BARR FOUNDATION

Supporting OrganizationIRS data 2022–2024

BOSTON, MAEIN 046579815 Website

Annual Giving

$123.2M+15% YoY

Grants

903

Median Grant

$80K

Organizations Funded

484

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Foundation Overview

Mission

The Barr Foundation invests in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts. Through their grants and partnerships, they support efforts that ignite creativity, protect our planet, and equip individuals with the knowledge and skills to build a more equitable and sustainable world.

Focus Areas

clean energy and climate mitigationclimate resilience and extreme-heat responsesustainable and equitable transportationarts and creativitycultural infrastructure and community arts centersarts leadership and artist fellowshipsk-12 education improvement and school supporteducation research and evaluation

Grant Types

general operating supportcore supportcapital/capital campaign grantsfellowshipscapacity-building and organizational developmenttechnical assistance and planningprogram/project supportevaluation and research grants

Funded Initiatives

$130M awarded 2024, $2.5B assets, $1.5B contributed since 1997, $40.7M fourth quarter 2024 grants, $17M Arts & Creativity grants, $10.7M Climate grants, $7M Education grants, $3M Energy Foundation clean energy grant, $4.5M Transportation for Massachusetts

How to Apply

Majority initiated by staff or RFP process. Best approach: email education@barrfoundation.org with brief 300-400 word description of organization and funding opportunity. RFPs announced for specific initiatives. May take few weeks to respond due to high volume.

Does Not Fund

No grants to individuals or scholarships, rare funding for capital projects or event sponsorships (except longstanding partners), focus New England regionally with selective national engagement, RFP process highly recommended for best chances

Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.

Giving History

2024+15%

$123.2M

Grants

903

Median

$80K

States

2023-1%

$106.9M

Grants

844

Median

$53K

States

2022

$108.5M

Grants

773

Median

$65K

States

Grant Size Distribution

$80K

Typical Grant (Median)

$100

Smallest

$5K

25th Pctile

$187K

75th Pctile

$3.3M

Largest

Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $5K and $187K.

Largest Recent Grants

$3.3M

2024

UNITED STATES ENERGY FOUNDATION

CA · TO ACCELERATE THE TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY IN THE NORTHEAST

$2.9M

2024

COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

MA · TO SUPPORT THE VALLEY CREATES INITIATIVE

$1.6M

2024

NATIONAL CENTER FOR CIVIC INNOVATION INC

NY · TO CONTINUE TO LEAD THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE SCHOOLS IN THE BEYOND ENE (ENGAGE NEW ENGLAND) COHORT

$1.2M

2024

BOSTON UJIMA PROJECT INC

MA · TO PROVIDE CORE SUPPORT

$1.2M

2024

NATIONAL CENTER FOR CIVIC INNOVATION INC

NY · TO BUILD ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY TO SCALE SCHOOL OBSERVATION VISITS AND TO PROVIDE CAPACITY-BUILDING SUPPORT FOR BARR GRANTEE SCHOOL LEADERS

Geographic Focus

$86.8M587 grants

$8.2M48 grants

$7.8M36 grants

$5.4M57 grants

$2.6M29 grants

Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.

Financial Overview

YearTotal AssetsGrants Paid

2024

$1.9B

$123.2M(6.5%)

2023

$1.9B

$106.9M(5.6%)

2022

$1.9B

$108.5M(5.6%)

Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets

Network Intelligence

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Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.