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Multi-year Grants
Affirmation: Multi-year funds provided both reliability and breathing room for nonprofits.
Making fundamental and long-lasting change comes with the promise of reliable investments. Longer grant terms create an environment where collaborative partnerships can flourish, and trust and transparency break down power dynamics. The result is that nonprofits have the “breathing room” and financial stability to focus activities where they are most needed.
Although many funders award grants to the same nonprofits year after year, they often require submission of annual applications that request information they already have and are complex and needlessly lengthy. These processes can heighten mutual distrust. From a practical standpoint, multi-year awards reduce paperwork for both funder and nonprofit and open communication channels promoting shared goals, mutual trust, and increased overall impact.
Activities
• For funders that historically award repeat annual grants to the same nonprofit partners, shift from an annual grant/proposal cycle to a long-term, multi-year commitment with an annual outcomes/progress report in lieu of a full application.
• Tailor grant terms to suit grantee timelines and needs (negotiated outcomes and milestones).
• If data collection is required solely to meet a funder’s compliance requirements, the funder should assume this responsibility or provide sufficient funding and/or capacity for the nonprofit to meet the requirement.
Short-term Outcomes
• The number of funders making multi-year grants increases by 50% over the previous years.
Long-term Outcomes
• More funders convert an annual application process for repeat grantee partners to a multi-year commitment with an annual outcomes report at the most, instead of full proposals each year.
• Funders assume responsibility for data collection or provide sufficient funding and/or capacity for the nonprofit to meet the requirement.
• Grant terms are suited to grantee timelines and needs (negotiated outcomes and milestones).
How to Begin Doing Good Better on Reliability
Learning opportunities
• What barriers keep funders from making long-term commitments to repeat grantee partners? Are any of these barriers legal?
• What are the minimum data requirements for funders to collect from repeat grantee partners?
Pre-Work
• Address the barriers to awarding multi-year grants through tested tools.
• Learn about how multi-year grants strengthen grantee partners and improve philanthropic, nonprofit, and community impact.
• Research mechanisms funders can use to meet legal compliance requirements while gaining trust in their grantee partners.
"Co-Creation" is a case study about the Connecticut Early Childhood Funder Collaborative, a project of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. The case study, written by Patricia Bowie, examines co-creation, an emerging systems change collaboration model which grew out of a funder-and-state partnership. This unique partnership led to the creation by executive order of a new and independent Office of Early Childhood, which was formally approved by the Connecticut State Legislature in 2013. The companion piece, "Taking on New Roles to Address 21st Century Problems," looks at co-creation from the perspective of a regional association of grantmakers.
The Connecticut Early Childhood Funder Collaborative comprises 14 funders from around the state who bring many years of experience in supporting and operating programs that serve the needs of children and families.
Impact Investing Bootcamp: Fundamentals for Driving Sustainable Philanthropy in New Jersey is a 3-part series introducing CNJG members to impact investing. The series will take place from March to May 2024.
The Council on Foundation defines impact investing as “any investment activity that intends to generate positive social and financial returns. Whether called impact investing, mission investing, social investing, social-impact investing, mission-related investing, program-related investing, or sustainable and responsible investing, the practice focuses on activating new financial resources to solve social and environmental problems.”
Impact investing as a tool can generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. By attending this series you will:
- Learn the fundamentals of how to create a more sustainable model of philanthropy through impact investing tools.
- Hear from experienced practitioners.
- Learn how to successfully integrate grantmaking and investment resources.
- Participate in interactive discussions with local peers.
- Hear examples of investments made in New Jersey and nationally.
- Attend a site visit to see impact investing in action.
- Receive a copy of the book “Impact Investing: The Practical Guide” by John Duong.
Session 1: In this full day workshop John Duong, founder and CEO of Kind Capital, will lead a dynamic and intensely focused full day of learning, knowledge-building, and exchange. The curriculum will include baseline information, the fundamentals of impact investment, methods and models, and opportunities for peer to peer and small group discussion and dialogue. A light breakfast and lunch is included.
COST: Free for CNJG Members
Registrants must attend all three sessions of the series.
Space Limited. No more than two people per organization can register.
Additional Session Information:
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm - Session 2: This session will feature a site visit to highlight a specific project and explore local case studies of NJ foundations implementing impact investment strategies. Grantmakers will have the opportunity to tour the project site, hear from nonprofit partners and participants, ask questions, and learn directly from those involved.
Thursday, May 16, Time TBD - Session 3: This virtual session will focus on setting the groundwork for New Jersey philanthropy to explore additional shared learning and co-investment opportunities. The discussion will be led by John Duong, Kind Capital.
Speaker:
Mr. Duong has been an investment banker at JP Morgan Chase, was founding Managing Director of Lumina Impact Ventures with Luminia, and was Program and Portfolio Officer with the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. John holds an executive MBA with a concentration in management and entrepreneurship from the Kellogg School of Management.
This CNJG program is sponsored by: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Victoria Foundation and presented by Kind Capital.
Resources
The Impact Principles website
Planet Tracker website - Reports for climate focused investors
Catalyzing Finance for Racial Equity
RPA Impact Investing Handbook
Impact Investing: A Primer for Family Foundaitons
What Can Foundations Do to Foster Community Investment?
The Role of Impact Capital in Advancing Racial Equity
Impact Capital for Racial Equity: Investing with Intention and Measuring Impact
Emerging Sources of Community Investment Capital and Strategies to Direct it at Scale
Mapping the Journey to Impact Investing
Roadmap for the Future of Impact Investing: Reshaping Financial Markets
Community Foundation Field Guide to Impact Investing
Essentials of Impact Investing
Endowments & Investing
Place-Based Impact Investing: Three Briefs for Practitioners
Impact Investing Bootcamp: Fundamentals for Driving Sustainable Philanthropy in New Jersey is a 3-part series introducing CNJG members to impact investing. The series will take place from March to May 2024.
The Council on Foundation defines impact investing as “any investment activity that intends to generate positive social and financial returns. Whether called impact investing, mission investing, social investing, social-impact investing, mission-related investing, program-related investing, or sustainable and responsible investing, the practice focuses on activating new financial resources to solve social and environmental problems.”
Impact investing as a tool can generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. By attending this series you will:
- Learn the fundamentals of how to create a more sustainable model of philanthropy through impact investing tools.
- Hear from experienced practitioners.
- Learn how to successfully integrate grantmaking and investment resources.
- Participate in interactive discussions with local peers.
- Hear examples of investments made in New Jersey and nationally.
- Attend a site visit to see impact investing in action.
- Receive a copy of the book “Impact Investing: The Practical Guide” by John Duong.
Session 3: This virtual session will focus on setting the groundwork for New Jersey philanthropy to explore additional shared learning and co-investment opportunities. The discussion will be led by John Duong, Kind Capital.
COST: Free for CNJG Members
Registrants must attend all three sessions of the series.
Space Limited. No more than two people per organization can register.
Additional Session Information:
Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm - Session 1: In this full day workshop John Duong, founder and CEO of Kind Capital, will lead a dynamic and intensely focused full day of learning, knowledge-building, and exchange. The curriculum will include baseline information, the fundamentals of impact investment, methods and models, and opportunities for peer to peer and small group discussion and dialogue. A light breakfast and lunch is included.
Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm - Session 2: This session will feature a site visit to highlight a specific project and explore local case studies of NJ foundations implementing impact investment strategies. Grantmakers will have the opportunity to tour the project site, hear from nonprofit partners and participants, ask questions, and learn directly from those involved.
Speaker:
Mr. Duong has been an investment banker at JP Morgan Chase, was founding Managing Director of Lumina Impact Ventures with Luminia, and was Program and Portfolio Officer with the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. John holds an executive MBA with a concentration in management and entrepreneurship from the Kellogg School of Management.
This CNJG program is sponsored by: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Victoria Foundation and presented by Kind Capital.
Resources
The Impact Principles website
Planet Tracker website - Reports for climate focused investors
Catalyzing Finance for Racial Equity
RPA Impact Investing Handbook
Impact Investing: A Primer for Family Foundaitons
What Can Foundations Do to Foster Community Investment?
The Role of Impact Capital in Advancing Racial Equity
Impact Capital for Racial Equity: Investing with Intention and Measuring Impact
Emerging Sources of Community Investment Capital and Strategies to Direct it at Scale
Mapping the Journey to Impact Investing
Roadmap for the Future of Impact Investing: Reshaping Financial Markets
Community Foundation Field Guide to Impact Investing
Essentials of Impact Investing
Endowments & Investing
Place-Based Impact Investing: Three Briefs for Practitioners
Impact Investing Bootcamp: Fundamentals for Driving Sustainable Philanthropy in New Jersey is a 3-part series introducing CNJG members to impact investing. The series will take place from March to May 2024.
The Council on Foundation defines impact investing as “any investment activity that intends to generate positive social and financial returns. Whether called impact investing, mission investing, social investing, social-impact investing, mission-related investing, program-related investing, or sustainable and responsible investing, the practice focuses on activating new financial resources to solve social and environmental problems.”
Impact investing as a tool can generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. By attending this series you will:
- Learn the fundamentals of how to create a more sustainable model of philanthropy through impact investing tools.
- Hear from experienced practitioners.
- Learn how to successfully integrate grantmaking and investment resources.
- Participate in interactive discussions with local peers.
- Hear examples of investments made in New Jersey and nationally.
- Attend a site visit to see impact investing in action.
- Receive a copy of the book “Impact Investing: The Practical Guide” by John Duong.
Session 2: This session will feature a site visit to Hinchliffe Stadium to highlight the project and explore local case studies of NJ foundations implementing impact investment strategies. Grantmakers will have the opportunity to tour the project site, hear from nonprofit partners and participants, ask questions, and learn directly from those involved.
COST: Free for CNJG Members
Registrants must attend all three sessions of the series.
Space Limited. No more than two people per organization can register.
Additional Session Information:
Tuesday, March 12, 2024, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm - Session 1: In this full day workshop John Duong, founder and CEO of Kind Capital, will lead a dynamic and intensely focused full day of learning, knowledge-building, and exchange. The curriculum will include baseline information, the fundamentals of impact investment, methods and models, and opportunities for peer to peer and small group discussion and dialogue. A light breakfast and lunch is included.
Thursday, May 16, Time TBD - Session 3: This virtual session will focus on setting the groundwork for New Jersey philanthropy to explore additional shared learning and co-investment opportunities. The discussion will be led by John Duong, Kind Capital.
Speaker:
Mr. Duong has been an investment banker at JP Morgan Chase, was founding Managing Director of Lumina Impact Ventures with Luminia, and was Program and Portfolio Officer with the W. K. Kellogg Foundation. John holds an executive MBA with a concentration in management and entrepreneurship from the Kellogg School of Management.
This CNJG program is sponsored by: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Victoria Foundation and presented by Kind Capital.
Resources
The Impact Principles website
Planet Tracker website - Reports for climate focused investors
Catalyzing Finance for Racial Equity
RPA Impact Investing Handbook
Impact Investing: A Primer for Family Foundaitons
What Can Foundations Do to Foster Community Investment?
The Role of Impact Capital in Advancing Racial Equity
Impact Capital for Racial Equity: Investing with Intention and Measuring Impact
Emerging Sources of Community Investment Capital and Strategies to Direct it at Scale
Mapping the Journey to Impact Investing
Roadmap for the Future of Impact Investing: Reshaping Financial Markets
Community Foundation Field Guide to Impact Investing
Essentials of Impact Investing
Endowments & Investing
Place-Based Impact Investing: Three Briefs for Practitioners
The Culture Funders Affinity Group and the Health Funders Affinity Group are pleased to collaborate on this meeting. During the meeting, we will delve into critical questions on the topic - can the arts really improve wellness, what can funders learn from existing statewide models and what is needed to further this work? Globally, the field of arts and health is well-established with healthcare systems strategically positioning the arts to support wellness and wellbeing. In the US, many states are establishing Arts and Health programming to intentionally leverage art experiences as mitigation, intervention, and even as preventative care. In New Jersey, vibrant cross-sector partnerships have resulted in innovative programming and dynamic models to increase arts access and participation while expanding the traditional bounds of health and wellbeing. Bringing together voices from both the nonprofit and funding communities, this panel explores what’s working and envisions what’s possible as partners break down silos to build a stronger, healthier New Jersey through the art. Join us for an enlightening conversation. Light refreshments will be served.
Panelists
Jennifer Kastle-Goudy, Associate Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey
Alyson Maier Lokuta, AVP, Arts & Well-Being, New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Morgan Yacoe, Director of the George Family Center for Healing Arts, Rowan University.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $75 for Non Member Grantmakers
This program is open to all funders.
Andrew Binger is the Program Officer for Community Partnerships at the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. In his role, Andrew manages the Local Arts Program, a $6 million partnership that provides state dollars to each of New Jersey’s 21 counties via a designated county arts agency (CAA). CAAs use these dollars to support their own local arts development programs and to provide regrants to local, grassroots organizations in their respective counties. In addition to managing this extensive grant program, Andrew plays a vital role in the Council’s emergency preparedness efforts and co-leads the agency’s arts and health initiatives. Andrew represents the Council in various cross-sector collaborations, including the NJ Department of Transportation’s Transit Village Task Force, Revolution NJ, and Performing Arts Readiness, to name a few. With a strong commitment to fostering cultural vitality, Andrew continues to make a significant impact in the local arts landscape. Andrew currently serves on the board of the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund, Just Say It, and the steering committee for the Creating Healthy Communities convening. He is also pursuing a Master of Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary. Through his work, Andrew amplifies voices historically denied opportunity, fostering a more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant society.
Jennifer Kastle-Goudy is an Associate Director for The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, the charitable giving arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. She represents the Foundation in southern New Jersey and is responsible for cultivating strategic relationships with charitable organizations and identifying grant-making opportunities to advance the Foundation’s mission, which is to support organizations that make New Jersey healthier. A graduate of Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Jennifer acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Graphic Design. She serves on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Camden and Chair’s their Community Relations and Development Committee. Jennifer also serves on the Community Advisory Committee for Jewish Family Service of Atlantic County. Jennifer is a resident of Audubon, New Jersey where she lives with her children Reagan and Jack.
Aly Maier Lokuta, MA (she/her) is the Assistant Vice President of Arts & Well-Being at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), where she leads innovative programming, research, and education at the intersection of arts and health, serving communities in Newark and New Jersey. A multidisciplinary artist, Aly stays well through creating visual art and writing. You can learn more about NJPAC Arts & Well-Being at www.njpac.org/well and about Aly’s art and consulting work at www.alysonmaier.com.
Morgan Yacoe (BFA, Virginia Commonwealth University; MFA, University of Florida) is the inaugural director of the George Family Center for Healing Arts at Rowan University, where she conducts research, education, and community initiatives at the intersection of arts and health. At the Center, she leads programs such as ArtWise Rx, Rowan’s arts prescribing initiative, GlassArt for Military Wellness, and multiple artist in residence programs within Rowan-Virtua Medicine. She also directs the Healing Arts Research Lab and is advancing new academic pathways, including the Healing Arts Area of Distinction for medical students at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine and a Certificate of Undergraduate Study in Healing Arts. With 15 years of experience in the field, Yacoe is an interdisciplinary artist, sculptor by training, and researcher who develops innovative medical training tools and collaborative art projects designed to enhance wellness, health, empathy, enhance observation, and strengthen cultural competency in healthcare. She has presented nationally, published in peer reviewed medical journals, and secured competitive funding, including the NIH Behavioral Research Prize and multiple foundation grants supporting community-based, educational, and veteran mental health initiatives.
BOOKS
Julia Hotz, The Connection Cure
Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, Your Brain on Art
Arts on Prescription: A Field Guide
NeuroArts Blueprint
RESEARCH/DATA
Americans for the Arts
· Arts and Well-Being Info Fact Sheet
· Improving Our Nation’s Health Through the Arts
Arts Ed Newark: 5-Year Report on Community-Led Healing-Centered Engagement
White Papers: Arts in Health in Long-Term Care, Arts in Health in Social Domain, Arts in Health in Hospitals
Arts, Culture, and Social Prescribing in the US (23 Case Studies)
Music and Mind Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness
WHO 2019 Report
UF Epi Arts Lab Results Table
NJPAC Arts & Well-Being
Upcoming Event: Creating Healthy Communities Conference
Resources gathered from our colleagues at other philanthropy-serving organizations, state nonprofit associations, and city, state, and federal governments.
Philanthropy Serving Organizations Resources
Candid: Funding Summary for Global Philanthropic Response
Center for Disaster Philanthropy
Disaster Philanthropy Playbook
Complex Humanitarian Emergencies: Philanthropy’s Role in Recovery Webinar - Held 2/13/2020
COVID-19 Coronavirus: How Philanthropy Can Respond Webinar - Held 3/5/2020
COVID-19: Past Epidemics and Vulnerability - Lessons for Funders Webinar and Webinar Slides - Held 3/26/2020
COVID-19: Making Effective Rapid Response Grants Webinar and Webinar Slides - Held 4/14/2020
COVID-19: Managing Multiple Disasters Amid the Pandemic Webinar - Held 4/28/2020
Report: Philanthropy and COVID-19 in the First Half of 2020 - May 2021
Report: Philanthropy and COVID-19 Measuring One Year of Giving - March 2021
Report: Philanthropy and COVID-19 Examining Two Years of Giving - May 2022
Center for High Impact Philanthropy: COVID-19 Pandemic: Resources
Council on Foundations
Philanthropy’s Response to Coronavirus Outbreak Resource Page
Sharing Approaches to COVID-19 Community Response Webinar and Webinar Slides - Held 3/12/2020
Funders: Sign the Council on Foundations’ Pledge to act with urgency, loosen restrictions, reduce what you ask of non-profits, contribute, communicate, and listen.
Exponent Philanthropy:
Resources for Lean Funders
Blog: How Lean Funders Are Responding to COVID-19
Funders Together to End Homelessness:
COVID-19 Response and System Redesign: Recommendations for Philanthropy to Support Solutions to End Homelessness
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations: Smarter Grantmaking Practices During—and Beyond—COVID-19
Minnesota Council on Foundations: Coronavirus Webinar and Webinar Slides - Held 3/4/2020
National Center for Family Philanthropy
COVID-19: Response and Recovery Resources
Family Philanthropy’s Response to COVID-19 Webinar - Held 3/27/2020
National Center for Responsive Philanthropy: Local Foundation Funding for Immigrant & Refugee Groups
Philanthropy New York
COVID-19 Updates & Resources
Preparing for COVID-19: Philanthropy’s Response in Times of Crisis Webinar - Held 3/12/2020
Philanthropy Network of Greater Philadelphia: Philanthropy’s Response to the Coronavirus
United Philanthropy Forum
3/12 Letter to Congress - Include Nonprofits in Coronavirus Package
3/18 Letter to Congress - Nonprofit Community COVID-19 Stimulus Letter
State Nonprofit Association Resources
New Jersey Center for Nonprofits: Resources for Non-Profits in Response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Outbreak
1st Rapid Response Survey Report
2nd Rapid Response Survey Report
Washington Nonprofits: Open Letter to Funders
Government Resources
Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
City of Newark: News & Updates
Federal Emergency Management Agency: A Guide to the Disaster Declaration Process and Federal Disaster Assistance
NJ Department of Health: Up-to-date Information about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in New Jersey
State of New Jersey: COVID-19 Information Hub
U.S. House of Representatives: House passes HR 6201: Families First Coronavirus Response Act
World Health Organization: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak
Additional Resources
Condon O’Meara McGinty & Donnelly, LLP: Guidance for Private Foundations
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, through its philanthropic arm, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, issued $555,000 in grants to 15 non-profit organizations for health, cultural programs and disaster relief throughout New Jersey during the third quarter of 2021.
The Foundation’s mission is to support organizations that make New Jersey healthier.
A total of $50,000 in disaster relief grants was awarded to the following organizations to support designated FEMA disaster areas and fill the gaps in the response effort:
- $25,000 to Community FoodBank of New Jersey
- $25,000 to ReNew Jersey: Ida Relief
Other grants issued in the third quarter include:
AtlantiCare Foundation, through the Community Foundation of New Jersey, in Morristown, received a $50,000 grant to support the Atlantic City Patient Transportation project, which provides free, easily accessible and reliable transportation for low-income patients in Atlantic City, using the health system’s services.
Diabetes Foundation, in Hackensack, received a $30,000 grant to support Improving Health Outcomes through Education and Guidance, a prevention and education program provided in English and Spanish, for patients with pre-diabetes and diabetes.
Food Bank of South Jersey, in Pennsauken, received a $25,000 grant to support Prevent T2, an evidence-based intervention for seniors designed to delay and/or prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
Garden State Equality Education Fund, in Asbury Park, received a $25,000 grant to support the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Self-Healing Community Model, which addresses the impact of trauma and ACEs on mental and physical health among LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities in Camden.
George Street Playhouse, in New Brunswick, received a $75,000 grant to support the production of Anytown, a musical drama for students in grades 7-12, focusing on the challenges and consequences of opioid abuse and its impact on teens and families.
Greater Newark Health Care Coalition, in West Orange, received a $50,000 grant to support the Greater Newark Community Health Worker (CHW) Learning Collaborative, a project that promotes the growth, leadership and interconnections of CHWs in the Greater Newark region through monthly meetings, resource sharing and training.
Hopeworks ‘N Camden, in Camden, received a $20,000 grant to support Returning Stronger, which is focused on the development of a youth-built, youth-focused, easy-to-access website, to help young people find relevant mental health resources.
Mercer Council on Alcoholism & Drug Addiction, in Trenton, received a $20,000 grant to support the Community Oriented Recovery Effort (CORE), a pilot project to create and promote a larger, more inclusive space for those in the recovery community in Trenton and the surrounding area.
Millhill Child and Family Development Corporation, in Trenton, received a $20,000 grant to support Eat Right, Keep Moving, an obesity education and prevention program that aims to build a Culture of Health within the communities that Millhill serves.
Newark Boys Chorus School, in Newark, received a $40,000 grant to support the school’s music and concert touring programs, as well as academic initiatives.
The Newark Museum of Art, in Newark, received a $100,000 grant to support The Horizon Foundation Community Days, which occur once a month and provide free diverse programming for all ages.
Saint Vincent Academy, in Newark, received a $25,000 grant to support the Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey Leadership Promise Scholarship, which provides one four-year scholarship to a Greater Newark-area student.
St. Benedict’s Preparatory School, in Newark, received a $25,000 grant to support the Steven Grossman Student Counseling Center, which provides students with mental health education, resources and services.
Foundations Facilitate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Partnering with Community and Nonprofits, a new report by the OMG Center for Collaborative Learning, confirms that foundations can, in fact, facilitate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through their grantmaking processes and their partnerships with nonprofits—and identifies eight specific practices for foundations to emulate.
The report takes a deep dive into the work of nine foundations that represent a diverse cross-section of types and sizes, and offers useful lessons about how foundations can better partner with nonprofits to be more effective in their work.
With the new federal administration comes many new executive actions that directly impact philanthropy and its nonprofit partners. It is an ever-changing, and fluid situation, causing confusion both within the government and across the social sector (philanthropy and nonprofits). According to the Urban Institute, nationwide, 103,475 public charities reported receiving a total of over $267 billion from government grants in 2021. The inflation-adjusted total of over $300 billion represents almost three times the most recent estimates of foundation giving. Philanthropy alone is not able to fill the gap of any potential lost government funding.
Philanthropy supporting organizations (PSOs), like CNJG, are convening funders to keep them informed of new changes so they can make informed decisions. In addition to presenting our own learning series on these implications, CNJG is curating resources, webpages, and other convenings for philanthropy to help navigate the changes. Sharing information with other funders is critical to keeping philanthropy informed in the weeks and months ahead. Having the latest information supports thoughtful collaboration and decision-making in times of change.
As foundation leaders dedicated to our New Jersey communities, please consider the full range of strategies your organizations can employ during these truly unprecedented times. Please share your stories with Manager of Communications Shakirat Odunsi, about how you are changing and/or adapting your grantmaking and work in the face of the dramatic policy shifts that are happening in the executive branch.
Have another resource to add to this page? Please email us.
CNJG Programs
Making Sense of Federal Policy Series:
This weekly funder briefing webinar series welcomed New Jersey-based grantmakers along with national funders and provided an opportunity for grantmakers to hear from a wide range of nonprofit experts. This series started on March 13, 2025, less than a month after the first executive order was issued and continued through April 24, 2025.
Policy Series Written Summaries
Policy Series Webinar Videos
Foundations on the Hill 2025 (February 2025)
Newark Funder Affinity Group: Shared Strategies and Collaboration for 2025 and the Years Ahead (3/12/2025)
Beyond the Rulings: Strategies to Safeguard Nonprofits in a Shifting Landscape, Part 1 (2/28/2025)
Beyond the Rulings: Strategies to Safeguard Nonprofits in a Shifting Legal Landscape, Part 2 (4/11/2025)
Beyond the Rulings: Strategies to Safeguard Nonprofits in a Shifting Legal Landscape, Part 3 (5/12/2025)
Programs by CNJG Members
Monmouth & Ocean Roundtable of Funders (2/18/2025)
Other Programs/Webinars
Policy World Wednesdays
Held the second Wednesday of each month to discuss all things policy, including the latest developments at the federal, state and local levels; legislative insights and advocacy opportunities; and to share any other policy or advocacy issues currently on your organization’s radar.
Recordings:
National Council of Nonprofits: Executive Actions and their Impact on Charitable Nonprofits and slides
New Jersey Center for Nonprofits: Advocacy, Lobbying and Nonprofits: Yes, You Can
National Council of Nonprofits: The Legal Landscape and Path Ahead for Nonprofits and Philanthropy slides.
CNJG Member Actions
Community Foundation of New Jersey and other funders launched NJ Strong: Emergency Fund
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Statement From Dr. Richard Besser Condemning Executive Order Backsliding on DEI and Health
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Rapid Response: Reinvesting in Racial and Indigenous Health Equity Research
Paul DiLorenzo Op-Ed: The Families We Serve Also Hold No Cards
United Way of Greater Mercer County published "Disrupted: How Federal Funding Volatility is Affecting Nonprofits" a survey reporting the impacts of the federal executive actions on Mercer County nonprofits.
New Jersey Focused Response Funds
Equip NJ: An intermediary initiative aimed at strengthening the ecosystem of organizations working to advance health equity in New Jersey. Members of the advocacy and racial justice fields have shaped EQUIP NJ’s design, priorities, and vision.
New Jersey Sustainability and Resiliency Fund: A partnership by six New Jersey United Ways, this fund was created to support the non-profit sector to ensure its continued impact and resiliency.
Presentations and recording of CNJG webinar on March 18
Action Items
To help the National Council of Nonprofits get a better sense of the real-world effects of the announced executive orders or changes in federal funding, they have set up a form for nonprofits to share the effect on their missions and the people they serve. Funders: encourage your nonprofit partners to complete the brief form.
Please share your stories with Manager of Communications Shakirat Odunsi, about how you are changing and/or adapting your grantmaking and work in the face of the dramatic policy shifts that are happening in the executive branch.
Funders: for those that want to move in solidarity with nonprofits, mobilize money, and nurture possibility, the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project offers you the opportunity to sign a philanthropic commitment for trust-based action. We invite you to share this with peers, and join the growing community of grantmakers and donors taking trust-based, courageous action on behalf of the social sector.
Sites Summarizing Actions for Philanthropy
Center for Effective Philanthropy: How Funders Can Respond to an Unprecedented Threat to Nonprofits
Council on Foundations: One, Big, Beautiful Bill: Impact on Philanthropy
Democracy 2025: Response Center
Exponent Philanthropy: Philanthropy’s Responsibility Persists: Staying the Course Amid Change
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations: Supporting Our Communities: Key Strategies for Navigating Federal Funding Threats
Grantmakers in Health: Helping Health Philanthropy Navigate the New Administration and Congress
Grantmakers in the Arts: Community Resources on the New Presidential Administration’s Actions (shared summary document)
Just Security: Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Administration Actions
National Center for Family Philanthropy: Navigating Uncertain Times
National Council of Nonprofits: Executive Orders Affecting Charitable Nonprofits
National Council of Nonprofits: The Impact of the Recent Executive Orders on Nonprofits
New Jersey Center for Nonprofits: New Jersey Nonprofits Need Your Help, Too (op-ed in NJ Spotlight)
New Jersey Center for Nonprofits: Resources to Navigate Uncertainty
United Philanthropy Forum: Executive Actions Impacting the Philanthropic & Nonprofit Sectors
United Philanthropy Forum: Understanding the Proposed Tax Changes
Resources to Assist Funders
CNJG: What Every Grantmaker Should Know and Frequently Asked Questions
ABFE: READI Resource Bank
Alliance for Justice: Bolder Advocacy Resources for Funding Advocacy
Alliance for Justice: How Can Foundations Support Policy Change?
Candid: How Many Nonprofits Rely on Government Grants?
Center for Effective Philanthropy: Challenging Times: How U.S. Nonprofit Leaders are Experiencing the Political Context
Council of Nonprofits: Let’s Get This Straight: Advocacy vs. Lobbying (for nonprofits)
Grantmakers in the Arts: The New Presidential Administration: Lessons for Us All
The Impact Project: The Impact Map - a website that shows policy, funding, and workforce changes from the federal government and their localized effect.
Lawyers Alliance for New York & New York Lawyers for the Public Interest: FAQs for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Required Certifications
Meltzer Center @ NYU Law: Advancing DEI Initiative
National Council of Nonprofits: Executive Branch Lacks Authority to Target Nonprofit Organizations
New Jersey Nonprofits: Trends and Outlook 2025
New Jersey Policy Perspective: Federal Funding Cuts Threaten New Jersey’s Residents
NJ.gov Department of Human Services: Modeling Impact to NJ Medicaid of Congressional Budget Proposals
PACE Funders: Bridging Language
Philanthropy.com: Amid Funding Freezes and ICE Raids, What Will It Take to Support Grantees?
Pro Bono Partnership: Resources for Nonprofits on 2025 Federal Actions
Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC: Nonprofits Under Fire: How the IRS Can – and Cannot – Revoke Federal Tax-Exempt Status
Urban Institute: What’s the Financial Risk of Nonprofits Losing Government Grants?
CNJG provides this information free to the philanthropic community. If you are not a CNJG member, please join so you can take full advantage of the many benefits of membership and help underwrite the cost of services like this.
There is a plurality of definitions of the term systems change, each contextualized within different cultures and purposes. Doing Good Better embraces systems change as an inter-sector process that addresses complex social problems nonprofits and funders confront with collective action centered on equity, mutual respect, and resilience. Systems change refers to changing the parts and their relationships within a system with the understanding that this change will have ripple effects. As grantmakers, we need to create an environment that enables grantee effectiveness, so they can deliver on their mission. Systems change in philanthropy focuses on structures, policies and processes, resources, values, power, mindsets and, infrastructure that is illustrated in three iterative phases. In time, we hope that the application of this model will result in collective impact and a more resilient social sector for all of New Jersey.
The first phase is structural (operational) change, which involves funders adopting new policies, practices, and resource flows. The second phase is characterized by new relationships and connections that emerge from structural change eschewing old power dynamic practices. Finally, the third phase is transformative change, which occurs when change becomes rooted in organizational culture and mores. We cannot underestimate the length of time and learning at each stage. Achieving transformative change can be a long journey, but it is a learning journey. One grantmaker stated, “One change led to another and another, like dominos. I started to see what people meant by systemic change. New energy and excitement surged among us as hope grew and the cloudy vision of what we wanted became clearer and clearer.”
Although the figure below displays the six developmental stages as linear and distinct, change is unlikely to follow a linear path. Any change in a system will seldom stay fixed at one of these stages but rather will shift back and forth from one stage to another on the path toward the ideal state. We believe just one organization can’t shift the conditions that hold problems in place; we all must share the same perspectives and move the sector together and simultaneously. We call for all of those involved in the sector to work together to build a better and more equitable nonprofit and philanthropy system for all New Jerseyans.
Graphic comes from “The Water of Systems Change” by John Kania, Mark Kramer, and Peter Senge.
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.
During 2023, CNJG gathered benefits information from our members to generate our 2023 New Jersey Philanthropy Benefits & Salary Summary Report. Members tell us that this report is one of the most important and effective benchmarking tools for our field. A statistically significant number of members completed our Benefits Report. We are grateful to those that completed the survey, which is a major investment of time, to help us gather this useful data.
The report consists of two sections:
CNJG Benefits Survey
CNJG and our members want specific data about the benefits offered to their employees, board, and more. Therefore, CNJG created our triennial Benefits Survey that gathered this comprehensive data specific to New Jersey’s grantmaking community.
For the second time in this survey’s history, we asked for board and staff demographic data. As more attention is focused on racial equity in our work, it is helpful to benchmark this data in graphical form. We hope it sparks conversation at your organization.
Council on Foundations (CoF) Salary Survey
The salary survey was administered by our partners, the Council on Foundations. This annual nationwide effort by CoF (with the assistance of other Philanthropy-Serving Organizations across the country) benchmarks the salaries of employees at foundations, corporate giving programs, and other philanthropic organizations. CNJG encourages any and all members to complete this survey each year.
Salary information from CoF presents national, mid-Atlantic, and New Jersey data for over 40 staff positions. Salary ranges are only given for positions with five or more reporting organizations. To report on more New Jersey salary data, we hope more members will complete this annual survey.
CNJG reminds our members and other foundations across New Jersey to complete both surveys when they are available – CoF’s is EVERY YEAR, and CNJG’s is every three years. The more data we and CoF can gather, the better and more accurate the results will be for the philanthropic community both in the state and nationally.
Download the 2023 New Jersey Philanthropy Benefits & Salary Survey Summary Report here. You must be a member of CNJG and logged in to access the report.
CNJG's past Summary Reports may be found on our website:
2020 New Jersey Philanthropy Benefits & Salary Survey Summary Report, released in January 2021
2017 New Jersey Foundation Benefits & Salary Summary Report, released in September 2017
2014 New Jersey Foundation Benefits & Salary Summary Report, released in February 2015
2011 Mid-Atlantic Foundation Benefits & Salary Summary Report, released in June 2012
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
As we settle into the festive spirit of the holiday season, it's the perfect time to take a step back and reflect on the impact we've made - and the exciting possibilities ahead. I'm reaching out once again to remind you about the CNJG Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering - our key year-end event where we gather to reflect, learn, and most importantly, strengthen the connections that make our work in philanthropy so impactful.
This year's theme, Inspiring Change through Leadership: Maximizing Philanthropic Impact, is about how we can use leadership to drive meaningful and lasting change. I'm excited to share that this year's gathering will offer an inspiring mix of learning, reflection, and connection - an opportunity to think about where we've been and where we want to go next.
Here's what to look forward to:
- Leadership in Action Workshop: We'll be diving into the New Jersey Principles for Philanthropy with a panel of CNJG members who have led the efforts for CNJG to adopt the principles. The panelists will discuss how they are aligning their work with the principles, where some challenges lie ahead, and how we can promote these principles within our organizations to engage in further work. It will be an excellent opportunity to learn, discuss, and brainstorm how you, too, can apply these guiding principles to your own work and further strengthen your organization's impact.
- Keynote Address by Amalia Brindis Delgado: I'm especially excited about our keynote speaker, Amalia Brindis Delgado, Chief Strategy Officer, Panta Rhea Foundation. Amalia will speak on leadership and leadership transitions as well as share insights from her work with Leading Forward and Resilience & Renewal Grantmaking. Her talk will offer valuable lessons on navigating change and building organizational resilience - something that's more important than ever as we look towards the future of philanthropy.
A Special Announcement:
I'm also pleased to share that we have a new face joining the 
CNJG team. Please join me in welcoming Fortunata Cuomo as our new Development Associate. Fortunata brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit fundraising, and we're excited for you to meet her at the Annual Meeting. Her role will focus on improving and expanding our sponsorship and Resource Marketplace programs, managing all aspects of our grant funding, and spearheading efforts to build new revenue streams. This position is a critical investment in CNJG to help us expand our business model and create new opportunities to generate revenue.
With just a few days to go, I encourage you to take a moment to register for the Annual Meeting (if you haven't already) and join us for what promises to be an inspiring, energizing day of conversation and connection. We are truly looking forward to seeing you on December 11 at APA Hotel Woodbridge in Iselin.
A big thank you to our sponsors to date - we couldn't do this without you! Special thanks to Signature Sponsor – Prudential; Contributing Sponsors – Campbell’s, Devils Youth Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Victoria Foundation; Supporting Sponsors – Grunin Foundation, LISC NJ, Pincus Family Foundation, and WSFS Bank; and Colleague Sponsor – Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Warmly,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
In response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless other Black individuals, we have seen a call to end systemic racism, police brutality, and injustice. To explore philanthropy's role in fighting against racism and injustice, CNJG is sharing information about upcoming programs that we and our Philanthropy-Serving Organizations are presenting and other resources below. While some programs or resources have been organized in direct response to recent protests and calls for action, all are part of a longer conversation on racism in our country and within our sector. As CNJG weaves equity into all of our work, we look forward to continuing these conversations with you.
We realize this is not a comprehensive list, and we are posting items that CNJG staff sees, which is not nearly enough. We ask that our members, especially those who are black and brown, to help us find articles written by, resources created by, and programs led by people of color. Share those resources by emailing us. This page is just a part of our work in equity. We created this page as one starting point for New Jersey’s philanthropic community to engage in conversations, do background reading, attend programs, learn, and take action.
For those members interested in continuing the conversations, we invite you to join our Racial Equity listserve, by emailing Craig Weinrich. On that listserve, members can share information, resources, and opportunities that are helpful to the funding community.
Visit these Websites
Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) Resource Directory
This Supporting API Communities Resource Directory was developed to mobilize the philanthropic sector towards meaningful action in the midst of heightened violence and hate targeting Asian American communities.
Participatory Grantmaking
A curated list of resources and articles from Candid on the movement of participatory grantmaking that engages the community in the grantmaking process.
The Power of Asset Framing: A Conversation with Trabian Shorters
This blog post by the Skillman Foundation contains a series of short videos by Trabian Shorters, founder and CEO of BMe Community, who describes shifts in narrative that all philanthropy should consider.
Putting Racism on the Table
This site created by the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers is the inspiration for CNJG’s Race, Racism and the Ramifications for Philanthropy Series.
Race to Lead Series
A site with reports and surveys on the racial leadership gap in the nonprofit sector.
Stanford Social Innovation Review
The Struggle to Overcome Racism, a list of resources to help leaders of social change and activists.
Trust-Based Philanthropy Project
A peer-to-peer learning and advocacy initiative to make philanthropy more based on trust.
Please join the Environmental Funders Affinity Group and the Health Funders Affinity Group for a virtual lunchtime discussion with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection's Chief Strategy Officer, Kati Angarone and Manager NJDEP’s Office of Environmental and Public Health, Christine Schell. This session is designed to explore the connections between the environment and health with emphasis on climate change, environmental justice, and water to educate the philanthropic community on the ways that NJ government is addressing these challenges. The discussion will highlight NJDEP’s efforts to address the impact of these intersecting issues on diverse NJ communities and explore philanthropic opportunities to support local and statewide solutions.
Kati Angarone has worked for NJDEP for over twenty-five years. In her current role, she works to advance strategic initiatives, including expanding public access to environmental information, increasing the visibility of DEP programs and services, cultivating external partnerships, and coordinating strategic planning on cross-media issues. She also oversees the efforts of NJDEP’s Office of Legislative Affairs and our Office of Environmental and Public Health Analysis.
Christine Schell is a 30+ year veteran of the NJDEP and currently manages the NJDEP’s Office of Environmental and Public Health Analysis. In partnership with the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH), Christine jointly coordinates New Jersey’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Program through a CDC grant, and oversees the development, implementation, and dissemination of data analyses and visualization tools designed to integrate public health concerns into local and state decision making, planning, and the implementation of meaning actions on a broad array of issues, including environmental justice, climate resilience, and sustainability.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $75 for Non Member Grantmakers
Webinar Video
Links and Resources:
Healthy Community Planning NJ
Potential Lead Exposure Mapping
Heat Hub NJ
Environmental Justice Mapping, Assessment, and Protection
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
One Health
Climate Change
Climate Change in New Jersey Storymap
Healthy Community Planning
New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats
Inland Flood Protection Rule
Resilient Environments and Landscapes
Chill Out NJ
Small BIPOC organizations and/or historically excluded/led
organizations have greater access to funding.
Affirmation: We must center the most marginalized, underfunded, and impactful organizations.
BIPOC, grassroots, and/or historically excluded1 leaders are the most proximate to the populations and communities that face the most pressing social issues and should be central to designing solutions and funded; yet they are often overlooked or ignored as real change-makers.
They are underinvested in by major funders and are often left to struggle on their own; and when they are funded, grants are small and often highly restricted.
Some funders have artificially high budget requirements, require collaboration with larger “more sophisticated” organizations, won’t fund fiscally sponsored groups, or emphasize leadership requirements that are increasingly out of date or exclude vital lived experience.
Community organizations are exploring innovative and egalitarian management structures, such as co-directorships, collectives, and collaboratives, that do not resemble the constructs of the past.
Leadership comes in all structures, sizes, and identities; funders must seek to recognize and fund those who are doing effective work and re-evaluate their views of accepted leadership patterns. For BIPOC, grassroots, and/or historically excluded leaders to succeed, we must provide flexible resources and professional development support while they are leading.
Activities
Below are activities your organization can engage in that will advance your equity focus
• Agree as a community of practice to a shared definition of BIPOC, grassroots, and/or historically excluded-led organizations to foster a common frame of reference to help guide this work.
• Create networking and referral opportunities for BIPOC, grassroots, and/or historically excluded leaders to expand their access to funding and opportunities similar to that of larger, mainstream groups.
• Invest in the development and pipeline of BIPOC, grassroots, and/or historically excluded leaders.
• Remove funding barriers for small BIPOC, grassroots, and/or historically excluded organizations that have traditionally been precluded from funding because of budget size, leadership structure, auditing requirements, and similar obstacles.
• Actively partner with BIPOC, grassroots, and historically excluded organizations to make funding decisions on issues closest to their communities.
• Provide significant, multi-year, general operating funding to organizations and movements led by BIPOC, grassroots, and/or historically excluded communities.
Short-term Outcomes
• Progress is tracked into addressing the barriers to funding BIPOC, grassroots, and historically excluded-led organizations in NJ.
• A greater number of BIPOC, grassroots, and/or historically excluded-led organizations are funded than before, by new and existing funders.
• Professional development and capacity building as requested by BIPOC, grassroots, and/or historically excluded leaders is funded.
Long-term Outcomes
• BIPOC, grassroots, and/or historically excluded leaders can access funding and opportunities similar to that of larger, mainstream groups.
• A greater percentage of support to organizations and movements led by BIPOC, grassroots, and historically excluded communities is provided as significant, multi-year, general operating funding. In this context, “significant” can refer to both the quantity, size or percentage of grants awarded by the funder in any given year.
How to Begin Doing Good Better on Equity
Learning opportunities
• Which criteria and practices are creating, perpetuating or exacerbating exclusion of BIPOC, grassroots, and or historically excluded-led organizations?
• For funders that exclude or limit funding to small organizations, why are these barriers in place? What biases or missed opportunities are resulting from these obstacles?
• When funders are actively prioritizing BIPOC, grassroots, and historically excluded -led organizations in their philanthropic partnerships, what definitions, outreach, and partnership strategies are being used? How has this evolved based on lessons learned?
Pre-Work
• Funders should become educated about how traditional ways of identifying grantees and other criteria often excludes BIPOC, grassroots, and/or historically excluded-led organizations.
• Actively seek and share ways to center, identify, fund, and partner with applicants or community-based partners to create solutions in all efforts.
• Identify forums or protocols for introductions, dialogue, and relationship-building between funding community and BIPOC, grassroots and/or historically excluded-led organizations to pave the way for ongoing or stronger partnerships.
General Operating Support or General Project Support
Affirmation: Funds with the least restrictions are the most valuable
Nonprofits maintain and strengthen their organizations when their funds are unrestricted. Data shows flexible and reliable funding increases impact when nonprofit leaders have control over how funds flow to meet the needs of their constituents and internal operations, as demonstrated during the pandemic when funders released previously restricted funding. General operating support (GOS) funding signals trust in our partners and can open more honest dialogue about meeting the mutual goals of the funder and nonprofit. Funders who make project or program grants should trust the organization and provide flexible funding within a specific program.
Activities
• Over the short term, funders aim to shift their GOS activity by 30%. (30% more grants shift from program to GOS, or from fully restricted to negotiated GOS.)
• Provide grants as unrestricted organizational general operating support. The long-term ideal is for most, if not all, grants to be 100% GOS, unless a funder is legally precluded from doing otherwise.
• For project/program grants, 100% of the grant awarded is unrestricted (negotiated GOS), applying mission-based and mutually negotiated outcomes.
• Nonprofits articulate their organizational vision, strategies and intended outcomes to funders; funders understand the models of their grantee partners and learn from them how the grantee partner's work will lead to change.
• Trust nonprofit partners to know how to best apply their funding.
• Create a shared understanding of the meaning and importance of full-cost budgeting and real-cost funding.
Short-term Outcomes
• 70% of funders are shifting some of their distribution to making general operating support grants.
• 100% of program/project grants are designated unrestricted.
Long-term Outcomes
• 100% of all grants are made without restrictions, unless limited by covenant or donor wishes in the case of community foundations.
• All nonprofits can clearly articulate their vision, strategies, outcomes, and business models to funders; and funders understand them and trust them to know how best to use their funds.
How to Begin Doing Good Better on Flexibility Learning Opportunities
• Why aren’t some funders planning to award GOS or negotiate GOS?
• Ask funders: If you participated in CNJG’s 2022 funder survey and indicated that you planned to initiate GOS, have you done so? • Why are some grants restricted?
• What would it take for funders to change?
Pre-Work
• Seek and share learning opportunities for funders, prioritizing education of foundation boards, to address the barriers to awarding GOS and understand how restricted funding undermines financial sustainability.
• For funders who already regularly provide GOS funding, educate/advocate for others to do the same.
• Learn how GOS/negotiated GOS strengthens grantee partners and the multiple ways they can use and evaluate GOS. Actively seek insights from nonprofits to reinforce the message about GOS in their funding partnerships.
• As an incremental step for funders that are not receptive to GOS, provide education about negotiated general programming support (flexible funding within a mutually agreed-upon program area, as opposed to organization-wide GOS).
• Share promising practices on evaluation of GOS and negotiated GO
Right Size Applications; Simplify Reporting
Affirmation: Paperwork hinders us all.
Duplicative or complex proposal and reporting requirements divert time and resources for both nonprofits and philanthropy, needlessly burdens nonprofit partners and siphons scarce resources away from where they are most needed. Funders can lessen the burden on grantee partners by streamlining the application and reporting processes, especially for repeat grantee partners; decreasing the required data to only the most necessary for decision-making; taking on some of the burden of data collection by gathering data from central repositories such as Candid (formerly GuideStar) and the IRS; and retain and use data already collected from repeat grantees. Funders should require updated information such as annual budget, staffing, board member changes, etc., in their grant applications only when the nonprofit is the only source for this information. Collaborate with other local funders and agree to common GOS application questions and budget templates; streamline tools through technology and offer innovative ways for organizations to apply for and report out on grants; limit written requirements to information that is relevant to the request, and which moves the needle on critical social issues.
Activities
• Reduce rigidity and increase the flexibility of what nonprofits must submit for their applications in creative, egalitarian, and less burdensome ways.
• All funders right-size their application and report requirements relative to the grant amount.
• Shift from reports to conversations or other lower time-intensive means.
• Develop agreed-upon common questions for use across the philanthropy sector for general operating support grant applications.
• Explore the efficacy of using common applications for general operating support grants.
• Change site visits for compliance to goals of learning.
• Consider developing a central data repository for New Jersey nonprofits and funders, where applicants can submit and update basic information once a year, and funders can access the necessary information.
Outcomes
• 75% of funders begin to reduce the size of applications and reports relative to the size of the grant.
• 75% of funders shift from reports to conversations or other lower time-intensive means, like site visits geared to learning and relationship building.
• 50% of funders making general operating support grants accept creative, egalitarian, less burdensome applications including other funders proposals.
• Nonprofits have increased capacity to dedicate time to other activities and efforts.
How to Begin Doing Good Better on Reducing Burden
Learning opportunities
• For funders who do not right-size their applications, what are the barriers to reducing paperwork?
• Who is making the decisions about the application and reporting requirements, and how can they be reached to encourage change? How can we involve more board members of funders in this effort?
• For funders who require reports, determine what is “nice to have” vs. what is needed and used and consider eliminating the rest; what are expeditious ways to collect data including accepting other funders’ reports?
• Which funders who make multi-year grants require a full application for the first year and updates for subsequent years?
Pre-Work
• For funders who already report tailoring their applications, consider how to further simplify processes for grantees; share these practices with other colleagues in philanthropy.
• Learn how information is collected without burdening the applicant.
• Review and implement recommendations already provided by nonprofit networks and philanthropy-serving organizations for concrete examples such as centralized document repositories; allowing nonprofit partners to re-use other proposals and reports; holding check-in meetings in lieu of written reports; and other helpful practices.
• Seek promising practices of funders who use site visits as opportunities to build trust and understand the programs and organizations they support instead of as compliance reviews.
Notes:
See, for example, SMU DataArts (formerly the Cultural Data Project), https://culturaldata.org, a nationwide research and data repository for the arts and cultural community. DataArts serves as a collector and clearinghouse for a wide array of data, which funders can access instead of requiring nonprofits to provide it separately.