Climate Resilience

Massachusetts ECAN field trip to the Ipswich Dam.

climate | strategy

Communities have what they need to be climate ready.

Climate change is already disrupting our communities and challenging how we live, work, and move through the world. Frontline communities face greater vulnerability due to historic disinvestment, making it harder to adapt and recover from climate catastrophes.

To meet this challenge, we focus on backing and amplifying community-led, equitable solutions that strengthen both physical and social infrastructure.

By doing so, communities will not only be better prepared to adapt and recover from climate disasters, but also equipped to thrive in a changing climate.

Grantmaking Priorities

We support community-driven efforts that catalyze actions and policies to protect and benefit those most vulnerable to climate change.

Strengthen social resilience

Increase local community capacity to prepare for and respond to climate impacts through strengthening the relationships, skills, and resources communities need to adapt and recover.

Inspire transformational change

Work collectively to shift current systems and create new ones to ensure policies, regulations, programs, and practices are forward looking and propel communities towards climate resilience.

Deepen field knowledge

Support research, analysis, communications, and demonstration projects that can build the field, showcase scalable approaches, and enhance policy action.

Unite diverse stakeholders

Activate key stakeholders across sectors and communities to strengthen a shared climate resilience narrative through storytelling, peer to peer networks, and learning collaboratives.

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.