Barr Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Barr Foundation invests in Massachusetts-based organizations, particularly prioritizing those that address climate change, improve educational outcomes and promote the arts.

IP TAKE: While this funder supports some organizations at the national level, it is primarily interested in Massachusetts and New England-based groups. While it does the majority of its grantmaking by invitation only, it also invites grantseekers whose work aligns with its mission and giving region to reach out with a letter of inquiry. It sometimes funds work beyond its regional giving, and its climate change work has a global impact. Even though this is not the most accessible funder, this foundation does accept mini-project descriptions, so don’t hesitate to do so according to their guidelines.

PROFILE: The Barr Foundation was established in 1999 by Amos Hostetter, Jr.—founder and former CEO of Continental Cablevision (now MediaOne) and former chairman of CSPAN—and his wife Barbara. Barr is one of the largest foundations in Massachusetts, with an asset base of more than $1.5 billion and an outlay of grants averaging nearly $60 million a year. The foundation seeks to “invest in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts.” Its three main focus areas are Arts and Creativity, Education and Climate, although specific priorities within these areas may change from year to year. Current funding, for example, concerns “artist support services across Massachusetts, environmental justice efforts in Connecticut, and the development of new high school models across New England.”

Grants for Climate Change

Barr conducts its climate change grantmaking through its Climate program, which supports “equitable solutions for clean energy, mobility, and resilient communities.” works to “advance solutions for clean energy, mobility, and resilient communities.” Specific priorities of this work include communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change and pollution and organizations “whose work is centered in equity.” Current funding focuses on, but is not strictly limited to the state of Connecticut. Past climate grantees include the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), the Environmental League of Massachusetts, and the Conservation Law Foundation among many others. Past grantees beyond Boston include the Delta Institute and the Florida-based Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities.

Grants for K-12 Education

The Barr Foundation’s Education program area supports organizations that seek to create a school environment where “every child is known, challenged and supported.” It primarily focuses on high school-aged students in order to promote readiness for college, career, and life skills. Its three-pronged strategy seeks to “catalyze new models through support for teams of educators to create a new vision for high school,” “invest in educators so that our region has the teachers and school leaders it needs,” and “build public will by deepening knowledge of what high school is and could be.” In addition to working with individual schools, public school systems, and district and state governments, it also partners with school support organizations, advocacy groups, and other education-related non-profits across New England. Grantees include National Center for Civic Innovation, Students for Education Reform, The Education Trust and the Rural Aspirations Project.

Grants for Arts and Culture

The Barr Foundation’s Arts and Creativity program area seeks to “elevate the arts and enable creative expression to engage and inspire a dynamic, thriving Massachusetts.” It supports partners who produce excellent artistic work, face challenges in innovative ways, demonstrate strong business sense, and display civic leadership. Barr’s strategy has three main approaches: it “invests in organizations to be adaptive and resilient” by providing risk capital for ambitious projects, “fosters opportunities to connect the arts to other disciplines and sectors” such as civic planning and development, and “activates public support for arts and creativity” by promoting policy, leadership, and new approaches to public engagement. Grantees include Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, New England Foundation for the Arts, Arts Midwest, MASSCreative, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts, and the Boston Foundation.

Important Grant Details:

The Barr Foundation gave away about $123 million in a recent year. Barr grants range from a few thousand to over a million; however most grants remain under $150,000. Grantseekers are encouraged to explore the foundation’s grantee list. Note that while the Barr Foundation sometimes awards grants to national organizations or those working in various parts of the country, it strongly prioritizes philanthropy in Boston, Massachusetts, and New England in general.

While the Barr Foundation conducts the majority of its grantmaking by invitation only, each of its program areas has an alternate way of making contact. Arts grantseekers may fill out the foundation’s prepared Inquiry Form, while Climate and Education grantseekers may submit a 300- to 400-word description of their organization and intended use of funds. The foundation periodically releases a request for proposals (RFP) for its Education program.

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