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PBHA Launches Emergency Fund After Federal Funding Freeze

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The Phillip Brooks House Association, Harvard’s largest organization dedicated to public service, called for donations to a newly-established an emergency fund in anticipation of shortfalls two days after Trump froze $2.2 billion in funding to the University.

The PBHA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization made up of more than 80 student-led programs. Programs include after-school care, which serves more than 1,000 low-income youth in the Greater Boston area, overnight shelter Y2Y Harvard Square, and many more.

Half of PBHA’s current $5.5 million budget is managed by or funded by Harvard directly. This budget includes $1.45 million dedicated to “critical operations including program expenses, staff salaries, and student stipends.”

“We recognize that Harvard will have to make difficult fiscal decisions in the coming weeks to stand by their commitment to academic freedom, and while the long-term future of funding implications for PBHA is unclear, we anticipate that there will be financial cuts across the board,” PBHA president Nana K.B. Safo-Mensa ’26 wrote in a Wednesday announcement to PBHA affiliates.

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A University spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment on Harvard’s funding for PBHA.

The Trump administration froze more than $2 billion of Harvard’s federal funding after University President Alan M. Garber ’76 refused to comply with a series of demands on Monday. Since then, researchers across campus have received stop-work orders, and leaders at the Harvard Medical School told employees to expect layoffs.

Alongside funding from Harvard, PBHA directly receives $400,000 in federal funding. Safo-Mensa wrote in his announcement that the PBHA also believes this funding is at risk, leading the group to launch the emergency fund.

“An emergency fund has been established to facilitate PBHA’s continued support to their students, communities, and partners,” he wrote.

Safo-Mensa did not respond to a request for comment on his announcement.

In the event of funding cuts, Safo-Mensa wrote that the PBHA would be left scrambling to cover staff salaries and training, as well as funding for the Harvard Homeless Shelter, Y2Y Harvard Square, transportation for Summer Urban Program campers, and service stipends for summer college students.

Even with funding cuts looming, Safo-Mensa affirmed that PBHA is committed to continuing its planned programming.

“Term-time programs are going strong, and we are planning for a full Summer Urban Program with 650+ campers, and 200+ college and high school staff across 10 programs,” he wrote.

“While the future may be uncertain, PBHA’s officers, directors, staff, and volunteers are still here serving our communities every day and are still committed to do so,” he added.

—Staff writer Shawn A. Boehmer can be reached at shawn.boehmer@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @ShawnBoehmer.

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