Site Search

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.

Learn how you can register for events online, search the member directory for organizations and colleagues who have the same interests, and update your profile.

A CNJG corporate member asked for help with the scenario in which a corporate policy of not supporting religious organizations in their grantmaking, causes problems helping during a disaster in an urban or rural area, when the program that is delivering the disaster relief is based within a church. They want to work with those programs (a church serves as the program’s fiscal sponsor) who support efforts for hunger, homelessness, substance abuse recovery, racial equity, etc. as long as they do not discriminate and do no limit it to their own congregations. The request for policy samples to work around this religious organization hurdle as long as there is no discrimination or funding the actual church’s worship, was compelled by CNJG staff and is listed here.

In this briefing on housing and homeless, you will hear about the changes of federal policy on housing and their impact in New Jersey, you will hear from a panel who will discuss the potential effects of state policy changes on homelessness and housing, including the administration of housing choice vouchers. Potential funding cuts can lead to staffing reductions on housing and homeless services. The uncertainty faced by agencies regarding their funding and the need for legal support can create fear and confusion among agencies in New Jersey. Panelists will discuss what funding strategies and ways to support grantees. At the state and local levels, there is also a need for funders to support policy advocacy and legal assistance.

Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $75 for Non Member Grantmakers
This program is only open to staff and trustees from grantmaking organizations.

Adam Gordon, Executive Director, Fair Share Housing Center, coordinated strategy of organizing, litigation, and policy development to advance racial, economic, and social integration throughout New Jersey and the United States. Since joining the organization in 2006, he has worked to implement New Jersey’s Mount Laurel Doctrine, which has created over 70,000 affordable homes in historically exclusionary communities. He also litigated the largest federal fair housing case in U.S. history and has worked to make federal disaster recovery policy more equitable. Under Gordon’s leadership, FSHC secured passage of the first statewide Fair Chance in Housing Act to limit discriminatory tenant screening policies, a landmark $305 million fund to accelerate affordable housing development, and major legislation to strengthen enforcement of the Mount Laurel Doctrine. Gordon is a co-founder and former Board Chair of Next City.

Elisa Harrigan is the Policy Strategist for the Fund for Housing and Opportunity. She is a disrupter, change agent, and bridge-builder in the philanthropic space. She has an extensive track record centering impacted communities and applying an intersectional equity lens to her work. Elisa brings almost 20 years of experience and expertise to FHO as an influential voice for housing justice in governmental, philanthropic, and nonprofit arenas. The Fund for Housing and Opportunity is a nationwide collaborative working to protect renters and prevent homelessness. FHO brings funders together from across sectors and perspectives to support organizations on the frontlines of housing justice.

Taiisa Kelly, CEO, Monarch Housing Associates, has experience in housing development working with federal, state and local funding sources to secure financing for special needs housing projects. Mrs. Kelly is a dedicated advocate for social justice who has assisted Monarch in expanding services to include strategic planning, grant writing, system oversight, project monitoring, grant administration, innovative program development, and data analysis. Since becoming CEO in 2019, Ms. Kelly has worked to expand and innovate the housing development focus of the agency. Monarch is developing new partnerships to support the creation of housing for marginalized communities with an eye towards innovations in development. Under Ms. Kelly’s leadership Monarch is focused on integrating racial equity into all aspects of homeless planning and housing development with the intent of ending homelessness in New Jersey. Ms. Kelly was inducted into the NJ Housing and Economic Development Hall of Fame in 2023, and was named as one of the 2021 Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ Magazine. Mrs. Kelly serves on the Boards of Directors for Nourish.NJ and for the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (HCDNNJ). She is a Member of United Black Agenda Committee and of the Enterprise Community Leadership Council and Enterprise Community Loan Fund Board, as well as a Commissioner on the Newark Commission on Homelessness. She additionally serves on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation JEGNA Council, the New Jersey State of Affordable Housing (NJSOARH) Advisory Committee.

Lucy Vandenberg is the Executive Director of the Schumann Fund for New Jersey. She leads the Fund’s mission to empower low-income children and families of color to thrive. Lucy ensures that Schumann Fund’s investments positively impact opportunities for affordable homes and healthy communities, early childhood and education, and child welfare and youth justice in Essex County and statewide. From 2013 through 2021, Lucy served as Senior Program Officer for The Fund for New Jersey and managed a $3 million grant portfolio that included lead poisoning prevention, public education, public media, racial justice, immigration, and the environment. Previously, Lucy served as Executive Director of the New Jersey State Council on Affordable Housing. She worked with municipalities to provide their fair share of affordable housing resulting from New Jersey’s landmark Mt. Laurel Supreme Court decisions. Earlier in her career, Lucy served as Senior Policy Advisor for Housing and Urban Revitalization in Governor James E. McGreevey’s administration, and as the Associate Director of the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey.

Janel Winter, Assistant Commissioner leads the Division of Housing and Community Affairs, which includes the State’s public housing authority serving more than 40,000 households annually; home energy assistance programs serving more than 200,000 families annually; affordable housing production programs; the Office of Homelessness Prevention; the Office of Eviction Prevention; weatherization and lead remediation and abatement programs; neighborhood revitalization programs; and a variety of other community of other community development initiatives. She has managed the distribution of $2 Billion in federal Covid-related funds to address rental and utility arrears and community revitalization and development throughout the State. Prior to joining DCA, Janel led the Office of Housing at the NJ Department of Human Services and served as Associate Director at the Corporation for Supportive Housing/CSH. Before returning to her home state of NJ, Janel worked at various direct service homelessness and housing agencies in Chicago. 

Webinar Video

Programs in this Series:
March 13: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Immigration
March 20: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Health
March 27: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Environment
April 3: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Education
April 10: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Housing
April 17: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Media & Journalism
April 24: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Arts

Novartis benchmarked Employee Crisis Programs, and asked fellow corporate funders via the corporate funders listserve to answer the questions below.

1. If you have an Employee Crisis Program, what is the name
2. Do you manage the program internally or thru a 3rd party?  If you use a 3rd party, can you share their name/website and any good/bad experiences.
3. Do you only support disasters or other hardships as well?
4. What is the average percentage of your employees that apply for aid?
5. What is your minimum and maximum funding?
6. What is the average amount of aid?
7. Do you provide aid directly to the employee and/or vendors?
8. Do you allow employees to donate to your fund?  If so, how do you promote awareness and what is the employee donation participation rate?  Do you match these donations?
9. Where does the program reside (CSR, Foundation, HR)?
10. Please share guidelines and applications, if possible.
11. Please share any other insights.

Philanthropic organizations of all shapes and sizes are well positioned to support Communities for a Lifetime (CfaL). This issue brief explores four roles for philanthropy in advancing CfaL work.