Barr Foundation

The barrage of action in the past several weeks previews the challenges that the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors will face in the years ahead. Barr is in this work for the long haul. Here is how we are approaching this moment in these early stages. 🔹 Barr’s steadfast commitment to center racial equity remains unchanged. To us, that means investing in leaders and solutions that bring us closer to a world where everyone can pursue their unbounded potential, and where the promise of equal opportunity for all becomes a reality. 🔹 Our success hinges on maintaining relationships with our partners that are rooted in mutual trust, respect, and care. Based on what we’re hearing, we are organizing trainings and capacity supports, working to reduce administrative burden, and creating more flexibility in how Barr funds can be used. 🔹 Advocating for the concerns of the nonprofit sector is essential. We will invest in social sector infrastructure that enables greater coordination, communication, and knowledge sharing between organizations. This work has been part of our grantmaking at Barr for many years, and we anticipate investing further in the near term. 🔹 We need to summon our creativity to imagine new ways forward. This moment compels us to think and act in new ways. With so much to draw us into pessimism, the work of our partners—and their passion, commitment and dedication—give us hope and inspiration when we need it most.  

A new report finds that replacing fossil fuel-fired ‘peaker plants’ can help Massachusetts meet its climate goals. Mireille Bejjani, Co-Executive Director of Slingshot, calls these plants "the low-hanging fruit of the energy transition...the dirtiest per unit of energy produced.”

With the right investments, we can build a more reliable, accessible, and cleaner transportation system that improves both public and environmental health. Kevin Xu Shen, Transportation Policy Analyst at Union of Concerned Scientists, explains what we gain when we prioritize people's freedom of movement.

Arts organizations, salons, restaurants, and small businesses make space for us to meet our neighbors and access services. A new investment from MassDevelopment will help 34 community partners buy, renovate, and expand buildings that catalyze economic activity in their communities.

To meet its ambitious climate goals, the clean energy sector in Massachusetts needs to fill 34,000 jobs over the next six years—EV mechanics, wind turbine technicians, geothermal drillers, solar panel engineers, and more. "We have shifted from talking about the transition we need to actually building it. The skill and training and capacity of the workforce are what’s going to determine success,” says Zeyneb Magavi, Executive Director of HEET.

We know that the creative economy is a vital part of communities across Massachusetts. How can we quantify these contributions to make the case for more attention and investment? The New Bedford Economic Development Council worked with Zapalac Advisors to shine a light on the specific companies, nonprofits, and individual creatives that make up New Bedford's creative ecosystem. The report has been a valuable tool in conversations with real estate developers and business recruitment efforts across the city.

As cities try to balance the competing demands of maritime industrial uses, urban development, and public access along the waterfront, Designated Port Areas can spark meaningful conversations within coastal communities. Read more about a new report from the #WaterfrontInitiative, led by Jill Valdés Horwood.

After 11 years, Jim Canales will step down from his position as Barr Foundation's President. He has led the organization through a decade of extraordinary growth and driven us to be more steadfast in our values. By the end of 2025, Canales will succeed Barr's Co-Founder Barbara Hostetter as Board Chair, and step into a full-time role with Pilot House Associates, the Hostetter family office. Learn more about this transition on our website: https://lnkd.in/e_BNXudZ

Over half of Boston’s renters are cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing. The newly launched Boston Acquisition Fund takes aim at this affordability crisis by offering low-interest loans to new, local, and diverse developers who will purchase properties that might have otherwise ended up on the speculative market. In the first five years, the fund is projected to prevent the displacement of over 1,500 residents. Barr supports the fund as part of the Racial Wealth Equity Initiative, led by Lisette Le. “Through this work, we’re recirculating rather than siphoning wealth. We’re promoting the conditions Boston’s residents need to thrive.” 

Smart Growth America and Transportation For Massachusetts are training elected officials across Massachusetts to better advocate for safer, more complete streets in their communities. “Local elected leaders can have enormous impact on how we use our streets—making them safer, more accessible, and even fun, especially when moving on foot, on transit, or bike or scooter,” said Lisa Jacobson, Senior Program Officer for Mobility.