Hear from staff and partners about aspirations, accomplishments, and lessons learned along the way.

Erin Long via Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts

Six Questions with Barr's New Vice President for Administration

[STAFF] Lynn Harwell Brick Photo 2022

Lynn Harwell

Vice President for Administration

Lynn Harwell discusses her path to Barr, priorities for the year, and what it's like to start a new job in a pandemic.

January 25, 2021 | Category: Barr News

To Advance Racial Equity, Foundation Boards Need to Take an Active Role

[STAFF] Barbara Amos Photo 2022

Barbara W. Hostetter

Co-founder and Chair

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Reflections from Barr's board chair and president amidst the Foundation's continuing equity journey.

January 19, 2021 | Category: From the President

We Should Not Be Surprised

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

In the aftermath of insurrection in Washington D.C., reflections from Barr’s president on what enabled yesterday’s violence and what it demands of each of us.

January 07, 2021 | Category: From the President

Embracing Winter with Creative Ways to Stay Outdoors

[STAFF] Lisa Jacobson Brick Photo 2022

Lisa Jacobson

Senior Program Officer, Mobility

Inspiration and insights from cold-weather cities reimagining winter as a season to love.

December 17, 2020 | Category: Climate

A Year That Changed Us All

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

Final reflections on 2020 and announcing plans to increase grant dollars by 25% in 2021.

December 16, 2020 | Category: From the President

Six Things Massachusetts Voters are Saying About Clean Energy

shanna cleveland brick headshot 2019

Shanna Cleveland

Guest Author · former Program Officer, Clean Energy

Recent poll shows strong support for decisive action on climate, including a full transition to clean and renewable energy.

December 11, 2020 | Category: Climate

Barr Awards $24.6 Million in Fourth Quarter of 2020

Grants include support for zero-energy buildings in Massachusetts, a participatory grantmaking pilot to advance climate resilience, and continued support for nonprofits to recover from the effects of COVID-19.

December 10, 2020 | Category: Barr News

Barr Announces $4.15 Million in New Grantmaking Centered on Racial Equity

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Jim Canales

President & Trustee

New and extended support for over 30 organizations to advance racial equity and support communities hit hardest by COVID-19 in Greater Boston and across Massachusetts.

December 04, 2020 | Category: Barr News

The Racial Leadership Gap Among Massachusetts Nonprofits

[STAFF] Kimberly Haskins Photo 2022

Kimberly Haskins

Senior Program Officer, Sector Effectiveness

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Jennifer Aronson

Guest Author · Vice President for Programs, The Boston Foundation

New report finds progress, yet much work still to do for the sector to realize more diverse and inclusive leadership.

November 03, 2020 | Category: Sector Effectiveness

Keep Listening to Teachers

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Maria Fenwick

Guest Author · Founder/Executive Director, The Teacher Collaborative

Insights from Massachusetts teachers about what they are learning and how they are responding in this unprecedented back-to-school season.

October 29, 2020 | Category: Education