The Viney Wallach Foundation

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.

High School civics education has been a focus of the Viney Wallach Foundation from the start, as we seek to empower young people in the processes that can improve both their own lives and society at large. So we are pleased to see that one of our longstanding partners, Generation Citizen, has begun a nonpartisan voter activation campaign called “RISE VOTE 2024.” This innovative initiative, which stands for Registering, Informing, Supporting, and Empowering Voters, is off and running with the publication of these materials, designed to inform and guide our newest generation of citizens as they find their way to the polls this year and beyond. https://lnkd.in/eWNbg323

Trust-based philanthropy isn't blind faith. This article hits the nail on the head: metrics are crucial for strong funder-grantee partnerships. By measuring impact, we can better understand what works and where to focus our efforts. At the Viney Wallach Foundation, we prioritize data-driven decisions while nurturing trust and collaboration. We encourage grantees to collect and share data that is meaningful to them, which informs our partnership and drives positive change. Together, we can build a more equitable and effective philanthropic sector through trust and data. https://lnkd.in/evJK4p7S

Scott Galloway, a renowned entrepreneur and academic, has donated $12 million to UC Berkeley and UCLA Extension to support non-traditional students in their pursuit of successful careers (https://lnkd.in/d_WCQGvj). This significant contribution underscores the importance of accessible education and career training for all, regardless of their background. The Viney Wallach Foundation is similarly committed to empowering underrepresented communities through job training and educational initiatives. We are proud to have supported several organizations that share our vision, including WEST - Women in the Enterprise of Science and Technology, Cisneros Scholars at Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute, Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, and LEAP for Education, Inc. Galloway's donation is a testament to the power of philanthropy and aligns with our foundation's mission to uplift underrepresented communities. By working together, we can build a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. The Viney Wallach Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to this cause and looks forward to continuing our work in partnership with like-minded organizations and individuals.

We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone: one million dollars granted or pledged to 501(c)(3) organizations since our inception three years ago! Our contributions have supported a diverse array of nonprofits, from longstanding institutions to innovative startups, venture philanthropies to grassroots initiatives. This broad approach allows us to identify and support high-performing entities with sustaining, general operating, trust-based funding. Our strategic focus remains on making grants to organizations that directly serve youth in distress, promote education and work skill development, and advance equity in the field of science. However, our theory of change has evolved to include a greater emphasis on nonprofit intermediaries and exploring advocacy as a tool for positive change. Giving back is its own reward. It has also been a privilege and a pleasure to work with the dedicated professionals serving our communities and our fellow philanthropists who devote their time and resources to helping others. Thank you to everyone who shares in this work and believes in the power of these models to effect positive change in our communities. www.vineywallach.org

A guiding principle of our philanthropy has been to make investments that have the potential to redress systemic inequities via collective action. We were thus delighted to discover Voices for Progress (“V4P”), whose mission is to “galvanize the advocacy of business leaders, entrepreneurs, philanthropists, and other prominent individuals who unite to champion a healthy climate and environment, strengthen our democracy, and ensure economic and social justice for all." We similarly believe in the power of combining influence to appeal directly to our elected leaders for policies critical to the populations served by family foundations. Special thanks to the staff of V4P for their tireless, behind the scenes role liaising with government staff and performing all the preparatory work that enable us to ensure politicians remain responsive to the needs of their diverse constituencies.

Congratulation to Viney Wallach Foundation Trustee, Jo Viney, for being named a 2024 Distinguished Fellow by The American Association of Immunologists. This accolade represents the highest honor in the field of Immunology. We are immensely proud of Jo and this monumental achievement. Bravo!