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Despite a field replete with research, analysis, recommended policies and practices — not to mention an abundance of educational programs and frameworks for grantmaking to diverse communities — philanthropic leaders have been slow to advance these values in their foundations. Philanthropy Northwest (PNW) wondered: what is getting in the way? Why are good intentions, buttressed with theory and practical advice, not achieving better results on measures of diversity, equity and inclusion?
With the support of the D5 Coalition, PNW began a year-long study to explore these questions. The study was divided into two parts. They began with personal interviews of 23 philanthropic leaders in the Pacific Northwest. In order to better understand how these organizations incorporated diversity, equity, and inclusion into their work and workplaces, they collected baseline information about their staff composition, leadership styles, and organizational practices/policies.
This report details their findings. It includes an in-depth look at the peer cohort model, in which ten foundation leaders met regularly to discuss these issues and support each other in advancing their own leadership. It also includes practical lessons about shifting organizational cultures towards greater diversity, equity and inclusion — lessons drawn directly from the experiences of peer cohort leaders.
PNW presented this work in a webinar hosted by the D5 Coalition. The webinar recording and slides are below.
TD Bank has announced grants totaling $2.8 million in support of efforts to drive a faster, more equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in vulnerable communities across the United States.
Through the third annual TD Ready Challenge, the bank awarded grants to six U.S. nonprofits working to develop innovative solutions to inequities exacerbated by the pandemic in disproportionately impacted communities.
"The COVID-19 pandemic created a healthcare crisis that exposed social, economic, and racial inequities, and we know it continues to disproportionately impact vulnerable populations across the U.S.," said TD Bank president and CEO Greg Braca. "This year, we focused the TD Ready Challenge competition on organizations that provide innovative solutions to the communities where we live and work."
The Newark Philanthropic Liaison is a unique partnership between the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and the City of Newark, supported by several foundations. Read more about the Liaison’s work In these reports. Due to several transitions, there were no written reports between 2015 and 2022.

This new report from CNJG and partners examines the response of foundations, corporations, and other institutional donors to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Numbering nearly 600, these funders have so far committed more than $380 million for relief, recovery and building efforts. The hard data and reflective observations in the report contribute to the growing body of knowledge that helps foundations and corporations be strategic and effective with their giving when disaster strikes.
Two years after the historic storm, Philanthropy & Hurricane Sandy: A Report on the Foundation & Corporate Response breaks down the allocation of dollars contributed thus far and offers perspective on the role of private giving in disaster response and lessons to be taken from this one. The report was published by the Foundation Center in partnership with the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and Philanthropy New York, and with support from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.
“Throughout the past two years, our exceptional nonprofit and funder community has taken on challenges they never imagined,” said Nina Stack, president of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers. “These organizations continue to develop innovative solutions that other communities will learn from and build upon in future disasters.”
In addition to the report’s numerous funders, CNJG wishes to thank the PSEG Foundation for supporting this project.

This national study examines the adoption of Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) practices across U.S. nonprofit organizations. Proposed in 2019, CCF is a set of principles developed by people of color to align fundraising with movements for race, equity, and social justice. Based on survey responses from 283 organizations and in-depth interviews with 14 fundraising professionals, the research revealed both promising developments and persistent challenges in transforming established fundraising approaches.

This national study examines the adoption of Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) practices across U.S. nonprofit organizations. Proposed in 2019, CCF is a set of principles developed by people of color to align fundraising with movements for race, equity, and social justice. Based on survey responses from 283 organizations and in-depth interviews with 14 fundraising professionals, the research revealed both promising developments and persistent challenges in transforming established fundraising approaches.
Top 10 findings from a three-part study of giving circles, their impact and their relationship with their hosting organizations significantly updates our understanding of the current scope, scale and significance of giving circles and other models of collective giving in the U.S. Additionally, this study deepens our understanding of the impact of participation in giving circles on donors’ giving and civic engagement and offers actionable information related to the relationships between giving circles and their hosting organizations.
With confidence increasing from consumers on up to CEOs, so too is the amount of corporate giving taking place in the U.S., jumping 9.9 percent in 2012 and continuing to rise. This South Jersey Biz interview with Nina Stack, president of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, talks about the business of philanthropy and how companies can make a difference.
The Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ) today announced that Dawn Lauer, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of B2B Communications at MWWPR; Kimberly Banks MacKay, former U.S. Head, Legal and Compliance for Novartis Business Services; Gail Mandel, former President and CEO of Wyndham Destination Network; and Michael Murphy, former Morris County Prosecutor and co-founder of Impact NJ, have joined its Board of Trustees.
I can't believe October is already here! We are deep in planning for the CNJG 2024 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering, and I'm thrilled to invite you to be a part of this special event!
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 11, as we come together at the APA Hotel Woodbridge with over 150 Council members and special guests to celebrate the holiday season, welcome new members, and host a brief business meeting to elect trustees. It's also the perfect time to connect with colleagues and friends, old and new, while participating in a thought-provoking discussion about the ever-important topic of leadership in philanthropy.
This event is the one time each year where New Jersey’s philanthropic community comes together to connect, network, learn, and celebrate our collective work. It's a time to reflect on our impact, recharge with new ideas, and plan for the year ahead. Guided by the CNJG Signature Program Committee’s vision for this event, our focus this year is on leadership: Inspiring Change through Leadership: Maximizing Philanthropic Impact. Our morning workshop will explore the New Jersey Principles for Philanthropy – our equity principles emboldening leadership in action, followed by our keynote presentation featuring Amalia Brindis Delgado, Chief Strategy Officer, Panta Rhea Foundation, focused on transformative leadership transitions. It's a topic that feels more important than ever, and I can't wait for the conversations it will inspire.
The Annual Meeting is truly a highlight of the year. In addition to your participation, I invite you to consider supporting the Annual Meeting of Members through a sponsorship, grant, or contribution. Whether you've sponsored before or are considering it for the first time, this is an incredible opportunity to show your support for CNJG, while also raising visibility for your organization. We offer a variety of sponsorship options to fit any level of interest, and we're happy to tailor a package to meet your needs. Your support would help underwrite this vital event, ensuring it continues to serve as a place where our sector can grow stronger together. It's a valuable opportunity not only to give back to CNJG, but to highlight your commitment to the philanthropic community and its ongoing work in New Jersey.
If you'd like more information regarding sponsorship, please reach out to me via e-mail.
A big thank you to our sponsors to date - we couldn't do this without you! Special thanks to Signature Sponsor – Prudential; Contributing Sponsors – Devils Youth Foundation and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Supporting Sponsor – Grunin Foundation; and Colleague Sponsor – Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Thank you for your continued engagement with CNJG. I'm looking forward to hearing from you soon and can't wait to see you at the CNJG Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering in December. Until then, enjoy the beauty of fall!
Warmly,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers