Giving Rye: Meet Wainwright House
Giving Rye is a feature series highlighting non-profits and community groups in and around the City of Rye. Today meet Robert Manheimer of Wainwright House.
Your Name: Robert Manheimer
Name of your organization: Wainwright House
Your role: President
MyRye.com: Tell us your organization’s mission.
Manheimer: Wainwright House, Inc. was established as a not-for-profit in 1951 by Fonrose Wainwright Condict whose father built the mansion and its Carriage House in 1928. Her wish was that her home and its five acres would be maintained long after her death and continue to be available to the community as a center for the development of the human potential – a destination for overall wellness and peace, a place to learn and to interact for the betterment of the community.
How long have you operated in Rye?
Manheimer: Since 1951 (for 74 years).
What programming or work in Rye is the organization best known for?
Manheimer:
- Bringing people together to cultivate connection, creativity, and growth through programs, workshops, and events that inspire creative exploration, self-discovery and spiritual awakening.
- Current programs are listed and updated on our website.
- Wainwright House is also a desirable venue for many non-profit, charitable, organizations. We do not assess standard fees for these non-profits. If they have the wherewithal to do so, we only look to recoup our set-up and clean-up costs, which are minimal.
Looking forward to 2025, what will be your top initiatives?
Manheimer:
- Continued expansion of our programs and events that are open to Rye and the greater community.
- Bring on new trustees to replace those whose term limits are approaching. Wainwright thrives on the energy and ideas that our volunteer trustees bring to the organization.
- Partnerships with other nonprofit organizations whose mission align with Wainwright.
- Increase the number of cultural events open to the community.
Tell us about the population you serve and how they can get involved with your programming and services.
Manheimer: Even though we are based in Rye, we reach out to all of Westchester and the greater region. We encourage people to become members and trustees. Several of our current trustees are residents of other communities in New York and nearby Connecticut. Membership is required to be able to book the venue for hosting workshops and events. Our website is the portal for learning about all of our activities and for signing up for our weekly newsletter.
Are you a 501(c)(3) non-profit with tax exempt status?
Manheimer: Yes.
Looking back across 2024, what were your organization’s top achievements?
Manheimer:
- Continued growth of financial stability and reserves.
- Expanded use of our venue for other non-profit organizations as a venue for their activities
- Well attended programs and cultural events.
What local Rye residents and area businesses have been the longest, steadiest supporters of your organization?
Manheimer: This past year, among other, the venue has been used by among others: the Rye Arts Center, the Rye Youth Council, Christ Church, Boy Scouts, Family Services of Westchester, and the Junior League of Westchester. Rye City Schools have held their retreats and teacher education classes at Wainwright.
Tell us about you:
How long have you been in your current role?
Manheimer: 6 years.
Is the role full time or part time? Paid or volunteer?
Manheimer: I am a retired volunteer. Wainwright has been really more or less a full time job for me. We have not had an Executive Director since COVID started and I have been fulfilling that role ever since.
How would your friends and family describe you in one word?
Manheimer: Dedicated
Where did you grow up?
Manheimer: I grew up in Nassau County, NY.
If the next five years is a chapter in your life, what is this chapter about?
Manheimer: Hard for me to believe that I recently turned 75 years old. Travel, as long as I can, and being with my five grandchildren is what I value most in the years ahead.
Where do you live in Rye and how many years have you lived in the City?
Manheimer: My wife, Bonnie, and I have been residents of Rye for 45 years. We live near the high school on Boston Post Road. Our son and his family are also Rye residents, and we all love this community. It offers so much.
Thanks Robert!
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