 In January 2013, it was announced that Polito was selected as the second President of the Poetry Foundation, succeeding John Barr.Soon after the announcement, Meghan O'Rourke reported that Critics argue that the [Poetry] foundation, led by an investment banker and poet named John Barr, hasn't spent its money wisely or aggressively enough.Among its most visible projects to date are a Web site that draws some 12 million unique visitors a year; a high-school recitation program; a redesign for Poetry magazine; and, most contentiously, an eyebrow-raising $21.5 million headquarters in Chicago.