
Jim Canales was appointed president and trustee of the Barr Foundation in May 2014. Prior to joining Barr, he spent two decades in a variety of roles at The James Irvine Foundation in California, including president and chief executive officer from 2003 through 2014. His writing on a range of topics has appeared in The Boston Globe, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Stanford Social Innovation Review, and The Huffington Post, among other outlets.
Fighting Global Climate Change Requires Foundations to Give Local
Jim Canales and Kate Wolford, president of The McKnight Foundation, call attention to three tools available to any local or regional grant maker ready to join the fight on climate change.
Stewarding a Boston Treasure
Jim Canales describes Barr’s new work to promote a great public realm along Boston’s waterfront.
Introducing Cross-Program Initiatives
Jim Canales describes initial priorities for a set of investments intended to complement and reinforce all of Barr’s core program work.
Stewards and Catalysts: Barr’s Next Chapter
Barr’s president outlines new plans to build on a legacy of good work, with ambitious goals and sharper focus over expanded geography.
Announcing $19.2 Million in New Grants and Increased Grantmaking for 2016
Jim Canales reports on the Barr Foundation’s final grants awarded in 2015 and an increased grants budget for 2016.
Philanthropy and Risk
Strategic planning has given us an opportunity to explore and define the role of risk in our work at the Barr Foundation.
Radio Silence Not Required
At Barr, we don’t think strategic planning requires going quiet until the work is done.
An Update On Our Planning Efforts
What to expect in the months ahead at Barr.
A Year in Context
A look back at my first year at the Barr Foundation.
Barr Welcomes NEA Chairman Jane Chu to Boston
NEA chairman’s visit shines national spotlight on arts and culture in Boston.