Ali Noorani will replace Jim Canales as Barr Foundation president

Boston Globe

16 hours ago

'I am deeply humbled and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Barr Foundation at this moment and to build on its exceptional reputation as an institution that boldly stands in its values of deep and authentic partnership and investment in community,' he said in a Wednesday statement.
His appointment marks
a major transition
at Barr. Its current president Jim Canales will step down after an 11-year tenure, during which he expanded the foundation dramatically and
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In a statement, Hostetter praised Noorani for his 'humility, curiosity, and the long-term view that investing in potential and empowering people in communities always requires.'
'Throughout the search, Ali's enthusiasm for Barr's core issues of arts, climate, and education was palpable, as was his readiness to propel Barr into its next chapter,' she continued.
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Founded in 1997, Barr has invested $1.7 billion to charitable causes in arts, education, climate resiliency, and racial justice. Under Canales, the foundation grew its grantmaking from $55 million to $130 million a year and more than doubled the size of its staff, now around 50 people. (Barr also supports the Globe's
In a
On Wednesday, he touted Noorani's 'instinctual strategic acumen and personal warmth that make him a tremendous asset as Barr seeks to meet the needs of this moment and beyond.'
Jim Canales, the longtime president of the Barr foundation, will step down and transition to chair of the board by the end of the year.
Matt Kalinowski
Nonprofits across the state have taken an outsized role in upholding the state's social safety net this year, as federal programs intended to protect the vulnerable have been rolled back by the White House. The Boston Foundation
With his background in immigration, Noorani may be uniquely equipped to handle the moment, supporters said in a statement.
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'In a time of extraordinary turbulence and disquiet, I can think of no better leader to take the helm of the Barr Foundation than Ali Noorani,' said Sam Gill, president of the New York-based Doris Duke Foundation. 'Ali's passion, intelligence, experience and humanity make him the perfect steward for the next chapter in Barr's legacy of investing in the human, natural and creative potential of our communities and our American society.'
Diti Kohli can be reached at