Weinberg Foundation Employees Given $500,000 to be Grantmakers for a Day

BALTIMORE, Sept. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States, today hosts its 10^th annual Employee Giving Program. At the event, 25 employees will each present a check for $20,000 to a Maryland nonprofit consistent with the Foundation's mission and grant guidelines. A total of $500,000 will be awarded this year. More than $2.5 million has been distributed since the inception of this professional development and mission-focused effort.

• Tuesday, September 27, 2016 11:45 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park at Living Classrooms
  1417 Thames Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21231

"This event is particularly meaningful to all of us at the Foundation," said Rachel Garbow Monroe, Weinberg Foundation President and CEO. "We are thrilled to be able to provide the entire staff with the opportunity to personally engage in the grantmaking process for the 10^th consecutive year. The fact that this year's event will represent our largest distribution in the history of this program makes this day even more special."

Here are this year's grantees:

1. Access Carroll Megan Franey, Marketing Associate
Carroll County
To support the general operations of this organization that provides reduced-cost medical, dental, behavioral health, and recovery support services for more than 6,000 residents

2. Art with a Heart Leisel Harry, Program Associate, Library and Special Projects
Baltimore City
To support a program that provides job-skills training for homeless, abused, and vulnerable youth

3. Arundel Lodge Brian Clark, Investment Analyst
Anne Arundel County
To support the general operations of this organization that works to improve the lives of children, adults, and families impacted by mental health and substance use disorders

4. Assistance Center of Towson Churches David Gilmore, Managing Director of Investments
Baltimore County
To support the general operations of this organization that provides emergency assistance and basic services for residents

5. Baltimore Corps Jennifer Jordan, Executive Assistant
Baltimore City
To support four fellowships that will connect professionals to high-impact roles in nonprofits, social enterprises, and government agencies

6. Baltimore Crisis Response Christina Laumann, Program Assistant Manager
Baltimore City
To support the purchase of a client transportation vehicle for this organization that provides psychiatric crisis intervention and addictions treatment services in the least restrictive environment possible

7. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Chesapeake Shakera Tuggle, Receptionist  
Baltimore City
To support the Mentoring Young Boys of Color program that provides youth with mentors who encourage them to be confident, resilient, and empathetic and connects families to resources with the goal of promoting family stability

8. B'More Fit for Healthy Babies Amy Kleine, Program Director, Basic Human Needs & Health
Baltimore City
To support a program that helps women learn healthy eating and living practices after the birth of a child

9. Boys & Girls Clubs of Harford County Jack Meeker, Network Administrator/Real Estate Associate
Harford County  
To support the i3 Stem program that helps youth develop their interest and skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)

10. Fisher House Foundation Jonathan Hook, Chief Investment Officer
Silver Spring
To support the general operations of this organization that provides a network of comfort homes where military and veterans' families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment

11. Generations United Aaron Merki, Program Officer, Older Adults (US)
Baltimore City (Sandtown-Winchester)
To support the Grandfamilies initiative that assists older adults serving as primary caregivers to their grandchildren

12. Helping Up Mission Kyle McNair, Controller
Baltimore City
To support the Spiritual Recovery program that provides hope to individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, or addiction by meeting their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs

13. Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition Zack Dixon, Executive Assistant
Baltimore City
To support the Youth Opportunities program that provides GED classes, counseling, career training, life-skills workshops, and social activities for youth ages 16 to 21

14. Let's Go Boys & Girls Rachel Duden, Program Associate, US Education and MSGP
Baltimore City
To support the general operations of this organization that provides in-school and out-of-school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) programming for students, kindergarten through grade eight

15. Light Health and Wellness Comprehensive Services Kallie Wasserman, Executive Assistant, Investments
Baltimore City
To support the general operations of this organization that provides early childhood education and family support for individuals and families impacted by HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, mental illness, poverty, and other long-term health challenges

16. Lighthouse Yvonne Sporrer, Special Projects Coordinator/Assistant to Director of Marketing & Communications
Baltimore County
To support the general operations of this organization that works to promote a positive, healthy community that enhances the growth and development of children, youth, and families

17. Loving Arms Frank Jarrell, Accounting Manager
Baltimore City
To support an emergency shelter for homeless youth and young adults

18. Main Street Housing Stan Goldman, Program Director, Disabilities/Education (Israel)
Baltimore City
To support the purchase and renovation of a permanent, affordable home for two individuals with psychiatric disabilities

19. My Sister's Circle Sheryl Goldstein, Managing Director, Programs & Grants/Program Director, Education (US)
Baltimore City
To support the general operations of this organization that provides a mentoring program for girls as they transition from middle school through college        

20. NAMI Maryland Jen Banks, Graphic/Web Design Coordinator
Throughout Maryland
To support the general operations of this organization that assists individuals living with mental illness and their families

21. Sixth Branch Kate Sorestad, Program Officer, Libraries, Northeastern Pennsylvania, and Veterans Grants 
Baltimore City (Oliver, Johnston Square, and Darley Park)
To support the general operations of this organization that brings together military veterans and community volunteers to execute neighborhood revitalization projects

22. South Baltimore Learning Center Marci Hunn, Program Director, Workforce Development
Baltimore City
To support the general operations of this organization that provides functional literacy and life-skills training as well as career preparation services for residents

23. Wide Angle Youth Media Craig Demchak, Director of Marketing & Communications
Baltimore City
To support the general operations of this organization that provides youth with media arts education to tell their own stories and become engaged with their communities

24. Women's Law Center of Maryland Nakia Horton, GIFTS Administrator
Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Carroll County
To support the Protective Order Advocacy and Representation Project (POARP) that provides representation for victims of domestic violence in protective order hearings

25. Young Audiences of Maryland Arlene Hayden, Chief of Staff
Baltimore City
To support initiatives that allow Baltimore City Public Schools to receive arts programs at a reduced cost and to support The Wolf Trap Early Learning program that allows teachers to receive arts programs in their classrooms at a reduced cost

About The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, one of the largest private charitable foundations in the United States, provides approximately $100 million in annual grants to nonprofits that provide direct services to low-income and vulnerable individuals and families, primarily in the US and Israel. Grants are focused on meeting basic needs and enhancing an individual's ability to meet those needs with emphasis on older adults, the Jewish community, and our priority communities of Maryland, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Chicago, and Hawaii. The trustees, some of whom also serve as executive officers of the Foundation, are Alvin Awaya, Donn Weinberg, Robert T. Kelly, Jr., Fay Hartog-Levin, and Chair Barry I. Schloss. Rachel Garbow Monroe serves as the Weinberg Foundation's President and Chief Executive Officer. For more information please visit www.hjweinbergfoundation.org.        

Media Contact: Craig Demchak, 443-738-1159
[email protected]

SOURCE Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation