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In March 2024, Governor Murphy signed into law significant reforms to the ways that New Jersey enforces municipal affordable housing obligations under the state Supreme Court Mount Laurel doctrine. The new law creates enhanced affordable housing opportunities for New Jersey’s low-and moderate-income households, while seeking to streamline the affordable housing development process by setting clear guidelines for determining housing obligations. It is expected to reduce legal costs and judicial involvement. Join Adam Gordon, Executive Director and Emily Devenney, Grants and Development Manager of the Fair Share Housing Center for a conversation about what this new legislation means for philanthropy.

Since the revival and improved enforcement of the Mount Laurel Doctrine in 2015, New Jersey has seen a considerable increase in affordable housing production. However, there remains a substantial shortage of affordable homes in the state, particularly for very low-income residents. The legislation aims to address this gap by ensuring that every municipality contributes its fair share of affordable housing.

Key features of the legislation include a streamlined process for determining affordable housing obligations, codification of methodology for calculating these obligations, increased transparency in the housing development process, and the repeal of the state Council on Affordable Housing (COAH). Additionally, the legislation prohibits wealthy towns from avoiding their housing obligations through regional contribution agreements.

Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $50 for Non Member Grantmakers

Adam Gordon is the Executive Director of FSHC and leads FSHC’s 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 the Mount Laurel Doctrine which has created over 70,000 affordable homes in historically exclusionary NJ communities, litigated the largest federal fair housing case in American history, and worked to make federal disaster recovery policy more equitable. Under his leadership FSHC has secured the passage of the first statewide Fair Chance in Housing Act to limit discriminatory tenant screening policies and a landmark $305 million fund to accelerate affordable housing development. Gordon holds a B.A. and J.D. from Yale University.

Emily Devenney joined Fair Share Housing Center as the Grants & Development Manager in January 2024. She comes with experience in fundraising and community organizing, and strong connections to South Jersey, where she was born and raised (and likely will never leave). Emily has a B.A. in Economics and a Masters of Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Certificate in Fundraising from Villanova University.

Webinar Video

Resource:
2023 Dismantling Exclusionary Zoning Report

"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 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

New Jersey Impact Investment Landscape Scan

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.

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.