 Every year, the Foundation also has special initiatives to address the most pressing issues affecting the community, such as Civic Engagement, Pilot Schools and Homelessness Prevention.Through its Understanding Boston series, the Boston Foundation commissions research from universities, think tanks and other organizations and shares this information through a series of forums that are attended by thousands of people every year.Issues addressed through Understanding Boston embrace a broad range of issues, including public education, housing, the workforce, health, philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, the arts and the urban environment.