The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Distributes $100 Million in Grants During Past Year

BALTIMORE, October 29, 2009 — The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States, will welcome more than 700 elected officials and dignitaries, as well as community, civic and business leaders to its Annual Community Event on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Beth Tfiloh Congregation (3300 Old Court Road, Baltimore, MD). This year’s Annual Community Event commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Weinberg Foundation’s charitable giving.

President Shale Stiller will deliver a speech entitled “Reflections on Philanthropy” and Trustee Barry I. Schloss will speak about the “Year in Review.” During the gathering, several updates will be provided summarizing the past year including:
• By making grants of approximately $100 million during the past year, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation has continued to secure its position as one of the major American private funders for the benefit of financially disadvantaged individuals.
• After a several month hiatus in the receipt of Letters Of Inquiry (LOI), the first step in the grant application process, the Foundation’s “mailbox” was opened during August 2009. The result was a deluge of over 1,100 LOI’s received during that one month.
• In July, the Weinberg Foundation hosted its third annual Employee Giving Program event. $180,000 was awarded to 18 nonprofits.
• Since April 2009, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Family and Informal Caregiver Support Program RFP has awarded 14 grants totaling $8,184,145 to provide support for innovative and evidence-based community initiatives and projects that help family and friends assist low- and moderate-income, community dwelling older adults in maintaining their independence and quality of life. The grants were made to organizations in California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.
• Launched in December 2007, the Foundation initiated the Maryland Small Grants Program (MSGP) to help eligible nonprofits more easily and efficiently apply for a grant. Nonprofits are required to complete a simple, five-page proposal. In most cases it takes only 50 days for applications to be processed and funded. The response to the Maryland Small Grants Program has been overwhelming. The Foundation has awarded $10,463,450 to 181 nonprofits across the state since the program began less than two years ago.

The Annual Community Gathering is open to the public, but reservations are required in advance. Call Jennifer Jordan at 410-654-8500, ext. 227 or email jjordan@hjweinberg.org if you would like to attend.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation annually distributes approximately $100 million to a wide range of charitable organizations. The Foundation is dedicated to assisting the poor through operating and capital grants to direct service organizations primarily located in Maryland, Hawaii, Northeastern Pennsylvania, New York, Israel, and the Former Soviet Union. Grants are focused on meeting basic needs such as shelter, health and socialization, nutrition, and on enhancing an individual’s ability to meet those needs. Within that focus, emphasis is placed on older adults and on the Jewish community. The trustees, some of whom also serve as executive officers of the Foundation, are Alvin Awaya, Robert T. Kelly, Jr., Barry Schloss, Donn Weinberg, and President Shale D. Stiller. For more information go to www.hjweinbergfoundation.org.