Using innovation as our primary tool, and equity as an integral lens across our work, we aim to support early-stage ideas that are challenging the status quo.
This is where Barra comes in—we aim to provide risk-capital, and other resources to support intentional innovation. We know this kind of funding is hard to come by. And, we think this kind of early-stage funding can spark and inspire transformative change to address the needs and opportunities of under-resourced communities.
We aim to engage in next practices in philanthropy, such as impact investing, that have the potential to create bold, durable change in the social sector. We plan to share what we are learning as we work to align a portion of our endowment with our mission and values.
Beyond grants and impact investments, we do our best to deploy our resources—networks, relationships, knowledge and experience—to build connections and share information that cultivates innovation in and across Arts & Culture, Education, Health and Human Services. Our approach to philanthropy is not just about what we fund but how we fund. Learn more about what guides our work.
We believe that if innovators have the resources they need to test out early-stage bold ideas, then there is the potential that their efforts will lead to outsized impact and a more equitable Greater Philadelphia region.
Meet the changemakers who are inspiring others to think and act differently.