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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

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.”

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.

The Montclair Foundation is proud to announce the awarding of $90,000 in grants to 17 local nonprofit organizations through its Spring 2025 grant cycle. These grants will support critical initiatives in the areas of Education, Community Service and Cultural Arts — continuing the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to nurturing and strengthening the greater Montclair community.

Thanks to the success of the Foundation’s recent capital campaign, this grant cycle includes several larger awards and a multi-year grant, reflecting an exciting new chapter of expanded community investment.

“We are incredibly grateful to our donors and supporters whose generosity through our capital campaign has allowed us to increase both the scope and impact of our grantmaking,” said Peggy Deehan, chair of the grants committee. “Montclair is home to so many extraordinary organizations making a meaningful difference every day. It’s a privilege to partner with them in creating a more vibrant, inclusive, and compassionate community.”

The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium (NJCIC) is pleased to announce over $1 million granted to 12 news and information organizations across the state. This announcement comes on the heels of a major victory for local news: New Jersey lawmakers and Governor Phil Murphy recently approved a $2.5 million investment for the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium in the FY26 State budget — ensuring our support for trusted, community-rooted journalism continues into the next fiscal year.

These renewal grants support important work in newsrooms and civic media outlets already making a difference — from amplifying underrepresented voices to training the next generation of media professionals. Together, these projects serve a diverse range of communities, addressing information gaps and creating lasting infrastructure for local reporting, media training, and civic leadership.

“By supporting these grantees for another year, we’re investing in long-term impact,” said Chris Dagget, Board Chair and Interim Executive Director of the Consortium. “The organizations in this group are already embedded in the communities they serve. With this support, they’ll be able to deepen that work.”

The Summit Foundation is proud to announce the awarding of over $185,000 in scholarships to more than 60 students in the Summit, NJ area this year, empowering them to pursue higher education.

Every year, the Foundation partners with generous donors to provide financial support that helps students cover not only tuition but the many other costs of college life, such as books, dorm supplies, and living expenses. This support allows students to attend schools of their choice, to live on campus, and to take on fewer student loans.

“Before I even applied to colleges, I remember how afraid I was of not being able to afford an education after high school,” shared April Sanchez, a rising senior at Gettysburg College and recipient of the Elevating Summit Students Scholarship. “Never did I imagine how many resources there were for people like me. With pride, I say today that because of foundations like these, I have traded my fears for hope and gratitude... Not only am I a better friend, daughter, student, employee, and overall person, but I am also an even more hopeful and driven person than I was before.”

The Tepper Foundation in Short Hills, New Jersey, has announced an $8.75 million commitment to Jewish Federations of North America in support of interfaith bridge-building and on-site security for Jewish early childhood, day camp, and afterschool programs.

Awarded through the foundation’s Security Fund, the funding will support more than 100 federations across 39 U.S. states and Canada. The grants will bolster increased security personnel and augment efforts to strengthen local community relations and vital interfaith and intergroup projects. The most recent gift brings the Security Fund’s total commitment to Jewish Federations to nearly $18 million across 2024-25.

“The Security Fund is continuing to provide a critical service for Jewish spaces across the United States, and the Jewish Federations play a key role in helping more families feel safe,” said Tepper Foundation CEO Randi Tepper. “While most Jewish organizations have existing funds dedicated to security, many institutions have had to pull money from other budget lines to meet increased security needs. We want to ensure these organizations can not only provide security but continue their missions serving local families.”

It’s always a mad dash to the end of the year, and this year is no exception.
 
But before we close out the year, CNJG members and special guests will gather next Thursday, December 14, at the 2023 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering, to learn together at the pre-meeting workshop, welcome new members, attend the annual business meeting of members to elect trustees and recap our year, enjoy conversation and networking over lunch, and hear a dynamic discussion related to an important topic for New Jersey’s philanthropic sector. The Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering is always a great opportunity to see longtime friends, meet new colleagues, and network with other funders!  
 
Our theme this year couldn’t be more timely - collaboration. The fireside chat, Sustainable, Effective, and Equitable Collaboration – A Conversation that Centers Community, will feature Nidhi Sahni, Partner and Head of US Advisory Group, Bridgespan, and Lucy Vandenberg, Executive Director, Schumann Fund for New Jersey. And the learning doesn’t stop - we’ve also curated several resources to help inform your collaborative efforts. 
 
Thank you to our Annual Meeting sponsors, Signature Sponsor – Prudential; Collaborating Sponsor - Victoria Foundation; Connecting Sponsors - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Devils Youth Foundation; and Supporting Sponsors – Grunin Foundation, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Princeton Area Community Foundation, and WSFS Bank. CNJG thanks the NJM Insurance Group for a donation in support of the Annual Meeting. Sponsorship underwrites our Signature events. It is only through the generosity of our sponsors that we can provide our Signature events. We are grateful for your support.
 
Thank you for your membership and support in 2023. CNJG supports and elevates New Jersey’s philanthropic community through shared learning, collaborative and trusting relationships, network building, and leadership. We greatly value your membership in the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, and your ongoing support of our work to strengthen philanthropy in the state.
 
We can’t wait to see you next week! This event is often the place where the first seeds of collaboration and partnership are sown.

Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers

Traditionally, funders have asked grantees to report on compliance with grant requirements. But these reports don't show the difference a grantee is making with a funder's money.

This report looks at how leading grantmakers are tackling the transition from compliance reporting to performance management. Representatives from the Blue Sky Funders Forum, James Irvine Foundation, Robin Hood Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and Tipping Point Community:

• identify barriers to data-driven funding;
• describe how their organizations are using technology to overcome these obstacles;
• and suggest how other funders can follow their lead.