The Weinberg Foundation has a lot of news to share! We hope you will take a few minutes to read our latest e-news. Also, we invite you to like the Weinberg Foundation on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Annual Library Project Book Drive kicks off March 1

Looking for other ways to get involved? In Baltimore, collection bins will be available at select businesses, organizations, and schools. Simply place new, hardcover children’s books inside the bins. In addition, Wells Fargo will host their 2nd Dress Down for Books Day—an opportunity for employees at all branches statewide to dress down on Friday in exchange for a new, hardcover children’s book. Other organizations are invited to host a “dress down day” as well, or create their very own way of engaging with employees in support of the Book Drive.

As in years past, existing Library Project schools will participate in the Penny Challenge, an opportunity for students to pay-it-forward by donating their spare change. These donations will also help purchase books for this year’s new libraries.

Numerous studies document the importance of childhood literacy for future academic success. A well-equipped, well-staffed, well-resourced school library can override almost any negative impact poverty has on a student’s academic achievement.

To learn more about the Library Project, and to donate, visit www.baltimorelibraryproject.org.

Expanded partnership seeks proposals for summer programs serving Baltimore youth

The newly expanded partnership aims to fund high-quality summer programs that serve low-income Baltimore City youth. These programs should address one or more of the following areas: literacy; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); youth employment; college and career readiness; environmental education; health and overcoming stress and trauma; and enrichment such as sports and the arts.

While each organization has specific criteria for funding, all eight share the same application process and goal: ensuring City youth can access educational activities that allow them to continue learning and growing during the summer months.

The deadline for applications is 5 p.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2016. To learn more about each organization’s eligibility criteria, and to access the application, visit www.aecf.org/summergrants.

More than $3 million in additional new grants announced

Basic Human Needs & Health

The Foundation supports programs that meet the basic needs of individuals, families, and communities. These include programs in the areas of homeless services, economic assistance, food security, and health.

Virginia Supportive Housing
Virginia Beach, VA
$250,000 capital grant to support the construction of Crescent Square, an 80-unit affordable housing development that will include permanent, supportive housing for formerly homeless, single adults.
http://www.virginiasupportivehousing.org/

Volunteers in Medicine
Luzerne County, PA
$150,000 operating grant over two years ($75,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that provides primary and preventative medical and dental care for uninsured families.
http://www.vimwb.com/

Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen
Tunkhannock, PA
$100,000 capital grant to support the purchase and renovation of a facility to be used as a new, larger soup kitchen, with the goal of increasing the amount of meals served.
https://sevenloaveskitchen.org/

Wyoming Valley Alcohol and Drug Services
Luzerne County, PA
$100,000 operating grant over two years ($50,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that provides substance abuse treatment as well as prevention and education services for residents.
http://wvadsinc.com/

disabilities

The Foundation supports organizations and programs that respect and promote the independence, integration, individual choice, and civil rights of children and adults with intellectual, physical, and sensory disabilities as necessary preconditions for a good life.

The Association of Development of Welfare Services in Lod
Lod, Israel
$270,000 capital grant to support the construction of two classrooms with adjoining therapy areas, in the Mashal Rehabilitative Daycare Center, for children on the autism spectrum, ages one to four.

Education

US - The Weinberg Foundation supports organizations and programs committed to ensuring that children are ready for kindergarten; achieve grade-level academic performance in reading, math, and science; and graduate from high school prepared for college and the workplace. This portfolio includes an emphasis on STEM (Sciences, Technology, Engineering, and Math) literacy, out-of-school time, early childhood development, and child and family safety.

Israel - The Weinberg Foundation supports primarily capital projects in early education and for youth at-risk including early childhood centers, shelters for women and their children who are escaping intimate partner violence, and youth villages for youth at-risk without family support.

Atid Educational Network and Schools
Be’er Ya acov, Israel
$177,000 capital grant to support the renovation of a dormitory that houses 40 at-risk youth at the Johanna Jabotinsky Youth Village, as part of a national program in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Naor Foundation.  
http://www.atidintl.com/

The Mikve Israel Agricultural School
Holon, Israel
$150,000 capital grant to support the renovation of the Teena dormitory that houses 36 at-risk high school youth, as part of a national program in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Naor Foundation.

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) – Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County, MD
$60,000 Maryland Small Grant over two years ($30,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that addresses the employment, housing, health, and social needs of youth who are aging out of the foster care system.
http://www.pgcasa.org/

Hopeworks of Howard County
Howard County, MD
$40,000 operating grant over two years ($20,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that provides residential, legal, and counseling services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
http://www.wearehopeworks.org/

General Community Support

This program area includes support for Jewish causes worldwide, grants to organizations that distribute funds to many of the Foundation's priority areas, and local community development efforts including renovation or construction of affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization.

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake
Baltimore, MD
$1,000,000 over two years ($500,000 per year) to support the construction of 23 homes and the rehabilitation of 30 vacant properties in order to provide affordable housing for 53 families.
http://habitatchesapeake.org/

Fisher House Foundation
Milwaukee, WI
$500,000 capital grant to support the construction of a 16-suite home at The Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center that will provide free, temporary housing for families of veterans receiving medical care.
http://www.fisherhousewi.org/

The United Way of Central Maryland
Baltimore, MD
$500,000 operating grant over two years ($250,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that works to advance education, financial stability, and health in order to help families achieve self-sufficiency and to support the Family Stability Program.
http://www.uwcm.org/main/

Older Adults

This is the single largest area of grantmaking by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. The Foundation remains committed to providing support to older adults to live dignified, meaningful, and engaged lives in the community and to maintain their independence for as long as possible.

Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center
Boston, MA
$200,000 capital grant to support the expansion of the Hong Lok House, a facility that provides affordable housing and supportive services for Asian older adults.
http://www.gbcgac.org/

Jewish Community Services
Baltimore, MD
$145,000 program grant over two years ($18,000/$127,000) to support Patient Care Connection, a program that provides older adults and caregivers with access to social services at physician offices as part of the Making Maryland the Best Place to Grow Old Initiative.
http://www.jcsbaltimore.org/

Workforce Development

The Weinberg Foundation is committed to helping people to help themselves by obtaining and keeping employment, preferably on a career track. The Foundation funds programs which provide the “life-tools” for clients to lift themselves from poverty into solid self-support.

Training Source
Prince George’s County, MD
$100,000 Maryland Small Grant over two years ($50,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that works to ensure adults and youth have the job and life skills necessary to secure and retain employment.
http://thetrainingsource.org/

Maryland New Directions
Baltimore, MD
$55,000 operating grant to support the general operations of this organization that provides employment readiness training, one-on-one job coaching, as well as job search and placement assistance for individuals who are experiencing life and career transitioning.
http://www.mdnewdirections.org/

Caroline Friess Center
Baltimore, MD
$50,000 Maryland Small Grant over two years ($25,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that provides healthcare-related employment training for women.
https://www.caroline-center.org/

* All grants with an asterisk are paid to either United Israel Appeal (U.I.A.) or PEF Israel Endowment Funds with the recommendation, but not requirement, that they be distributed as described.

New Weinberg Foundation website twice honored

The AVA Digital Awards is an international competition presented by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals that recognizes outstanding work in digital communication. In the category of “Websites/Nonprofit,” the Weinberg Foundation's website earned a 2016 Gold Award.

The Foundation’s website was also considered as part of the North American Excellence Awards—a global brand rewarding outstanding achievements in PR and communications. This year’s Awards attracted more than 2,600 applications internationally. In this competition, which selects only one winner in each category, the Weinberg Foundation celebrates being among five “shortlist” nominees in the category of website, corporate, and nonprofit.

If you have not visited the Weinberg Foundation online recently, we invite you to do so and to experience the new design and many new features: www.hjweinbergfoundation.org.