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Eleven nonprofits have been awarded a total of $905,000 in grants by the trustees of The Fund for New Jersey, the organization announced Thursday.

The Fund for New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the quality of decision-making related to public policy about the state's most pressing issues. For over 50 years, The Fund has supported organizations and initiatives advancing systemic and sustainable solutions to public problems through policy, advocacy, analysis, and organizing.

The Kearny Bank Foundation donated a total of $735,500 to various charities in 2023 — increasing its five-year giving total to more than $3.6 million, the bank reported this week.

In 2023, the largest single donation was to Junior Achievement of New Jersey, which received $140,000.

In Q2 2024, our foundation awarded 34 grants totaling over $14 million.

Our second quarter grantmaking focuses on identifying and fueling the scale of cost-effective programs and solutions that accelerate improvement in key academic and socioemotional outcomes for all children. As always, we place an emphasis on grantmaking and strategic support that unlock innovation, evidence, and growth for our grantees.

New Jersey’s philanthropic community mourns the loss of Jeffery Vega, who passed away January 28.

Jeff joined CNJG’s Board in 2016, and during his tenure served as First Vice Chair and Board Chair, and participated on multiple committees, affinity groups, and co-chaired the Trenton Area and Mercer County Funders affinity group. Jeff shaped and cultivated the direction and focus of CNJG through his supportive and proactive leadership. His direction and guidance during the pandemic helped CNJG not only stay the course, but continue to grow and thrive.

“Working with Jeff was a joy and a privilege,” CNJG President and CEO Theresa Jacks said. “Jeff guided us through the pandemic, a leadership transition, a strategic planning process, the approval of equity principles, and CNJG’s first-ever policy agenda with a steady hand, fierce commitment to equity, unwavering dedication to the membership, and the perfect combination of visionary thinking, wisdom, and kindness.”

His CNJG legacy includes the 2023 Strategic Plan, the creation of the Racial Equity Committee, CNJG’s first policy agenda, the New Jersey Principles for Philanthropy, and leading a dynamic and diverse board.

Jeff was the President and CEO of Princeton Area Community Foundation since 2015. Before joining PACF, Jeff was President of New Brunswick Tomorrow.

You can read more at the Princeton Area Community Foundation’s tribute page and announcement of Jeff’s passing.

In Q1 2025, our foundation awarded 56 grants totaling over $14.5 million.

Our first quarter grantmaking focuses on identifying and fueling the scale of cost-effective programs and solutions that accelerate improvement in key academic and socioemotional outcomes for all children. As always, we place an emphasis on grantmaking and strategic support that unlock innovation, evidence, and growth for our grantees.

Blue Foundry Charitable Foundation, Blue Foundry Bancorp’s foundation for supporting philanthropic efforts in New Jersey, awarded $63,750 to nine nonprofit organizations during the second quarter of 2025.

The foundation supports the efforts of organizations that fall under these categories: affordable housing, education, health and human services, and youth programs.

It’s summer – and that means summer reading! Whether you’re reading at home or in the coffee shop, at the beach, or while traveling by train or airplane, I'm thrilled to share a collection of summer reading recommendations from CNJG’s Board of Trustees and staff. While some recommendations speak directly to philanthropy and the social sector, others explore leadership, civic engagement, economics, and personal growth, all offering insights and ideas to excite our curiosity and inspire us.

Board Chair Craig Drinkard has been re-reading the timeless classic Good to Great by Jim Collins. Craig shared that so much more is resonating this time around as he re-reads it. The first time he read the book, the theory is what stood out; this time it’s deeper, more strategic, and thought provoking, with fresh insights gained during this second look. This book is worth a read for everyone dedicated to leadership and organizational improvement.

First Vice Chair, Justin Kiczek continues to be inspired by our recent convening, 2025 Conference for the Social Sector - Stronger Together: Philanthropy & Civic Engagementand recommends Habits of Heart and Mind: How to Fortify Civic Culture from Our Common Purpose - a publication he says has been a "continued source of wisdom and good ideas" and passes on to pretty much anyone he knows! He also follows two Substack columns focused on civic culture and renewal: Daniel Stid’s The Art of Association and Gabe Lerner’s Democracy Notes.

Treasurer Catherine Wilson has been diving into a diverse reading list including Autocracy, Inc.by Anne Applebaum, The Art of More: How Mathematics Created Civilization by Michael Brooks, and The Heat Will Kill You First: Life and Death on a Scorched Planet by Jeff Goodell.

Also from our board members:
 
Paul DiLorenzo is catching up on his back-dated New Yorker magazines and especially loved a story called Amelia Earhart’s Reckless Final Flights.
 
Maisha Simmons recommends checking out this insightful blog post: The Challenge and Opportunity for Funder and Nonprofit Listening Right Now.
 
Tammy Rice Herman has been reading the weekly blog, "Better Allies" where author Karen Catlin shares five simple actions each week to create a more inclusive and engaging workplace. You can sign up here to receive the blog every Friday.
 
Margarethe Laurenzi recommends listening to Ann Patchett at Parnassus Books talk about all the great books being written that serve as a rebuttal to the idea that literary fiction has lost its way.
 
Jasmyne Beckford has been enjoying reading Choosing Purposeful Alignment: The Messy Middle of Transformation. The book really speaks to her, “because it’s all about how growth happens in that uncertain, messy middle where you have to keep choosing what aligns with your values.”

Lucy Vandenberg’s summer reading and all year round includes her “daily devouring of The New York Times and NJ Spotlight!”
 
The CNJG team has a few reading recommendations for you too!

Senior Director, Member Experience, Craig Weinrich recommends Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth, who argues that GDP should no longer be the sole indicator for a nation’s (and the world’s) economic health. Measuring something as complex as an economy needs an updated tool – thus the doughnut model that includes social and ecological benefits and harms, resulting from economic activity.
 
Manager of Programs and Learning, Chanika Svetvilas is currently reading Systemic: How Racism Is Making Us Sick by Layla Liverpool. She notes Liverpool's observation that “Racism is an insidious threat to our health precisely because it is so easily overlooked or, in some cases, perhaps willfully ignored.”
 
Manager of Communications Shakirat Odunsi picked up two books at United Philanthropy Forum’s UnConference last month: Future Good: How to Use Futurism to Save the Worldby Trista Harris and A New Era of Philanthropy by Dimple Abichandani. These picks reflect her interest in how our sector can evolve and adapt. Harris's work explores how futurist thinking can be applied to social change, while Abichandani's book examines the transformation happening in philanthropic practices and approaches. Both seem perfectly timed for those of us thinking about where philanthropy is headed next. 

For my own summer reading, I've been reassured by reading Who is Government? The Untold Story of Public Service edited by Michael Lewis – the stories of the real women and men working in the public sector without bravado and bluster. These are the civil servants that oversee our veterans’ cemeteries, explore our universe, hunt down cyber criminals and preserve our archives. These unsung heroes do the daily, unseen, yet necessary work of the people. “Although they often go unnoticed, public servants are the heartbeat of our nation.”
 
I also recently read, Meditations for Mortals - Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts by Oliver Burkeman. I plan on re-reading it so I can gain some deeper insights during my upcoming sabbatical.
 
Yes – that’s correct - I will be on sabbatical beginning Monday, August 11, and will return to the office on Tuesday, October 14! I started my journey at CNJG in May 2008. I’m grateful to the CNJG Board of Trustees for giving me this opportunity, and grateful to an incredibly dedicated and competent team that will ensure work of the Council continues during my absence! Thank you!
 
Special thanks to Craig Weinrich, who will be the senior executive in charge, while I am on sabbatical. Please feel free to reach out to Office Manager Dana Schwartz, as well, at [email protected].
 
I'm struck by the breadth and depth of what our community is reading, from civic engagement and economic models to health equity and the future of philanthropy. These recommendations reflect the commitment to continuous and shared learning that makes our CNJG community so special. I’m looking forward to exploring some of these recommendations during my time away. And in case you missed it, the annual CNJG 2024 President's Report also celebrates what makes our CNJG community so special!

With appreciation,

Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers

Newark funders joined this webinar for an engaging discussion with a great panel of small business leaders/entrepreneurs in Newark, who discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the small business community and considerations for re-opening.

Speakers:
Bisola Taiwo, Assistant Director, City of Newark Department of Economic and Housing Development
Bernel Hall, President and CEO, Invest Newark
Adenah Bayoh, Foya Foods Group (Owner of Cornbread and Newark and Irvington IHops)
Ken Tays, Owner, Minuteman Press
Laura Bonas Palmer, Owner, Akwaaba Gallery

Cost: Free for CNJG Members and Non Member Grantmakers

Webinar Video

The Camden Funders Affinity Group serves as a vehicle for funders to connect and share updates about their initiatives throughout the city. At the May 30th gathering (our first of 2024), we heard loud and clear that group members didn't want to wait too long before meeting again.

As such, please join your fellow Camden Funders for another in-person meeting to not only share more about your current work in the city, but also dive deeper into discussing the capacity of Camden-based organizations (both those that you already work with and those that can potentially be funded in the future), and how funders might better support them in building it.

A dedicated a portion of this meeting will refine the goals of the Camden Funders Affinity Group, as well as identifying potential speakers and topics for future meetings.
 

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