Sector Infrastructure

Sector Effectiveness | Strategy

Nonprofit organizations need strong leadership and staff, effective operational systems, and healthy cultures to thrive.

The Barr Foundation recognizes the vital role that social sector infrastructure organizations play to ensure that nonprofits have access to tools, skills, and resources to make thriving possible. We invest in organizations that support the potential of nonprofit organizations and the broader sector in our region, and in efforts that aim to build on the unique organizational assets and needs of BIPOC-led, racial equity-centered nonprofits. 

To bolster critical infrastructure for the field, our grantmaking priorities are to invest in organizations that support nonprofits and philanthropies through policy engagement, knowledge- and practice-sharing, advancing racial equity, and networking and collaboration. 

Grants awarded by the Barr Foundation originate in different ways. The majority of our grants are initiated by our staff based on their ongoing engagement with grantee partners and the broader field. Additionally, given the value we place on long-term partnerships, many grants are renewed for current grantees. 

However, we welcome inquiries from those who feel their work may align with Barr’s priorities and who wish to introduce themselves to us. The best approach is to email SectorEffectiveness@barrfoundation.org with brief description (we suggest 300–400 words) of your organization and the funding opportunity you would like us to consider.

Grantmaking in Sector Infrastructure

Behavioral Ideas Lab, Inc.

To conduct research to identify key behavioral barriers nonprofits and their leaders face in capacity-building programs, and design and test solutions to address these challenges.