The Barr Fellowship, one of our longest-standing programs, has been supporting and connecting social sector leaders in Massachusetts for nearly two decades.
This iteration of the program responds directly to what we heard from leaders in our network:
We need to step back and clarify our purpose. We are interested in developing practices for sustainable leadership. We want to join a community of leaders who are committed to doing the work together.
The fellowship includes: $75k for the leader and their organization, 50 hours of coaching, and 15 months of connection.
Applications open now through June 30th. Link in bio.
What happens in classrooms is full of power.
Senior Program Officer Jess Rose's experiences as a student motivate her to create more spaces of transformational growth.
Our changing climate is an urgent challenge and an enormous opportunity for our economy and future.
In an op-ed for Commonwealth Beacon, Mariella Puerto, our Director of Climate, makes the case that now is the time to lean into programs like @masssave that address affordability and sustainability at the same time.
Link in bio.
Transformative high school experiences set students up to succeed in life.
Education Program Associate Dylan Everett still remembers how the high expectations of his teachers inspired him. Now, he and his team are working to make sure all of New England's students have the opportunities they need to thrive.
Most people don't think of housing policy as climate policy. But where and how we build homes is one of the most powerful levers we have for reducing emissions.
Transportation is the largest source of pollution in Massachusetts, and when homes are built far from jobs, schools, and transit, driving isn't a choice. It's a necessity.
Early results from the MBTA Communities Act are promising: in just two years, communities have permitted more than 8,000 new housing units that make walkable, bikeable, transit-connected neighborhoods a reality.
Read more at the link in our bio.
Three months into the year, we are feeling inspired by how our grantee partners are showing up for their communities.
Right alongside fear and concern, there's a renewed sense of commitment to our future and what's possible in it.
Across our programs, there is a notable shift from reacting to responding. We are committed to supporting that shift every step of the way.
"I'm here today because someone saw me. I was a young person who was empowered."
- @michellegarciafresco , of @elevated_thought
Arts and culture organizations highlight the value that immigrants bring to American society, and provide a critical space for building community and connection.
Want to learn more? With @SloverLinett , we interviewed young immigrant artists in Massachusetts to learn about their experiences and needs. Read the report at the link in our bio.
Photos from the 2025 New Voices Mixer, hosted by @teatrochelsea , @frontporcharts , and @chuangstage
What drives our Education team to advocate for New England's students?
For Manjula Karamcheti, it's the desire to make sure no young person has to navigate high school alone.
"Someone has to tell the story. The story of separation can only be told by those who are going through it."
- @the_office_of_soun of @angkordance
Being an immigrant is an act of creativity on a daily basis—one that is both a source of pride and a challenge. It's up to arts organizations, funders, and the entire community to welcome and amplify their stories.
Want to learn more? With @SloverLinett , we interviewed young immigrant artists in Massachusetts to learn about their experiences and needs.
Read the report at the link in our bio.
We and @SloverLinett undertook a research project to understand how young adult immigrants in Massachusetts embody creativity—and what it means for our state’s arts and culture ecosystem.
Our hope is to inspire funders and arts organizations to continue to evolve with and for these communities.
Here's a snapshot of what we learned.
Full report link in bio.
“I think the beauty of this Transformative Learning Experience is: It’s not just the science. It’s very grounded in community involvement, community purpose. And we’re not just solving an issue for a fictitious community somewhere else in the world, you know? This is home."
- Ryan Slater, Peabody High School Educator
Through work with Springpoint, educators are developing classes that get students engaged with topics that feel relevant and useful. Here, students are editing genes in E. coli bacteria to glow when they encounter a chosen pollutant.
"You’re an artist when you decide you are. No one else can validate that or take that from you." – @michellegarciafresco , Program Director @elevated_thought
Alongside researchers from @SloverLinett and speakers from Massachusetts' thriving arts sector, the Arts + Creativity team shared new research about creativity and community in immigrant lives.
Special thanks to @pmferrer , @the_office_of_soun and Dr. Slandie Dieujuste for offering ways funders and organizations can support immigrant artists in embracing and sustaining their creative identities.
Read the full report at the link in bio.
