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Two different CNJG members queried the CEO listserve on how/when/how to return to the office following the COVID-19 pandemic. CNJG staff compiled the answers from the responding members removing identifying information of the respondents.
CNJG members are eligible for a 20% discount off the only peer-reviewed journal of philanthropy - The Foundation Review - a product of The Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Grand Valley State University. The journal, written by and for foundation staff and boards, provides rigorous research and writing, presented in an accessible style. It will share evaluation results, tools and knowledge about the philanthropic sector in order to improve the practice of grantmaking, yielding greater impact and innovation.
To receive the discount, use FORUM18 as your discount code.
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.
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
CNJG’s community foundation services (through the United Philanthropy Forum) breakdown into three categories:
1. a national listserv for CEOs
2. two in-person boot camp trainings
3. discount on the On-Line CF Express Training
National Listserv for Community Foundation CEOs
CNJG’s listserve for Community Foundation CEOs connects to a national listserv for the CEOs of community foundations. This active listserve allows community foundation CEOs to communicate easily via email with community foundation CEOs from across the country, to pose questions, engage in conversations and more. The service is being made available to our community foundations members as a benefit of your membership with CNJG and is operated by the Untied Philanthropy Forum, which is CNJG’s national network.
If you are interested in participating in this national community foundation listserve, please contact Craig Weinrich.
Community Foundation Boot Camps
The United Philanthropy Forum offers two or more Community Foundation Boot Camps a year that are made available to CNJG members at the member rate as a benefit of CNJG membership. The two-day Community Foundation Boot Camp program offers a comprehensive overview of the structure and operations of a community foundation. The program is an ideal in-depth introduction to community foundations for new community foundation staff, community foundation board members, or more experienced community foundation staff looking for a good refresher.
On-Line CF Express Training
The Forum is partnering with Kansas Association of Community Foundations (KACF) to offer a $400 discount on KACF’s On-Line CF Express Training. The online training and certificate program focuses on core essentials over a 15-module series that covers nearly every aspect of community foundation work: from asset development and quality grants programs design to fiduciary and policy matters. Plus, enjoy 24-hour-access to the easy-to-navigate short (5-15 min) modules in any order from the comfort of a home or an office, in private, or as a group training.
Watch the CF Express Training Promo Video and view a sample module (password: mod15) to learn more. To take advantage of the discount, sign-up at https://cfexpresstraining.com and enter discount code: Forum2018. You can also reference the following attachments for more details.

CECP’s Giving in Numbers™is the unrivaled leader in benchmarking on corporate social investments, in partnership with companies. It is the premier industry survey and research, providing standard-setting criteria in a go-to guide that has defined the field and advanced the movement. CECP has the largest and most historical data set on trends in the industry, shared by more than 585 multi-billion-dollar companies over nearly 19 years, representing more than $312 billion in corporate social investments over that time span. The report is embraced by professionals across all sectors globally to understand how corporations invest in society, with topics ranging from cash and in-kind/product, employee volunteerism and giving, and impact measurement.
Kessler Foundation approved approximately $2 million in grants in 2021 to support initiatives that promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace. The Foundation allocated funding for three categories: Foundation-Directed Grants, Community Employment Grants, and Special Initiative Grants. Since 2005, the Foundation's Center for Grantmaking has awarded more than $50 million to nonprofit programs that expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities striving to work, adding diversity to American workplaces, and boosting productivity.
Kessler grantmaking has lead to improved job skills and paid employment for thousands of individuals with disabilities.
The Foundation's contributions have led to improved job skills and paid employment for thousands of individuals with disabilities, according to Elaine E. Katz, MS, CCC-SLP, senior vice president for grants and communications at Kessler Foundation. "Our grants support inventive initiatives that open new pathways to increasing inclusion of people with disabilities in the workplace," she added.

This guide was designed to help the state’s philanthropic community understand their ethical, legal, and fiduciary requirements and obligations.
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

CNJG's President's Reports
Sample disaster preparedness and recovery plans for foundations.

Grantmaking at the Crossroads is a workbook designed to provide foundations with a new grantmaking methodology that works at the intersection of place, population, and issue. It offers a pathway to greater inclusion of communities that are often excluded or marginalized by foundation funding and enables foundations to maintain their focus and priorities while expanding their reach and effectiveness.
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation volunteered to be laboratories for Grantmaking at the Crossroads and have been critical informants for this workbook. Each of these foundations holds an unwavering commitment to ongoing learning; this publication would not have happened without their support and engagement and the financial support of the Arcus Foundation.
Native Voices Rising is a joint research and re-granting project of Native Americans in Philanthropy and Common Counsel Foundation. This report focuses on the practices and challenges of community organizing and advocacy, focusing on the need for increased investment in and sustained support for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.

Developed in partnership with United Philanthropy Forum and Northern California Grantmakers, this guide shares seven practices and 12 tools for Philanthropy-Serving Organizations who seek effective ways to mobilize resources to sustain their organization’s work. The guide features perspectives from dozens of leaders of national and regional PSOs and examples from our work with these organizations. Much of the content is based on conversations and strategy work with PSO leaders, staff and board members.