Hear from staff and partners about aspirations, accomplishments, and lessons learned along the way.

Six Questions with Barr's New Vice President for Administration

[STAFF] Lynn Harwell Brick Photo 2022

Lynn Harwell

Vice President for Administration

Lynn Harwell discusses her path to Barr, priorities for the year, and what it's like to start a new job in a pandemic.

January 25, 2021 | Category: Barr News

To Advance Racial Equity, Foundation Boards Need to Take an Active Role

[STAFF] Barbara Amos Photo 2022

Barbara W. Hostetter

Co-founder and Chair

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Reflections from Barr's board chair and president amidst the Foundation's continuing equity journey.

January 19, 2021 | Category: From the President

We Should Not Be Surprised

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

In the aftermath of insurrection in Washington D.C., reflections from Barr’s president on what enabled yesterday’s violence and what it demands of each of us.

January 07, 2021 | Category: From the President

Embracing Winter with Creative Ways to Stay Outdoors

[STAFF] Lisa Jacobson Brick Photo 2022

Lisa Jacobson

Senior Program Officer, Mobility

Inspiration and insights from cold-weather cities reimagining winter as a season to love.

December 17, 2020 | Category: Climate

A Year That Changed Us All

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Final reflections on 2020 and announcing plans to increase grant dollars by 25% in 2021.

December 16, 2020 | Category: From the President

Six Things Massachusetts Voters are Saying About Clean Energy

shanna cleveland brick headshot 2019

Shanna Cleveland

Guest Author · former Program Officer, Clean Energy

Recent poll shows strong support for decisive action on climate, including a full transition to clean and renewable energy.

December 11, 2020 | Category: Climate

Barr Awards $24.6 Million in Fourth Quarter of 2020

Grants include support for zero-energy buildings in Massachusetts, a participatory grantmaking pilot to advance climate resilience, and continued support for nonprofits to recover from the effects of COVID-19.

December 10, 2020 | Category: Barr News

Barr Announces $4.15 Million in New Grantmaking Centered on Racial Equity

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

New and extended support for over 30 organizations to advance racial equity and support communities hit hardest by COVID-19 in Greater Boston and across Massachusetts.

December 04, 2020 | Category: Barr News

The Racial Leadership Gap Among Massachusetts Nonprofits

[STAFF] Kimberly Haskins Photo 2022

Kimberly Haskins

Senior Program Officer, Sector Effectiveness

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Jennifer Aronson

Guest Author · Vice President for Programs, The Boston Foundation

New report finds progress, yet much work still to do for the sector to realize more diverse and inclusive leadership.

November 03, 2020 | Category: Sector Effectiveness

Keep Listening to Teachers

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Maria Fenwick

Guest Author · Founder/Executive Director, The Teacher Collaborative

Insights from Massachusetts teachers about what they are learning and how they are responding in this unprecedented back-to-school season.

October 29, 2020 | Category: Education