Climate Resilience

Massachusetts ECAN field trip to the Ipswich Dam.

climate | strategy

Climate change is already reshaping our lives.

To withstand the impacts of climate change, communities must work together on just solutions that strengthen both physical and social infrastructure.

Becoming resilient to the climate crisis means neighbors, businesses, nonprofits, and governments must adapt to create equitable, community-led solutions that strengthen infrastructure and community.

Barr seeks to catalyze actions and policies that make communities more resilient and equitable. In addition to supporting efforts focused exclusively on resilience, we welcome opportunities that also further our goals related to Clean Energy, Mobility, and Racial Wealth Equity.

Climate-ready communities protect everyone

Rising sea levels, heat waves, and more rainfall will affect people, critical infrastructure, and the economy, while worsening social and health inequities, making it harder for communities to adapt or recover.

Sandbags on the Greenway

Grantmaking Priorities

Our goal is to drastically increase Massachusetts’ capacity to prepare for and adapt to the powerful impacts of climate change.

Inspiring Action on Climate Risks

Build awareness and mobilize a diverse constituency for action on climate risks, impacts, and resilience strategies.

Driving Equitable Climate Policies

Mobilize key stakeholders to advance equitable policies and resilience plans.

Integrating Resilience Into Cities

Catalyze momentum through demonstration projects that integrate resilience into the fabric of cities.

Grantmaking in Climate Resilience

Trustees of Boston University

To support research on extreme heat impacts and interventions in Massachusetts

Award Date: 08/27/2025
Amount: $750,000
Term: 36 months
Program:
Climate Click to see more of the Climate program
Strategy:
Climate Resilience Click to see more of the Climate Resilience strategy

Worcester Regional Research Bureau Inc.

To support climate research in Worcester

Award Date: 08/27/2025
Amount: $100,000
Term: 24 months
Program:
Climate Click to see more of the Climate program
Strategy:
Clean Energy Click to see more of the Clean Energy strategy , Climate Resilience Click to see more of the Climate Resilience strategy , Mobility Click to see more of the Mobility strategy

Groundwork USA INC

To continue the Climate Safe Neighborhoods Program in Massachusetts

Award Date: 08/27/2025
Amount: $750,000
Term: 36 months
Program:
Climate Click to see more of the Climate program
Strategy:
Climate Resilience Click to see more of the Climate Resilience strategy

More Climate Resilience Grants

To submit an inquiry to the Climate Program, complete our inquiry form. We welcome you to save time by keeping your response short (less than 2 pages of writing or 5 minutes for video or audio).

We’ll get back to you in a few weeks. If we move forward, we’ll help you through the grantmaking process, which typically takes 4 to 6 months from initial conversation to payout.

If you have questions about how to submit an inquiry, contact climate@barrfoundation.org.