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Collaboration. Partnership. Alliance. Joint effort. Collective.
Whatever we call it - every one of us has been involved in a collaboration of some kind at some point in our lives. At the same time, both simple and complex, the definition of collaboration – the act of working together with other people or organizations to create or achieve something – means we collaborate nearly every day. To be human is to collaborate.
We’ll explore the constructs of more complex collaborations at the CNJG 2023 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering on December 14. Following the pre-meeting workshop, Tools for Funder Collaboration, the business meeting to elect new trustees, and the networking luncheon, the fireside chat, Sustainable, Effective, and Equitable Collaboration – A Conversation that Centers Community, will feature Nidhi Sahni, Partner and Head of US Advisory Group, Bridgespan, and Lucy Vandenberg, Executive Director, the Schumann Fund for New Jersey, to explore what makes a successful collaboration, and how collaboration strengthens the impact of funding initiatives across sectors.
The Annual Meeting is the place where the seeds of collaboration are often first sown. Consider the collaborations you’re involved with now or have engaged in previously – where did those ideas first take shape – possibly in a conversation with another funder that, like you, wanted to have impact on a particular issue, solve an entrenched problem, or explore an untried solution.
Council members collaborate in a number of ways with other funders and nonprofit organizations. As a prelude to the Annual Meeting, on November 16, we’ll learn about the Morris County Funders Group and their Mental Health First Aid collaborative partnership. This first initiative of the funders group aims to address the growing mental health crisis in young people and adults.
Over 25 years ago, CNJG began its life as a collaboration – New Jersey foundations gathered together to form a collective to learn together, build relationships, and share resources. We have several resources to inform your collaborative journey as part of the Annual Meeting resource tab.
One of our core activities has always been to share resources. As we witness the conflict and heartbreaking devastation and sadness in Israel and Gaza following the October 7 attacks, some key resources to inform your work are available through the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, the go-to resource for disaster-related giving, and the Council on Foundations. You can connect quickly with your CNJG colleagues to share additional resources via our 25 listserves, including the Disaster Response Funders listserve. Contact Director of Member Services Craig Weinrich to join listserves that interest you.
Another joint effort highlighting what happens when funders come together, this time to share their own data, is the 2023 New Jersey Philanthropy Benefits & Salary Summary Report. Thank you to CNJG members that completed the surveys to inform this report.
As part of your registration for the Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering, you’re asked if you have or are participating in a collaboration. I think it’s safe to say the answer is “YES!” for everyone. Maybe the question we should ask as we speed toward 2024, is where are the additional opportunities for collaborations? How can I build on past or current collaborations? Who else should I invite in?
I’m looking forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering to further explore these ideas and questions.
Thank you to our Annual Meeting sponsors, Prudential, Victoria Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Devils Youth Foundation, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the Princeton Area Community Foundation. There’s still time – I hope you will consider sponsorship for this special event – our annual “meeting of members.”
In Partnership,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
Thank you to all that attended CNJG’s 2023 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering - Philanthropic Collaboratives: Driving Impact and Opportunity on December 14.
Both our fireside chat speakers, Nidhi Sahni, Bridgespan, and Lucy Vandenberg, Schumann Fund for New Jersey, and pre-meeting workshop facilitators John Harper, Chirlie Felix, and Waheera Mardah from FSG, helped us to gain a better understanding of the nuance and benefits of collaboration. Please check out the program book, and you’ll find additional information on the Annual Meeting Resources page.
We elected two new Board trustees for their first 3-year term: Jasmyne Beckford, Prudential Foundation, and Paul DiLorenzo, Salem Health and Wellness Foundation, as well as re-electing several trustees for another term. We also said goodbye to 3 trustees rotating off, including 2023 Board Chair, Jeff Vega. Thank you, Jeff, for your leadership and commitment to CNJG. Following the annual meeting of members, the Board elected their officers for 2024: Craig Drinkard, Chair, (Victoria Foundation), Christine Healey, 1st Vice Chair, (The Healey Education Foundation), Justin Kiczek, 2nd Vice Chair, (F. M. Kirby Foundation), Maisha Simmons, Secretary, (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), and Catherine Wilson, Treasurer, (United Way Greater Newark). Congratulations!
Approved by the Board in October, we were thrilled to introduce CNJG’s first-ever policy agenda to the membership (see pages 9 – 11 of the program book). Among the policy agenda’s priorities are advancing racial equity and justice, a well-resourced nonprofit sector, civic engagement, and a healthy democracy.
Also adopted at the October Board meeting, we shared the New Jersey Principles for Philanthropy, our equity principles, with the membership (see pages 12 – 15 of the program book). CNJG’s last revision of Guiding Beliefs and Principles was in 2007. These revised Principles use a developmental framework and understand that each organization has its own starting point. Next year we’ll create tools and resources to help members on their own equity journeys.
Both of these important items are included as part of our 2023 – 2025 Strategic Plan, unveiled to the membership at last year’s Annual Meeting. CNJG envisions a healthy, thriving, and civically engaged NJ where people of all places, racial identities, socio-economic backgrounds, abilities, and identity expressions are valued for their gifts and talents, and we all can reach our full potential and participate generously in the common good. Our mission supports and elevates New Jersey’s philanthropic community through shared learning, collaborative and trusting relationships, network building, and leadership.
We also highlighted the importance of committee participation to drive CNJG’s work. Committees focus on a specific function or assignment. Our committees include: Audit, Finance, Governance, Member Engagement, Policy, Racial Equity, Signature Programs, and Strategic Plan Implementation. Thank you to everyone that submitted a committee interest card. If you are interested in serving on a committee, please email me. This is an exciting time to be involved in committee work.
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers thanks our Annual Meeting sponsors for their generous support: Signature Sponsor – Prudential; Collaborating Sponsor – Victoria Foundation; Contributing Sponsors – Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Devils Youth Foundation; and Supporting Sponsors – Grunin Foundation, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Princeton Area Community Foundation, and WSFS Bank. Thank you also to NJM Insurance Group for an additional donation to support the event.
The CNJG offices will be closed from December 25, 2023 to January 1, 2024.
2023 was a terrific year – thank you to the Council membership for making it so. Our membership is truly an exceptional group of leaders that care deeply about the communities they serve, and their nonprofit partners. On behalf of the entire CNJG team, we wish you happy holidays and a joyful new year! We look forward to seeing you in 2024!
With Gratitude,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
CNJG is tracking philanthropy’s response to the coronavirus pandemic by elevating our “Get on the Map” Campaign partnership with Candid (formerly Foundation Center). Candid recently launched their new coronavirus map, as a part of their coronavirus webpage. Now, we need your help to share funding efforts related to the coronavirus pandemic, so your COVID-19 grants can get on this new map. The more data that they can gather to complete the map, the more useful this resource will be for your organization.
Learn how you can share your data with Candid in this webinar as Kati Neiheisel, EReporting Liaison will walk us through the why and how of sharing data, and how sharing grants data informs the sector, locally, regionally, and globally. It is critical to be transparent and share this information with philanthropy in the coming weeks and months. Tracking this data will help coordinate and inform all of NJ Grantmakers' efforts for COVID-19 response and relief.
After this demonstration, we will hear from Linda Czipo, President and CEO at the Center for Non-Profits for an update on the results of the 2nd Rapid Response Coronavirus Nonprofit Survey conducted from April 3 to April 7. Linda will share information on nonprofits most urgent needs to better inform your grantmaking during this crisis. For results from the first survey, visit here.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members and NonMember Grantmakers
This program is only open to Grantmakers.
Webinar Video
I can’t believe October began last weekend. I honestly don’t know where the time goes. Before you know it, the new year will be here.
Before that, I’m looking forward to our annual gathering of members – the CNJG 2023 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering.
On Thursday, December 14, over 150 Council members and special guests will gather at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Edison to celebrate the holiday season, welcome new CNJG members, convene a brief business meeting to elect new trustees, feature a dynamic discussion related to the vital work of philanthropy, and provide an excellent opportunity to connect with your colleagues and friends – both old and new.
This year’s overall theme is Philanthropic Collaboratives: Driving Impact and Opportunity.
Together we’ll explore the collaborative process, surface opportunities and challenges, and uncover how to create sustainable partnerships for lasting impact. We’re thrilled to have FSG lead the morning workshop, Tools for Funder Collaboration. The morning workshop will share real life examples of how funders have actively engaged in collaborative efforts, used data for continuous learning, and ensured momentum and buy-in among partners.
Thank you to the Signature Programs Committee, led by co-chairs Christine Healey, President of the Healey Education Foundation, and Atiya Weiss, Executive Director of the Burke Foundation, for their commitment to bring this important topic to CNJG members. The 2023 - 2025 Strategic Plan uplifts collaborations as a way to create more value for member-organizations and the social sector, and catalyze other partnerships in support of all our communities.
The Annual Meeting is the one time per year when many CNJG members come together in one place, at one time, to convene, connect, and celebrate together. And as the “annual meeting of members,” I invite you to consider sponsorship of the event. Even if you’ve never sponsored this gathering before, this is an excellent opportunity to support our work, while also increasing visibility for your own organization and philanthropic efforts. We have a number of outstanding sponsorship opportunities for this event - all outlined here.
We hope you’ll consider supporting the Annual Meeting this year with a sponsorship.
Please call me at (609) 414-7110 extension 805, or email me if you need more information or require an online application to secure your sponsorship. We can also customize a sponsorship package for you.
Thank you to our sponsors to date – we could not do this without you: Signature Sponsor – Prudential, and Contributing Sponsors - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Devils Youth Foundation.
We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at the CNJG Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering. In the meantime, happy fall.
With all good wishes,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
Welcome to the new year! It was wonderful seeing so many members at the 2023 Annual Meeting & Holiday Luncheon on December 14. Both our luncheon plenary and workshop helped us explore how and why funders can collaborate and increase their impact. You can find resources from the event, including workshop slides, on the resource tab of the Annual Meeting page. You must be logged in to access resources. (Forgot your password – click here.)
As part of the meeting, we elected two new board members for their first 3-year term, as well as re-electing board members for a second term. Welcome and congratulations to new board members Jasmyne Beckford, Prudential Foundation, and Paul DiLorenzo, Salem Health and Wellness Foundation. And we said good-bye to René Deida, Prudential Foundation, and Atiya Weiss, Burke Foundation. We’re grateful for your service. Jeff Vega, Princeton Area Community Foundation, also rotated off the board. Jeff served as board chair during the pandemic, strategic planning, and leadership transitions. Thank you, Jeff, for your wisdom and guidance. We appreciate you!
Following the annual meeting of members, the board elected their officers for 2024: Craig Drinkard, Chair (Victoria Foundation), Christine Healey, 1st Vice Chair, (The Healey Education Foundation), Justin Kiczek, 2nd Vice Chair, (The F. M. Kirby Foundation), Maisha Simmons, Secretary, (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), and Catherine Wilson, Treasurer, (United Way Greater Newark). Congratulations!
Thank you to everyone that expressed interest in serving on a committee by completing the form at the Annual Meeting. January’s organizational tasks include working with the new CNJG board chair to review committee membership and invite participation. Stay tuned. Click here to read a full wrap-up of the 2023 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering.
Looking towards our programming year, beginning in February, we’re pleased to introduce First Fridays for Philanthropy – a virtual meet up for members to connect and share, network, ask questions, and learn from one another. Please reach out to Director of Member Services, Craig Weinrich, for more information.
We’re also excited to offer the 3-part series Impact Investing Bootcamp: Fundamentals for Driving Sustainable Philanthropy in New Jersey. The series will take place from March to May 2024. Impact investing can generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. There is no cost for CNJG members, however space is limited with no more than 2 attendees per organization, and registrants are strongly encouraged to attend all three sessions. To learn more, please reach out to Manager of Programs and Learning, Chanika Svetvilas. Thank you to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Victoria Foundation for supporting this series.
Foundations on the Hill is just around the corner, and will take place in Washington, D.C. from February 25 - 28. FOTH is an annual opportunity for foundation leaders to meet with their representatives, talk about issues of interest to philanthropy, and strengthen relationships. Space is limited. If are interested in attending or would like to learn more, please contact me.
I want to end with gratitude to and for the CNJG Board of Trustees, our committee chairs and members, affinity group chairs, our partners, and you – our members. You are truly our champions. And thank you to our Annual Meeting sponsors for their generous support, Prudential, Victoria Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Devils Youth Foundation, Grunin Foundation, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Princeton Area Community Foundation, and WSFS Bank.
Happy New Year!
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
We’re thrilled to announce the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers’ 2024 Spring Colloquium – a timely conversation exploring the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data in the social sector.
Empowering the Future: Harnessing AI and Data for Philanthropic Social Impact will take place on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center opening at 9:30 AM with networking and check-in, Resource Marketplace, and continental breakfast.
The main event begins at 10:30 AM and will feature a distinguished panel discussion moderated by Jean Westrick, Executive Director of the Technology Association of Grantmakers, (TAG). Our esteemed panelists will delve into critical topics such as:
- Optimizing Problem-Solving: How can AI enhance our ability to address social issues without sacrificing human connection?
- Equity in Action: How can we ensure AI is used ethically and fairly to promote a more equitable society?
- Funding for the Future: How are foundations leveraging AI for strategic grantmaking initiatives?
- Gen Z and AI: What role will AI play in shaping the future generations of philanthropic leaders?
Following lunch and conversation, we’ll have 2 afternoon sessions focused on the practical side of AI usage for foundations and nonprofits. The Spring Colloquium is your chance to gain valuable insights from leading experts, network with fellow New Jersey grantmakers and nonprofit leaders, and discover innovative strategies for using AI to maximize your own social impact.
Registration is now open! We’re opening registration exclusively to CNJG members until Friday, April 26, so please secure your spot for this essential event by registering today.
As this is such an important topic for our sector, I invite you to consider sponsorship of the event. Sponsorship is an excellent opportunity to support our work, while also increasing visibility for your own organization and philanthropic efforts. We have a number of outstanding sponsorship opportunities for this event. Please reach out to me if you need more information or require an online application to secure your sponsorship. We can also customize a sponsorship package for you. Thank you to our sponsors to date: Connector Sponsors - Campbell Soup Company, Sixers Youth Foundation and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
In the coming weeks, we’ll share more details about the 2024 Spring Colloquium, including the full panel line-up. Stay tuned for further updates in the newsletter and on our website.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
I can't believe October is already here! We are deep in planning for the CNJG 2024 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering, and I'm thrilled to invite you to be a part of this special event!
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 11, as we come together at the APA Hotel Woodbridge with over 150 Council members and special guests to celebrate the holiday season, welcome new members, and host a brief business meeting to elect trustees. It's also the perfect time to connect with colleagues and friends, old and new, while participating in a thought-provoking discussion about the ever-important topic of leadership in philanthropy.
This event is the one time each year where New Jersey’s philanthropic community comes together to connect, network, learn, and celebrate our collective work. It's a time to reflect on our impact, recharge with new ideas, and plan for the year ahead. Guided by the CNJG Signature Program Committee’s vision for this event, our focus this year is on leadership: Inspiring Change through Leadership: Maximizing Philanthropic Impact. Our morning workshop will explore the New Jersey Principles for Philanthropy – our equity principles emboldening leadership in action, followed by our keynote presentation featuring Amalia Brindis Delgado, Chief Strategy Officer, Panta Rhea Foundation, focused on transformative leadership transitions. It's a topic that feels more important than ever, and I can't wait for the conversations it will inspire.
The Annual Meeting is truly a highlight of the year. In addition to your participation, I invite you to consider supporting the Annual Meeting of Members through a sponsorship, grant, or contribution. Whether you've sponsored before or are considering it for the first time, this is an incredible opportunity to show your support for CNJG, while also raising visibility for your organization. We offer a variety of sponsorship options to fit any level of interest, and we're happy to tailor a package to meet your needs. Your support would help underwrite this vital event, ensuring it continues to serve as a place where our sector can grow stronger together. It's a valuable opportunity not only to give back to CNJG, but to highlight your commitment to the philanthropic community and its ongoing work in New Jersey.
If you'd like more information regarding sponsorship, please reach out to me via e-mail.
A big thank you to our sponsors to date - we couldn't do this without you! Special thanks to Signature Sponsor – Prudential; Contributing Sponsors – Devils Youth Foundation and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Supporting Sponsor – Grunin Foundation; and Colleague Sponsor – Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Thank you for your continued engagement with CNJG. I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon and can't wait to see you at the CNJG Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering in December. Until then, enjoy the beauty of fall!
Warmly,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
We’re looking forward to seeing you at the CNJG’s 2025 Conference for the Social Sector — Stronger Together: Philanthropy & Civic Engagement on June 18! If you haven’t registered yet, please take a moment and register today for this important event. I also encourage you to invite your trustees, nonprofit partners, and colleagues to register.
Our spring Signature Convening brings together New Jersey’s philanthropic and nonprofit leaders for a day of shared learning, exchange, and community building. We’re deeply proud of the topics we’ve showcased over the years, and this year is no exception. We tackled the 2020 Census in 2019, and why it counts for the people of our state and the well-being of our communities. We uplifted the future of work and the role of philanthropy in 2021, with visionary conversations about equitable labor practices and new ways of working. The 2023 conference widely introduced Doing Good Better — a systems change initiative in partnership with the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits to reimagine how philanthropy and nonprofit partners work together.
We’ll open the day with our Spark: Civic Pulse session featuring a range of dynamic New Jersey leaders driving civic engagement across our state. The morning breakout sessions will accentuate the future of civic engagement: innovation, inclusion, and collective action; while the afternoon sessions are aimed at mobilization with civic tools, voices, and pathways to change. Our keynote speaker, Dale Anglin, Director of Press Forward, will explore and reinforce how civic engagement and democracy starts at the local level, and builds thriving, informed, and engaged communities.
This year, we’re absolutely thrilled to highlight the important issue of civic engagement and what it looks like in practice throughout our communities and across multiple disciplines. We stand in extraordinary times, and these discussions are more crucial than ever. CNJG is well positioned to elevate and amplify these conversations for, and on behalf of, New Jersey’s social sector.
I hope you’re intrigued and excited by the topic as well, and I invite you to join us as a sponsor for this very special convening of sector leaders. We have four categories of sponsorship available:
- Champion Sponsor - $8,000 – 2 available
- Collaborator Sponsor - $6,000 – 3 Available
- Connector Sponsor - $5,000 - 3 Available
- Colleague Sponsor - $3,000 – 2 available
Click here for the full sponsorship package.
Please feel free to reach out to me or my colleague, Development Associate Fortunata Cuomo via e-mail if you have questions or want to learn more about how you can support this exceptional gathering. We can also customize a sponsorship package for you, and if you’re not able to sponsor, we hope you can underwrite the event with a contribution.
Thank you to our sponsors to date: PSEG, Sixers Youth Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Kearny Bank, the Stone Foundation for New Jersey, PKF O’Connor Davies, and The Palace at Somerset Park. Thank you also to NJM Insurance Group for a donation in support of the event.
Your support makes all the difference.
Warmly,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
You don’t need to be a technologist to understand that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing our world, including philanthropy and the nonprofit sector.
As you attend next month’s CNJG 2024 Spring Colloquium – A Conversation for the Social Sector on June 18, consider what philanthropy does best as the conversation unfolds. Philanthropy takes risks. Philanthropy tests new ideas and concepts, that can then be scaled. Philanthropy drives experimentation. Philanthropy convenes thought leaders, practitioners, and community voices, to engage in full and deliberate conversations.
We’re excited to welcome Jean Westrick, Executive Director of the Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG), to moderate the morning panel session. TAG and Project Evident recently released their Responsible AI Adoption in Philanthropy framework to help grantmakers adopt AI in a manner that aligns with their mission. Jean will help us dig deeper into the framework during an afternoon session. Not only does the framework provide practical guidance, it is a clarion call for philanthropy to play a crucial role in advancing the responsible use of AI for nonprofit enablement.
Understanding this seminal role, last year, ten major foundations announced a $200 million investment to ensure AI advances the public interest. The investment is centered around five areas of need including: ensuring AI advancements protect democracy and the rights and freedoms of all people, empowering workers to “thrive amid AI-driven changes,” and supporting the development of AI international norms and rules.
Colloquium panelist Don Chen, President and CEO of the Surdna Foundation, recently spoke at the Partnership for AI’s 2024 Philanthropy Forum. There he discussed the importance of working with partners to make investments in responsible infrastructure. He expanded on these ideas, encouraging ongoing AI conversations to be reparative and healing, especially for racial equity and justice.
Governor Murphy created the New Jersey State Office of Innovation in 2018 to "improve the lives of New Jerseyans by solving public problems differently.” Colloquium panelist Dave Cole, Chief Innovation Officer, in a recent StateScoop Priorities Podcast, shared his commitment to solving problems for NJ residents using human-centered design and leveraging AI to improve services. The practical and pragmatic conversations about AI are central to philanthropy’s role in harnessing technology for good.
Our third panelist, Rachel Kimber, joined fellow social sector leaders in calling for philanthropy to move forward with “responsible AI development and adoption.” Published by the Center for Effective Philanthropy, the blog Responsible AI: How Philanthropy Can (and Should) Support the Movement outlines four critical concepts for philanthropy: drive sector-level vision, fund the back-end, develop guidelines, and invest in equitable innovations.
I encourage you to review the resources we’re gathering on the Colloquium web area to further inform your thinking.
While AI and analytical technologies are revolutionary tools reshaping industries, as Vilas Dhar, Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, said in an interview with the Chronicle of Philanthropyrecently, “These conversations are very rarely actually about technology.” In the article, How A.I. Could Solve Humanity’s Biggest Problems — If Philanthropy Catches Up, Dhar implores philanthropy to look closely at how AI is changing our world and challenges us to examine how philanthropy must change. Indeed, philanthropy has several roles to play, including fueling the big picture and visionary conversations, and helping to drill down on the more practical applications of AI for grantmakers and nonprofits in support of a just and equitable world.
Join us at the CNJG 2024 Spring Colloquium: A Conversation for the Social Sector - Empowering the Future: Harnessing AI and Data for Philanthropic Social Impact on Tuesday, June 18, to engage in these big, bold, and transformative conversations.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
The Colloquium heard from an extraordinary line-up of morning and afternoon speakers, including Dave Cole, NJ Chief Innovation Officer. Clearly, the government is – and must be - on the front lines to ensure that AI ethically and responsibly benefits society. Having Dave join the panel served yet another function - introducing NJ’s philanthropic sector to the NJ Office of Innovation. One of CNJG’s important roles is connecting members with potential partners in government.
And while we’ve been deep in planning for the Colloquium, that’s not all we’ve been focused on. Over the past few months, CNJG has been at the forefront of fostering crucial dialogues between the philanthropic sector and state government, exploring philanthropy's role in civic engagement and democracy, and organizing a new convening for NJ’s nonprofit and philanthropic sector to engage in public policy collectively.
In partnership with the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits, we hosted two informational sessions for the Office of Legislative Services. In April, Center president and CEO Linda Czipo and I presented “Understanding NJ’s Nonprofit and Philanthropic Community: Role, Impact, Myths and Facts” to OLS staffers. Educating government officials and staffers about the social sector provides a grounding for future collaboration and potential partnerships. Additionally, because OLS is charged with drafting bills and conducting analysis on the impact of legislation, it is particularly important to have a good understanding of the charitable sector’s role in nurturing thriving communities. We hosted a second session in May focused on “Nonprofit Startup and Compliance Issues: A Legal Review.” Attendees came away with a working knowledge of the 501c3 family, state, and federal reporting requirements, tax rules, and an overview of the Center’s efforts to convene expert practitioners to recommend updates to the NJ Nonprofit Corporation Act in line with the modernization already done on the NJ Business Corporation Act. Attendees received continuing legal education units for session 2. Special thanks to William Engel, CNJG Policy Committee co-chair and president of the Union Foundation, and Frances A. McElhill, Archer & Greiner, long-time champion for the nonprofit sector, for joining Linda and me to present this session.
In June, we brought back one of our signature programs - Conversations with the Cabinet. Nearly 25 funders met with Commissioner Jacquelyn Suárez, NJ Department of Community Affairs, at their Trenton office to discuss current priority areas and possible opportunities for NJ’s philanthropic community to partner with state government on areas of mutual concern. We’re grateful to Commissioner Suarez and Assistant Commissioner/Director of Housing and Community Resources Janel Winter for their comprehensive presentation. As part of our discussion, we asked our friends at DCA to share examples of how philanthropy might leverage funding. One of the examples that Assistant Commissioner Winter shared was considering philanthropic investment in approved projects through the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program, which, while highly rated, does not receive funding due to a lack of corporate investment. If you could not attend the meeting and would like to learn more about these approved projects and other DCA programs, please get in touch with DCA Special Policy Advisor Renee Koubiadis. I’m also happy to provide an e-introduction to Renee.
On June 24, I was pleased to join several CNJG members at a funders’ briefing hosted by the Community Foundation of New Jersey and the NJ Civic Information Consortium. The Consortium provides grants to “foster increased civic engagement to organizations building and supporting local news and information in communities” in our state. During the briefing, we were introduced to Press Forward, a national movement led by inaugural director Dale Anglin to “strengthen our democracy by revitalizing local news and information.” Dale has deep roots in NJ, having served as Associate Director of Programs at the Victoria Foundation and co-chair of the Newark Funders Education Affinity Group for many years.
Looking ahead, don’t miss our first-ever Summer Joint Policy Forum – Nonprofit and Philanthropic Champions for New Jersey, on August 13, hosted by CNJG and the Center. The nonprofit and philanthropic communities are important contributors to well-informed policies for all residents of our state. This inaugural policy forum convening of nonprofit and philanthropic leaders and allies will discuss current and emerging nonprofit and philanthropic policy issues, voter engagement, and ways we can all become more involved.
As we look ahead, it has never been more important that philanthropy seeks out opportunities to partner with government, promotes civic engagement, and contributes to a healthy democracy. Among CNJG’s six policy priorities outlined in our policy agenda, we support a healthy democracy, engaged communities, and a collaborative environment between nonprofits, government, and philanthropy to move forward with this work. The connections forged during these – and future – engagements will serve as a foundation for an even more significant impact.
Sincerely,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
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
A CNJG member queried our listserves on what online grants management system members use and would recommend for a small foundation. CNJG compiled these responses, and listed the different systems that members do use.
This case study of the Council of Michigan Foundations' Peer Action Learning Network (PALN) is one of six examined in a report from New York University's Wagner Research Center for Leadership in Action, commissioned by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations. The PALN case study, along with the other five, explores the power of learning communities to build connections and knowledge to increase organizations’ community impact. It explains ways grantmakers can strategically support these efforts as well as key elements for designing learning communities, executing for success and extending the learning.
CNJG's 2018 Annual Meeting & Holiday Luncheon pre-meeting workshop with Michelle Greanias from PEAK Grantmaking focused on how foundation CEO’s, program officers, staff, and trustees could engage internally to put values-based grantmaking into practice.
Walk the Talk Video
A CNJG member queried our listserves on policies regarding: 1) number of vacation days for new full-time employees; 2) paid time off (PTO); and 3) working remotely. CNJG compiled the answers from responding members.