The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation (Weinberg Foundation) is the family foundation of Harry and Jeanette Weinberg. It makes upwards of $130 million in grants annually to nonprofit organizations providing social services in Israel and Hawaii and in the Baltimore, New York City, northeastern Pennsylvania, and San Francisco metropolitan and surrounding areas. 12
The Weinberg Foundation is funded by the fortune of real estate investor and entrepreneur Harry Weinberg. In the 1930s, Weinberg committed his philanthropic efforts towards helping German Jews find refuge in America, and the Weinberg Foundation states, “This commitment remains at the core of the Weinberg Foundation’s identity.” 3
Regarding its grantmaking in the New York City area, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation states that it funds organizations housing homeless individuals, constructing below-market rate rental units, and job-placement services. It also provides social services specific to Jewish individuals and LGBT people who are impoverished or whom the foundation deems need an increased “quality of life.” 4
History
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation was founded in 1990 and funded by Harry Weinberg’s fortune as the largest real estate investor in the state of Hawaii and from creating his own bus lines in the 1950s and 1960s. 3 At its founding, it reported having $640 million in assets. 5
Between 1990 and 2005, the Weinberg Foundation distributed over $920 million in grants, $590 million of which went to Jewish community organizations, $240 million went to Maryland-based organizations, $200 million to Hawaii-based organizations, and $150 million went to Israel-based organizations. 6
In 2020, the Weinberg Foundation announced an equity initiative that would give support for the Black Lives Matter movement, and as a result, it also stated that it would begin prioritizing giving to organizations that are led by ethnic minorities and those that have a so-called “commitment to advancing racial equity.” 57
Grantmaking
According to its website, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation requires its grantees to have a 501(c)(3) designation, be sponsored by one, or hold the Israeli-law equivalent. It also requires they have been active for three consecutive years, support “low-income” people, and not be a degree-granting institution. 8
The Weinberg Foundation makes around $130-$150 million in grants annually, ranging between $10,000 and $50,000 and supporting organizations or programs that provide housing, education, health, employment, and other social and community services. 91
As of January 2024, the Weinberg Foundation reported that it has given out 1,387 grants to U.S.-based groups and 183 Israeli groups since 2018. Of these grants, it stated that $172 million was spent on its community services grantmaking program, $166 million on its health program, $145 million on its housing program, $103 million on its jobs program, and $66 million on its education program. 10
Regarding its highest-funded locations, the Weinberg Foundation reports an annual commitment of $35 million to the Baltimore area, $18 million a year to Israel, and $12 million a year to Hawaii. 4
Payments to Environmentalist For-Profits
In 2022, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation paid $5 million in “environmental consulting” fees to Ensafe Inc, a consulting firm that advises companies on how they can operate in alignment with environmentalist ideals and engages in its own conservation efforts on their behalf. 11 Among which, it participates in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) Green Power Switch program, purchasing “blocks” on behalf of other businesses. The blocks are an upcharge by TVA to pay for the additional cost of using environmentalist energy sources when opting out of using conventional energy sources. 12
Financials
In 2022, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation reported $107 million in total revenue from its $118 million in net investment income, according to its tax returns. 13 It also reported $177 million in total expenses, including $155 million in grants paid. 14
Leadership
Since 2010, Rachel Monroe has worked as president and CEO of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and is said to be behind its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Monroe is also a board member of Baltimore Gas and Electric, Laurel Strategies, and Kolker-Saxon-Hallock Family Foundation. Prior to the Weinberg Foundation, Monroe worked as COO for The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, as director of marketing for Owings & Merril, and as marketing manager for Jewish Community Centers of Chicago. 15
All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:
Total Grant Value:$101,000
Number of Grants:2
Number of Funders:2
All-time grants given statistics from Candid dataset:
Total Grant Value:$1,642,001,859
Number of Grants:9,379
Number of Recipients:3,242
Selection of highest value grants given from the last seven years:
Amount
Year
Funder
Subject
$6,835,620
2024
Waianae Community Re-Development Corporation
TO SUPPORT MAO FARMS ACQUISITION OF ADDITIONAL LAND FOR EXPANDING FOOD SECURITY AND HOUSING VIA A LAND GRANT FROM THE FOUNDATION THE ORGANIZATIONS WORK-BASED LEARNING, LEADERSHIP, POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS..
TO SUPPORT THIS CDFI THAT WILL BUILD CAPACITY FOR NONPROFITS IN NEW YORK AND THE BAY AREA AND HELP ORGANIZATIONS BE RESILIENT TO THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 THROUGH LOAN CAPITAL, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND OUTREACH TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.
$4,500,000
2021
Foundation for Jewish Camp Inc
TO SUPPORT CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AT JEWISH SUMMER CAMPS, FOCUSED ON BETTER SERVING CAMPERS WITH DISABILITIES, STAFF SERVING THESE CAMPERS, AND STAFF WITH DISABILITIES.
$3,850,000
2024
AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE INC
TO SUPPORT TWO OF THIS ORGANIZATIONS INITIATIVES: ESHEL, WHICH HELPS OLDER ADULTS AGE WITH INDEPENDENCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE, AND TEVET, WHICH PROVIDES WORKFORCE TRAINING TO A RANGE OF PEOPLE.
$3,650,000
2023
AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE INC
TO SUPPORT JDC-ISRAELS FLAGSHIP INITIATIVES: ESHEL, WHICH SERVES OLDER ADULTS AND ENABLES THEM TO AGE WITH INDEPENDENCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE, TEVET.
$3,000,000
2025
Amigour
to support the renovation of two affordable housing buildings to help older adults remain independent
TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL OPERATIONS OF THIS JEWISH FEDERATION, WHICH COORDINATES ANTI-POVERTY WORK AMONG SEVERAL DIRECT-SERVICES AGENCIES SERVING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.
TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET OF THIS JEWISH FEDERATION, WHICH COORDINATES AND CONVENES ANTI-POVERTY WORK AMONG SEVERAL DIRECT SERVICES AGENCIES SERVING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.
$3,000,000
2022
AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE INC
TO SUPPORT JDC-ISRAELS FLAGSHIP INITIATIVES: ESHEL, WHICH SERVES OLDER ADULTS AND ENABLES THEM TO AGE WITH INDEPENDENCE AND QUALITY OF LIFE, AND TEVET, WHICH PROVIDES WORKFORCE TRAINING TO A RANGE OF VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.
TO SUPPORT RENOVATIONS TO THE ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY CENTERS IN THE PARK HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD, ESTABLISHING A COHESIVE CAMPUS FOR THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.
$2,000,000
2025
Jewish Community Center of the East Bay
to support the construction of a hub for several Jewish nonprofits providing direct services for the Jewish community
$2,000,000
2025
MATERNAL & FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES INC
to support the general operations of this organization, which provides health care and nutrition services to women, children, and families
$2,000,000
2023
Keshet Donor Advised Fund
TO SUPPORT THE CAPITAL COMPONENT OF A REHABILITATION PROGRAM AIMED AT HELPING WOMEN PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED IN PROSTITUTION TO SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION OUT THROUGH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HOUSING AND WRAP-AROUND SOCIAL SERVICES.
$2,000,000
2023
NTEN
TO SUPPORT A MAJOR TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE, INCLUDING CUSTOMIZED TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS PAIRED WITH TRAINING AND COACHING, TO ENHANCE DIRECT SERVICES AND ORGANIZATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE JEWISH NONPROFIT SECTOR.
$2,000,000
2022
Health Care for the Homeless Inc
TO ESTABLISH A HOUSING SUBSIDIARY WITH THE WORKING CAPITAL NEEDED TO DEVELOP PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.
$2,000,000
2022
NTEN
TO SUPPORT A MAJOR TECHNOLOGY INITIATIVE, INCLUDING CUSTOMIZED TECHNOLOGY PROJECTS PAIRED WITH TRAINING AND COACHING, TO ENHANCE DIRECT SERVICES AND ORGANIZATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE JEWISH NONPROFIT SECTOR.
$2,000,000
2022
Waimanalo Health Center
TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION OF A FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER TO INCREASE ACCESS TO DENTAL, VISION, NUTRITION, AND GENERAL COMMUNITY WELLNESS SERVICES IN A RURAL AREA.
$2,000,000
2021
Fund for Educational Excellence
TO SUPPORT THE BALTIMORE LIBRARY PROJECT.
$2,000,000
2021
Iff
TO SUPPORT THIS CDFI THAT WILL BUILD CAPACITY FOR NONPROFITS IN CHICAGO AND HELP ORGANIZATIONS BE RESILIENT TO THE IMPACTS OF COVID-19 THROUGH LOAN CAPITAL, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, OUTREACH TO COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
$2,000,000
2020
Goodwill Industries of Hawaii Inc
TO SUPPORT THE RENOVATION AND EXPANSION OF GOODWILLS HONOLULU CAREER CENTER, WHICH WILL DOUBLE THOSE SERVED IN EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS TO 6,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY
