Barr Foundation

Check out our partnership with Massachusetts Department of Youth Services to run in facility Earn-A-Bike programs, highlighted recently by Boston Globe Media!

Research from Urban Institute's Nonprofit Trends and Insights Survey offers a look into what 2026 may hold for the nonprofit sector. For more: https://lnkd.in/dezX_RG9

The Massachusetts College of Art and Design Common Good Awards recognize artists, educators, and cultural leaders whose work demonstrates the transformative power of art and design in civic life. Congratulations to three Arts + Creativity grantees who received awards: 🟢 Kate Gilbert of Boston Public Art Triennial Under Kate's leadership, the first Triennial brought 21 large-scale works and more than 100 interdisciplinary public programs to eight Boston neighborhoods. 🟢 Lisa Simmons and Allison Simmons of Roxbury International Film Festival Lisa and Alison have expanded the reach of New England’s largest film festival celebrating people of color, cultivating community dialogue along the way. 🟢 Marquis Victor Ed.D of Elevated Thought Marquis leads a creative youth development organization rooted in art and social justice, with a curriculum focused on consciousness, collaboration, and creativity. Read more about their contributions: https://lnkd.in/eYWqpJir

2025 has been a challenging year. Yet, every day, our grantees have been working for the benefit of their communities. Thank you for your commitment, resilience, and creativity. We are grateful to support your work, and we're here for whatever comes in 2026.

New research from MassINC and TransitMatters shows how moving from traditional commuter rail toward regional rail could dramatically improve mobility in Massachusetts. While commuter rail is focused on bringing workers in and out of downtown areas during rush hour periods, a regional rail system offers frequent, all-day service between Greater Boston, Gateway Cities, the suburbs, and beyond. Achieving the full vision will take time, but early progress is already making a positive impact: 🔹 The system is more accessible to low-income residents through fare reduction programs. Across all lines, low-income passengers now make up 36% of rail riders. 🔹 Predictable timing and off-peak service improvements made trains more useful throughout the day. More riders are taking non-work trips for education, health care appointments, and leisure. 🔹 On average, the number of riders reverse commuting to Gateway Cities grew by 23%. Connecting regional economies helps job seekers find suitable employment. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/eDZBA9gw

Between May and October, Boston Public Art Triennial works at 20 sites across the city were viewed an estimated 2.7 million times. Nearly 1.1 million people interacted with the art in some way, perhaps by taking a selfie or stopping to discuss it with friends. What did the team learn from their first go around, and what are they planning for 2028? https://lnkd.in/dRpCgrYp

In this period of uncertainty in our sector, nonprofits and funders need practical, safe, and human ways to stay connected to those at the heart of their work. Feedback Labs has some tips for how to do that well in this piece. I'm grateful to the Barr Foundation, and especially Yvonne Belanger and Rory Neuner, for their leadership in modeling high-quality listening and feedback in the philanthropic field. https://lnkd.in/eD6n5_jU

Offshore wind offers an enormous opportunity to build a renewable, reliable, and domestic electricity source. States and developers must also address its effects on local communities, especially those already burdened by climate change and fossil fuel emissions. Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA) offers four recommendations for agencies when conducting community outreach: ⭐ Work with trusted partners to provide information on planning and decision-making processes ⭐ Create spaces where community members can share input and influence decisions ⭐ Secure funding for community organizations to meaningfully participate in planning and development ⭐ Ensure that long-term investments benefit the communities hosting major infrastructure Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eVDRmzBM

"The arts shape how we see ourselves, how we govern, and how we build equitable futures." Boston Art Review launched Civil Culture, a new editorial vertical focused on arts policy and civic engagement in New England, led by Kim Córdova. Through reported stories, op-eds, and commissioned essays, this initiative will explore how cultural policy and public investment shape the arts, and how the arts strengthen democracy by creating opportunities for participation in civil society. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/em7Y3RFa