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Barr Foundation Invests $1.8M in INP’s National Expansion and Five Leadership Programs

Major financial commitment from the Barr Foundation supports INP’s work to strengthen its programs and expand its network of social impact leaders across the US.

March 2, 2023, Boston, MA – The Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP) has received its largest grant to date, a transformative $1.8 million from the Barr Foundation to support the ongoing expansion of INP’s programs across New England and nationally over the next three years. The investment will help dramatically increase access to INP’s nationally-recognized leadership development programs. This award is in addition to a $1 million investment Barr made in INP’s newly-launched national Black Leadership Institute. 

As part of its mission to equip purpose-driven leaders with skills, tools, resources, and community to rise in their careers and advance social change, INP is also cultivating its growing network of more than 3,500 students and alumni across the US. The peer-to-peer communities emerging from INP’s programs are weaving powerful networks across the social impact sector, creating durable impacts far beyond participants’ initial INP experiences.

“INP is a vital resource in supporting representative, inclusive, equitable, and effective leadership and organizations, not only in Greater Boston and New England but increasingly on a national level,” said Kimberly Haskins, Barr Foundation’s Senior Program Officer for Sector Effectiveness. “INP operates with a model for respectful growth and collaborative partnerships that our sector needs, and we are so pleased to support its work.” 

INP’s President and CEO, Yolanda Coentro, is a recipient of the Barr Foundation Fellowship which celebrates and invests in exceptional leaders. Coentro echoed the sentiments of the broader INP board, staff, and faculty community in saying “It’s an honor to receive such a transformative investment from a partner like Barr who shares our commitment to deeply supporting and uplifting social impact leaders with an unwavering focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.” Furthermore, she noted that “there is no small significance in that this grant – the largest received in INP’s history – recognizes the unique and essential contribution we are making in our region and across the country toward the strength and vitality of the social impact sector.” 

Since its founding, INP has equipped thousands of leaders, a majority of whom are BIPOC and women, from more than 1,000 social impact organizations with the skills, tools, and networks to address the most significant issues of our time. Since 2020, INP has expanded its award-winning Core Certificate and Community Fellows programs beyond New England to include communities in New York City, Western New York, and the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Additionally, the RISE and Summer Fellowship programs, added to INP’s offerings in 2021, are actively accelerating the career growth of emerging leaders across the country. 

INP continues to center the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all its work. Thanks to the generous support of its Board of Directors and funding partners, such as the Barr Foundation, INP is able to waive tuition for all students accepted into any INP program this year. 

To learn more about INP’s current efforts to support social impact leaders, visit nonprofitpractice.org or contact Audrey Gillis, Senior Vice President of Advancement at agillis@nonprofitpractice.org.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR NONPROFIT PRACTICE

The Institute for Nonprofit Practice equips the nation’s social impact leaders with the skills, resources, networks, and confidence they need to boldly advance their organizations and missions, creating a more equitable future for all. Through a suite of comprehensive leadership development programs, robust alumni programming, thought leadership, and community convenings, the Institute trains and connects executives, managers, and emerging leaders nationwide. Central to the Institute’s work is a focus on social justice and supporting women and people of color to confidently step into leadership roles of greater influence; the majority of the Institute’s students and alumni identify as BIPOC and women. For more information, visit nonprofitpractice.org.

ABOUT THE BARR FOUNDATION

The Barr Foundation’s mission is to invest in human, natural, and creative potential, serving as thoughtful stewards and catalysts. Based in Boston, Barr focuses regionally, and selectively engages nationally, working in partnership with nonprofits, foundations, the public sector, and civic and business leaders to elevate the arts, advance solutions for climate change, and connect all students to success in high school and beyond. Founded in 1997, Barr now has assets over $2.5 billion and has contributed more than $1 billion to charitable causes. For more information, visit barrfoundation.org.

For press inquiries, please contact media@nonprofitpractice.org.

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