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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.
They did so not to dispute the findings in Dale Russakoff’s book, “The Prize,” but rather to expound upon the progress and challenges that have occurred during the period since Mark Zuckerberg’s $100-million-dollar gift was announced in September 2010 and to paint a fuller, more nuanced picture.
The process of putting together the panel was a learning experience for all of us who participated. It helped us to clarify our own thinking about what the gift enabled Newark to accomplish, how we as local funders have come to work together more effectively, and how we might advise national foundations interested in place-based impact to engage with the community and with local funders.
In September 2010, Mark Zuckerberg announced a $100 million gift, to be matched dollar for dollar, to transform education in Newark in five years. The Foundation for Newark’s Future was created as a local foundation that would manage a then-undetermined portion of the gift.
The Prize, by Dale Russakoff, documents the first five few years of this reform effort. As Russakoff illustrates, there were strong personalities involved in the reform effort who had or have now moved to new positions. Also, this was the donor’s first foray into philanthropy and despite efforts at community engagement, many community leaders and activists felt that district and state leaders and national foundation representatives did not invite or respect authentic community participation in its decisions. The book and subsequent book tour largely focused on these themes.
The narrative in philanthropy is that “this bold effort largely failed.” With the benefit of time, we would write a different narrative: there were missteps along the way, and some philanthropic overreach, but Newark is moving forward, education outcomes are improving, and some of the work that was started because of this initiative has had sustained positive impact. Most importantly, there is a robust education dialogue in the city that has moved from vigorous disagreement to an agreement to collaborate even when we disagree. So, the hashtag for this work seven years on might be: #notfinishedyet or #needapart2.
Novartis benchmarked Employee Crisis Programs, and asked fellow corporate funders via the corporate funders listserve to answer the questions below.
- If you have an Employee Crisis Program, what is the name
- Do you manage the program internally or thru a 3rd party? If you use a 3rd party, can you share their name/website and any good/bad experiences.
- Do you only support disasters or other hardships as well?
- What is the average percentage of your employees that apply for aid?
- What is your minimum and maximum funding?
- What is the average amount of aid?
- Do you provide aid directly to the employee and/or vendors?
- Do you allow employees to donate to your fund? If so, how do you promote awareness and what is the employee donation participation rate? Do you match these donations?
- Where does the program reside (CSR, Foundation, HR)?
- Please share guidelines and applications, if possible.
- Please share any other insights.
Foundation leaders have a unique opportunity to serve as powerful champions of their missions. Partnering with your grantees can amplify your impact. The following guide is designed to help you start having an honest conversation in the boardroom; a conversation about your foundation’s goals, approach, and, most importantly, vision for the future.
The CNJG 2024 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering — Inspiring Change Through Leadership: Maximizing Philanthropic Impact on December 11, offered a powerful reflection on leadership, collaboration, and the collective role we play in advancing philanthropy across New Jersey.
We kicked off the day with the leadership in action workshop: New Jersey Principles for Philanthropy—a framework approved by the Board last year, 
that sets forth an aspiration for each of the principles: ethical leadership, stewardship, values, equity and justice, community engagement, public voice, continuous learning, and transparency and accountability. Following the opening panel, moderated by Catherine Wilson, United Way of Greater Newark, and featuring
Jasmyne Beckford, The Prudential Foundation, Sharif Braxton, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Jeremy Grunin, Grunin Foundation, and Sharnita Johnson, Victoria Foundation, small group table discussions further explored the principles and how Council members can infuse them in their organizations.
We elected two new trustees for their first 3-year term, Tammy Rice Herman,
New Jersey State Council on the Arts, and Aaron Turner, Community Foundation of New Jersey, as well as re-electing trustees for their second term, including
Kate Barrett, The Campbell’s Foundation, and Catherine 
Wilson. In his role as board chair, and to continue serving as chair in 2025, Craig Drinkard was elected for another 1-year term. Following the annual meeting of members, trustees elected officers for 2025: Justin Kiczek, 1st Vice Chair, F. M. Kirby Foundation,
Christine Healey, 2nd Vice Chair, The Healey Education Foundation, and Catherine Wilson, Treasurer. Congratulations! And we said good-bye to Paul Stierhoff as he rotated off the board. Thank you for your service!
Jeffrey Vega, trustee from 2016 to 2023 and chair from 2021 to 2023, was posthumously honored as CNJG’s first-ever emeritus trustee in recognition of his exceptional service and dedication to our organization. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment have left an indelible mark on the Council, strengthening our mission and the philanthropic community we serve. In celebration of his remarkable contributions, and in partnership with the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits, a commemorative tree will be planted in Princeton in the spring.
As part of his board chair’s report, Craig Drinkard shared powerful reflections on leadership and its essential role in achieving equity and building community. He encouraged funders to deeply reflect upon how we practice leadership, and shared a brief list for how leaders can show up:
- Listen and ask questions.
- Open your heart — ask often: is your heart full?
- Trust your staff, your partners, your grantees.
- Get out of the way.
Seamlessly aligning with the keynote presentation, Craig reflected on the importance of making room for new leaders at the helm - whether it’s committee or affinity group leadership in our CNJG community, funder collaboratives, coalitions, and partnerships, or in our own organizations.
Amalia Brindis Delgado’s keynote, Leadership for Thriving Communities, built on this important theme — emphasizing the importance of funders to actively support succession planning, the value of continued education for nonprofit leaders, and encouraging well-being as deliberate practice. Click here for additional resources from the Annual Meeting.
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers thanks our Annual Meeting sponsors for their generous support: Signature Sponsor – Prudential; Contributing Sponsors – The Campbell’s Company, Devils Youth Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Victoria Foundation; Supporting Sponsors – Grunin Foundation, LISC
New Jersey, Pincus Family Foundation, and WSFS Bank; and Colleague Sponsor – Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Thank you also to NJM Insurance Group for an additional donation to support the event.
The 2024 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering provided an outstanding close to anincredible year that 
offered Council members 110 programs and briefings, three signature events, the Impact Investing Bootcamp series, opportunities to meet with our congressional delegation and state officials, a growing partnership with the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits, and new monthly venues for members to connect and build relationships with First Fridays for Philanthropy and CEO to CEO Conversations.
The CNJG offices will be closed from December 25, 2024, to January 1, 2025, for the winter break.
Thank you for your continued partnership and leadership. Together, we are shaping a stronger, more equitable future for New Jersey. CNJG members are an exceptional group of leaders. You care deeply about the communities you serve and the nonprofit partners you support.
On behalf of the entire CNJG team, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a bright, prosperous new year. We look forward to continuing our work together and seeing you in 2025!
With Gratitude,
Theresa Jacks (she/her)
President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers