Signature Events
Learn more about events that CCE hosts and supports.Engage with your Community
Through various initiatives—from volunteer projects and partnerships with local organizations and city agencies to programs and events that integrate community expertise with university knowledge—the Office of City and Community Engagement serves as the bridge between Northeastern and surrounding communities.
BPS Field Day
Each year, Northeastern University hosts an exciting day for students and teachers from local Boston Public Schools, inviting them to experience the energy of a women’s basketball game on campus. The Office of City and Community Engagement arranges buses, Husky T-shirts, and lunch for all attendees, creating an enjoyable and memorable experience for the enthusiastic young fans. This highly anticipated field trip provides a fun outing and serves the broader purpose of introducing students to college life, sparking their interest in higher education. For many students, visiting Northeastern’s campus provides a first glimpse of college life, making higher education feel within reach. This day builds lasting memories for students and their families while enhancing Northeastern’s role as a committed community partner invested in the growth and success of Boston’s youth.
Food and Toy Drives
The Office of City and Community Engagement hosts annual campus-wide food and toy drives during the winter holiday season, fostering a spirit of generosity and connection between the Northeastern community and its local neighbors. The Food Drive has long partnered to gather donations for the Grant Manor Tenants Association Food Bank in Roxbury, addressing food insecurity through collective action. Meanwhile, the Toy Drive, organized in partnership with Northeastern’s Latinx Student Cultural Center, brings joy to children by collecting new, unwrapped toys. Beneficiaries include the Tobin Community Center in Roxbury Crossing, the Alice Heyward Taylor Apartments near West Village, and Villa Victoria Inquilinos in the South End. Donation boxes are set up throughout the Boston campus, encouraging students, staff, and faculty to participate.
Heart of CommUNITY Awards
Our annual Heart of CommUNITY Awards honor our neighbors,community leaders, and Community Grants recipients At a celebration in June, partners and friends are invited to a night of food, drinks, music, and connection.
Sponsorship and Support
Read a sampling of programs and events that City and Community Engagement sponsors on a regular or annual basis. Our office aims to contribute to diverse community initiatives. Click here to learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and process.
CCE staff members carry flowers to the Fenway Victory Gardens during the Fenway Civic Flower Drive.
No Books No Balls
The No Books No Ball Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Drive reflects Northeastern University’s commitment to community engagement, social responsibility, and addressing food insecurity. By funding this initiative, CCE helps provide holiday meals to families in Roxbury during a season when food insecurity is most pressing, reinforcing the university’s dedication to health, wellness, and access to fresh, affordable food. This collaboration also supports No Books No Ball’s mission to empower urban youth through academics and athletics, aligning with Northeastern’s focus on educational development. The turkey drive not only addresses immediate needs but also strengthens Northeastern’s relationships with community leaders, including Mayor Michelle Wu, and elevates its visibility through significant media attention. Participation in this event demonstrates CCE’s role as a proactive partner in fostering a healthier, more connected Roxbury community while inspiring and uplifting local families and youth.
Mission Hill/Brian Honan Road Races
CCE provides financial and organizational support for both the Mission Hill and Brian Honan Road Races. Our office provides sponsorship for runners in both races.
Fenway Civic Flower Drive
CCE assists in organizing the annual Fenway Flower Share, across two locations: the Fenway Victory Gardens and outside the Fenway Center. This event has been a collaborative effort between Northeastern and the Fenway Civic Association since 1975. This year, CCE supported the membership drive and contributed a portion of the flowers to the residents of the Alice Taylor apartments.
Boston Unity Cup with the Soccer Unity Project
Northeastern University partners with the Boston Unity Cup, hosting a vibrant global soccer tournament at the historic William E. Carter Playground. This annualevent kicks off e with an exhilarating opening festival, welcoming men’s and women’s teams to partake in this month-long celebration of the world’s favorite sport. The festivities commences with a grand parade of nations, boasting an anticipated procession of over 600 players from the Greater Boston area, proudly carrying their national flags into Carter Playground. This community-driven celebration, inspired by the international structure of the World Cup, commenced with a dynamic array of events on its opening day. Alongside the spirited parade, attendees indulged in a lively street festival featuring food trucks,a resource fair, an amputee soccer showcase game, and a youth jamboree clinic hosted by the New England Rev-olution and Special Olympics. Notably, Northeastern University was the primary sponsor of this tournament, showcasing its commitment to city and community engagement.