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CNJG’s partner, the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits annual conference.
Don’t miss the premier conference for New Jersey nonprofits and allies, packed with the great insights, tools, and the super-charged networking you’ve come to expect. This full day event will also include plenary speakers, and morning and afternoon breakout sessions.
Full conference information is available on the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits website.
Membership in the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers offers foundation leaders and grantmakers the opportunity to deepen their experience with the organization by serving on a Board committee. Committee members lead, recommend, and develop policies that help shape our organization. The commitment level for each committee varies and includes an expectation that members will participate in regularly scheduled meetings either in person or via Zoom, and other planning calls as needed, as well as be willing to participate in independent projects as they arise. Members usually join those committees best suited to their professional strengths. Individual members of the CNJG staff team are assigned to each committee.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee advises the Board of Trustees in overseeing the selection and performance of the Council’s independent auditors, conducting periodic RFPs for auditor services, the quality and integrity of the Council’s financial reporting, its fiscal controls and tax and regulatory compliance, and compliance with legal and accepted standards. An audit or finance background/experience is desirable for some of the members of this Committee.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee advises the Board of Trustees with all financial policies and strategies, including but not limited to: consultation and review of the annual budget(s), reviewing and monitoring financial reporting, approving and monitoring investments, and developing and approving significant financial policies. A background in finance and financial operations is desirable for some of the members of this group.
Governance Committee
The Governance Committee acts as a nominating committee for vacant board seats and board officers, develops a board slate each year, recommends by-law changes, develops board membership criteria on an annual basis, recommends and develops best practices and expectations for trustees and the board chair, and undertakes any other board governance-related issues.
Member Engagement Committee
The Member Engagement Committee works with the staff to recruit, retain and engage members. Committee members assist in identifying new prospects, setting up and participating in introductory meetings, and keeping prospective members informed of upcoming CNJG programs. It also collaborates with staff members to develop the structure and strategy of membership recruitment and retention activities, as well as recommending changes and/or updates to criteria for membership in CNJG to the Board.
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee advises the Board and Council on public policy matters as appropriate, develops recommendations on specific legislation or proposed regulatory activity, implements the Council’s policy agenda, engages in government relations activities, and actively collaborates with partners to move forward the CNJG’s policy agenda and favorable legislation and regulations to support the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.
Racial Equity Committee
The Racial Equity Committee was first formed as a taskforce in 2020 as a reaction to systemic and structural racism embedded within the United States, and CNJG’s commitment to raising awareness and instigating change in New Jersey’s philanthropic community. In June 2023 the taskforce was designated a committee of the Board by the Board, and is committed to infusing racial equity throughout CNJG’s programming and structures. In 2024 and 2025, the committee will focus efforts on creating tools and resources to move forward the New Jersey Principles for Philanthropy, CNJG’s equity principles.
Signature Programs Committee
The Signature Programs Committee helps plan and recommend topics, speakers, etc. for CNJG's Signature events including the Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering, and Spring Colloquium or Spring Conference. When called upon, its members may assist with other (non-affinity group) meetings or events throughout the year.
At a recent Ocean & Monmouth Funders Roundtable, the group discussed all of the different databases and lists of nonprofits available to philanthropy to be able to research new and different nonprofits.
This tool for unstaffed foundations includes an accountability self-assessment and a legal checklist. It is divided into nine topic sections, each of which is divided into three levels, which can help foundations tailor the tool to meet their specific interests and needs. Also included are an Excel spreadsheet to help tabulate responses, an extensive accountability resource list, and a glossary of key words and concepts used in the tool.
Nonprofit Finance Fund's Annual Survey chronicles the challenges facing the nonprofit sector and calls out some of the targeted investments we can start to agree on as a society to salvage the investment we have collectively made in our social infrastructure. We believe that a coordinated intervention now will not only better prepare us for inevitable future economic crises; it can lead to a happier, healthier community for us all.
Nonprofits can and should play an active role during elections, particularly by educating and activating voters. However, with important local, state and federal elections coming up this fall, nonprofits should take the time to remind their staff about appropriate activity during a political campaign or at any other time. This overview developed by Donors Forum provides important tips and examples of activities that are permissible for nonprofits during an election cycle.
A collection of the President's letters to CNJG Members from the monthly newsletter.
- Call for CNJG Board Nominations (9/5/2025)
- Summer Reading List (8/7/2025)
- Summer Happenings (7/8/2025)
- Spring Conference News (6/4/2025)
- Spring Conference Update (5/8/2025)
- Spring Conference Registration Open (4/2/2025)
- March Updates (3/7/2025)
- Federal Policy Changes (2/7/2025)
- Happy New Year! (1/9/2025)
- Reflect on the Impact We've Made and the Exciting Possibilities Ahead (12/5/2024)
- As We Look to 2025 (11/8/2024)
- CNJG Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering (10/8/2024)
- Programs Update (9/5/2024)
- Summer Reads (8/7/2024)
- Update on CNJG Programs (7/8/2024)
- Upcoming Colloquium (6/5/2024)
- AI is Changing our World (5/10/2024)
- 2024 Spring Colloquium (4/5/2024)
- Foundations on the Hill 2024 (3/8/2024)
- Sad News (2/8/2024)
- Welcome to the New Year! (1/8/2024)
- Mad Dash to the End of the Year (12/8/2023)
- Collaboration (11/6/2023)
- CNJG Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering (10/5/2023)
- Welcome Back From the Summer (9/5/2023)
- 2023 New Jersey Philanthropy Benefits & Salary Summary Report (7/5/2023)
Public policy is a vital aspect of the work of many of New Jersey's grantmaking organizations and is an integral component of CNJG's programs and member services. CNJG's Policy Committee advise and assist CNJG in identifying issues for potential action.
In late 2023, CNJG’s Board of Trustees approved our first-ever Policy Agenda. The Policy Agenda aligns with CNJG’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, specifically Goal #3, Amplify Our Collective Voice. This agenda includes our approach to the work, followed by five policy priorities. Read or download the agenda.
Resource Websites
- United Philanthropy Forum Public Policy Focus
- Center for Non-Profits: Public Policy
- Council on Foundations’ Public-Philanthropic Partnership Initiative
- Council on Foundations’ Advocacy Resources
- Independent Sector: Policy and Advocacy
To learn more about what CNJG is doing to foster deeper relationships between New Jersey grantmakers and public and elected officials in Trenton and Washington, D.C., contact Theresa Jacks.
This advocacy and civic engagement toolkit is designed for community and public foundations that want to educate and encourage their grantees about getting involved in civic and policy activities to increase organizational capacity and impact. While its primary focus is on the grantmaking activity of these foundations, the toolkit also addresses rules and guidance for policy involvement by foundation officials acting on behalf of their foundations.
Over the previous 25+ years, CNJG has advocated for issues that affect both the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, including galvanizing the sector to participate in the 2020 Census, OMB Uniform Guidance, and a landmark effort looking at the systemic, long term fiscal challenges, facing all levels of government in New Jersey entitled Facing Our Future.
This advocacy and civic engagement toolkit is designed for private foundations that want to educate and encourage their grantees about getting involved in civic and policy activities to increase organizational capacity and impact. While its primary focus is on the grantmaking activity of foundations, the toolkit also addresses rules and guidance for policy involvement by foundation officials acting on behalf of their foundations.
This resource guide includes various virtual volunteer opportunities, additional resources, and best practices for corporate volunteer programs during the coronavirus pandemic.
This resource will be updated, as CNJG and corporate members collect new information and opportunities to share with colleagues.
CNJG hosts regular briefings where funders hear from government officials, disaster recovery and health experts, nonprofit leaders, funders, and other stakeholders dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The briefings provide an opportunity to share how colleagues are changing grantmaking practices for rapid response, learn about new policies and government actions, and connect with local leaders who work with people whose financial, physical, and mental health suffers due to COVID-19. Series I topics included food insecurity, mapping response funding, racial health disparities, federal and state policy, and updates from New Jersey response funds and Rapid Response Surveys, completed in partnership with the Center for Non-Profits in March, April, and July 2020.
Learn how you can register for events online, search the member directory for organizations and colleagues who have the same interests, and update your profile.
A Framework for Change
The Doing Good Better Steering Committee encourages funders to focus on and advocate for four (4) changes that can make an immediate difference in addressing power dynamics between nonprofits and funders and maximizing nonprofit impact. These goals are aligned with Trust Based Philanthropy, and are interdependent; when combined, they foster equity and a spirit of mutual trust between grantmakers and nonprofit partners. For more details about a specific goal, click on its individual goal link below.
• Goal 1: Center Equity
• Goal 2: Provide Flexible Funding
• Goal 3: Provide Reliable Funding
• Goal 4: Reduce Paperwork Burden
Self-Assessment/Reflection Tool for Funders
Philanthropy and Nonprofits for Greater Impact: The “Doing Good Better” Blueprint Video
- 6 Practices of Trust-Based Philanthropy
- Trust-Based Philanthropy Resources
- Grantmakers for Effective Organizations: Systems Grantmaking Resource Guide
- Solving the World’s Biggest Problems: Better Philanthropy Through Systems Change
- Trust-Based Philanthropy News
- The Holy Grail of Funding: Why and how foundations give unrestricted funding
- The Casey Foundation’s Journey to Equitable Grant-making
- Community-Centric Fundraising
- Vu Le, Nonprofitaf.com
- To Support Shifts in Philanthropic Practices, Foundations Must Reimagine Their Internal Structures and Processes
Doing Good Better, a partnership of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits, is a community of funders and nonprofits taking action against the power imbalances and racial inequities in philanthropy, nonprofits, and government.
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.
This weekly conference call series welcomed New Jersey-based grantmakers along with national funders and provided an opportunity for grantmakers to hear from a wide range of experts in the field of disaster philanthropy. This series started on November 5, 2012, one week after Sandy struck New Jersey, and continued through March 25, 2013. The written summaries of each recording are listed below.