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Newark Liaison

Newark Liaison

The Office of the Newark Philanthropic Liaison (NPL) —an innovative collaboration between the city of Newark and the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers (CNJG) —is tasked with harnessing interest, fostering greater effectiveness, and attracting resources toward policy and programmatic areas that affect and improve the lives of Newark’s residents. Supported by a dedicated cohort of funders through CNJG, the office is non-partisan and based in the Mayor’s Office in Newark City Hall. The Liaison represents one of the nation's first formal partnerships between a city and the philanthropic community, and has become a national model for public-private alliances. At its core, the role has three main functions:

  • Connect – Align citywide initiatives and bring together cross-sector partners for collective action.
  • Convene – Foster strong partnerships with regional and national philanthropic leaders and support Newark and New Jersey funder collaboration through funder affinity groups.
  • Leverage – Identify and maximize public and private resources for City priorities.


As Newark is at a pivotal time in its growth and development, the Office of Newark Philanthropic Liaison is focused on a number of big issues including equitable economic development in our neighborhoods, educational equity, employment, serving the needs of our immigrant and other vulnerable communities, housing for the homeless, and expanding broadband and health services. Now more than ever, we need collaboration and partnerships. These issues are too big for any one person or entity to solve alone.

The Newark Philanthropic Liaison project is supported by Bank of America, the Burke Foundation, the Community Foundation of New Jersey, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Maher Charitable Foundation, the MCJ Amelior Foundation, The Prudential Foundation, Schumann Fund for New Jersey, Turrell Fund, and the Victoria Foundation. While the Nicholson Foundation sunset in late 2021, we acknowledge and thank the foundation for its long-term support of the initiative.

We also acknowledge the City of Newark for its commitment to collaborating with the position and elevating the voice of philanthropy. A special thank you to the Community Foundation of New Jersey, which facilitates and manages grant funds for many of our partnerships.

 

Liaison News

2024 Newark Philanthropic Liaison Report to the Field
Release Date:
April 15, 2025

Our Report to the Field for 2024 showcases an array of examples of public private partnerships launched in Newark with the collaboration of multiple partners. The Liaison led efforts to secure new funds for innovative solutions to homelessness, new approaches to economic security, increased access to programs for residents, and enhanced equity and access in our educational system.
2023 Newark Philanthropic Liaison Report
Release Date:
April 3, 2024

We are pleased to share the Newark Philanthropic Liaison's latest Report to the Field. In 2023, we were proud of the multiple opportunities we had to spotlight the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers' leadership in starting and continuing this innovative model. Partners from across the country, from Philanthropy Serving Organizations (PSOs) to state and local governments, are considering the creation of a role similar to the Newark Liaison. Now more than ever, it is through partnerships that we will achieve our biggest collective goals in our sector.
2022 Newark Philanthropic Liaison Report
Release Date:
May 30, 2023

We are pleased to share the 2022 Newark Philanthropic Liaison Report to the Field. The role continues to demonstrate meaningful impact in Newark while serving as a model to other cities and states across the country interested in deepening the intentionality of public-private partnerships.
Newark Welcomes the National League of Cities and the Mayoral Network on Community Safety and Violence Prevention
Release Date:
April 13, 2023

From February 26-28, 2023, members of the NLC’s Mayoral Network on Community Safety and Violence Prevention, city representatives and resource guests were welcomed by Mayor Ras J. Baraka in Newark, New Jersey.
New Harriet Tubman Monument Opens in Newark with a Strong Public-Private Partnership
Release Date:
March 9, 2023

On March 9th, 2023, the City of Newark unveiled a Harriet Tubman monument in the newly re-named Harriet Tubman Square.
Launch of Guaranteed Income Pilots Dashboard
Release Date:
November 7, 2022

In September 2022, Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, Center for Guaranteed Income Research, and Stanford Basic Income Lab officially announced the launch of a dashboard that displays early data from guaranteed income pilots across the country.
Newark Philanthropic Liaison, Kevin Callaghan Featured on Ras in 60 Podcast
Release Date:
November 1, 2022

Newark Philanthropic Liaison, Kevin Callaghan is featured on Episode 3 of Season 3 of Ras in 60 podcast speaking to the successes of Newark’s guaranteed income pilot program called the Newark Movement for Economic Equity.
2021 Newark Philanthropic Liaison Report
Release Date:
April 13, 2022

We are pleased to share CNJG’s 2021 Newark Philanthropic Liaison Report to the Field. First established in 2007, the Liaison office represents one of the nation’s first formal partnerships between a city and the philanthropic community.
Newark Philanthropic Liaison Featured on Urban Institute Webinar
Release Date:
September 13, 2021

Kevin Callaghan, our Newark Philanthropic Liaison, was a guest panelist on the Urban Institute’s webinar on “Philanthropic Support for Direct Cash Assistance during the COVID-19 Crisis: What Have We Learned.”
Newark Guaranteed Income Program Launches
Release Date:
May 10, 2021

The Newark Movement for Economic Equity was launched Monday by Mayor Ray Baraka with help from the philanthropic community in and around Newark. CNJG's Newark Philanthropic Liaison Kevin Callaghan, part of the task force, was instrumental in garnering the support from philanthropy.
Newark Guaranteed Income Report Released
Release Date:
June 5, 2020

Newark is one step closer to its highly anticipated Guaranteed Income Pilot Program following the release of a report by the city, the Jain Family Institute and the Economic Security Project outlining findings and recommendations that would put more cash into residents’ hands.
CNJG and Newark Philanthropic Liaison Highlighted in Philantopic Blog
Release Date:
November 5, 2019

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Myung Lee, Executive Director of Cities of Service, author this blog post on the benefits of addressing urgent economic and social needs in your local community.
Coming Together to Support Newark’s Water Challenge
Release Date:
August 26, 2019

Kevin Callaghan, CNJG’s Newark Philanthropic Liaison, along with the city of Newark, have coordinated a philanthropic response to helping the residents of Newark with their water. This two-page overview offers suggestions for how philanthropy can assist with short-term and long-term needs. To help support the efforts, please contact Kevin.

To stay up-to-date on their efforts, visit the Newark Water Challenge area of our website.
How Not To Read ‘The Prize’
Release Date:
November 20, 2017

At the October Grantmakers for Education Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., the Newark Funders Education Committee presented a workshop called “How Not to Read the Prize” to a standing-room-only audience of national, regional, and local foundations.
Newark in the Spotlight: Summer Youth Employment Program Nod Emblematic of City’s Collaborative Spirit
Release Date:
April 12, 2017

When Mayor Ras Baraka took office in 2014, he immediately called for an expansion of the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program.

There is a growing body of evidence that youth employment programs are a positive intervention that ..
Newark's New Philanthropic Liaison Announced
Release Date:
August 17, 2016

The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers (CNJG) and the City of Newark are pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Callaghan as the Council’s new Philanthropic Liaison to the City of Newark.
Strengthening Philanthropy in Newark
Release Date:
June 24, 2016
We are pleased to share Strengthening Philanthropy in Newark Report to the Field 2015 from the Office of the Newark Philanthropic Liaison. This report highlights a number of public-private partnerships guided by Liaison Jeremy Johnson.
5 Ways That Newark Mayor Ras Baraka Has Engaged Philanthropy in New Jersey’s Largest City
Release Date:
September 21, 2015
When Ras J. Baraka won the mayoral election for New Jersey’s largest city last year, expectations were high. In the days leading up to, and following the election, the Council recognized an opportunity to work intensively with the incoming mayor. CNJG had previously established a nonpartisan, City Hall-based Newark Philanthropic Liaison office, in collaboration with then Mayor Cory Booker in 2007. Following the transition, Mayor Baraka and CNJG built exciting new bridges.
Newark Funders Collaborative Effort Featured
Release Date:
July 1, 2015

The Newark City of Learning Collaborative, which has been driven by several CNJG members and Newark Philanthropic Liaison Jeremy Johnson was recently featured in national publication.
Strengthening Philanthropy in Newark
Release Date:
January 8, 2015

We are pleased to share Strengthening Philanthropy in Newark Report to the Field 2013 – 2014 from the Office of the Newark Philanthropic Liaison. This report highlights a number of public-private partnerships guided by Liaison Jeremy Johnson.
Newark Mayor Meets with CNJG Membership
Release Date:
August 5, 2014
Newark’s 40th Mayor Ras J. Baraka (pictured, second from right) invited the Newark Funders Group to hear his vision for the city at special August meeting. Just 30 days into his term, the Mayor called on the Newark Philanthropic Liaison Jeremy Johnson (far left) to organize a convening with the Newark group, co-chaired by Etta Denk of Bank America (second from left) and Barbara Reisman of the Schumann Fund for New Jersey (third from left). Irene Cooper-Basch (far right), Chair of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and Executive Officer at the Victoria Foundation, introduced the Mayor to more than 50 grantmakers who attended the session at the PSEG headquarters in downtown Newark.
Newark Selected to Participate in Postsecondary Education Attainment Strategy
Release Date:
June 5, 2014

The Lumina Foundation has announced a second cohort of communities - including Newark, NJ - to participate in an initiative to increase the number of local residents who hold postsecondary credentials.
CNJG’s Newark Liaison Featured in National Magazine
Release Date:
January 12, 2014
In the December issue of Governing magazine, a national trade publication, a featured article “But what did Cory Booker actually accomplish in Newark?” cites the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and Jeremy Johnson, the Newark Philanthropic Liaison, in connection with the public-private partnership to establish the Newark Office of Reentry.
Newark Collaboratives Target Common Goals
Release Date:
July 9, 2011

The City of Newark and Newark Philanthropic Liaison are working closely with several consortia of nonprofits to address some of the City’s most critical challenges.
Observations on “Newark Symphony Hall Reimagined”
Release Date:
June 2, 2009
On a recent Saturday, the Jeremy Johnson, the Newark Philanthropic Liaison and over 150 arts lovers, historians, and community leaders gathered to reflect on the past, acknowledge the present, and imagine the future of the historic Newark Symphony Hall. The liaison shares his observations from the conference.
Improving Access to Fresh, Affordable Foods
Release Date:
December 2, 2008
Through the office of the Newark Philanthropic Liaison, CNJG recently had the opportunity to convene a group of funders with the Brick City Development Corporation (BCDC), a nonprofit that is working with the City of Newark to improve access to fresh, affordable foods for Newark residents.
$5 Million Prisoner Re-entry Initiative for New Jersey and Newark
Release Date:
September 9, 2008
Private donors including three CNJG members contributed $2 million in matching funds to a $5 million grant to support Newark residents returning to their homes and communities from prison over the next two years.
A Partnership for Newark's Children and Families
Release Date:
June 1, 2008

In 2001, the Schumann Fund for New Jersey and 10 private and corporate foundations agreed to collaborate on the multi-year Newark Lighthouse Initiative. The Initiative, led by two state nonprofit partners, the Association for Children of New Jersey and New Jersey Community Capital, had program and policy goals: to help three Newark-based early childhood programs move from good to exemplary, and to identify policy changes that would be necessary to enable other early-childhood programs to engage in similar efforts.
Funders Partner to Strengthen Newark Schools
Release Date:
May 6, 2008
A $19 million landmark award that will strengthen Newark public charter schools, comprises grants from seven funders including four national family foundations -- the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Doris & Donald Fisher Fund, Robertson Foundation, and The Walton Foundation -- and three New Jersey funders -- the MCJ and Amelior Foundations, Prudential Foundation, and Victoria Foundation.