Harvard University and the City of Cambridge share a nearly four-hundred-year history, throughout which Cambridge has helped make the University a special place to teach, learn, live, and work. Harvard is committed to partnerships and collaborations that promote equity, enhance the lives of Cambridge residents, expand opportunities to Cambridge Public Schools, support local businesses, and build upon a shared vision of community.
Supporting the Local Economy
As the anchor of Harvard Square, Harvard is a robust contributor to Cambridge’s economy—attracting tourism, providing jobs, generating local spending, and supporting Cambridge-based businesses. The University is also a cultural anchor, providing Cambridge residents with free admission to its museums, including the Harvard Art Museum and Harvard Museum of Natural History.
#1
Harvard is the largest employer in the City of Cambridge
4,500+
Cambridge residents directly employed by Harvard
$134M
Spent in construction, supplies, and services in Cambridge in FY24
Harvard’s PILOT and Tax Payments to the City of Cambridge over 10 Years
$42M
In Payments-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT) to the City of Cambridge in the last 10 years
Harvard was one of the first organizations to make voluntary PILOT payments to the City of Cambridge.
$63M
In taxes paid to the City of Cambridge in the last 10 years
Harvard is the sixth largest taxpayer in the City of Cambridge, paying taxes on the University’s non-exempt property.
AAA
Harvard’s stable presence in the City is cited by the three major credit rating agencies in the nation as supporting Cambridge’s AAA bond rating. The rating has enabled Cambridge to finance a variety of projects at favorable rates, resulting in savings to taxpayers.
Supporting Cambridge Public Schools
Harvard is committed to partnerships designed to ensure that all Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) students have opportunities to achieve academic success. In addition to student programs, Harvard also seeks to leverage University-wide resources and create opportunities for CPS educators to access professional development, academic coursework, and workshops.
$15M
In scholarship aid provided to Harvard College students from Cambridge in last 10 years
All CPS
Harvard programs are available to students in every CPS school, including elementary schools, upper schools, and the Cambridge Rindge and Latin School
Meeting the Critical Needs of Cambridge Residents
Harvard works closely with Cambridge city and nonprofit partners to deliver programs that help respond to regional challenges—such as food security, access to justice, and affordable housing.
1,600+
Units of affordable housing created or preserved through the Harvard Local Housing Collaborative in the past 20 years
9,000
Hours of pro bono legal services provided to Cambridge residents in FY23
2,000
Meals donated weekly by Harvard in partnership with Cambridge-based nonprofit, Food for Free
Partnering for a Sustainable Future
In 2018, Harvard announced an ambitious path forward to shift campus operations away from fossil fuel use, including two bold, new climate action goals:
- Fossil fuel–neutral by 2026
- Fossil fuel–free by 2050
Along with the City of Cambridge and MIT, Harvard is a founding partner of the Cambridge Compact for a Sustainable Future to leverage the combined capacities of government, higher education, and business to help create a healthier, livable, and sustainable City.
Spotlights
Project Teach– Harvard’s Official College & Career Awareness Programs
Providing all 7th grade Cambridge Public Schools students the tools to pursue their college and career goals.
Harvard Life Sciences Outreach Program
In partnership with Harvard’s Life Sciences Outreach Program, nearly 500 CRLS students visit Harvard teaching labs each year. CRLS biology teachers utilize Harvard laboratories to deepen students’ scientific literacy in an environment that fosters scientific curiosity.
