But he said that the proposed initiative will take advantage of University funds and resources in order to create visible improvement in local education.

"We're interested in something more powerful that moves the needle of academic achievement and makes a concrete impact," Grogan said.

While the planned afterschool initiative will only involve Boston schools, Grogan said similar efforts are being made for Cambridge schools for the near future.

"We've been deeply involved in discussions with Cambridge, but we haven't been able to crystalize as clearly the specific plans," Grogan said. "It will most likely be a multi-pronged attack focused on several areas [beyond afterschool programs]."

According to Grogan, the afterschool initiative is only the second in what will be a series of initiatives directed by Grogan's office of government and community affairs.

Grogan said a "modest initiative" involving training for city employees through the Kennedy School of Government's executive training program will likely be announced later this spring. A health initiative involving Harvard Medical School and the School of Public Health will likely take place next fall.

Harvard's 20/20/2000 program has received broad support from community leaders and participants, with $6.3 million of Harvard's money loaned out in the last year, helping to create 601 units of affordable housing.