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The PNC Foundation today announced it is allocating a $5.2 million grant pool across its markets to implement or enhance high-quality, nature-based outdoor play and learning environments. This grant pool celebrates the 20th anniversary of PNC Grow Up Great®, PNC's $500 million, bilingual, signature philanthropic initiative designed to help prepare children from birth through age 5 for success in school and life.
Recent PNC-funded research by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) showed that 49% of children ages 3-5 are playing outside less than once a day. A recent NIEER literature review also suggests that pre-K programs conducted in nature-based settings can promote better learning and development.
"PNC has been in the early childhood education space for 20 years, focused on supporting the high-quality early education that is the foundation of a bright future for young children," said Sally McCrady, president and chair, PNC Foundation. "For the milestone anniversary of PNC Grow Up Great, we're thrilled to help provide young children across our communities with outdoor spaces that can help spark their natural sense of wonder and curiosity."
The Disability & Philanthropy Forum invites you to register for the 2024 Disability & Philanthropy Webinar Series. All of our 2024 webinars will be open to the public. This collective learning journey will focus on why a disability lens is essential to addressing key social justice issues. Each webinar will engage philanthropic leaders in conversation with disability advocates about how we can move toward a more equitable, inclusive future for all.
Grantmaking for Disability: LGBTQIA+ Funding: May 9 - 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
Disability Pride, Joy, and Visions for the Future: July 11 - 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
Disability and the Care Economy: September 19 - 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
Disability-Inclusive Hiring: October 10 - 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
Disability in Indigenous Communities: November 14 - 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. ET
All webinars are open to the public, so feel free to share with anyone you know that's interested in learning about disability inclusion, rights, and justice.
CART will be provided. If you require another accommodation to fully participate in the webinar, please note it in your registration, or contact us at [email protected].
CNJG is pleased to re-convene the South Jersey Funders Consortium for a lunch meeting at the Green Olive in Bridgeton. Join your fellow South Jersey funders for lunch and a round-robin discussion on what your organization is funding, and any new initiatives that you are working on.
When the Pascale Sykes Foundation sunset their operations, including gathering this group together on a periodic basis, the Consortium agreed to have CNJG take on the management and stewardship of the group.
Any funder located in or funding in the eight southern counties of New Jersey is welcome to attend (Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Cape May, Atlantic, and Ocean). Although Camden city is located in south Jersey, and because we already have a Camden funders affinity group, the topics of discussion of the South Jersey Funders Consortium should focus on south Jersey, outside of the city of Camden.
COST: Free for CNJG Members and Non Member Grantmakers
For 2024, CNJG will cover the cost of this South Jersey Funders Consortium lunch thanks to a grant from the Pascale Sykes Foundation.
Summer EBT was created through legislation in December 2022 and states were given the option of launching the program in either the Summer of 2024 or 2025 or passing on the program altogether. This program provides $40 per month, every summer month, to every school age child that qualifies for free/reduced price meals. Hear from Mark Dinglasan, Executive Director, NJ Office of the Food Security Advocate (OFSA) and Nefeli Mourti, Senior Director, Social Strategy Associates to learn more about the data-sharing, outreach, and collaboration with the departments of Agriculture, Human Services, and Education to create this program.
The outreach committee has developed a Summer EBT tool kit which you can view here.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $50 for Non Member Grantmakers
Webinar Video
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts yesterday awarded more than $30 million in grants to support approximately 900 arts organizations, projects, and artists throughout the state. The grants were approved at the Council's 58th Annual Meeting in Trenton, which featured a special musical performance by Hector Morales, a 2024 Arts Council Heritage Fellow.
State funding for the Arts Council comes from the revenue generated through the State’s Hotel/Motel Occupancy Fee, and supports arts activity in all 21 counties. From the smallest neighborhoods to the largest cities, artists and arts organizations strengthen communities and offer solutions for complex issues we all care about – quality education, health and wellness, thriving economies, cross-cultural understanding, and more.
“The investment made in our state’s artists and organizations has a direct, positive impact on New Jersey residents, families, businesses, and communities,” said Acting Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the Council in her role as Secretary of State. “It’s an honor to work closely with the Council to help our state’s creative industries thrive, and to ensure New Jersey’s diverse constituencies can access the many benefits of the arts.”
CNJG is pleased to re-convene the South Jersey Funders Consortium for a lunch meeting at a location to be determined soon. Join your fellow South Jersey funders for lunch and a round-robin discussion on what your organization is funding, and any new initiatives that you are working on.
When the Pascale Sykes Foundation sunset their operations, including gathering this group together on a periodic basis, the Consortium agreed to have CNJG take on the management and stewardship of the group.
Any funder located in or funding in the eight southern counties of New Jersey is welcome to attend (Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Cape May, Atlantic, and Ocean). Although Camden city is located in south Jersey, and because we already have a Camden funders affinity group, the topics of discussion of the South Jersey Funders Consortium should focus on south Jersey, outside of the city of Camden.
COST: Free for CNJG Members and Non Member Grantmakers
For 2024, CNJG will cover the cost of this South Jersey Funders Consortium lunch thanks to a grant from the Pascale Sykes Foundation.
Beginning in October 2023, a group of funders got together and commissioned the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) to facilitate a series of dialogues with Newark’s nonprofit community to learn how foundations can be supportive of their capacity strengthening needs. The meetings made separate space for the funding community and nonprofit leaders to meet amongst themselves for learning, sharing, and action, and then brought all of us together in May for an honest discussion about the path forward.
We are utilizing our fall Newark Funder Affinity Group meetings to discuss a collective funder response to the needs of Newark’s nonprofit sector. Please join us for our second meeting on this critical topic in follow-up to the Newark Funder Affinity Group Meeting on September 19th. All are welcome to join us, whether you were able to make our September meeting or not. We will ensure that all attendees are updated so that we are all beginning from the same place.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $50 for Non Member Grantmakers
Lunch will be served.
TD today announced $500,000 in contributions to support local relief efforts in parts of Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina following Hurricane Helene. Donations will be distributed to a few local non-profits leading recovery efforts across the three states.
TD will give $300,000 to non-profit organizations in North Carolina, $100,000 in South Carolina and $100,000 in Florida. TD colleagues may also donate voluntary amounts to select local non-profits in the three states through the bank's employee giving portal, which the bank will match dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 total.
"TD is unequivocally committed to helping our customers, colleagues and community members in this difficult time," said Chris Ward, Regional President of the Mid-South Metro, TD Bank. "The devastation in the central and western parts of North and South Carolina is unprecedented in the region, and we extend our support during the long road to recovery."
Provident Bank recently awarded a total of $50,000 in grants to 11 small businesses and 4 nonprofit organizations as part of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) Small Business Recovery Grant (SBRG) Program.
The SBRG program provides funds to benefit FHLBNY members’ small businesses, including farms and non-profit customers. Through the SBRG Program, members can provide grants of up to $10,000 to qualifying small businesses that have faced economic challenges due to the rate environment, inflation, supply-chain constraints, and/or rising energy costs.
“Provident Bank is proud to partner with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York to support these worthy organizations through the Small Business Recovery Grant Program,” Mary Brown, senior vice president, chief compliance officer, said. “These grants are essential to the financial well-being of these establishments and their ability to serve their customers,” Brown added.
The WSFS CARES Foundation, the charitable giving arm of WSFS Bank (Nasdaq: WSFS), announced it has provided grants to four organizations as part of its continuing series of philanthropic activities by WSFS and the Foundation. The grants were approved in the fourth quarter by the WSFS CARES Foundation board.
n addition, WSFS Bank provided $5,000 to Literacy Delaware in a year-end grant at the recommendation of WSFS’ Board of Directors. WSFS Bank also provided $5,000 grants to the Chester County Food Bank and Family Support Line, and $2,500 to Mother’s Home at the recommendation of WSFS’ Pennsylvania and New Jersey Advisory Boards.
“We are deeply committed to creating meaningful impacts in our communities by supporting programs that promote economic development, advance education, and encourage leadership," said Patrick J. Ward, Executive Vice President, Pennsylvania Market President at WSFS Bank and Chairman of the WSFS CARES Foundation. "It’s a privilege to join forces with such inspiring organizations, and we look forward to expanding our efforts together."
To bolster the social and economic well-being of the communities served by FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric company Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), FirstEnergy and the FirstEnergy Foundation have donated more than $740,000 in 2024 to organizations that support a wide array of community-enhancing endeavors. These initiatives help promote workforce and economic development, enhance the social and cultural landscape of the region and champion crucial safety initiatives.
Lorna Wisham, Vice President of Corporate Affairs & Community Involvement and President of the FirstEnergy Foundation: "Electricity is the lifeblood for homes and businesses, but it's the people that are the lifeblood of our communities. These non-profits are people-driven, and they give opportunities, hope and security to the people who need it the most. We are proud to be able to help them make our communities such great places to live, work and raise a family."
A total of 113 nonprofit and civic organizations in northern and central New Jersey are making progress on their missions, thanks to grants from FirstEnergy and the FirstEnergy Foundation.
The Princeton Area Community Foundation has awarded $2.4 million in Community Impact Grants to more than 50 local nonprofits working to address community needs, including education and workforce development, food security homelessness and mental health.
“We are grateful to our nonprofit partners for their tireless commitment to the region’s neighbors and communities,” Nelida Valentin, Community Foundation vice president of Grants and Programs, said. “As we work to deepen our focus on strengthening the philanthropic impact we can make, we hope these grants provide meaningful support and encourage greater collaboration and partnerships, so that everyone can thrive.”
The Burke Foundation and J&J have partnered with the Community Foundation to provide Community Impact Grants, which support local nonprofits to improve the lives of people living in poverty in the Greater Mercer County region. The grants are also funded by generous contributions from local donors who want to make an impact in our region.
I Am Trenton Community Foundation is proud to announce awarding $135,000 total through the recent “Making Trenton Even Better” grant program to community champions transforming vacant lots, encouraging art and artists, teaching new skills and providing compassionate support with respect and dignity.
“These community groups will make a real impact across our city and we are excited to support their work,” said IAT Co-President Marelyn Rivera. “Our community faces challenges together, and working together we make Trenton even better.”
Grant Committee Chair Regina Podhorin-Zilinski noted that more than 100 applications were received – and many worthwhile projects were not able to be funded. “This was our most generous grant round ever – with more funding and more applicants than ever before,” she said. “Our only regret is that many good ideas did not receive support – this time.”
The New Jersey Cultural Trust Board approved a total of $1,040,935 in grants to 29 nonprofit arts organizations in 14 counties during an open public meeting held virtually on Jan. 15. With the Fiscal Year 2025 grant awards, the Cultural Trust has awarded over $11.4 million in funding for financial stabilization and historic preservation projects across New Jersey since Fiscal Year 2004.
The IFS Arts grants were recommended to the Cultural Trust by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. The more than $1 million in awards represents the largest total dollar amount the Board has approved in grant awards in a single fiscal year in the Trust’s history.
“These grants are a historic investment in New Jersey’s cultural community that will resonate for years to come,” Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way said. “The Cultural Trust’s unique grant programs support projects that strengthen the foundations of our state’s cultural organizations — organizations that in turn anchor local economies, improve the health and vitality of our communities, and contribute immeasurably to New Jerseyans’ wellbeing and quality of life.”
CNJG joined over 350 delegates from across the country for Foundations on the Hill on February 23-26. The event included a policy conference followed by meetings on Capitol Hill. Our delegation was a nice mix of newcomers to FOTH and those with years of experience.
Joining me this year were Board Chair Craig Drinkard; Sharnita Johnson, Victoria Foundation; Board Secretary Kortney Swanson Davis, Forman Acton Foundation; Board members, Jeremy Grunin, Grunin Foundation, and Lucy Vandenberg, Schumann Fund for New Jersey; Bill Engel, The Union Foundation; Carrie Bersak and Jessica Nugent, The Burke Foundation; Sharif Braxton, EQUIP NJ; Naeema Campbell, The Fund for New Jersey; Alma Garcia and Hellen Zamora-Bustos, Equity Ahora (formerly New Jersey Health Initiatives); Jessica Johansen and Shelley Skinner, The Tepper Foundation; Sharese York, Smith Family Foundation; Nelida Valentin, Princeton Area Community Foundation; and Renee Woodside, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey.
For the last few years, we’ve also been joined by Linda Czipo, President and CEO, New Jersey Center for Nonprofits. Linda’s voice elevates our conversations and helps ground them in the work nonprofits do every day.
Speaking with one voice, we urged our legislators to sign on to the bipartisan Charitable Act (H.R.801/S.317). Congressman Kean co-signed the bill on March 3, 2025. We also took the opportunity to share with our Congressional delegation how changes in federal policy and various executive actions are impacting nonprofits and the communities we collectively serve.
In advance of FOTH, the Center surveyed NJ nonprofits for the New Jersey Nonprofits Trends and Outlook 2025 Report – just released this morning! As part of their survey, they also asked for on-the-ground stories of impact in the face of federal funding freezes and actions from the executive branch. Here’s a sampling of what they heard and what we shared at FOTH:
“As of 2/12/25 our agency had not received over $1.5 million owed on federal contracts for work performed in December and January, and on 2/11/25 we furloughed 46 employees … There are currently 1,000 children in NJ who need services in the database for unaccompanied minors where our program staff are assigned cases…If staff are furloughed or laid off these children will not receive services.”
“It was terrifying--a payroll week. We were afraid that we would not be able to pay contractors for work they had already done. Our refugee assistance programs, which had just expanded, lost funding. We were afraid that we would not be reimbursed for $100,000 in disbursements … we had to let go 2 brand new staff members.”
“[Organization] receives federal funding administered by the state and counties (Aging funds and Ryan White funds). If we lose those funds, we will not be able to serve seniors in Ocean and Union County or people living with HIV in 8 counties in NJ.”
“Our federal grants comprise of about $900,000 in total. These funds are our main lifeline for our mental health counseling and sexual violence programming. Especially those who are already marginalized, underserved and/or at risk are more vulnerable to the funding uncertainties than any other groups…”
FOTH is always an opportunity for us to discuss issues of interest to philanthropy, advocate for policy and legislation that strengthen the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors and build relationships with legislators.
This year, we also had a moral obligation to ring the alarm and make sure our representatives understood how communities are being impacted by a wave of reckless and destructive policy decisions.
Earlier this morning, the Center presented their webinar, "The State of NJ’s Nonprofit Sector", providing a high-level review of the related report. Nearly two-thirds of survey respondents reported that at least some of their funding comes from federal grants or contracts which account for more than 4,500 jobs. These findings tell us that people’s lives and livelihoods are at stake.
The webinar provided a concise list of what funders can do during these especially challenging times:
- Check in with nonprofit partners.
- Provide flexible funding.
- Simplify applications and reporting processes.
- Connect nonprofits to information/guidance (Start here with Resources to Navigate Uncertainty).
- Fund advocacy.
- If possible, please increase your payout.
These recommendations align with Doing Good Better and so much of what we’re hearing from CNJG members and the broader philanthropic sector.
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. Manager of Communications Shakirat Odunsi will collect stories from you, our members, about how you are changing/adapting your grantmaking and work in the face of the dramatic policy shifts that are happening in the executive branch. I also encourage you to share those stories directly with your CNJG colleagues via the listservs.
My colleague Linda ended the webinar with, “We are not alone. We can do this together!” And I’ll add - in fact, we must do this together.
In solidarity,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
The TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable arm of TD Bank, has announced grants totaling $7.2 million to 36 nonprofits in support of housing affordability and stability.
Awarded through the foundation’s annual Housing for Everyone program, grants of $200,000 each will boost solutions for low- to moderate-income (LMI) homeowners struggling to maintain homeownership. Recipients include Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade (Florida), Midcoast Habitat for Humanity (Rockport, Maine), Valley Community Development Corp. (Northampton, Massachusetts), Family Promise of Warren County (Phillipsburg, New Jersey), Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (Brooklyn, New York), and Greenville Housing Fund (Greenville, South Carolina).
“Amid rising housing costs, these organizations play a vital role in supporting homeowners in communities across TD’s footprint to afford critical repairs, avoid foreclosure, correct tangled titles, and so much more,” said TD Charitable Foundation director Paige Carlson-Heim. “The efforts of the Housing for Everyone grantees are so appreciated, as their work is essential to protecting homeowners and providing long-term stability in our neighborhoods. By supporting these nonprofits, we hope to help mitigate the threat of home loss while ensuring homeowners have the resources and resilience they need to sustain long-term homeownership.”
Join our first Newark Funder Affinity Group meeting of the year as we discuss effective practices in wraparound support and advocacy for new immigrants to the area. The conditions at the border due to unrest in Central and South America and the busing of migrants from Texas to Northeastern cities mean that Newark is seeing an increased number of immigrants in need of immediate assistance. We will use this session to discuss ways that philanthropy can become engaged.
Speakers:
Priscilla Monico Marín, Executive Director, NJ Consortium for Immigrant Children
Amy Torres, NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice
Chia-Chia Wang, Organizing and Advocacy Director, American Friends Service Committee
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $50 for Non Member Grantmakers.
Thanks to the Community Foundation of New Jersey, we have also opened an account for any foundations interested in pooling resources to support our immigrant community with legal and wraparound services. If you are interested in exploring this further with colleagues, please contact Kevin Callaghan, Newark Philanthropic Liaison.
Prudential Financial, Inc. recently announced the recipients of its third annual Prudential Community Grants Program. Recipients were honored on April 24 during a ceremony at the company’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey.
“Prudential’s Community Grants Program is part of our commitment to our hometown of Newark. It exemplifies our place-based approach,” states Shané Harris, vice president and head of social responsibility, Prudential Financial, and president of The Prudential Foundation. “This initiative reflects our 150-year dedication to Newark and reinforces our ongoing support for all residents, now and into the future.”
The Community Grants Program focuses on neighborhood-based solutions that foster community vitality, providing direct support to Newark residents and organizations working to make a difference. “Our approach ensures that the solutions we fund are effective and tailored to the community’s needs,” Harris says. “This program addresses funding gaps and helps build resilient, thriving neighborhoods in Newark, enabling residents to live better lives, longer.”
The FirstEnergy Foundation has donated $25,000 to the American Red Cross to support its efforts to offer disaster assistance to families living in communities served by FirstEnergy Corp. electric company Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L).
The donation comes after the Red Cross provided aid to some of the 5,000 residents who evacuated due to the Jones Road wildfire, which burned through more than 15,000 acres in parts of JCP&L’s Ocean County territory after starting on April 22 at the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area.
“When our crews respond to disasters, both in our territory or as part of mutual aid, it is the American Red Cross that is routinely there, providing the support that sustains communities in the immediate aftermath,” said Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy’s president, New Jersey. “Last month’s wildfire burned close to home for many of our customers and employees, and once again, the Red Cross stepped up when people needed them most.”
As The Westfield Foundation marks its 50th anniversary, the organization is proud to announce the recipients of its Golden Impact Grants—an initiative that reflects five decades of commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive community through strategic philanthropy.
“It’s truly an honor to celebrate 50 years of service, partnership, and impact,” said Katie Darcy, executive director of The Westfield Foundation. “When the Foundation was established in 1975, it began with just $2,000 and a shared belief in building a better future through philanthropy. Today, we distribute over $1 million annually, thanks to the vision and generosity of the very community we serve.”
The Golden Impact Grants were created to mark this milestone by amplifying the Foundation’s investment in Westfield — the place where it all began. This special initiative invited a select group of local organizations to submit proposals for bold, visionary projects that address urgent community needs and will leave a lasting legacy.