3. Development and External Relations, 1948-2007 (bulk 1984-1999)

This series documents the Development Office's efforts to raise funds for operations and programs, involvement in applying for grants and contracts, and role in producing the organization's newsletters. Major donors include the State Street Bank, United Way, Reebok Foundation, Hyams Foundation, Fidelity, McDonald's Charity, Nellie Mae, the Boston Foundation, the City of Boston, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Urban League of Greater Boston and the Urban League Guild are also documented. Records for the Greater Boston Urban League date from 1948-1954 and are incomplete. Board of Directors minutes are annotated by Development Office staff.

Records include annual reports, by-laws, organizational charts, meeting notes and minutes, proposals, grants, contracts, correspondence, program descriptions, progress reports, publicity, and newsletters.

Of special interest are the records of the Urban League of Greater Boston, which provide information on the race relations in Boston during the 1950s (Box 10). The records of the Urban League Guild, the volunteer fundraising arm of the organization, provide insight into the Guild's organization and its own fundraising efforts on behalf of the League (Box 11).