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Newark’s 40th Mayor Ras J. Baraka (pictured, second from right) invited the Newark Funders Group to hear his vision for the city at special August meeting.  Just 30 days into his term, the Mayor called on the Newark Philanthropic Liaison Jeremy Johnson (far left) to organize a convening with the Newark group, co-chaired by Etta Denk of Bank America (second from left) and Barbara Reisman of the Schumann Fund for New Jersey (third from left).  Irene Cooper-Basch (far right), Chair of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and Executive Officer at the Victoria Foundation, introduced the Mayor to more than 50 grantmakers who attended the session at the PSEG headquarters in downtown Newark.   Rick Thigpen (not pictured), ‎Vice President, State Government Affairs at PSEG, welcomed the Mayor and Grantmakers to the company’s conference center.

Mayor Baraka talked about new interventions for youth at risk and targeting crime in hot spots in the city.  He said increased “literacy” would help get to the core of many of Newark’s problems.  During the questions and answer period, the Mayor elaborated on his proposed response to the budget, the arts, downtown development, prisoner reentry, early childhood education and the city’s relation to Newark Public Schools.  He thanked grantmakers for their contributions to “The Blueprint for a New Newark,” a document of transition recommendations.

The Newark Funders Group is an affinity group of CNJG and meets quarterly.  The group’s activities include an active Education Subcommittee, Early Learners Funders Group, and College Access and Success committee.

To influence systematic change in employment practices for individuals with disabilities, Kessler Foundation provided a $100,000 initial investment grant for the May launch of "Employing Abilities at Work Certificate" by SHRM Foundation, the 501c (3) philanthropic arm of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Developed in partnership with the St. Augustine, FL-based consulting firm Global Disability Inclusion, the free certificate program aims to educate human resource (HR) professionals, people managers, and business leaders about the benefits of providing a more equitable, diverse workplace for individuals with disabilities. The program will prepare human resource professionals to confidently attract, hire, and retain this population successfully in the workplace.

According to CDC data, more than one in four (26 percent) of the U.S. population identifies with a disability. This community provides a large, unrealized pool of candidates consisting of considerable skills and strengths.

"People with disabilities have the talent and ability to fill the many employment opportunities in today's job marketplace," said Elaine E. Katz, MS, CCC-SLP, Senior Vice President, of Grantmaking and Communications, Kessler Foundation. "The new SHRM Foundation certificate program provides a roadmap for HR professionals to enable authentic disability inclusion, which allows all employees to feel welcome, included, and respected," she says, adding, "more importantly, this certificate is free, enabling SHRM members and others to effect change and growth in companies looking to diversify their workforce."

The vast majority of people would prefer to stay in their home countries instead of undertaking uncertain and often perilous journeys. However, by the end of last year, conflict, violence, persecution, natural disasters, and the impacts of climate change had forcibly displaced nearly 110 million people.

People from all over the world have sought refuge in the United States since before its inception, and the U.S. government recently opened new pathways for refugees to enter the country through community sponsorship and private sponsorship.

Join GCIR in a dialogue with leaders who operate in both the traditional refugee resettlement space and with the new community sponsorship program. Learn how philanthropy can better mobilize resources to protect those seeking safety and refuge in the United States.

SPEAKERS
Basma Alawee, Deputy Executive Director, Community Sponsorship Hub
Robin Mencher, CEO, Jewish Family & Community Services-East Bay
Dauda Sesay, Founding Member and President, Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants

MODERATOR
John Slocum, Executive Director, Refugee Council USA

COST: Free for members and nonmembers

TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®, today announced it awarded a total of $7 million to 37 non-profits across the bank's Maine to Florida footprint and in Michigan through the 18th annual Housing for Everyone grant program. Grants ranging from $150,000 to $250,000 will support independent living for marginalized community members, especially those who experience homelessness and face conditions that make it difficult to maintain a stable home without additional help.

As the affordable housing crisis continues, gaining access to and sustaining safe affordable housing remains out of reach for many across the U.S. The 2024 Housing for Everyone grant recipients represent organizations focused on housing solutions including rapid re-housing (such as short-term rental assistance), permanent supportive housing (such as a combination of leasing and/or rental assistance and/or support services) or transitional housing (such as temporary accommodations) that lead to stable, independent living situations.

"These organizations are making it their primary mission to help relieve some of the most vulnerable members of our community — those who are unsheltered or experiencing homelessness due to higher eviction rates as pandemic-era programs have ended or financial insecurity grows through inflation or other factors," said Paige Carlson-Heim, Director of the TD Charitable Foundation. "Housing for Everyone grant recipients are working closely with TD to improve access by creating innovative solutions that are helping to create a more sustainable and inclusive future for everyone. It is a privilege to support our 2024 Housing for Everyone grant recipients and to continue to be a part of this imperative work."