PBHA's Southern California Road to the 125th Alumni Gathering & Fundraiser
Join us in Los Angeles to launch the Road to the 125th, a five-year campaign centered around the theme of “Forward for Good” to support PBHA’s sustainability and growth leading to PBHA’s 125th anniversary in 2029.
Our Los Angeles kickoff will be part fundraiser, part friendraiser—a joyful afternoon of connection and conversation with current student leaders and local alumni. We will offer a preview of our exciting plans, live music from the Harvard Yardbirds, and complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages. Free parking is available at Otis College.
You can power the next chapter of PBHA’s student-led, community-rooted work. Join Us!
Sunday, January 11, 2026 - 3:00-5:00 PM PT
Otis College of Art & Design - Los Angeles, CA
For over 120 years, the Phillips Brooks House Association (PBHA) has been Harvard’s student-led hub for public service and leadership. Since its founding in 1904, PBHA has empowered generations of undergraduates to partner with communities, fight inequity, and lead lives of public purpose.
Today, 1,200+ students run over 60 PBHA programs, serving 7,000 people annually across Greater Boston. More than 20,000 alumni credit PBHA with shaping their values, leadership, and lifelong commitment to justice. No other Harvard organization has launched more careers in service and social impact.
Our Call to Action
As PBHA approaches its 125th anniversary, we’re calling on alumni to help secure a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for student-led service.
As an independent nonprofit, PBHA relies on Harvard, foundations, government, and alumni. Our students fundraise nearly half of our budget and they continue to step up. Yet with rising expenses and federal cuts impacting university funding, we must expand our support base to meet our current needs and our future aspirations.
The Road to the 125th Campaign seeks to grow alumni giving and engagement over five years—laying the groundwork for an endowment that will sustain PBHA’s student-led, community-rooted model for the next century.
Road to the 125th Priorities
Sustain Summer Service Internships
1
PBHA’s summer programs—the Summer Urban Program camps (SUP), shelters, and adult education—are transformative experiences with direct community impact. Yet they’re the only Harvard service internships without institutional stipends. Students must not only fundraise to run their programs, but also to participate in them.
With rising costs and new room and board fees, PBHA has raised stipends to meet living wage standards. But without sustainable funding, we risk excluding low-income student leaders and cutting essential community services.
Ensure full-time service is accessible to all
“SUP changes everyone’s lives who’s involved. There’s not many places, programs, or initiatives that can do that.”
— Matt Parker, Executive Director, Union of Minority Neighborhoods
Investing in this priority means:
Guaranteeing stipends for all summer interns
Sustaining and expanding high-impact programs to meet demand
Expand First-Year Engagement
2
Build earlier pathways into service and leadership
Many low-income and first-gen students arrive at Harvard eager to serve, but face barriers. PBHA’s First-Year Stride pilot—modeled on the successful Chan Stride Fellowship—offers stipends, mentorship, and a structured entry into PBHA leadership. The result: earlier involvement, deeper inclusion, & longer-term engagement.
But this pilot lacks permanent funding. Without support, we risk losing students who could most benefit from PBHA—and who strengthen it in turn.
“Being a part of the Stride program as a First Generation Low Income student has allowed me to remain dedicated to public service while being part of an empowering community... I am grateful for the skills I’ve acquired and appreciative that I have a community to lean on in my work.”
— Abbeny Solis ‘25
Investing in this priority means:
Sustaining and expanding First-Year Stride
Removing financial barriers for freshman service
Building a more diverse leadership pipeline
Strengthen Our Capacity
3
Develop a robust infrastructure to support student-led service
PBHA’s impact depends on a small, deeply dedicated team that mentors students, manages partnerships, and ensures program quality and equity. As our scope grows, so does the need for stronger infrastructure.
Currently, most of our budget goes to programs. To innovate and grow sustainably—especially through alumni engagement—we must invest in internal capacity.
Investing in this priority means:
Creating a fund to support staffing, systems, and flexibility
Expanding advising, training, and mentorship for students
Deepening alumni engagement to ensure long-term financial resilience
How You Can Help
The Road to PBHA’s 125th aims to double alumni giving participation—from 1 in 10 now to 1 in 4 by 2029—while continuing to grow the size of alumni gifts.
Whether you give monthly or make a 5-year commitment, your support fuels student leadership and lasting impact.
Become a Road Builder
“When I contribute to PBHA my contribution does triple duty - benefiting the community, the student volunteers and the leaders they will become for our society.”
— Lisa Ulrich ‘84, Past President, PBHA Alumni Association
Your tax-deductible reunion gift will lead the way. Early champions inspire classmates and help bring this campaign to life.
Giving Opportunities
$25,000+/year (5 years): Invest in summer student leadership
$5,000+/year (5 years): Scale high-impact programs and expand mentorship
$20–100/month: Join our network of sustaining donors driving year-round impact
To make your tax-deductible gift:
Donate to the Road to the 125th campaign at _____________________
Mail a check made out to “Phillips Brooks House Association” with “Road to the 125th” on the memo line to:
Phillips Brooks House Association
1 Harvard Yard
Cambridge, MA 02138If you would like to receive class credit, you can designate your gift to Harvard to the “General Support of the PBHA Fund”.
Please note that Harvard will keep 15% of your gift for administrative purposes.
For more information, contact Nathan Greenberg at nathan@pbha.org.
