The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States, today announced a new Summer Youth Initiative. The Initiative was created to provide support for high quality summer programs that blend academic learning with enriching activities to increase positive social behavior and academic achievement. Specific goals include:
- Decreasing summer academic learning loss and promoting literacy
- Increasing STEM competency
- Providing meaningful summer employment/internship opportunities
- Preparing children to be successful in kindergarten
- Improving life skills (communication, leadership, self-empowerment, problem-solving/decision making, conflict resolution, and teamwork)
- Serving and meeting the needs of children with disabilities
- Providing access to healthy food
Only programs that serve low-income Baltimore City youth will be considered for grant support. Grants awards will not exceed $50,000. Applicants must:
Be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status, and in operation for a minimum of three years
- Primarily serve low-income youth who are Baltimore City residents
- Have paid staff who are responsible for administration, implementation, and finances
- Strive to accelerate academic achievement and promote healthy development as a central goal
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to providing high quality summer learning (ages 0-18) in low-income communities.
Preference will be given to programs that are enrollment-based and offer a minimum of 80 hours of programming for each youth.
