Education
Education can help break the cycle of poverty.
Providing at-risk children and youth with academic opportunities helps prepare them for a stable and productive future. The Foundation is dedicated to supporting organizations that provide or supplement a high-quality education from kindergarten through high school.
Geographic Focus Areas
The Foundation supports Education projects only in its priority communities.
Priorities
The Foundation supports in-school and out-of-school STEM programs, professional development to strengthen STEM instruction, and programs proven to improve math proficiency, in order to prepare youth for evolving workforce needs that require STEM literacy.
Here are a few examples of appropriate projects:
- STEM programs, either in or out-of-school, that engage students in project-based learning. Programs should be able to demonstrate the academic impact of this work.
- Intensive, evidence-based math interventions proven to increase students’ math scores. Please note that the Foundation will not fund curriculum only.
- Programs that teach educators how to use and incorporate project-based STEM learning into their classrooms.
- Construction of STEM spaces, including labs, makerspaces, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) centers.
The Foundation supports after-school, weekend, and summer programs for students, kindergarten through grade 12. Funded programs must have an academic component with demonstrated academic outcomes.
Here are a few examples of appropriate projects:
- After-school, weekend, or summer programs that work with students for a minimum of six weeks over the summer and one year during the school year and blend academic learning with enriching activities to increase academic achievement, school attendance, and positive social behavior.
- Summer programs that blend academic learning with enriching activities and provide nutritious meals, as well as opportunities for physical activity. See Summer Funding Collaborative for more information.
- Job opportunities that introduce teens to the workforce and teach soft skills necessary for work and life. Ideally these programs will have opportunities for advancement, continued involvement, or handoff to another employer.
The Foundation supports programs that assist students in developing a post-secondary plan and position them for success after graduation from high school.
Here are a few examples of appropriate projects:
- College access programs that help students and families navigate the college application and admissions processes, including SAT/ACT testing, financial aid, and scholarship access. Priority will be shown to programs that also help students persist through college to obtain a degree.
- Career technology education (CTE) programs that help students achieve an industry-recognized certification that will allow them to graduate from high school in a position to enter the workforce and eventually earn a family-sustaining wage.
I like hands-on stuff. And science is kinda like, you get to learn about the world… It’s a lifelong thing that you’ll take with you.
How to apply
The Foundation has an online application process for all capital, program, and operating grant requests. To learn more about how to apply, including eligibility, click the link below.
Key initiatives
The Summer Funding Collaborative supports high-quality summer programs that serve low-income and vulnerable Baltimore City youth. The Collaborative includes a number of Baltimore’s largest private, corporate, and government funders who work together to fund a range of programs. These programs address one or more of the following areas: literacy; STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math); youth employment; college and career readiness; environmental education; health and overcoming stress and trauma; and enrichment such as sports and the arts.
The Baltimore Elementary and Middle School Library Project is a multi-year, collaborative effort to build or transform up to 24 Baltimore City Public School libraries in selected elementary/middle schools where existing funds can be leveraged. Of the total $30 million invested by all Project partners, the Weinberg Foundation has committed $10 million as part of this effort to strengthen academic achievement among students. To date, the Foundation and its more than 30 partners have completed 14 of these new spaces serving more than 6,000 students and their families.
Contact information
If you have any questions, or require any additional information regarding the grant process, please contact grantsintake@hjweinberg.org.