The Viney Wallach Foundation

In times of uncertainty, staying the course is more important than ever. The recent?Center for Effective Philanthropy?(CEP) article,?"Turn on Your Headlights: How Funders Can Cut Through the Chaos Right Now", offers a timely reminder that, as funders, we must not flinch in the face of funding cuts and policy shifts. The Viney Wallach Foundation shares the view that we must remain steadfast in our commitment to our partners - especially as nonprofits face threatened or actual reductions in federal support and growing uncertainty around the 501(c)(3) status of charitable foundations. These challenges require resilience, clarity, and a deep dedication to the communities we serve. Our role as funders is not just about providing financial resources; it’s about standing shoulder to shoulder with our partners to navigate a changing landscape. We must listen more, act strategically, and, as?CEP?suggests, “turn on our headlights” to see the road ahead with patience and purpose. By staying engaged and proactive, we can help organizations continue their critical work, even amid shifting policy environments. This means advocating where needed, remaining flexible in our funding approaches, and ensuring our grantees feel supported - not just financially, but in their long-term sustainability. Most importantly, we must keep our focus where it belongs: on the organizations and communities we serve. This moment calls for steady leadership, humility, and a commitment to shared problem-solving. As funders, we cannot control external forces, but we?can?control how we respond. By staying the course and keeping our partners’ needs at the center of our decisions, we will continue to drive impact - even in uncertain times. Let’s remain clear-eyed, patient, and determined in our shared mission. https://lnkd.in/eRZ5x5SN

Effective philanthropy requires trust, flexibility, and a commitment to long-term impact.?Someone Else's Child, Inc. (SEC) exemplifies these principles, as highlighted in?their latest video?showcasing the transformative work they make possible. By identifying and amplifying high-performing nonprofits, SEC ensures that organizations on the frontlines of opportunity receive the resources and trust they need to thrive - an approach we deeply respect and share. Their diligence in promoting impactful organizations and thinking outside the box has had wide influence. For example, our?Foundation, and several of our?peers, began supporting?Young Man With a Plan?after SEC introduced them to us at a mini-fundraiser they hosted.?SEC’s youth engagement initiative (https://lnkd.in/egB_EUJB), connecting young people to philanthropy and giving them visibility into funding networks and?the?agency?to access them directly, is another example of their innovative approach to philanthropy. We extend our gratitude to SEC for their leadership and for setting a high standard in our philanthropic community. Their work is a call to action for funders to be more strategic, collaborative, and attuned to the needs of the organizations we serve. https://lnkd.in/e8zEeQaq

In a new episode of the Center for Effective Philanthropy's podcast, Giving Done Right, hosts Phil Buchanan and Grace Nicolette interview Professor Beth Breeze OBE, author of In Defense of Philanthropy, about why charitable giving remains an essential force for good in our society. Rather than fixating on macroeconomic structural deficiencies and sensational scandals, Breeze highlights how local focus and relatively modest grants reflect philanthropy’s core meaning: “love of humankind.” The Viney Wallach Foundation strives to advance these principles by championing Boston area intermediary organizations focused on smaller nonprofits that provide the under-resourced with vital services. In line with Breeze’s emphasis on local impact, the Viney Wallach Foundation also directly empowers nonprofits doing essential work with youth and other populations in our area. In an era of looming tax cuts and social service rollbacks, when community-based solutions may become the first line of support, this work matters more than ever. To hear the full conversation, visit: https://lnkd.in/emMTE7Jh

We are so pleased to announce our support for the East Boston Social Centers. For over a century, East Boston Social Centers has been the community's cornerstone of essential services, offering early learning, youth development, and community-building programs. This new grant signals our shared commitment to invest in the strengths and potential of residents in historically underserved neighborhoods, who possess valuable skills, knowledge, and community networks that can drive economic and educational advancement. At the Viney Wallach Foundation, we are committed to fostering youth development, bolstering intermediary organizations, and promoting collective impact strategies that bring diverse stakeholders together. East Boston Social Centers is deeply invested in these proven strategies, via their holistic approach and strong network, ensuring that children, teenagers, and families have access to the resources and opportunities they need. East Boston Social Centers has its roots in the mutual aid societies that emerged to lift up immigrant and low-income communities. These historic organizations forged bonds of solidarity and empowerment, long before formal social services were widely available. By establishing an environment where community members, together with local agencies and businesses, can learn from and nurture each other, East Boston Social Centers continues to demonstrate the power of partnership to create real and lasting change. https://lnkd.in/ee-PQnDc

VWF President Lawrence Wallach was proud to share his experience volunteering with VWF grantee Boston Debate League on the latest episode of their More Than Debate podcast. Tune in below!

We're excited to announce our first Catalyst Grant to the Gloucester Biotechnology Academy! This $150K investment will power their Boston expansion, providing biotech education and training to underrepresented youth. Let's create a brighter future together! https://lnkd.in/euAkKYJg

At the Viney Wallach Foundation, our commitment to supporting Place Based Intermediaries (PBIs) extends to finding impactful partnerships with organizations that are deeply rooted in their communities. One of our most valued connections has been with Life Science Cares Boston, an intermediary with an impressive track record of distributing funding and offering capacity-building support to high-impact nonprofits throughout Greater Boston. By amplifying the efforts of these community-focused organizations, Life Science Cares is helping to reduce poverty. They work relentlessly to support organizations that deliver proven results, making it easier for corporations,Foundations like ours and individuals to invest in effective change. Through Life Science Cares, we were recently introduced to two exceptional organizations that are making a real difference in Boston: New England Culinary Arts Training and Victory Programs. NECAT provides transformative culinary training to individuals seeking stable careers, equipping participants with the skills and certifications needed to succeed in the food industry. By creating pathways to employment, NECAT empowers individuals and strengthens the local economy, aligning perfectly with our Foundation's mission to support meaningful, sustainable job training. Victory Programs, on the other hand, offers essential support to individuals facing homelessness, addiction, and chronic illness. Their holistic approach provides comprehensive services that address both immediate needs and long-term well-being, making a profound difference in the lives of those they serve. We are grateful to Life Science Cares for connecting us with these outstanding organizations and for the nurturing role they play in helping nonprofits like NECAT and Victory Programs expand their impact. Their work exemplifies the power of the intermediary model, where strategic partnerships, resource sharing, and capacity-building come together to drive systemic change. Life Science Cares not only directs critical funds to high-performing organizations but also fosters collaborative environments that strengthen entire communities. At the Viney Wallach Foundation, we are proud to support Life Science Cares as they champion the fight against poverty, and we look forward to seeing NECAT and Victory Programs continue to transform lives in Greater Boston. https://lnkd.in/eAKrnSjV

Congratulations to the GreenLight Fund (“GF”) for their remarkable successes outlined in their 2023-2024 Impact Report (https://lnkd.in/ek-2HUdw). GF’s dedication to selecting and scaling high-impact nonprofits that tackle systemic issues, outlined in this recent SSIR piece (https://lnkd.in/eXVtmSzf), is deeply inspiring. We share GF’s commitment to measurable outcomes and the importance of fostering deep partnerships between donors, experienced capacity building professionals and local communities to drive lasting change. GF’s focus on addressing local community needs while dismantling the barriers that perpetuate inequality aligns closely with our own mission to support place-based intermediaries (PBIs). Both GF and the Viney Wallach Foundation recognize the importance of engaging local stakeholders in decision-making processes. This reflects the participatory grantmaking models we support, such as those introduced by The Social Innovation Forum and Cambridge Community Foundation, which involve community leaders in allocating funds. By prioritizing community-driven solutions, we ensure that the programs we support not only address immediate needs but also have the potential to scale sustainably and equitably. Through deep investments in nonprofit capacity and centering the voices of those most affected, we are making strides toward a more equitable and just future.?

Place-Based Intermediaries (PBIs) are transforming communities. The CORE initiative, spearheaded by the Social Innovation Forum and Radical Partners, is proving their power. At the Viney Wallach Foundation, we believe in the potential of PBIs to increase the impact of our nonprofit partners. Explore our thoughts on the evolving landscape of PBIs and their innovative strategies: https://lnkd.in/ez8kcb2B Learn more about the CORE initiative and its impactful work: https://lnkd.in/e2SPtQKn Watch this video to further explore the impact of PBIs: https://lnkd.in/e8eB4RXr

We are thrilled to celebrate Jessica Lander for receiving the prestigious George Orwell Award from the National Council of Teachers of English (https://lnkd.in/eEFUQd8). Her commitment to civic education and inspiring the next generation of leaders is truly remarkable. As a passionate educator and advocate for democratic engagement, Jessica's work with Generation Citizen, one of our grantees at the Viney Wallach Foundation, has had a lasting impact. Generation Citizen empowers students to drive change in their communities through action civics, and Jessica's involvement with this organization exemplifies the type of innovative and impactful work we are proud to support. At the Viney Wallach Foundation, we are committed to advancing educational opportunities and civic engagement for all. Seeing Jessica honored with the George Orwell Award not only highlights her incredible achievements but also reinforces the importance of empowering underrepresented communities to become active participants in democracy. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jessica and look forward to continuing to support educators and organizations like Generation Citizen that strive for a more equitable and informed society.