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About Barra

Over time, our grant programs and our practices have evolved, but the core mission of The Barra Foundation has always been focused on innovation.

Barra has been supporting innovation since 1963, when it was founded by the late Robert L. McNeil, Jr., former Chairman of McNeil Laboratories.

With our roots in the scientific method, we believe innovation is an intentional process that requires certain elements: clearly defining a problem, creating opportunities for idea generation, supporting risk-taking, selecting and supporting potentially transformative ideas and sharing learning.

We provide approximately $4 million in annual grants that are focused on supporting innovation in and across the fields Arts & Culture, Education, Health and Human Services. And, we leverage a portion of our $90 million endowment through the practice of impact investing.

Beyond the dollars we grant and invest, we seek to connect people to resources and ideas in a way that will help further innovation in our region. We place a strong emphasis on learning, sharing and connecting. To that end, we make it a point to share the stories of Barra-funded changemakers in an effort to inform and inspire others to think—and act—differently.

 
 
Our Mission

The Barra Foundation invests in innovation to inspire change that strengthens communities in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Stories & Ideas

Beyond the dollars we grant and invest, we seek to connect people to resources and ideas in a way that will help further innovation in our region. We place a strong emphasis on learning, sharing and connecting. To that end, we make it a point to share the stories of Barra-funded changemakers in an effort to inform and inspire others to think—and act—differently.

Read our Stories

The Catalyst Fund

Providing risk capital for early-stage, bold approaches that have the potential to result in outsized impact and thriving, equitable communities. These projects test novel approaches to entrenched or emerging problems in an effort to push boundaries and inspire transformative change. Learn more about the purpose of the Catalyst Fund and how to apply.

More about the Catalyst Fund

Impact Investing

Barra has been learning about impact investing by testing it out, and “learning by doing” since 2016. Join us in our journey as we find ways to activate more than just grant dollars to invest in our region to create durable change.

More about impact investing

Latest News

News and announcements as well as ideas and commentary about innovation in the social sector.

Read News