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The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation

Annual Giving
$135.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $120-150 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $50,000+ (standard grants); up to $20,000 (Baltimore City Community Grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, Israel, New York City, Northeastern Pennsylvania, San Francisco, and rural areas within/adjacent to these communities

Contact Details

Website: www.hjweinbergfoundation.org Phone: (410) 654-8500 Email: info@hjweinberg.org Grants Intake: grantsintake@hjweinberg.org

Headquarters: 7 Park Center Court Owings Mills, MD 21117

Hawaiʻi Office: 733 Bishop Street, Suite 2100 Honolulu, HI 96813

Overview

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, established in 1959 by real estate and transit magnate Harry Weinberg and formalized in its current structure following his death in 1990, has grown into one of the largest private foundations in the United States with assets totaling $3.1 billion. The foundation's mission is rooted in Jewish values and centers on meeting the basic needs of people experiencing poverty through approximately $120-150 million in annual grants to nonprofits in the United States and Israel. Under the leadership of President and CEO Rachel Garbow Monroe since 2010, the foundation has expanded to over 70 staff members across offices in Baltimore and Honolulu. The foundation focuses exclusively on supporting direct services—no advocacy, policy work, or fundraising initiatives—across five core areas: Housing, Health, Jobs, Education (middle and high school youth), and Aging. Guided by Harry Weinberg's original mandate to benefit the poor, the foundation emphasizes practical support that helps vulnerable individuals and families achieve economic stability and live with dignity.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard Grants: $50,000+ for capital, operating, and program support

  • Available to established 501(c)(3) nonprofits in priority geographic areas
  • Support facilities, technology, organizational infrastructure, programs, and general operations
  • Three-year operational history required
  • Application process appears to involve both invitation-only opportunities and responses to letters of inquiry

Baltimore City Community Grants Program: Up to $20,000

  • Administered in partnership with Baltimore Community Foundation
  • Streamlined application process designed for small grassroots nonprofits
  • Target organizations with annual budgets of $500,000 or less
  • Can be used for general operating expenses, program costs, capital costs (equipment), and capacity building
  • Created pathway for smaller organizations to access foundation funding
  • Since 2018, has awarded $682,500 across 88 grants

Small Grants Program: Varies by location

  • Available in multiple priority communities
  • Streamlined grant application and review process
  • Supports smaller nonprofits with fewer eligibility requirements
  • Rolling deadline

Priority Areas

Housing: Safe and affordable housing solutions for low-income individuals and families

Health: Programs helping children, adults, and families lead healthy lives; addressing nutrition, healthcare access, and wellness

Jobs: Employment services assisting people in securing and maintaining quality employment; workforce development and job training

Education: High-quality academic and developmental opportunities specifically for middle and high school youth (not post-secondary)

Aging/Community Services: Programs enabling older adults to remain independent and live with dignity in their communities; socialization and support services

Priority Populations

  • Low-income individuals and families experiencing poverty
  • Older adults
  • Vulnerable women and children
  • People with disabilities
  • Veterans
  • Jewish communities (through signature initiatives)

Geographic Priorities

Core Communities: Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, Israel, New York City, Northeastern Pennsylvania, and San Francisco

Rural Areas: Federally designated rural areas within or adjacent to priority communities are also eligible

These locations reflect historical connections to Harry and Jeanette Weinberg's legacies and where trustees reside.

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals or families (no direct assistance)
  • Arts and culture organizations
  • Post-secondary scholarships
  • Debt reduction
  • Colleges and universities (per Harry Weinberg's original charter)
  • Think tanks
  • Endowments
  • Political action groups
  • Annual appeals (in most cases)
  • Publications
  • Academic or health research
  • Fundraising events
  • Museums and orchestras (per original charter)
  • Advocacy or policy work
  • Fundraising initiatives

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO

Rachel Garbow Monroe has led the foundation since 2010, after joining in 2005 as the first-ever chief operating officer. Under her leadership, the foundation has grown significantly in staff capacity and strategic focus. Monroe emphasizes the foundation's singular focus on poverty: "The entire frame of our grantmaking is to give grants to nonprofits supporting individuals and families experiencing poverty, period. No advocacy, no policy, no fundraising." She has also stated the foundation's commitment to "taking on some of the most difficult and ignored issues, problems, and communities related to poverty in America."

Board Leadership

Paula B. Pretlow serves as Board Chair and Trustee (began three-year term as chair in June 2023)

Current Trustees include:

  • Gordon Berlin
  • Nimrod Goor
  • Margery Bronster (former Hawaiʻi attorney general, joined June 2023)

Senior Leadership Team

  • Giorgio Caldarone - Vice President, Real Estate
  • Arin Gencer - Vice President, Strategy and Communications
  • David Gilmore - Vice President, Chief Investment Officer
  • Marisa Castuera Hayase - Vice President, Programs

Guiding Values

The foundation's work is grounded in Jewish values, particularly the principle that "there shall be no needy among you" and the concept of kavod (dignity and respect). Their five core values are Care, Collaboration, Commitment, Community, and Curiosity.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Note: There appears to be some variation in the application process. The foundation's FAQ states they operate on an invitation-only basis and do not accept unsolicited proposals. However, multiple sources indicate they accept letters of inquiry year-round. Potential applicants should clarify their eligibility before proceeding.

Standard Grant Process:

  1. Initial Contact: Send an introductory email to grantsintake@hjweinberg.org before submitting a formal application
  2. Pre-submission Discussion: Discuss your proposed project with the appropriate member of the Foundation's program team
  3. Letter of Inquiry (LOI): Submit a three-page letter structured in four sections:
    • Organization information
    • Grant purpose
    • Description of programs and population served
    • Budget details
  4. LOI Format Requirements: The LOI should provide the name of the program team member with whom you have discussed the project

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must hold 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or have a fiscal sponsor with this status (or Israeli equivalent)
  • Must provide direct services to low-income and vulnerable populations
  • Must have three consecutive years of operational history (newly established nonprofits are ineligible)
  • Must maintain audited financial statements or external financial reviews
  • Must serve communities in priority geographic areas
  • Annual operating budgets and organizational size vary by program

Baltimore City Community Grants: Separate streamlined application process administered through Baltimore Community Foundation

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation accepts applications on a rolling basis for most programs.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose success rates. However, in 2023, the foundation made 918 awards totaling approximately $140 million, and in 2024, made 172 grants totaling approximately $91 million. This suggests a selective but active grantmaking process.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly available. Interested organizations should inquire directly with foundation staff.

Application Success Factors

Key Alignment Factors

Direct Service Focus: The foundation exclusively funds direct services that meet basic needs. President Rachel Garbow Monroe states clearly: "The entire frame of our grantmaking is to give grants to nonprofits supporting individuals and families experiencing poverty, period. No advocacy, no policy, no fundraising." Organizations focused on advocacy, research, or policy work will not be funded.

Serving Low-Income Populations: All programs must demonstrate clear impact on people experiencing poverty. The foundation emphasizes practical, tangible support that helps individuals achieve economic stability.

Geographic Connection: Organizations must serve one of the foundation's priority communities or rural areas adjacent to them. The foundation maintains deep connections to Baltimore and Hawaiʻi in particular.

Established Organizations: The requirement for three consecutive years of operations means newer nonprofits should wait before applying (except for special programs like Baltimore City Community Grants designed for smaller/newer organizations).

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

OATS (Older Adults Technology Services): $500,000 to scale the Senior Planet licensing program and virtual programming for lower-income seniors in priority areas

UJA-NY: Grant to expand digital technology across a network of food pantries, enabling low-income individuals and families to obtain healthy food efficiently and with dignity

Library Project (Baltimore): Multi-year initiative building or transforming Baltimore City Public School libraries in neighborhoods where students face academic and economic challenges; by 2024 serving nearly 9,000 students through 19 new libraries

Yashar Initiative: $12 million program awarding grants to sixteen Jewish camps in North America to increase accessibility for campers and staff with disabilities

Foundation Language and Terminology

The foundation frequently uses terms like:

  • "Meeting basic needs"
  • "Economic stability and well-being"
  • "Direct services"
  • "Vulnerable populations"
  • "Kavod" (dignity and respect)
  • "Low-income individuals and families experiencing poverty"

Strategic Approach

The foundation emphasizes building partnerships across regions and sectors. They support not just programs but also "capital projects — such as facilities, technology, and other organizational infrastructure" as well as general operations. This holistic approach reflects an understanding that organizational capacity is essential for delivering effective services.

Path for Smaller Organizations

The Baltimore City Community Grants Program represents a strategic "on-ramp" for smaller grassroots organizations. With streamlined applications and grants up to $20,000, successful recipients can build relationships with the foundation and potentially qualify for larger standard grants as they grow.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Direct Services Only: The foundation will not fund advocacy, policy work, research, or fundraising activities. Your proposal must focus exclusively on direct services that meet basic needs of people experiencing poverty.

  • Know Your Geography: You must serve Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, Israel, New York City, Northeastern Pennsylvania, San Francisco, or qualifying rural areas adjacent to these communities. Geographic fit is non-negotiable.

  • Make Initial Contact: Do not submit a letter of inquiry without first emailing grantsintake@hjweinberg.org and discussing your project with a program officer. This relationship-building step appears critical to the process.

  • Demonstrate Organizational Stability: Three years of operational history is required. Have your audited financial statements or external financial reviews ready. The foundation invests in established organizations with proven track records.

  • Small Organizations Start Small: If your annual budget is under $500,000 and you're in Baltimore, consider the Baltimore City Community Grants Program as an entry point to build a relationship with the foundation.

  • Emphasize Basic Needs and Dignity: Frame your work in terms of meeting fundamental needs (shelter, nutrition, health, employment, education, independence for older adults) while preserving dignity. Use language about economic stability and the populations' vulnerability.

  • Flexibility in Grant Type: The foundation funds capital projects, program support, and general operations. If your organization needs infrastructure improvements, technology, or unrestricted operating support, this funder may be unusually flexible compared to others.

References

  1. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Official Website. "Who We Are." https://hjweinbergfoundation.org/who-we-are/ (Accessed November 2024)

  2. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. "Grants." https://hjweinbergfoundation.org/grants/ (Accessed November 2024)

  3. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. "Grant FAQ." https://hjweinbergfoundation.org/grants/grant-faq/ (Accessed November 2024)

  4. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. "How We Give." https://hjweinbergfoundation.org/grants/how-we-give/ (Accessed November 2024)

  5. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. "Where We Give." https://hjweinbergfoundation.org/grants/where-we-give/ (Accessed November 2024)

  6. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. "Foundation Leadership." https://hjweinbergfoundation.org/who-we-are/leadership/ (Accessed November 2024)

  7. Rachel Garbow Monroe Profile. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. https://hjweinbergfoundation.org/who-we-are/leadership/rachel-garbow-monroe/ (Accessed November 2024)

  8. Inside Philanthropy. "How the Weinberg Foundation Is Working to Move the Needle on Poverty in Baltimore." June 2022. https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2022-6-30-how-the-weinberg-foundation-is-working-to-move-the-needle-on-poverty-in-baltimore (Accessed November 2024)

  9. Inside Philanthropy. "Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation." https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-w/harry-and-jeanette-weinberg-foundation (Accessed November 2024)

  10. Rural Health Information Hub. "Funding Details: Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation Grants Program." https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/funding/3243 (Accessed November 2024)

  11. The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. "Getting funding where it's needed most." https://hjweinbergfoundation.org/blog/getting-funding-where-its-needed-most/ (Accessed November 2024)

  12. PRNewswire. "Weinberg Foundation Announces Leadership Change." October 2018. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/weinberg-foundation-announces-leadership-change-300723275.html (Accessed November 2024)

  13. GlobeNewswire. "WEINBERG FOUNDATION SELECTS NEW TRUSTEE, BOARD CHAIR." April 2023. https://www.globenewswire.com/en/news-release/2023/04/18/2649272/24596/en/WEINBERG-FOUNDATION-SELECTS-NEW-TRUSTEE-BOARD-CHAIR.html (Accessed November 2024)

  14. Sources Journal. "Mission, Vision, and Jewish Philanthropic Leadership: A Conversation with Rachel Garbow Monroe and Paula B. Pretlow." https://www.sourcesjournal.org/articles/mission-vision-and-jewish-philanthropic-leadership (Accessed November 2024)

  15. Wikipedia. "Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_and_Jeanette_Weinberg_Foundation (Accessed November 2024)

  16. OATS. "Grant Announcement: The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation." https://oats.org/grant-announcement-the-weinberg-foundation/ (Accessed November 2024)

  17. Philanthropy New York. "Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation Award 16 Jewish Camps With Grants to Increase Accessibility." https://philanthropynewyork.org/news/harry-and-jeannette-weinberg-foundation-award-16-jewish-camps-grants-increase-accessibility (Accessed November 2024)

  18. Instrumentl. "The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation | 990 Report." https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/the-harry-jeanette-weinberg-foundation-inc (Accessed November 2024)

  19. Baltimore Community Foundation. "Baltimore City Community Grants Program." https://www.bcf.org/apply-for-grant/bccg/ (Accessed November 2024)

  20. Maryland Philanthropy Network. "Highlights from the Weinberg Foundation's work in Baltimore." https://www.marylandphilanthropy.org/news/highlights-weinberg-foundation-s-work-baltimore (Accessed November 2024)

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