Summer Happenings
I hope you had a chance to pause and find moments of celebration and peace over the Fourth of July holiday with family and friends.
July 4 was also the day that President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill, a massive tax and spending package. The legislation includes a permanent universal charitable deduction ($1,000/$2,000) empowering all Americans to give, and removal of the foundation excise tax increase, protecting billions of dollars in investments for communities. Among its many devasting provisions, it cuts “$1 trillion from the federal Medicaid program, with over 360,000 in New Jersey potentially losing coverage. Almost $300 billion in cuts are also planned for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), impacting some 800,000 state residents enrolled in that program,” (New Jersey Spotlight). Ultimately these cuts will impact state budgets, including in our own state.
United Philanthropy Forum makes clear in their statement following the Senate passage, that cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other vital safety net programs will significantly harm communities and people that the social sector – philanthropy and nonprofits – work to empower and elevate. The letter goes on to state:
The irony is cruel: Congress has expanded incentives for charitable giving while simultaneously creating conditions that will dramatically increase the need for charitable services. Philanthropy cannot fill the massive gaps these cuts will create.
In the face of such challenges, the need for robust civic engagement has never been more urgent. Civic engagement is the bedrock of a healthy democracy – it's the process of empowering individuals to be active participants in building and strengthening our communities and ensuring all voices are heard. It encompasses everything from direct interactions with government to the vital work of voluntary associations. It is precisely in times like these that our collective participation, our shared insights, and our collaborative action become most critical.
It was with this understanding that we convened the CNJG 2025 Conference for the Social Sector — Stronger Together: Philanthropy & Civic Engagement on Wednesday, June 18th. The conference brought together more than 350 funders, nonprofit leaders, and changemakers for a discussion on how philanthropy and nonprofits can work together to address and increase civic engagement. We explored key areas like local news, participatory budgeting, guaranteed income, and public-private partnerships just to mention a few. The energy in the room was palpable, reflecting a shared commitment to finding solutions and building a more equitable
New Jersey.
Many attendees participated in the New Jersey Council for the Humanities’ Democracy Conversation Program, during the opening session and throughout the day, sharing their perspectives on democracy. To see what your colleagues were saying, click here and then scroll down to filters at the top of chart, and select the "CNJG" tag. Thank you to NJCH for capturing the social sector’s voices from our conference as part of this project.
To keep the momentum going and deepen our understanding and collective impact, we invite you to register for these upcoming programs:
Funder Briefing: New Jersey State Budget - FY 2026, Federal Threats & What Comes Next - Wednesday, July 16, 2025, | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM - This timely funder briefing will break down the state budget and the implications of federal policies on New Jersey's communities and the social sector.
2025 Summer Joint Policy Forum: Nonprofit and Philanthropic Champions for New Jersey - a partnership program of CNJG and the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits - Tuesday, August 5, 2025, | 8:00 AM - 2:30 PM | The Heldrich Hotel & Conference Center, New Brunswick, NJ - Join us for a powerful day of advocacy and collaboration, shaping the policy landscape for a stronger New Jersey.
Staying informed and working collaboratively is one way we can navigate these challenging times and continue to build a more just and thriving New Jersey.
Warmly,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers