Posts by Jim Canales

Erin Long via Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts

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Jim was named president and a trustee of the Barr Foundation in May 2014. Since his arrival, Barr has experienced significant growth. Annual grantmaking has tripled and the staff has more than doubled in size. Prior to Barr, Jim spent over two decades at The James Irvine Foundation, including service as president and CEO from 2003 through 2014. Before working in philanthropy, Jim was a high school English teacher. Jim currently serves as vice chair of the Kaiser Family Foundation and as a trustee of the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston Public Library, and Eastern Bank Foundation. Jim’s prior board service includes a ten-year term as a Stanford University trustee and as chair of the boards of the College Futures Foundation, KQED Public Broadcasting, Stanford Alumni Association, and Larkin Street Youth Services, and as vice chair of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Jim’s writings on a range of topics have appeared in the Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, Chronicle of Philanthropy, and Stanford Social Innovation Review, among other outlets. And he has been a featured speaker, panelist, moderator, or guest at a variety of forums dedicated to a stronger social sector, including the Center for Effective Philanthropy, Communications Network, PEAK Grantmaking, and Inside Philanthropy.

Dismantling Racism is Everyone’s Work

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

The murders in Buffalo are, yet again, a call to action.

May 16, 2022 | Category: From the President

Reimagining Philanthropy’s Commitment to Racial Equity

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

The realities of white supremacy, systemic racism, and violence against people of color and LGBTQ+ people — always present but rarely challenged by those with power — demand intense reflection and tangible action.

March 24, 2022 | Category: Racial Equity

The Real Work Persists

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

In this year-end blog post, Jim Canales reflects on 2021 and previews Barr’s plans for the year ahead.

December 15, 2021 | Category: From the President

Boston Elects a New Mayor

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Jim Canales reflects on Barr’s longstanding commitment to Boston at this watershed moment.

November 01, 2021 | Category: From the President

The Human Factor

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Jim Canales reflects on recent staffing additions and changes in support of Barr’s mission of service

September 30, 2021 | Category: Barr News

From Commitment to Action: Barr’s Racial Equity Work

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Barr’s president introduces refreshed core values, recent grant investments, and new website section focused on Barr’s commitment to racial equity.

June 15, 2021 | Category: From the President

Regardless of What Happens, Structural Racism Persists

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Awaiting a verdict in the Chauvin trial.

April 19, 2021 | Category: From the President

In Solidarity Against Anti-Asian Racism

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Denouncing rising anti-Asian hate crimes and the recent murders in Atlanta.

March 17, 2021 | Category: Barr News

Barr Commits Over $2 Million for Vaccine Equity Efforts

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

The Foundation joins local funders in supporting equitable access to the vaccine.

March 15, 2021 | Category: Barr News

Time to Reimagine What Can Be, Not Rebuild What Was

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

On a sobering anniversary, Barr’s president reflects on lessons from a challenging year and new opportunities as we look to the future.

March 11, 2021 | Category: Barr News