Weinberg Foundation Announces Leadership Change

BALTIMORE, Oct. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, one of the largest private foundations in the United States, today announces the retirement of its long-time executive and trustee, Donn Weinberg, from both of his roles at the Foundation. Weinberg, 64 years old, has served as a full-time executive and in-house counsel with the Foundation since March 1, 1993 and as a trustee of the Foundation since August 1, 2002. He also served as the Foundation's Chairman of the Board for three years, from 2010-2013. He specialized in local commercial real estate matters and in grant contracts during most of his tenure. Before joining the Foundation, he was in the private practice of law for 15 years in the Baltimore area, specializing in medical malpractice litigation.

"I have had a wonderful and fulfilling career for almost 26 years at the Weinberg Foundation, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the organization, which helps the nonprofit sector assist low-income and vulnerable individuals and families. But, as my beloved wife has been suffering from declining health for four years, I feel it is time to focus my full-time attention exclusively on her needs, on the needs of my family, and on my various hobbies and other interests," explains Weinberg. "I look forward to this next chapter in my life," he continued.

During his tenure at the Weinberg Foundation, Weinberg was best known for his introduction of and advocacy for the field of workforce development—funding the training, placement, and ongoing support of lower-income individuals for gainful employment, as the most practical and sustainable way to eliminate or reduce their economic disadvantage. Weinberg was the Foundation's lead person in supporting the initiation and continuation in Israel of the "TEVET" Initiative (an initiative of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee), which focuses on developing employment opportunities for the most disadvantaged Jewish and non-Jewish populations there. He also was instrumental in establishing the first (and now increasingly replicated) elder abuse prevention and treatment center in the United States—the Weinberg Elder Abuse Center at the Hebrew Home for the Aged in Riverdale, New York. 

While at the Foundation, Donn Weinberg also served on other nonprofit boards. He served on the board of The Philanthropy Roundtable from 2009-2015 and again from 2016 through his current retirement, also serving as its Chairman and Treasurer beginning in 2016. Weinberg was founding Chairman of RespectAbility, which focuses on employment for people with disabilities and served on its board through 2016. Earlier, he served on the board of the Jewish Funders Network.

"I will always look fondly on my time at the Weinberg Foundation, and I wish my friends and colleagues there the best in moving forward with the Foundation's important mission," concluded Weinberg.

Rachel Garbow Monroe, President and CEO of the Weinberg Foundation, stated, "On behalf of everyone at the Foundation, I would like to acknowledge and thank Donn Weinberg for his significant contributions to the Weinberg Foundation over his more than two decades of service as both an employee and trustee. We all wish Donn a long, healthy, and happy retirement and will miss him. The Foundation will now begin the process of identifying Donn Weinberg's successor."

Effective October 2, 2018, the Weinberg Foundation's trustees include Robert T. Kelly, Jr., Board Chair;  Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin (Ret.); Paula B. Pretlow; and Alvin Awaya. As previously announced, on November 30, 2018, Alvin Awaya will retire from the Foundation and will be succeeded by Gordon Berlin on December 1, 2018. Rachel Garbow Monroe continues to serve as President and CEO.

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 United States 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 the Foundation's priority communities of Maryland, Northeastern Pennsylvania, Hawaii, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, rural communities in the United States, and the State of Israel. The trustees are Chair Robert T. Kelly, Jr., Alvin Awaya, Ambassador Fay Hartog-Levin (Ret.), and Paula B. Pretlow. Rachel Garbow Monroe serves as the Weinberg Foundation's President and Chief Executive Officer. For more information, please visit www.hjweinbergfoundation.org.

SOURCE Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation

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http://www.hjweinbergfoundation.org