A Tribute to Our Retired Chair of the Board, Barbara Bainum
In June 2024, Barbara Bainum retired from her role as Chair of the Board, marking the close of a remarkable chapter in the foundation’s history.
Both the board and staff would like to express our deepest gratitude to Barbara for her years of service, dedication, and unwavering leadership. Over the years, Barbara helped define who we are today, strategically, culturally, and operationally, positioning us to become more effective in our mission to partner with communities and improve the lives of children and families.
This transformation began in 2008 when Barbara succeeded her father, founder Stewart Bainum Sr., as CEO, President, and Chair of the Board. Despite the weight of her family’s legacy and the challenges of transitioning from her career as a social worker, Barbara embraced the role with grace and determination. She made it a priority to personally connect with each of the 17 individuals who comprised the organization’s staff at the time, taking the time to listen, learn, and understand more deeply the organization’s work. Drawing from those one-on-one conversations, she set her course as a leader who prioritized relationships, empathy, and impact.
Sixteen years later, Barbara’s legacy runs deep throughout the foundation. Here are just a few ways Barbara’s legacy and spirit are woven into, and carried on at, the Bainum Family Foundation:
Committing to Positive Impact
Barbara recognized the power dynamics inherent to the work being done as an operating foundation and sought to address them. She understood that meaningful change requires more than just resources; it requires humility and a willingness to listen. She challenged the foundation to move beyond a top-down, prescriptive approach, instead embracing a more holistic and responsive way of working with partners. She recognized that communities are constantly evolving, and she led the foundation to evolve with them, ensuring we show up in ways that are truly supportive and impactful.
Honoring and Preserving Family Legacy
Understanding that multigenerational philanthropic giving is essential for driving social impact, Barbara established a sustainable legacy of giving that will endure for generations. Through the creation of the Family Philanthropy division, she fostered a culture of giving that is inclusive of all Bainum family members as young as 5, cultivating a legacy of service that continues to grow.
Cultivating a Meaningful Work Culture
Under Barbara’s leadership, the foundation’s four core values — Continuous Learning, Integrity, Collaboration, and Commitment — were established. These values, combined with the organizational priority of advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, have shaped not only how we work internally but also how we show up as a partner — whether it’s co–creating solutions with the community or embracing flexible, emergent strategies.
Valuing Lived Experiences
Barbara championed the coalescing of data and research with diverse expertise and candid conversations to refine the foundation’s programmatic approach. A pivotal moment in her leadership came when she reconnected with the students from the foundation’s I Have a Dream program, which revealed two vital insights: the significance of nonacademic wraparound supports and the importance of reaching students at an early age with critical educational and comprehensive support. This, paired with data from a detailed needs assessment, led to the foundation’s initial pivot to early learning, and now Early Childhood.
Throughout her time with the foundation, Barbara’s leadership was defined by an ever-present question: “What more can we do?” For her, the Bainum Family Foundation was never about simply fulfilling obligations — it was about embracing a deeper, more lasting commitment to family, community, and equity. As we reflect on her contributions, we know the impact of her leadership will live on for generations to come. She leaves the foundation well equipped to carry forward its vision and commitment to ensuring that all children and families can thrive.