Today we’d like to introduce you to Blake Jordan.
Blake, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I have been with the Highland Street Foundation for nine years. Prior to that, I was the Director of Corporate Giving at Citizens Financial Group. I started out, however, in development roles at the Boston Public Library and Partners Healthcare. It was in those roles that I really learned about how nonprofit organizations operate and how important it is build strong relationships with like-minded donors and institutions. These experiences prepared me well for the role I serve in now, advising my Trustees on how they can make the greatest impact in the community with their investments.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have faced challenges along the way, of course, but they are nothing compared to the people I meet on a day to day basis who have overcome larger obstacles than I can ever imagine. The way I stay focused and engaged is by meeting with our nonprofit partners and hearing their success stories, positive outcomes and life-changing accounts.
Everyone has stories of professional setbacks, personality clashes, and miscalculations along the way. I choose, however, to think about the child who wakes up every morning striving to learn in a school that isn’t equipped to support all the students, walks home on unsafe streets to an empty house, and goes to bed hungry. I try to focus my energy on helping support those who have worked so hard to help that child achieve his or her dreams and figure out how all of us, collectively, can build stronger communities so that one day, every child will thrive in excellent schools, safe streets, happy homes, with nourished and healthy bodies.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Highland Street Foundation – what should we know?
Highland Street Foundation is a private, family foundation committed to addressing the needs and concerns for children and families in Greater Boston. Our Trustees focus on education, housing, mentoring, health care, environment, and the arts. In addition to making hundreds of grants annually to nonprofit organizations, Highland Street is unique because it also invests heavily in programs to provide access and opportunities to enrich the lives of those in our community. This summer marks the 9th year of Free Fun Fridays, an initiative where Highland Street partners with cultural institutions during the summer to open for free. Since inception, more than 1 million people have participated. This is one of several programs administered by Highland Street that aims to provide children and families with enriching experiences. Highland Street also accomplishes this by offering tickets to professional sporting events, free ice-skating during school vacation, books to preschool-aged children, and gifts during the holidays.
A number of Highland Street’s programs are focused on strengthening the capacity of our nonprofit community. The foundation team hires consultants to work with organizations on projects to increase growth and sustainability and funds fellowships for nonprofit professionals to gain leaderships skills. Our Trustees understand the dynamic nature of the community and adapt accordingly to its changing needs, which I believe allows for a deeper impact to those we serve.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
In terms of my personal path, I have had many mentors along the way, including family, friends and most notably, colleagues. In every position I have had, I have been extremely fortunate to be surrounded by people who I could share ideas with, learn from, and solicit honest feedback. Being able to serve in that role for others and mentor colleagues has been one of my greatest professional accomplishments. That is why all of us at Highland Street Foundation feel so strongly about the importance of mentoring. I have been fortunate as I said, but there are thousands of young people who are being raised without the presence of a caring adult in their life. Highland Street invests in and partners with organizations that provide mentorship opportunities and advocate for mentoring, as this is often the single most important intervention in the life of a youth who is at-risk of making poor decisions that could negatively impact the rest of his or her life.
Contact Info:
- Address: Highland Street Foundation
Three Newton Executive Park, Suite 104
2223 Washington Street,
Newton, MA 02462 - Website: www.highlandstreet.org
- Phone: 617-969-8900
- Email: nmcmahon@highlandstreet.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/highlandstreetfoundation
- Facebook: facebook.com/highlandstreet
- Twitter: twitter.com/highlandstreet
- Other: linkedin.com/highlandstreet
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