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

Boston Businesses Show Art of Possible on Climate Action

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Mariella Puerto

Co-Director of Climate

At a kickoff for a new cohort of Boston-area businesses embracing the "Challenge for Sustainability," I had the chance to talk about the part they play in creating a more sustainable (and hopeful) world.

January 30, 2014 | Category: Climate

From Local to Global: Reflections on a Three Year Pilot

Heiner Baumann

Heiner Baumann

Guest Author · Former Director of Global Programs

A new booklet introduces the Barr Foundation's early work and learning from a three-year pilot in global grantmaking.

January 13, 2014 | Category: Global

Education Director Wendy Puriefoy to Leave Barr

Melinda Marble

Guest Author · Former Deputy Director

Wendy Puriefoy, director of education, has decided to leave the Barr Foundation to pursue her passion for national education reform.

January 13, 2014 | Category: Education

Innovation in Parent Engagement Among Public, Parochial, and Charter Schools

Wendy Puriefoy

Guest Author · Former Director of Education

Parent engagement has never been the biggest part of Barr's K-12 grantmaking, but it has long been an important one. Read about a new effort that is helping a cohort of Boston district, charter, and parochial schools test and share new methods for engaging parents, and a new graduate-level program for the next generation of family engagement professionals.

January 09, 2014 | Category: Education

New Report Shows Declining Emissions Amidst Growing Economy

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Mariella Puerto

Co-Director of Climate

What happens when a state gets serious about climate change? A new report says the answer, at least in Massachusetts, is a shrinking carbon footprint and a growing economy.

January 07, 2014 | Category: Climate

And We Sing Well, Too

Melinda Marble

Guest Author · Former Deputy Director

Last spring, Barr got some challenging feedback from grantees. Interim Executive Director Melinda Marble shares what we have been doing in response.

December 23, 2013 | Category: Barr News

Announcing Barr’s First President

Melinda Marble

Guest Author · Former Deputy Director

With great excitement, we announce that Jim Canales will join the Barr Foundation as president in May 2014.

November 20, 2013 | Category: Barr News

From Urban Wasteland to Great Neighborhood

Emily Sidla

Emily Sidla

Program Associate, Climate

Since 2005, when the MBTA abandoned its Bartlett Yard bus facility, the 8.5-acre site in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood had become an urban wasteland. Thanks to a unanimous vote earlier this fall by the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the site's transformation into a mixed-use, smart growth development took a big step forward.

November 19, 2013 | Category: Climate

Three Keys to Breakthrough on Complex Social Contract Issues

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Stefan Lanfer

Director of Communications

When complicated politics and old wounds keep deep-sixing change efforts, what does it take to get to a new outcome? A recent breakthrough in Boston suggests a template.

October 24, 2013 | Category: Education

The Biggest Team Effort in Boston History

mariella puerto brick headshot 2019

Mariella Puerto

Co-Director of Climate

How much difference would it make in a city if its business and other leaders signed on to aggressive goals to address climate change, and led by example in their sectors?

October 03, 2013 | Category: Climate