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Weinberg Foundation hosts national convening on Jewish poverty

The Weinberg Foundation is dedicated to meeting the basic needs of people experiencing poverty. As part of this core commitment, the Foundation has undertaken a closer examination of Jewish poverty in the United States.

We began by gathering all of the relevant information we could find and were stunned by the void of recent, meaningful data and research. What we were able to find—by reaching out to more than 70 leaders of Jewish federations, nonprofits, foundations, as well as other national and local organizations—we assembled as part of an initial report that the Foundation will release in just a few weeks.

We found that between 16 and 20 percent of Jewish households in the US earn less than $30,000 annually and seven percent earn less than $15,000.

However, we were surprised to learn that Jewish poverty shatters stereotypes and assumptions. For example, many believe that Jewish poverty is primarily represented by immigrants from the Former Soviet Union or Ultra-Religious Jews. In reality, a significant portion of Jewish poverty mirrors society as a whole, including single mothers and their children, people with disabilities, and many families who are living paycheck to paycheck—one emergency away from everything falling apart.

Still, the Weinberg Foundation recognizes that we have much more to learn. As a starting point, the Foundation will host a national convening on Jewish poverty, which will be held on March 19 in San Francisco. This event will include nationally known speakers as well as relevant trends, data, and programs that are addressing poverty within the Jewish community.

Please see the event details, as well as RSVP information, by clicking here. Space is limited, and RSVPs will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Online registration will close on Friday, March 1. For those who are unable to attend, the Foundation will provide links to recordings of select content, including the opening panel discussion as well as the presentations that will conclude the Convening. These video links will be made available in the days following the event. Much more to come in the weeks and months ahead!

Weinberg Foundation partners with other major donors in groundbreaking $25 million national initiative to increase mobility from poverty

A pioneering $25 million, four-year initiative to spur the development of new solutions to sustainably lift families out of poverty, and to promote dynamic leaders who will aim to change the national conversation around social and economic mobility, is the focus of a new partnership of major donors, including Robin Hood Foundation, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and Tipping Point Community, with additional support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The effort, known as Mobility Learning and Action Bets, or Mobility LABs, will be built around part of Robin Hood’s work to identify and invest in effective models developed in New York City that can be exported and replicated in other communities. In addition, the work will identify innovative new models from other communities that can be replicated in New York City and beyond.

The Mobility LABs initiative was announced during a panel moderated by Nisha Patel, Managing Director for Narrative Change & National Initiatives at Robin Hood, and including Wes Moore, Robin Hood’s CEO, Daniel Lurie, CEO and founder of Tipping Point Community, and Rachel Garbow Monroe, President and CEO of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. You can watch Rachel’s panel discussion by clicking here.

“The Weinberg Foundation is excited to participate in this partnership that combines action and learning to increase impact in our priority communities,” said Rachel Garbow Monroe, Foundation President and CEO. “The Foundation is committed to more proactive and strategic grantmaking rooted in partnerships with other funders and service providers. Given our mission of supporting low-income and vulnerable populations, our hope through this partnership is to build knowledge and capacity that will help us move people from poverty, not just serve people in poverty.”

During the panel, participants underscored the need to support action at the community level, recognizing that, though data-driven, the initiative will embark on a new area of work and will need to make bets in order to learn. Risk will be mitigated by working with national and local anchor partners who bring solid track records and significant expertise. Learning from these investments will inform and influence Robin Hood’s work, as well as the philanthropic partners’ efforts, going forward.

In the end of the four-year initiative, Mobility LABs and its partners hope to—

• Increase learning about effective short-term predictors of mobility from poverty – and identify new metrics to help guide future investments.
• Measurably increase short-term predictors of mobility from poverty in diverse demonstration communities.
• Create an active cohort of leaders who understand, embrace, and promote new narratives about mobility from poverty.

Funding Collaborative receives more than 200 applications for summer programs serving Baltimore youth

Applications for support as part of this year’s Baltimore Summer Funding Collaborative closed on February 1, with 205 applications received. Review of the applications is underway.

Now in its fifth year, the Summer Funding Collaborative continues to work to expand summer enrichment opportunities for young people in Baltimore City. Collaborative members include the Abell Foundation, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Clayton Baker Trust, Constellation, Family League of Baltimore, France-Merrick Foundation, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, The Hinkey-Benson Family Fund, Joseph & Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, Lockhart Vaughan Foundation, Under Armour, and United Way of Central Maryland.

These 13 funders have committed a total of more than $3 million to help fight summer learning loss. When children are disengaged from learning and enrichment over the summer months, they can lose up to three months of knowledge and skills gained during the previous school year. High-quality summer programming has been proven to help reduce this learning loss or “summer slide.” By expanding learning, recreation, and college and career-readiness opportunities, the Collaborative members hope that Baltimore City youth can access programs that allow them to learn and grow during the summer months.

The members of the Collaborative share a common goal: to fund high-quality summer programs that serve youth from families with low incomes in Baltimore City. Using a common application and review process, member organizations make their own funding decisions. Since 2015, the Collaborative has awarded $12.7 million in support of summer enrichment opportunities in the City.

To be considered for funding, summer programs must promote academic, social, and emotional growth in children and youth and be inclusive of students of all abilities. Applicants must primarily serve children and youth from low-income families who live in Baltimore City and, if operating for four or more hours per day, must have a plan to serve healthy meals to program participants.

To learn more about the Baltimore Summer Funding Collaborative and to access the application, visit bmoresfc.org.

Weinberg website includes new blog feature providing additional insight and depth for Foundation grants and programs

We hope that you have had the opportunity to explore the Weinberg Foundation’s new website, which is designed for easier navigation and now includes a fully-automated online grants intake tool. In addition, the Foundation has launched its first blog. The blog provides the Foundation with a new, distinct communications platform—one that will allow us to better focus important news and messaging to key audiences and stakeholders through unique content.

Grantees and prospective grantees now will be able to gain new insight on what is working, as well as lessons learned and best practices. For example, our first entry in December shared thoughts on supporting young adults with disabilities, and our latest blog details how the Baltimore Summer Funding Collaborative began and grew into the successful partnership it is today, serving thousands of young people in Baltimore City.

In short, we intend for the blog to serve as an additional, more personal, lens into the Foundation’s work, impact, and goals. We also look forward to including voices from outside of our organization, providing an even more diverse and valuable resource for our readers.

You can find the blog by clicking on “Resources” in the top, navigation panel of our website and then scrolling down to and clicking on “Blog.”

Visit hjweinbergfoundation.org to explore all of these exciting changes and new tools!

More than $26 million in additional new grants announced

Housing

Stable housing provides a foundation for individuals, children, and families to lead healthy and productive lives. Without housing, people are unable to focus on education, employment, health care, and meeting other basic needs.

Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors (HUBS)
Baltimore, MD
$2,500,000 capital grant to support organizations that provide home modifications and repairs, as well as wraparound services, that allow older adults to remain independent.

• Banner Neighborhoods Community http://www.bannerneighborhoods.org/
• CHAI: Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc. https://chaibaltimore.org/
• Keswick Community Health https://choosekeswick.org/
• Meals on Wheels https://www.mealsonwheelsmd.org/
• Neighborhood Housing Services https://www.nhsbaltimore.org/
• Rebuilding Together Baltimore http://rtbaltimore.org/
• St. Ambrose https://www.stambros.org/

Jewish Community Housing
Brookline, MA
$2,500,000 capital grant to support the construction of an affordable housing development, including supportive services and intergenerational, educational, and health care programming, for older adults.
https://www.jche.org/ 

Mutual Housing California
Sacramento, CA
$2,500,000 capital grant to support the construction of an affordable housing development with comprehensive, integrated services that will allow LGBTQ older adults to age with independence and quality of life.
http://www.mutualhousing.com/

Openhouse
San Francisco, CA
$1,000,000 capital grant to support the construction of a community center that will include a technology suite, as well as space for community education, nutrition workshops, and socialization for LGBTQ older adults allowing them to age with independence and quality of life.
https://www.openhouse-sf.org/

Artspace Projects
Chicago, IL
$500,000 capital grant to support the construction of six units of supportive housing for veterans, part of the Pullman Artspace Lofts project.
https://www.artspace.org/

Larkin Street Youth Services
San Francisco, CA
$500,000 operating grant to support the general operations of this organization that provides comprehensive services for youth experiencing homelessness, who are disconnected from education, employment, and health care.
https://larkinstreetyouth.org/

Hamilton Families
San Francisco, CA
$350,000 operating grant to support the general operations of this organization that helps families exiting homelessness become financially stable and integrate into their new community.
https://hamiltonfamilies.org/

Atara
Jerusalem and Netanya, Israel
$200,000 operating grant to support the general operations of this organization that helps at-risk girls from Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) backgrounds—who have experienced physical and sexual abuse—to achieve economic independence through supportive housing, employment training, counseling, and wrap-around services.

Health

Good health is essential to help people move and remain out of poverty. Poor physical or mental health can prevent or complicate the pursuit of education, employment, and other opportunities for economic mobility.

Jewish Social Service Agency
Rockville, MD
$1,500,000 capital grant to support the renovation of this organization’s Montrose Road facility with the goal of expanding service delivery to additional older adults and allowing them to remain independent.
https://www.jssa.org/

People Encouraging People
Baltimore, MD
$1,500,000 capital grant to support the renovation of this organization’s recovery center that includes rehabilitation as well as educational and employment services and to support the construction of nine units of permanent supportive housing for people with complex health and social needs.
http://www.peponline.org/

Grand Traverse Pavilions Foundation
Traverse City, MI
$1,000,000 capital grant to support the building renovation of this organization’s PACE (Program for All Inclusive Care of the Elderly) Center and to purchase furniture, fixtures, and equipment.
https://www.gtpavilions.org/

Ashdod Old Age Home Association
Ashdod, Israel
$950,000 capital grant to support the renovation of this facility as part of the Eshkolot initiative, a series of capital projects, in partnership with the National Insurance Institute, dedicated to advancing culture change within skilled nursing facilities serving older adults. 

United Neighborhood Community Development Corporation
Dunmore, PA
$900,000 capital grant to support the construction of an affordable housing development that will provide intergenerational activities for older adult residents and community members.
http://www.uncnepa.org/ 

Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation
Baltimore, MD
$750,000 capital grant to support the renovation of a building into a health care hub and to support the Stabilization Center—a new model for connecting people to health care that leads to longer-term stabilization and recovery.
https://coppinheightscdc.wordpress.com/

Enterprise Community Partners
Baltimore, MD
$750,000 program grant over two years ($375,000 per year) to support this organization’s programs that provide older adult residents with affordable housing opportunities so that they may remain independent and maintain a high quality of life.
https://www.enterprisecommunity.org/

Catholic Social Services
Wilkes Barre, PA
$525,000 capital grant to support the development of a comprehensive shelter and residential program in a campus setting that will include an emergency shelter, expanded food pantry, and short-term housing options.
https://cssdioceseofscranton.org/content/  

Channel Marker
Easton, MD
$500,000 capital grant to support the construction of a new regional wellness center with the goal of expanding capacity for on-site treatment and clinical therapy services.
https://channelmarker.org/  

On Lok
San Francisco, CA
$500,000 capital grant to support the renovation of a building to create the Montgomery Dementia Center, part of this organization’s Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), which allows nursing-home eligible older adults to remain in their homes and communities.
https://www.onlok.org/

Neve Eshkol
Negev, Israel
$400,000 capital grant over two years ($300,000/$100,000) to support the renovation of a day care center for older adults coping with dementia and cognitive decline.
http://www.neveshkol.org.il/The-Day-Care-Center.html

Selfhelp Community Services
New York, NY
$300,000 program grant over two years ($150,000 per year) to support comprehensive case management services for Holocaust survivors from the former Soviet Union living in New York City.
https://www.selfhelp.net/

CHANA (an agency of The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore)
Baltimore, MD
$250,000 program grant over two years ($125,000 per year) to support SAFE (Stop Abuse of Elders), a program that provides counseling, community outreach, and education in response to elder abuse.
http://chanabaltimore.org/

Esperanza Health Center
Chicago, IL
$200,000 capital grant to support the construction of this organization’s new Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) that will provide primary care, behavioral health, psychiatry, pharmacy, and domestic violence and sexual assault services and programs.
http://www.esperanzachicago.org/ 

SEEC Corporation
Throughout Maryland
$200,000 operating grant over two years ($100,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that provides employment, educational, and residential support services.
https://www.seeconline.org/ 

Archway Station
Allegany County, MD
$175,000 program grant over two years ($100,000/$75,000) to support the development of a Health Home program that will provide behavioral health services for people with mental illness.
https://www.archwaystation.net/ 

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit
Detroit, MI
$150,000 capital grant to support the development of JHELP, a new community-wide service portal that will enhance the coordination of information, referrals, and service delivery for older adults.
http://jewishdetroit.org/

Mission of Mercy
Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties, MD
$115,000 capital grant to support the purchase of and equipment for a mobile dental clinic with the goal of increasing this organization’s annual dental visits.
https://www.amissionofmercy.org/ 

Sanctuary for Military Families (Project Sanctuary)
Throughout the United States
$75,000 operating grant to expand into Maryland this organization that takes military families “from battle-ready to family-ready” by providing outdoor therapeutic retreats in a healing environment, as well as ongoing family support services for two years following the retreat.
https://projectsanctuary.us/

Camelot for Children
Northeastern Pennsylvania
$50,000 operating grant over two years ($25,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that provides educational and social opportunities in a supportive, enriching environment for children, ages six through 19, with disabilities and chronic or terminal illnesses.
http://cameloteducation.org/

Western Maryland Area Health Education Center
Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties, MD
$100,000 Small Grant over two years ($50,000 per year) to support this organization’s dental access program and Exploring Careers in Health Occupations program that provides hands-on experience with health care careers as a means to address a chronic shortage of health care professionals.
http://www.ahecwest.org/

Jobs

Employment provides the best opportunity for personal success and financial security. Quality training programs that lead to employment enable individuals and families to achieve economic stability.

Philabundance
Philadelphia, PA
$1,000,000 capital grant to support the relocation and construction of this organization’s community kitchen, which provides job and life-skills training for students, with the goal of doubling program participants and increasing meal production.
https://www.philabundance.org/ 

ENOSH – The Israeli Mental Health Association
Kiryat Gat, Israel
$300,000 capital grant to support the construction of a new branch that will provide job training, housing, and other services for people coping with mental illness.
https://www.enosh.org.il/

Metropolitan Family Services
Chicago, IL
$250,000 program grant to support this organization’s Communities Partnering 4 Peace program—a long-term approach to reducing violence in the community it serves.
https://www.metrofamily.org/  

Moveable Feast
Baltimore, MD
$250,000 operating grant to support the general operations of this organization that provides free meal delivery service and nutritional counseling for homebound individuals with a chronic/terminal disease, including HIV/AIDS and breast cancer.
http://www.mfeast.org/  

Penn Mar Corporation
Throughout Maryland
$250,000 capital grant to support the renovation of this organization’s learning center that works to promote independence, employment, and inclusion and to expand its services to a greater number of people with sensory disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder.
http://www.penn-mar.org/  

CityLink Center
Cincinnati, OH
$150,000 operating grant over two years ($75,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that connects people to the education, employment, and financial literacy services they need.
https://citylinkcenter.org/

Tsofen
Nazareth, Israel
$100,000 program grant to support the expansion of the Lessons in Hi-Tech program that exposes primarily female Arab students, grades 11 and 12, to the Israeli hi-tech sector and encourages them to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)-based higher education and career paths.
http://www.tsofen.org/ 

The Arc of Prince George’s County
Prince George’s County, MD
$70,000 capital/program grant ($25,000/$45,000) to support the purchase of four vehicles and to support this organization’s Project SEARCH—a program that provides hands-on employment training for students with disabilities transitioning out of high school and into independent living.
https://www.thearcofpgc.org/ 

StreetWise Partners
New York, NY
$50,000 operating grant over two years ($25,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that provides career mentoring and professional development training that results in job placements for unemployed and underemployed adults.
https://streetwisepartners.org/

Code Platoon
Chicago, IL
$100,000 Small Grant over two years ($50,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that helps veterans and military spouses transition into the civilian workforce by providing technical training and job placement in the software development field.
https://www.codeplatoon.org/ 

Deep Roots
Cecil County, MD
$40,000 Small Grant over two years ($20,000 per year) to support this organization’s employment and case management programming for people experiencing homelessness.
https://deeprootsinc.org/

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.

City Year
San Jose, CA
$600,000 program grant over two years ($300,000 per year) to support Whole School Whole Child, a curriculum that works to immerse students in a culture promoting positive behavior, successful learning, and grade progression.
https://www.cityyear.org/

Long Beach Education Foundation
Long Beach, CA
$500,000 capital grant to support the construction of an early childhood center that will follow the Educare model, helping at-risk youth begin kindergarten on track and prepared for success in school and life.
http://www.lbschools.net/Departments/Education_Foundation/  

Digital Harbor Foundation
Baltimore, MD
$450,000 operating grant over two years ($225,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that helps youth develop digital-age technology and engineering skills.
https://www.digitalharbor.org/

Reading Partners
Baltimore, MD
$350,000 operating grant over two years ($150,000/$200,000) to support the general operations of this organization that provides volunteer-led literacy tutoring for elementary school students reading below grade level.
https://readingpartners.org/location/baltimore/

CollegeBound Foundation
Baltimore, MD
$300,000 operating grant over two years ($150,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that provides college counseling services for City-school students.
http://www.collegeboundfoundation.org/  

Project SYNCERE
Chicago, IL
$50,000 operating grant to support the general operations of this organization that provides STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education in and out-of-school time for middle and high school students.
https://www.projectsyncere.org/

First Generation College Bound
Prince George’s County, MD
$100,000 Small Grant over two years ($50,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that provides guidance and preparation for high school students who are navigating the college admissions process.
http://www.fgcb.org/

Gandhi Brigade
Montgomery County, MD
$100,000 Small Grant to support the renovation of the headquarters for this organization’s after-school programs, which teach middle and high school students multimedia skills.
https://www.gandhibrigade.org/

Community Youth Advance
Prince George’s County, MD
$80,000 Small Grant over two years ($40,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that provides academic enrichment, mentorship, and college preparation for students, grades 1-12.
https://communityyouthadvance.org/

Liberty’s Promise
Baltimore City and Baltimore, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties, MD
$50,000 Small Grant over two years ($25,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that provides immigrant youth, ages 15-21, with the opportunity to pursue higher education and meaningful careers.
https://www.libertyspromise.org/

Community Services

The Weinberg Foundation recognizes that certain service providers operate multiple programs that meet a range of basic human needs and span many of the Foundation’s funding priorities. Organizations that provide services bridging the areas of Housing, Health, Jobs, and Education may be eligible for a Community Services grant. The Foundation is also engaged in select initiatives addressing Jewish poverty on a national scale, as well as strengthening the leadership of organizations that serve the Jewish community.

ARK Chicago
Chicago, IL
$250,000 operating grant over two years ($125,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that provides a range of comprehensive services, including housing and health care, with the goal of helping people achieve self-sufficiency.
https://arkchicago.org/

Community Justice Project
Northeastern Pennsylvania
$150,000 program grant over two years ($75,000 per year) to support this organization’s program that provides services to vulnerable immigrants and refugees.
https://www.communityjusticeproject.org/ 

Ignatian Volunteer Corps
Northeastern Pennsylvania
$100,000 operating grant over two years ($50,000 per year) to support the general operations of this organization that recruits, trains, and places volunteers in nonprofits that are meeting basic and urgent needs of vulnerable people.
https://ivcusa.org/