Giving back

Barr is deeply invested in the communities in which we live and work. In 2010, Barr’s board of directors adopted a policy to set aside a portion of our annual profit for giving back. With a mix of both monetary donations and pro bono services, we support charitable organizations in our communities, as well as educational institutions and programs.

Learn more about Barr’s charitable donations in our annual charitable giving report.

Supporting charitable organizations

Each year, Barr donates hundreds of thousands of dollars to more than 100 charitable organizations. Our employees guide Barr’s decisions on the recipients of these charitable donations, and our giving reflects our diverse interests and passions. Many of these organizations’ missions focus on:

Protecting the environment
Meeting basic human needs, including housing and food
Researching cures and treatments for diseases
Promoting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education for K–12 students
Advocating for native traditions
Addressing animal cruelty

Investing in education

Barr dedicates half of our annual giving to organizations focused on educating the engineers and scientists of the future. We believe that building a more sustainable future means supporting science education for the next generation of engineers and problem solvers. With the hope of inspiring young engineers and scientists, Barr staff speak at elementary and high schools, providing insight into what it’s like to work in the STEM fields.

We are also proud to support higher education institutions. Barr’s donations for education are received by colleges and universities in 11 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. Half our donations for education in 2022 supported organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering and science disciplines.

Volunteering in our communities

In addition to monetary donations, Barr employees give back to our communities by volunteering their time and professional capabilities. Across multiple offices and geographic locations, our employees volunteer for Habitat for Humanity each year to assist in building homes for families in need. Our staff members also donate professional expertise on projects with organizations such as Engineers Without Borders—from civil engineering design and dam assessments to drone surveys and more.

Civil engineering for small home community

Barr employees provided civil engineering services to develop a small home community for a non-profit focused on addressing homelessness. Read the article

Dam and aqueduct assessment in Haiti

To help conserve a community’s water supply in Haiti, Barr engineers assessed the stability, strength, and hydraulic function of a dam and aqueduct. Read the article

Design and construction of a new school in Guatemala

A structural engineer supported the design and construction of a new school in Guatemala, which replaced an existing structure negatively impacted by seismic activity and erosion. Read the article

Barr is also committed to sustainability and environmentally friendly business practices. Learn more about our environmental policy.