Site Search
- resource provided by the Forum Network Knowledgebase.
Search Tip: Search with " " to find exact matches.
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.
A CNJG member received an application from a school district, and wanted to know if others granted funds to a school district, and what other funders learned from granting to a district.
Sample conflict of interest policies for Community Foundations.
To dig deeper into causes of, and responses to, structural racism within philanthropy in New Jersey, the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers established a Racial Equity Task Force made up of leaders at CNJG member organizations.
The task force’s mandate is to develop goals and objectives to create a roadmap for action to eliminate the structural racism that for too long has denied opportunity.
“This is a defining time in the history of our state and our nation,” said Maria Vizcarrondo, president and CEO of CNJG. “We are at a crossroads where we have to expose truth and take action for racial equity. Every institution and organization needs to look inward and discover whether it might be contributing to racism, even unknowingly. Our task force will be a forum for thought and a vehicle for action as we figure out how best to leave the middle ground and do the hard work to support systemic change. Philanthropy must invest resources towards advocacy to affect policy, and take that big leap away.”
Annette Strickland, executive director of the Schumann Fund for New Jersey and a CNJG Board member, will chair the task force. “The current health and racial crisis has brought into focus the impacts of structural racism on American society, she said. “Now is the time for us to explicitly examine the role that we as individuals and philanthropy as a professional practice contribute to those structures. To quote Martin Luther King, ‘Philanthropy is commendable, but it must not cause the philanthropist to overlook the circumstances of economic injustice which make philanthropy necessary.’”
Joining her on the task force are: Craig Drinkard, deputy director of the Victoria Foundation, CNJG Board member; Jeffrey Vega, president and CEO, Princeton Area Community Foundation and CNJG Board member; Jeremy Grunin, president, the Grunin Foundation and CNJG Board member; Kiki Jamieson, president, The Fund for New Jersey and former CNJG Board member; Melissa Litwin, program director, The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation, CNJG Board member; and Sharnita Johnson arts program director, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers is a nonprofit organization that exists to strengthen and promote effective philanthropy throughout the state. It supports independent, corporate, family and community foundations, as well as public grantmakers, in addressing society’s most difficult problems and providing leadership on statewide issues. About 2,300 grantmaking entities make up New Jersey’s philanthropic sector. They award more than $42 billion in grants annually.
###
When any type of disaster strikes, philanthropy comes to the aid to those affected. CNJG, along with our philanthropy-serving organizations across the country through the United Philanthropy Forum, offers local and regional information pertaining to the relief efforts. Here, we offer resources, information, and updates on what is happening in New Jersey for larger disasters that have affected the lives of New Jerseyians, specifically, the water challenge in Newark and Hurricane Sandy, as well as COVID-19.
Disaster Response Listserve
Specifically for funders wanting to share information, news related to their own initiatives and/or NJ’s recovery and rebuilding process. If you are a funder (either in NJ or out-of-state) and are interested in joining this listserve, please send a request to Craig Weinrich.
Playbook for Philanthropic Response When Disaster Hits
While there is no shortage of guides for philanthropies to reference when disaster strikes, there is no comprehensive repository of the innovative strategies and critical work funders have accomplished in response to disasters both nationwide and globally. A partnership with the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, in association with the United Philanthropy Forum, the Disaster Philanthropy Playbook website aims to bring together a meaningful compilation of early stage ideas, tested models and innovative strategies employed by funders throughout the world. Designed as a multimedia, interactive online magazine, the Playbook will be an “evergreen” resource designed for continued updates and knowledge-building. The Playbook addresses community planning, civic rebuilding, legal services, housing, vulnerable populations, working with local, state and federal government, mitigation and preparedness are some of the common issues faced by communities post disaster. Leadership support for the Playbook has been generously provided by The Rita Allen Foundation. Additional support for the Playbook has been provided by Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies Contribution Fund, and PSEG Foundation.
State and National Disaster Relief Organizations and Resources
Disaster relief information and resources for funders or individuals who want to support organizations responding to disasters.
Late last year, the Texas legislature passed a series of bills targeting migration at the Texas-Mexico border. This included Senate Bill 4 (SB4), which criminalizes anyone suspected of crossing the border without authorization to enter or re-enter into Texas. Since then, a series of legal decisions have created confusion and uncertainty. Similarly, Florida has passed legislation targeting community IDs and driver's licenses for immigrants and criminalizing the transportation of undocumented immigrants into the state.
As battleground border states, Florida and Texas have had an immense influence across the country, as other states have stood up similar anti-immigrant bills. Most recently the governor of Iowa signed SF2340, a bill which made it a state crime for immigrants with prior deportation orders from the U.S. to reside in the state. The Louisiana governor recently introduced SB 388, which, as in Florida, criminalizes undocumented immigrants entering or reentering the state. Meanwhile, Georgia has introduced legislation to punish local governments for having sanctuary city policies.
In an election year when immigration is the top issue in the minds of many voters, these policies exacerbate xenophobic, anti-immigrant, and racist sentiments that further dehumanize and criminalize immigrant and refugee communities while also expanding state powers to detain, deport, and terrorize undocumented individuals. To respond to this moment, organizations are leveraging different strategies–from litigation to organizing–to prevent the implementation of these policies and create a more welcoming country for all.
Join us for a panel conversation with frontline leaders, which will be followed by a funder-only discussion.
Speakers
Jennefer Canales-Pelaez, Texas Policy Attorney & Strategist, Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
Erica Johnson, Founding Executive Director, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ)
Dauday Sesay, Founder & Executive Director, Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI) & National Network Director, African Communities Together (ACT)
Moderator
Cairo Mendes, Senior Director of State and Local Programs, GCIR
As artificial intelligence (AI) and technological advances take on an increasingly prominent role in our society, BIPOC and immigrant communities face the threat of biases and outright hostilities being encoded and automated into surveillance, enforcement, and judicial tools. At the same time, creative leaders in the nonprofit sector are leveraging and building new technologies to better deliver culturally responsive services at scale to their communities. In this two-part series on the intersection of AI, technology and immigrant justice, GCIR invites funders to deepen their knowledge in the space as well as gain insights on how philanthropy can deploy investments that build the movement’s capacity to respond to emergent threats and opportunities.
Part 1: The Threat of AI and Technology to Immigrant Justice
As technological innovation accelerates, so too do its potential harms, particularly for immigrant communities. AI and tech tools are increasingly being weaponized in surveillance, enforcement, detention, and court system contexts. Troubling examples of this include DHS’s use of tools to automate decision making on credibility determinations, benefit eligibility, and whether or not individuals should be released from detention. AI and technology tools are also being used to spread mis- and disinformation, not only endangering immigrant communities, but also weakening our ability to function as a society with a shared set of information about the world. In this discussion, funders will learn from immigrant and civil liberties groups at the forefront of the movement to mitigate technologically-driven harms to historically targeted communities.
Speakers:
Tsion Gurmu, Legal Director, Black Alliance for Just Immigration
Rachel Levinson-Waldman, Managing Director, Liberty & National Security, Brennan Center for Justice
Paromita Shah, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Just Futures Law
Cinthya Rodriguez, National Organizer, Mijente
Registration is also open for for the second part of the series, "Tech for Good: Building Innovative Tools to Serve Immigrant Communities," taking place on Thursday, February 13th. Click here to register.
While the media tends to focus on high-interest stories of environmental advocacy and environmental justice in historically under-resourced urban communities, battles are being fought every day by citizens of rural and suburban municipalities to protect their community against environmentally inappropriate development, unsound resource management practices, and pollution of air and water.
Please join the Environmental Grantmakers Affinity Group at scenic Duke Gardens for a conversation with Eastern Environmental Law Center's Chris Miller and ANJEC's Jennifer Coffey on the ways that suburban and rural New Jersey municipalities and grassroots environmental groups are successfully addressing their community's environmental health.
Chris and Jennifer will present the legal and political tools that can be used by residents to advocate for environmental justice in their communities and share examples of recent successes across the state. There will be additional time after the presentation for questions and comments. A light breakfast will be served and attendees are encouraged to continue the conversation on their own over lunch in the Duke Gardens cafeteria and/or while exploring the scenic beauty of Duke Gardens in the Spring.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members and Nonprofits; $75 for Non Member Grantmakers
Chris Miller is the Executive Director of Eastern Environmental Law Center, a non-profit, public-interest environmental law firm which works on behalf of environmental advocacy, conservation and community groups to achieve environmental justice, implement clean-energy solutions and preserve the New Jersey’s open space, wildlife and natural resources for generations to come. Chris is a graduate of Vermont Law School where he earned a J.D. and a Master of Studies in Environmental Law. Prior to joining EELC, Chris was a partner at Maraziti Falcon, LLP, where he litigated environmental and land use cases on behalf of local governments throughout the State.
Jennifer Coffey is the Executive Director of ANJEC (Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions), a non-profit organization that helps New Jersey environmental commissions, individuals, and local and state agencies. They work with partners throughout New Jersey to preserve natural resources and promote healthy communities by engaging in equitable and inclusive practices through leadership, partnerships, education, advocacy for strong public policy and support of environmental commissions, public officials, and communities. In addition to her role at ANJEC, Jennifer serves as a member of the New Jersey State Water Supply Advisory Council and as an advisor to the New Jersey State Clean Water Council. She also serves as a member of the Hamilton Township (Mercer) Planning Board.
This guide was designed to help the state’s philanthropic community understand their ethical, legal, and fiduciary requirements and obligations.
A corporate member asked for what other corporations do regarding employee’s goal and objectives. Do they include volunteerism or volunteer activities as part of an employee’s review, or their annual goals?
New Jersey’s largest philanthropic association has named longtime social sector leader Maria Vizcarrondo as its president.
“Maria has been a trailblazer throughout her career,” said Council of New Jersey Grantmakers Board Chair William V. Engel. “We turn to her to help the state’s diverse and dedicated philanthropies to be even more effective in their quest to make this a better place.”
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers is a nonprofit organization of over 130 members representing the philanthropic community in the state. Members include family, private, community, independent and corporate foundations, and corporate giving programs.
The Council exists to strengthen and promote effective philanthropy throughout New Jersey. CNJG’s programs and resources increase the impact of organized philanthropy’s support for adequate health care, quality education, a cleaner environment, community development, historical preservation, disaster response and relief, research, recreation, culture, and other areas crucial to the fabric of New Jersey's communities.
“I am very excited about joining the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers as its CEO and working with dynamic individuals — many of whom I have known and respected throughout my nonprofit career,” Ms. Vizcarrondo said. “Most importantly, I look forward to forging partnerships that will advance the Council’s social impact as a sector leader in New Jersey communities, the region, and nation.”
Ms. Vizcarrondo, who spent most of her career in northern New Jersey, comes to the Council from Cabrini University in Philadelphia, where she most recently was Director of Community Development and External Relations. She was inaugural Executive Director of the school’s Nerney Leadership Institute, launched in 2013.
Ms. Vizcarrondo brings more than 25 years of experience transforming service organizations and has served her communities as both an appointed and elected official.
In 2006, when he was first elected Mayor of Newark Cory Booker tapped Ms. Vizcarrondo to head Newark’s Health and Human Service Department, the largest of its kind in New Jersey. One of her first actions in that role was to develop a Children’s Bill of Rights to benchmark improvements in the lives of children and families throughout the city. Her accomplishments included securing state funding to establish Family Success Centers to provide neighborhood- based services, and launching a major citywide campaign to raise the immunization rates of Newark’s children.
Prior to her mayoral appointment, Ms. Vizcarrondo served as the first woman president and CEO of United Way of Essex and West Hudson. Her pioneer work in re-engineering the organization’s mission into community building was documented in the United Way Transformation Diaries. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Ms. Vizcarrondo led the New Jersey United Ways in a statewide coordination of services for affected families and managed the distribution of corporate funding for these efforts.
She was elected Essex County Surrogate in 1993 and served four years of a five-year term before leaving to join United Way.
Ms. Vizcarrondo has been listed among the “100 Most Influential People in New Jersey” and was a founding member of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.
###
The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey is pleased to announce that it has awarded $3,515,084 in grants to eleven New Jersey nonprofit organizations in its fourth quarter of giving in 2024. The grants include two major gifts to area hospitals, including a $1,250,000 multi-year grant to Trinitas Regional Medical Center and a $1,000,000 multi-year grant to Overlook Medical Center.
The largest award of the quarter is a $1,250,000 commitment (to be paid over three years as a $750,000 grant and up to $500,000 in matching funds) to Trinitas Regional Medical Center to modernize its Cardiac Catheterization Lab. The renovation will include the purchase of two Philips Flex-Arm devices, which provide surgeons with greater clarity of vision while offering patients a reduced amount of radioactivity. Trinitas anticipates that the new equipment will remain in service for more than a decade and will lead to a 30% increase in cardiac catheterization patient volume.
The other large hospital gift announced this quarter is a three-year, $1,000,000 grant to Overlook Medical Center to create new mental health services for children and teens. This grant will fund the creation of an HFNJ Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Center, which will be part of a larger effort at Atlantic Health that will bring together intensive outpatient services, partial hospitalization services, and more. The Center will provide children with stabilizing mental health care for those who are in a mental health crisis, and referrals to appropriate levels of care.
The award to Overlook is one of two multi-year grants awarded this cycle. KinderSmile will receive $450,000 over three years to fund its oral health program. KinderSmile brings much-needed oral health services directly to Newark schools, including education, nutritional counseling, dental exams, cleanings, and treatments. Over the course of the three-year project, KinderSmile will pilot the application silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in the school setting to arrest the progression of decay and as a preventative for healthy teeth, and will monitor patients’ progress throughout the three year period.<
Other grants awarded this quarter address a wide spectrum of community needs. A $175,000 grant to Jewish Vocational Services will fund an employment training program for the health professions, helping individuals advance their careers while also filling gaps in the healthcare workforce. Imagine a Center for Coping With Loss will receive $100,000 to support a third year of a program aiming to change the culture of grief in Newark – moving from their work building up grief support services in Newark schools to partnerships with the Boys and Girls Club of Newark and After School All Stars to bring more support to the community. Integrity House will receive $85,000 to support the second year of its Creative Arts Initiative, which engages clients with substance use disorders in artistic practices such as drawing, writing, and storytelling to aide in their recovery journeys.