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The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation
Donn Weinberg
In 1911, three-year-old Harry Weinberg traveled with his family from their home in the Austro-Hungarian Empire to the United States. Although he had no formal education beyond the sixth grade, Harry’s natural business talent combined with hard work and discipline would lead him to tremendous success. His beloved wife, Jeanette, was a talented painter and compassionate philanthropist. In 1959, the Weinbergs established The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. One of the largest private foundations in the country, the Weinberg Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of those less fortunate across the nation and throughout the world.
Children are among those whose lives have been dramatically improved thanks to the generosity of the Weinberg Foundation. A grant to the Associated Catholic Charities helped at-risk boys in Baltimore, and the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts have been assisted, along with numerous children's charities and programs.
In December of 2006, the Foundation's extraordinary impact on the lives of children took a dramatic new step when the Weinberg Foundation joined with Cardinal William Keeler, Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore, in announcing a precedent-setting challenge grant to the Partners In Excellence inner city scholarship fund. Partners In Excellence provides partial scholarships to deserving families who want to send their children to Catholic school.
The four-year, $3.5 million challenge grant is inspiring new gifts for scholarships, while increasing the size and number of scholarships available. As a result, 500 new students will be able to attend one of 17 Catholic elementary and middle schools in downtown Baltimore. The Foundation's investment in Catholic education is bringing hope and opportunity to students who will have an excellent chance of being the first in their families to attend college, and whose dreams and aspirations will be unbounded by social or economic circumstances.
Cardinal Keeler, who initiated Partners In Excellence along with NCEA Seton Awardee, Chip Mason, Chairman of Legg Mason, considers the scholarship program to be one of his most important legacies. The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Foundation’s partnership with Catholic schools and the investment in urban education is especially important to Cardinal Keeler given his long-standing commitment to fostering positive relationships between Christians and Jews.
It is a seminal moment in the 200-year history of Catholic school education in Baltimore, and one that is inspiring optimism among all those who care about the future of some amazing students and their families.
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National Catholic Educational Association
