Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation: Leadership Grants Program

Grant Overview

The Weinberg Foundation’s grantmaking reflects the wishes of Harry and Jeanette Weinberg, as outlined in the Foundation’s charter, as well as the laws and public policy that govern private philanthropy in the United States and Israel.

The Foundation’s Program Committee (comprised of the trustees, president and CEO, and program team) is responsible for the Foundation’s grantmaking and meets regularly to make decisions regarding the award and distribution of grant funds.

Leadership Grants Program

The Foundation is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Many studies highlight the persistent lack of racial diversity in leadership in the nonprofit sector and the more limited financial support for organizations led by people of color relative to their peers. To deliver effective programs and services, leadership in the nonprofit sector must reflect the diversity and experiences of the individuals it serves.

The Leadership Grants program supports the development of leaders of color at grantee organizations. With grants of up to $20,000, the Foundation aims to honor and invest in these individuals while also expanding the pipeline of candidates for nonprofit executive leadership opportunities.

If the Foundation approves a Leadership Grant request, it will make payment to the grantee organization, not the individual or the entity providing the professional development opportunity.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• To be considered for funding, an organization must meet several requirements:
  • Be a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status; or have a fiscal sponsor that has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
  • Provide direct services to low-income and vulnerable populations.
  • Have audited financial statements or external financial reviews.
  • Have been in operation for at least three years.
• For the Leadership Grants Program Organization:
  • The organization for which a participant works must have an active grant with the Weinberg Foundation or a grant that closed no more than one year ago.
  • Organizations must be based and operating in the United States.
  • Organizations may only have two active Leadership Grants at a time.
• For Participants:
  • Participants must self-identify as a person of color and be a full-time staff member at the grantee organization.
  • Recognizing that leadership takes many forms, participants are not required to have any specific title or role.
  • If they are not currently a member of the organization’s senior leadership team, they should possess the interest and potential to take on increasing levels of responsibility and leadership.
  • While no minimum years of career experience are required for this grant, it is generally not intended for very junior professionals with fewer than two years of experience.
  • While no minimum length of service at the grantee organization is required before or after receiving a grant, participants should not have a planned or tentative departure date from the organization (except in the case of grant-funded positions or time-limited fellowships).
  • If the professional development opportunity a participant wishes to pursue involves a competitive selection process, the individual must be accepted prior to requesting a leadership grant.
• Participants may use their grant for any leadership development opportunity such as training or certificate programs, executive coaching, fellowships, conferences, or retreats.
  • The opportunity must meet these guidelines:
  • Offered by an established third party with a history of providing such services (self-directed retreats or sabbaticals are not eligible).
  • Time-limited with a specific start and end.
  • Related to nonprofit management, social sector leadership, the specific issue area the grantee serves, or a related topic.
  • Currently underway or expected to start no later than one year after receiving a grant.

Ineligibility

• The Foundation does not fund the following interests/entities:
  • Individuals
  • Arts and culture
  • Post-secondary scholarships
  • Debt reduction
  • Colleges and universities
  • Religious institutions and facilities (including churches, synagogues, congregations, mosques, and temples)
  • Think tanks
  • Endowments
  • Political action groups
  • Annual appeals (in most cases)
  • Publications
  • Academic or health research
  • Fundraising events