Weinberg Foundation announces $500,000 in emergency grants in Israel
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States, has just announced it will donate $500,000 to support many of its active grantees that have provided crucial social services to those affected by the November missile attacks on cities in Israel. The grants will aid 17 organizations which are responding to or facing critical needs after the Gaza conflict.
After consulting with nonprofits in Israel as well as partner organizations, the Weinberg Foundation will reimburse emergency-response costs including relocation of vulnerable populations as well as funding for post-trauma counseling and support services to older adults, people with disabilities, and youth-at-risk. Through the international and national organized Jewish community, the Weinberg Foundation will provide three grants:
- The Associated Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore
- The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI)
- The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
Several additional grants will be administered through active grantee organizations of the Weinberg Foundation, including:
- AKIM
- ALUT (Israeli National Autism Association)
- City of Ashdod Department of Social Services
- The Institute for the Advancement of the Deaf in Israel
- The Shai Society -- Beit Ha Galgalim
- Center for Independent Living
- Enosh (Israeli Mental Health Association)
- The Jaffa Institute
- MICHA
- Natal (Israel’s Trauma Center for Victims of Terror and War)
- Nishmat
- SHEKEL
- Sh'ar HaNegev Regional Council
- Yedid
Please click here for more details. In just the past three years, the Foundation has approved or paid 192 grants in Israel with a total of $67 million having been distributed in that period. The Weinberg Foundation has a history of supporting Israel in times of crisis as well, most recently with a $5 million grant to provide humanitarian and social services in the North of Israel during the 2006 conflict with Lebanon. All Weinberg Foundation funding to Israel will reimburse relief efforts. No money will be used for military or political purposes of any kind.
Foundation donates up to $1 million for Hurricane Sandy Relief
 The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation recently announced that it will donate up to $1 million to assist with ongoing relief efforts in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
After consulting with organizations on the front lines of the recovery effort, the Weinberg Foundation is awarding a series of specific grants to several different organizations working directly with storm victims. Together these funds will provide both short-term and long-term assistance to thousands in need. The grants include:
- $100,000 to the Archdiocese of New York to support efforts to care for mentally ill evacuees and frail older adults who have been displaced by the storm and require housing and material assistance;
- $250,000 to Robin Hood Foundation for distribution among nonprofits working in the tri-state area;
- $250,000 to the UJA Federation of New York for distribution of short-term emergency funds as well as longer-term capital support for non-FEMA eligible projects;
- $250,000 to the Jewish Federations of North America for distribution in New Jersey and Connecticut of short-term emergency funds as well as longer-term capital support for non-FEMA eligible projects; and
- $150,000 for additional needs as they are identified.
The Weinberg Foundation has a long and proud history of responding to emergency needs both in the United States and around the world including Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the December 2006 tsunami in Indonesia, and the Haiti earthquake in 2010. The Foundation’s funding approach in response to Hurricane Sandy includes supporting multiple partners who collectively will help address acute, basic needs, as well as long-term, systemic issues including housing, employment, and health. In these ways, Weinberg Foundation support of Hurricane Sandy relief efforts will mirror the Foundation’s core mission and grantmaking goals.
Efforts focused on the New York metropolitan area are not a new endeavor for the Foundation. Over the past three fiscal years, the Weinberg Foundation has administered over 60 grants totaling more than $29 million to non-profits providing direct service to disadvantaged and vulnerable populations throughout the region.
Over $8.2 million in additional new grants announced!
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.
Homes for America, Inc.
Emmitsburg, MD
$600,000 capital grant to support the redevelopment of one wing of the Daughters of Charity Provincial House into Seton Village, including 43 one and two bedroom apartment units for low-income individuals age 62 and older. http://www.homesforamerica.org/
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association
New York, NY
$420,000 capital grant to support the addition and renovation of office space which will help this organization to better meet the needs of those it serves. http://www.alz.org/
Fred and Gladys Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Palm Beach (AJFCS)
West Palm Beach, FL
$110,000 program grant over two years ($55,000 per year) to expand an existing supportive community program with the goal of improving access to social services, mental health, and medical care services for low-income, older adults in Palm Beach County. http://www.jfcsonline.com/
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.
Jerusalem Foundation
Jerusalem, Israel
$600,000 program grant over two years ($300,000 per year) to continue support of a community development initiative to enhance the area of Jerusalem known as Kiryat Yovel by improving housing, education, and employment opportunities in partnership with the Jerusalem Municipality and the Jerusalem Foundation. http://www.jerusalemfoundation.org/
The Wage Justice Center
Los Angeles, CA
$200,000 program grant over two years ($100,000 per year) to support programs including direct legal representation as well as education and outreach in the battle against “wage theft”, the illegal underpayment or non-payment of worker wages. http://wagejustice.org/
Economic Empowerment for Women
Haifa, Israel
$140,000 operating grant over two years ($70,000 per year) to support this organization that provides introductory empowerment and business training to low-income women as well as various supporting and financial services for existing businesses. http://www.womensown.org.il/en/
Maryland New Directions, Inc.
Baltimore, MD
$30,000 Maryland Small Grant over two years ($15,000 per year) to support this organization that provides employment training and placement for low-income residents so they may enhance their job search skills, determine career paths, and obtain employment. http://www.mdnewdirections.org/
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.
Institutes for Behavior Resources, Inc.
Baltimore, MD
$270,000 capital grant to provide exterior building repairs as well as additional space for the integration of primary health care with the treatment of substance abuse (methadone clinic). http://www.ibrinc.org/
Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, Inc.
Framingham, MA
$250,000 capital grant to support the expansion and renovation of a Federally Qualified Health Center.
http://www.kennedychc.org/
Women’s Resource Center
Scranton, PA
$100,000 Maryland Small Grant over two years ($50,000 per year) to support the Transitional Housing Program/Economic Advocacy Project which will provide 6-24 months of transitional housing for those who are homeless and fleeing an abusive relationship, as well as assistance in developing personal goals.
http://www.wrcnepa.org/
Community Intervention Center
Scranton, PA
$80,000 Maryland Small Grant over two years ($40,000 per year) to support this organization that provides behavioral health interventions, social rehabilitation, and homeless day shelter services to low-income individuals free of charge. http://communityinterventioncenter.org/
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.
Keren Ashdod/Ashdod Foundation
Ashdod, Israel
$600,000 capital grant to support the construction of a new rehabilitative day care for disabled children from Ashdod and surrounding areas.
Louisiana Center for The Blind, Inc.
Ruston, LA
$250,000 capital grant to expand and renovate a 24-hour residential training center that prepares blind youth and adults for independent living in the community. http://www.lcb-ruston.com/
Nitzan – The Israeli Association for the Advancement of Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities Jerusalem and Tiberias, Israel
$210,000 program grant to support a training and job placement program for unemployed young adults with learning disabilities and/or ADHD. http://eng.nitzan-israel.org.il/
MATAM
Jerusalem, Israel
$180,000 capital grant over two years ($90,000 per year) to construct a two-story building to house a daycare center and additional therapy rooms for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children with autism to be integrated at a 1:1 ratio with normative children.
Bizchut, The Israel Human Rights Center for People with Disabilities
Jerusalem, Israel
$160,000 program grant over two years ($80,000 per year) to support the development of legal aid services for individuals and families of adults and children with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.
http://bizchut.org.il/en/
LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.
South Bend, IN
$125,000 capital grant to support the purchase and renovation of a former preschool building, as well as the purchase of equipment, to establish an Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Learning Center for children with significant communication and behavioral challenges related to autism.
http://www.logancenter.org/
Maryland Coalition for Inclusive Education, Inc.
Throughout Maryland
$120,000 program grant over two years ($60,000 per year) to support direct legal services to low-income families of children with developmental disabilities who are at risk for discriminatory removal from public schools or denial of access to general education with their non-disabled peers.
http://www.mcie.org/
Beit Issie Shapiro
Ra’anana, Israel
$100,000 program grant over two years ($50,000 per year) to support the expansion of programs at this dual-diagnosis clinic for the treatment of people with intellectual disabilities and psychiatric and behavioral disorders. http://www.beitissie.org.il/eng/
Maryland Disability Law Center (MDLC), Inc.
Baltimore, MD
$100,000 program grant over two years ($50,000 per year) to support the Sunshine Folk program, which provides training, guidance, financial and legal support to individuals with disabilities in nursing homes who are able to transition to community living. http://www.mdlclaw.org/
The Institute for the Advancement of Deaf Persons in Israel (The Institute)
Tel Aviv, Israel
$80,000 operating grant to continue and expand a wide range of services such as sign language interpreters for hearing-impaired persons. http://www.dpii.org/
Center for Independent Living
Jerusalem, Israel
$40,000 operating grant to strengthen core service of this organization. http://www.independentliving.org/column/brafman2008.html
Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania
Scranton, PA
$100,000 Maryland Small Grant over two years ($50,000 per year) to support recreational activities such as respite care and day camp for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. http://www.thearcnepa.org/
Education, Children, Youth & Families/U.S.
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation aims to build economic self-sufficiency through child/family development and education, from early childhood through high school graduation, preparing individuals for success in college or the workplace. Funding is intended to address critical issues in education, as well as youth homelessness, child abuse, and domestic violence.
Baltimore Child Abuse Center (BCAC)
Baltimore, MD
$180,000 operating grant over three years ($75,000/$60,000/$45,000) to support this organization that provides services including somatic and mental health resources, justice and healing through forensic interviews, medical examinations, and victim education and advocacy. http://www.bcaci.org/
Princeton Center for Leadership Training, Inc.
Baltimore, MD
$170,000 program grant to support the implementation in five Baltimore City high schools of the Peer Group Connection, an evidence-based high school program that provides continuing support to students as they transition from middle to high school. http://www.princetonleadership.org/
Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, Inc.
Baltimore, MD
$100,000 program grant over two years ($50,000 per year) to support the Girl Scout Outreach Program.
http://www.gscm.org/
The Hampden Family Center, Inc.
Baltimore, MD
$50,000 Maryland Small Grant over two years ($25,000 per year) to provide general operating support for various programs serving Hampden’s disadvantaged families, youth, and older adults.
http://hampdenfamilycenter.org/
Creating Communities Corporation
Annapolis, MD
$40,000 Maryland Small Grant over two years ($20,000 per year) to support the general operating budget of this organization that uses the arts to build life-skills and academic achievements within underserved populations in Anne Arundel County.
Education, Children, Youth & Families/Israel
Eilat Foundation
Eilat, Israel
$1,000,000 capital grant to support the construction of an early childhood center to offer a variety of services including educational, cultural, enrichment, and therapeutic activities for children, parents, and professionals.
Friends of Yemin Orde, Inc.
Hacarmel, Israel
$1,000,000 capital grant to bridge the funding gap for capital project expenses associated with the Carmel fire that severely impacted the Yemin Orde Youth Village. http://www.yeminorde.org/
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
Throughout Israel
$500,000 program grant over two years ($250,000 per year) to support the Formal Education Program that provides Israel Defense Forces’ combat soldiers the opportunity to earn the credits needed for a high school completion certificate. https://www.fidf.org/
Women for Women
Haifa, Israel
$260,000 capital grant to support the renovation of the Haifa Shelter for Battered Women.
http://www.womenforwomen.org/
Bat Melech
Neit Shemesh, Israel
$90,000 capital grant to support construction of three new bedrooms and a security room at a shelter for Haredi women and their children who are victims of violence. http://www.batmelech.org/index-english.html
Now funding capital grants nationwide
 The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation is permanently broadening its geographic focus for capital grants only. Of course, the Foundation is only considering capital grants for nonprofits that are specifically focusing work in the Weinberg Foundation’s program areas. Please carefully read the Foundation’s web site to learn the specifics of each.
Until now, funding nationally (beyond the Foundation’s “hometowns”) had been restricted to grants for Older Adults and Workforce Development. But the Weinberg Foundation is pleased to announce, effective immediately, capital grants throughout the United States and Israel now will be considered in any of our program areas, subject to the Foundation’s other grantmaking criteria. Letters of Inquiry (LOI) will be received on a rolling basis. The Foundation seeks to identify capital projects which meet the following requirements:
- Specific plans already confirmed for the project, including value-engineered drawings or the equivalent including specific, confirmed, total project costs
- At least 50% of the funds in signed pledges or cash in hand (a detailed, certified list demonstrating this information will be required as part of the grant application)
- Services provided through the project must serve low-income and/or vulnerable populations and be consistent with the grantmaking criteria outlined by the Foundation for each program area
Please keep in mind that the Weinberg Foundation will support up to 30% of the project cost, but often provides funding at much lower levels. There is no limit on the project size. Also, the Foundation prefers to provide support in the later stages of a capital campaign, after construction costs are fixed and a substantial portion of the funding has been raised. The Weinberg Foundation does not award supplemental grant funding to cover unexpected construction costs. You can learn more about the Weinberg Foundation’s specific program areas by clicking here. Please note that program and general operating grant opportunities remain restricted to the geographic preference listed for each program area.
If you have questions, please contact the Weinberg Foundation program director for the grant area in which your organization seeks funding.
Thanks to everyone who attended the Weinberg Foundation’s Annual Community Gathering
 The Weinberg Foundation hosted its Annual Community Gathering on November 13, 2012—a celebration of the Foundation's mission, partnerships, and past year's accomplishments.
This year's event featured a new venue, Baltimore's historic Hippodrome Theatre; a multi-media program; the informative and entertaining remarks of Bridgespan's Tom Tierney; and hundreds of the Foundation’s friends including community, business, and political leaders from Maryland and neighboring states, as well as many special guests from Jewish Federations across North America. The Foundation thanks all of its partners and friends who have engaged in such meaningful and powerful ways, not just this year but always, to build the legacy of Harry and Jeanette Weinberg.
During the past year, the Foundation approved or paid a total of $147 million in grants to nonprofits serving disadvantaged and vulnerable populations. The Foundation paid more than $84 million in gifts and approved grants totaling just over $63 million, which will be paid in future years.
Wishing everyone safe and happy holidays!
From all of us at The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, thank you for friendship and support. Wishing you and your family a safe, joyful holiday season and a healthy, happy New Year! |
