Posts by Jim Canales

Erin Long via Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts

Man smiling and looking at the camera in front of a colorful painting.

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.

Navigating through a Pandemic

Man smiling and looking at the camera in front of a colorful painting.

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

An update on Barr’s continuing COVID-19 response efforts.

May 21, 2020 | Category: COVID-19

Barr Commits $2 Million to Immigrant-Serving Organizations

Man smiling and looking at the camera in front of a colorful painting.

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Newest grants in response to COVID-19 focus on supporting Massachusetts’ immigrant communities.

April 16, 2020 | Category: COVID-19

Investing Resources and Offering Flexibility

Man smiling and looking at the camera in front of a colorful painting.

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

How the Barr Foundation continues to respond to COVID-19.

April 02, 2020 | Category: From the President

A Message to Our Grantees on COVID-19

Man smiling and looking at the camera in front of a colorful painting.

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Barr’s plans and commitments in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

March 13, 2020 | Category: Barr News

Barr's Equity Journey

Man smiling and looking at the camera in front of a colorful painting.

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Reflections on our ongoing efforts to advance the mission imperative of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

January 23, 2020 | Category: Barr News

Building on Growth as We Enter a New Decade

Man smiling and looking at the camera in front of a colorful painting.

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Barr’s evolution continues with new colleagues, expanded giving.

January 15, 2020 | Category: From the President

Announcing Extension of Partnership with Five Community Foundations Advancing Arts Across Massachusetts

san san wong brick headshot 2019

E. San San Wong

Director of Arts & Creativity

Man smiling and looking at the camera in front of a colorful painting.

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Next three years will focus on implementing ambitious plans and expanding successful early efforts, with $5 million in new support from Barr, and partners’ commitments to collectively raise more than $1 million in new local arts philanthropy.

September 25, 2019 | Category: Arts & Creativity

We Must Persevere

Man smiling and looking at the camera in front of a colorful painting.

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

In the face of today’s political rhetoric, the work we do as foundations and nonprofits is more important than ever.

July 18, 2019 | Category: Barr News

Announcing the 2019 Class of Barr Fellows

Man smiling and looking at the camera in front of a colorful painting.

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

[STAFF] Kimberly Haskins Photo 2022

Kimberly Haskins

Senior Program Officer, Sector Effectiveness

Selected for their outstanding leadership and contributions to the Greater Boston community.

June 27, 2019 | Category: Barr Fellowship

Boston Needs to Invest in a New Generation of Artists

Man smiling and looking at the camera in front of a colorful painting.

Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Photo of Paul Grogan

Paul Grogan

President and CEO, The Boston Foundation

This article was originally published in the Opinion section of The Boston Globe on June 6, 2019.

June 10, 2019 | Category: From the President