Harry and Jeanette Weinberg The Foundation as we know it today has existed since 1990, when Harry Weinberg died, a year after his beloved wife, Jeanette, passed away. Today, the fortune that Harry amassed has grown to $2.9 billion—the assets that make possible the Weinberg Foundation’s grantmaking.

In 2020, the Foundation celebrates 30 years of giving, as well as its relationships with the many wonderful grantees and partners throughout the years whose work supports people experiencing poverty.

We invite you to click on the content below, providing a brief, visual overview of the Foundation’s leadership since 1990, as well as significant organizational milestones.

Foundation Leadership 1990-today

The Weinberg Foundation’s Board of Directors consists of five Trustees. From 1990 until 2016, Harry Weinberg (in his Charter) named all Trustees and successor Trustees.

Former Weinberg Foundation Trustees

Bernie Siegel*President
1990-2005

William Weinberg*1990-1994

Nathan Weinberg*1990-2002

Robert T. Kelly, Sr.1990-2002

Alvin Awaya1990-2018

Shale StillerPresident
2005-2010

Tim Kelly2002-2006

Donn Weinberg2002-2018

Barry Schloss*2005-2017

Ellen Heller2010-2016

*Deceased

Current Weinberg Foundation Trustees

Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin (Ret.)Board Chair & Trustee
Effective May 16, 2016

Robert T. Kelly, Jr.Effective July 12, 2006

Paula B. PretlowEffective January 1, 2018

Gordon BerlinEffective December 1, 2018

Nimrod GoorEffective July 29, 2019

Foundation Timeline 1990-today

30th Timeline

1990

Harry Weinberg dies November 4, 1990.
The Foundation as we know it today is created.
Foundation total assets are $640 million with an IRS-required distribution of $29,231,956 (today, those numbers have grown to $2.9 billion and more than $130 million respectively).

1990

1990-2005

More than $920 million in grants approved, including $590 million supporting the Jewish community, $240 million to Maryland organizations, $200 million to Hawaiʻi organizations, and $150 million to support programs and projects in Israel.

1991

IRS-required distribution: $33,256,515

1992

IRS-required distribution: $37,952,768

1993

IRS-required distribution: $44,477,077

1994

IRS-required distribution: $46,056,684

1995

IRS-required distribution: $49,942,964

1996

Construction of Weinberg Baltimore headquarters building.
IRS-required distribution: $56,336,568

1997

IRS-required distribution: $65,202,722

1998

IRS-required distribution: $89,786,256

1999

IRS-required distribution: $96,700,943

2000

IRS-required distribution: $100,779,213

2001

IRS-required distribution: $94,126,997

2002

IRS-required distribution: $92,770,587

2003

IRS-required distribution: $92,298,565

2004

IRS-required distribution: $93,969,766

2005

Rachel Garbow Monroe is hired as Chief Operations Officer (COO) (assumes role as President & CEO in 2010).
Foundation staff in both Baltimore and Hawaiʻi offices: 41 (including 22 in Baltimore compared to 40 in 2020).
Grants budget, including roughly 15 funding categories, is created as well as program team consisting of two program directors (today, program staff has grown to 14).
Foundation celebrates distribution of $950 million in charitable giving since 1990 (today, that total has grown to $2.4 billion).
First Annual Community Gathering is held with approximately 75 community and nonprofit leaders in attendance (more than 1,000 people attend today’s Community Gatherings)
IRS-required distribution: $98,460,198

2006

Robert T. Kelly, Jr. becomes a trustee.
IRS-required distribution: $104,226,171

2007

While the Jewish community of Baltimore began sponsoring the annual Israel Mission in 1981, and the Foundation began funding the annual Israel Mission in 2001, it was not until 2007 that the Foundation began solely running and leading the Mission.
Foundation hosts Baltimore’s first Employee Giving Program.
Foundation launches the Small Grants Program (initially the Maryland Small Grants Program), which provides up to $100,000 over two years to small, qualifying nonprofits.
IRS-required distribution: $113,429,613

2008

Israel Mission Alumni Scholars Program is launched.
First Foundation e-news is released.
IRS-required distribution: $103,991,972

2009

IRS-required distribution: $97,625,539

2010

Rachel Garbow Monroe assumes role as President & CEO.
Foundation staff in both Baltimore and Hawaiʻi offices: 36 (including 19 in Baltimore).
IRS-required distribution: $95,947, 274

2011

Nearly 30 people participate in Foundation’s first Israel Mission Alumni trip. Several former Mission participants accept the invitation to return to Israel, many bringing a guest, largely at their own expense.
IRS-required distribution: $98,899,051

2012

Library Project is officially launched, with Foundation committing $10 million to this multi-year, collaborative effort to build or transform up to 24 Baltimore City Public School libraries in selected elementary and middle schools where existing funds can be leveraged.
IRS-required distribution: $98,749,250

2013

IRS-required distribution: $98,964,847

2014

Internal investment team is launched and begins all asset management. Team initially employs a chief investment officer (CIO) and managing director of investments.
IRS-required distribution: $95,530,819

2015

Foundation staff in both Baltimore and Hawaiʻi offices grows to 46 (including 29 in Baltimore).
External investment professionals are added for the first time to serve on the Investment Advisory Committee (IAC), providing additional expertise in real estate and investment management.
In addition to national funding, grants are focused primarily within four geographic areas: Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Israel and include more than 40 funding categories (blending populations served and issues).
IRS-required distribution: $99,242,009

2016

Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin (Ret.) becomes first trustee chosen by the current board rather than being named in the Foundation’s charter, which was authored by Harry Weinberg before his death in 1990.
IRS-required distribution: $103,507,427

2017

The Weinberg Foundation joins $12 million partnership to expand the Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors (HUBS) program, an initiative that enables older adult homeowners in Baltimore City to remain independent by providing home modifications and repairs, as well as wraparound services.
IRS-required distribution: $102,809,887

2018

Seven areas of giving, and more than 40 funding categories (blending populations and issues) are consolidated into five core focus areas: Housing, Health, Jobs, Education, and Community Services. These focus areas include a total of 14 clear and distinct funding priorities—advancing the goal of being more strategic and data-driven.
Geographic focus includes eight priority communities: Baltimore, Chicago, Hawaiʻi, Israel, New York City, Northeastern Pennsylvania, San Francisco, and Rural Communities (primarily rural areas within proximity to other priority communities). Foundation funding extends to the greater metropolitan areas of the specific cities listed. The Foundation administers the majority of its funding within these communities.
Foundation decides to host major events such as the Community Gathering every two years, rather than every year, with the goal of dedicating more funds to grants rather than expenses.
Paula B. Pretlow becomes a trustee.
Gordon Berlin becomes a trustee.
IRS-required distribution: $137,349,969

2019

Nimrod Goor is named as the Foundation’s first ever Israeli trustee.
Foundation staff, including both Baltimore and Hawaiʻi offices, grows to 56 (compared to a total of 22 in 2005).
Foundation hosts National Convening on Jewish Poverty.
IRS-required distribution: $136,048,488

2020

Foundation staff in both Baltimore and Hawaiʻi offices grows to 57 (including 40 in Baltimore compared to 22 in 2005).
Foundation issues statement supporting national calls to move forward together in pursuit of racial justice and equity.
Foundation commits $10.5 million to COVID-19 emergency funding within all of its priority communities.