Menu
As I write to you for the first time in my role as Chair of the Board, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and responsibility. This foundation has been an integral part of my life, as I have had the privilege of seeing it progress from the organization first envisioned by my grandparents, Stewart and Jane Bainum, to the impactful force for good it is today. Serving as a director with my grandfather, to whom I was close, was a unique and invaluable opportunity to learn directly of his deep care, boldness, and commitment, and to observe firsthand his earnest, often impatient, and admittedly imperfect attempts to create a more level playing field for others. As a father, spouse, clinical psychologist, and someone called to do work that meaningfully improves human lives, stepping into this role holds great personal significance for me.
I am honored to follow in the footsteps of my mother, Barbara Bainum. The era of her leadership, both as CEO and Chair, has been characterized by transformation through tremendous growth, professionalization, sharpened strategic focus, empowerment of our staff, and increasing collaboration with our community partners. I am inspired by her example.
As I look ahead, I am committed to continuing the legacy of family engagement in the foundation’s work. Our family’s involvement goes beyond funding — we are hands-on partners in this mission — and I look forward to encouraging even deeper engagement from future generations as they come of age to carry this work forward. I believe it is essential that the foundation remains a place where family members not only contribute but also learn and grow as they participate in this journey of service.
At the same time, I recognize the limits of my privileged perspective. Coming from a predominantly white, wealthy family while supporting historically and intentionally excluded communities that are largely Black and brown has deepened my commitment to honoring the humanity and lived experience of all people as we work together to build a society where all children can thrive. This is both a personal journey and an organizational one. I am dedicated to ensuring that the Bainum Family Foundation continues to provide opportunities for our staff, partners, and family to move the needle on equity, both individually and collectively – myself included. I understand and am committed to the critical need for ongoing reflection about how we, as an organization, and the individuals who comprise it, can meaningfully advance systems change and make progress toward a world that is fairer for everyone.
This dedication to bettering society extends to how we manage the foundation’s resources. I plan to continue to look strategically at our endowment, working to make it greener, more socially responsible, and more impactful. It is critical that we put our financial resources to work in ways that directly benefit the communities we serve. Last year, we took a meaningful step by increasing our spending, and I am committed to maintaining that momentum, ensuring that our portfolio drives meaningful impact in real time.
In my role as Chair, I am also here to support the incredible work of our foundation’s staff and leadership. I have immense respect for our CEO, our team, and the work they do each and every day. I see my role as one of collaboration and support as we move forward together in service of our mission.
Taking on this role is a privilege, and I look forward to what we will accomplish together in the next year, and beyond. My mother’s tenure as Chair left a lasting mark, and I hope that during my time in this role, I can continue to build on her legacy in ways that reflect both my personal journey and our collective mission.
With gratitude,
SCOTT RENSCHLER, PSY.D.
CHAIR OF THE BOARD