of finding qualified students and raising money for their scholarship awards. There is not a more qualified organization than Big Brothers and we know this partnership will deliver the absolute highest value to our Boston Scholars and by extension the Boston community."

John H. Finley, IV, Executive Director of Epiphany School in Dorchester -- where six of this year's Boston Scholars award winners attended -- said "we give our students an excellent foundation before they enter high school, but we know that additional tuition assistance and especially mentoring are essential to ensuring these students are successful and continue onto college. The Boston Scholars Program fills this critical need for our students and we are so excited that they have partnered with Big Brothers who is really the gold standard in mentoring."

Boston Scholars Program Announces Class of 2008 Award Recipients

The Boston Scholars Program, a new philanthropic organization that grants scholarships and mentors inner-city high school students, announced that it awarded twelve scholarships to its inaugural class. These "Boston Scholars" each receive a four-year $4000 scholarship to help pay for tuition, books, and transportation, as well as enter the Boston Scholars mentoring program to help them "open doors through educational opportunity."

The Boston Scholars Program is one of the most exciting local non-profits in Boston, since starting only in the past year yet having already assembled a top notch board of advisors and conducted outreach with hundreds of students. The mission statement of the Boston Scholars Program is to "open doors through educational opportunity", and the Boston Scholars Program achieves this mission by granting scholarships to rising high-school students, and matching these "Boston Scholars" with qualified mentors. Building on that track record of success, the program announced the Boston Scholars Class of 2008 – twelve local, disadvantaged students entering high school this fall who needed scholarship money and mentoring in order to ensure they would be successful in high school and beyond.

Rob Higby, co-founder, reaffirmed that “this announcement continues to demonstrate the success of the Boston Scholars Program, and we are privileged to have such a deserving and qualified group of scholars join our program.”

All of the students receiving the Boston Scholars Award have pledged to work with their mentor to continue their development, dedicate the proper time and attention to their schoolwork, engage in community service, and go on to a four-year college. The Boston Scholars Award is based on academic potential, community involvement, leadership, and all recipients must demonstrate financial need.

Ann Mittelstadt, Director of Admissions, said “we received about 40 applications and interviewed about two dozen students, so we ended up with a highly qualified and motivated class of scholars. We know that the Boston Scholars Class of 2008 will go on to accomplish great things in high school, college, and in their communities.”

John H. Finley, IV, Executive Director of Epiphany School in Dorchester said “we give our students an excellent foundation before they enter high school, but we know that additional tuition assistance and especially mentoring are essential to ensuring these students are successful and continue onto college. The Boston Scholars Program fills this critical need for our students and we are excited to have partnered with them, and especially pleased that six of our students were chosen to receive the Boston Scholars Award.”

Over 200 Supporters Attend Boston Scholars Program Spring Benefit

The Boston Scholars Program, a new Boston non-profit that "opens doors through educational opportunity" celebrated its inaugural year of operation with a benefit on March 13. More than 200 Boston professionals and graduate students filled Lucky's Lounge and gave over $6000 to the Boston Scholars Program while enjoying live music, cocktails, and the chance to win several raffle prizes. Click here to see photos from the event.

Guests included a wide variety of Boston professionals, socialites, grad students and a few people who happened to be in the right place at the right time. The event was also attended by many teachers and others involved in education. "I'm so glad the Boston Scholars Program was created. We're having a great time tonight," said Mother Caroline teacher Ginna Gauntner.

Eva Higby, Boston Scholars Program Director and the organizer of the event said that "we expected over 100 people and we ended up having more than double that amount. Everyone brought their friends since it is such a great cause to support, and certainly our ability to throw a fun party helped as well."

The Boston Scholars Program draws candidates from partners such as Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay and local junior high schools. Eighth grade students chosen to be Boston Scholars have a record of accomplishment and have been accepted to private high schools, but are unable to afford the tuition and need additional attention and support to be successful. As Boston Scholars, they will receive both scholarship money and they will be paired with a mentor from the professional community who will support them throughout their high school careers.

"The amazing success of this event and the support we had received continue to demonstrate our success and the need for a program that provides both financial and mentoring assistance to deserving students" said Boston Scholars Program Executive Director, Rob Higby, in a short address to those gathered.

Founded in 2003 by a group of young Boston-area professionals, the Boston Scholars Program will select approximately a dozen deserving students to be the Boston Scholars Class of 2008 and receive a scholarship and a mentor. To learn more about the organization, to become involved, or to make a donation, visit www.bostonscholars.org.

Boston Scholars Program Presents to Local Students

Tonight the Directors of the Boston Scholars Program presented to the 8th grade students from our three partner schools in the gymnasium at the Epiphany School. The evening began with a game, where randomly selected groups of students were asked to discuss what it takes to be successful in various professions, such as a doctor, teacher, engineer, or lawyer. The students had a chance to interact in small groups, including one of the Directors of the Boston Scholars Program for each group. The exercise was aimed at helping the students understand the many opportunities that are available to them, and what they need to accomplish in order to get there.

After this exercise Ann Mittelstadt walked the students through the application process, highlighting the February 13 deadline and the interview process. By the end of the presentation, it was clear that the students were excited about the prospect of winning one of their first academic awards ever, and earning over $4000 to help with their tuition.

To top off the night, Rob Higby, Director of the Boston Scholars Program asked on of the students, "Hey Josh, what did you think about tonight's presentation? Were we cool, or kind of dorky?" Josh answered, "...I guess I would say half and half." Well, if we're already "half cool" in the eyes of an eight grader after just one presentation, then we have made a lot of progress already!