Over a year ago, Boston launched a city-wide cultural planning process called Boston Creates. As one way to capture how Bostonians think about their city's creative potential, we enlisted the help of the people on the front lines—Boston’s working artists.

Read More

In a recent op-ed in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Barr's president Jim Canales, and McKnight Foundation president Kate Wolford discuss three tools available to any local and regional funder to make an important impact on climate change.

Read More

Ninety percent of Boston’s 6,000 four-year-olds are enrolled in early education and care programs. But, how do we ensure all programs meet a consistent and high standard of quality? Given this challenge, I am excited to share that Barr’s trustees recently approved a grant intended to help Boston chart a course to universal, high-quality pre-K. 

Read More

We are excited to announce a new initiative focused on the Boston waterfront. Put simply, our goal is to promote a great public realm—one that incorporates urban design; enables responsible development; and seamlessly addresses the critical need for resiliency and adaptation to climate change.

Read More

Last week, Barr’s trustees approved 16 grants totaling $9.5 million, adding to the $3.8 million in grants approved by the president during the second quarter of the year.  The grants awarded to new and longtime partners advance the Foundation's strategic priorities and regional focus.

Read More

Barr announced the appointment of Roger Nozaki as vice president.  In this new leadership role, Roger will provide oversight for the Foundation's program, learning and evaluation, and operations activities. Read more about Roger.  

We also recently announced the first of two new additions to Barr's Climate team - Meredith Hatfield, who will focus on Clean Energy. Read more about Meredith.