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In April, we celebrate Global Volunteer Month, and for corporate volunteer programs this represents a wonderful opportunity to engage your employees through volunteerism. Over the past three years, there has been a whirlwind of change around these volunteer programs, moving away from in-person to virtual volunteer events, and a rethinking by many companies about how these programs now work with remote employees.
Join your fellow corporate CNJG members for an online discussion (via Zoom) about your volunteer programs; how they’ve changed, and how they continue to evolve as we emerge from the pandemic. We will hear from Rowena Madden from the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism on a state-level view of volunteerism, and then we will have a dedicated time to hear from your corporate peers from across the state on their programs, and a time for you to share what your company is doing. We encourage every attendee to participate in this discussion. You may wish to share your answers to these questions or others that come up in the conversation:
- Does your corporate giving align with volunteerism efforts?
- How are volunteers/volunteer programs part of your grantmaking?
- Does your company observe “Global Volunteer Month”?
- How are you leveraging skills-based volunteerism?
- How do you recognize your volunteers?
- Do you measure and track volunteerism? If so, what program do you use? For what purposes?
- Does your company support ways for employees to serve on nonprofit boards?
- Are your volunteer programs expanding this year?
- What system(s) do you use to track volunteers?
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $50 for Non Member Grantmakers
This program is only open to staff and trustees from grantmaking organizations.
Helpful Websites for Corporate Volunteer Programs
BoardSource
Points of Light Foundation
Taproot Foundation
YouGIveGoods
and also “Amazon.com drives”
Late last year, the Texas legislature passed a series of bills targeting migration at the Texas-Mexico border. This included Senate Bill 4 (SB4), which criminalizes anyone suspected of crossing the border without authorization to enter or re-enter into Texas. Since then, a series of legal decisions have created confusion and uncertainty. Similarly, Florida has passed legislation targeting community IDs and driver's licenses for immigrants and criminalizing the transportation of undocumented immigrants into the state.
As battleground border states, Florida and Texas have had an immense influence across the country, as other states have stood up similar anti-immigrant bills. Most recently the governor of Iowa signed SF2340, a bill which made it a state crime for immigrants with prior deportation orders from the U.S. to reside in the state. The Louisiana governor recently introduced SB 388, which, as in Florida, criminalizes undocumented immigrants entering or reentering the state. Meanwhile, Georgia has introduced legislation to punish local governments for having sanctuary city policies.
In an election year when immigration is the top issue in the minds of many voters, these policies exacerbate xenophobic, anti-immigrant, and racist sentiments that further dehumanize and criminalize immigrant and refugee communities while also expanding state powers to detain, deport, and terrorize undocumented individuals. To respond to this moment, organizations are leveraging different strategies–from litigation to organizing–to prevent the implementation of these policies and create a more welcoming country for all.
Join us for a panel conversation with frontline leaders, which will be followed by a funder-only discussion.
Speakers
Jennefer Canales-Pelaez, Texas Policy Attorney & Strategist, Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
Erica Johnson, Founding Executive Director, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ)
Dauday Sesay, Founder & Executive Director, Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI) & National Network Director, African Communities Together (ACT)
Moderator
Cairo Mendes, Senior Director of State and Local Programs, GCIR
What does an age-integrated society look like and how can funders be part of the movement to strengthen aging initiatives in the philanthropic sector? Join this special conversation with Lindsay Goldman, CEO of Grantmakers In Aging, a community of funders mobilizing money and ideas to strengthen policies, programs, and resources for all of us as we age. Lindsay will share insights on how aging intersects with funding priorities including health, caregiving, social connection, and housing.
Lindsay Goldman serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Grantmakers In Aging (GIA), a position she assumed in January 2021. She draws on nearly 20 years of experience in program development and administration, direct service, philanthropy, and health and social policy. Most recently, Lindsay was the founding director of the Center for Healthy Aging at The New York Academy of Medicine. Specializing in public-private partnerships to create age-inclusive environments, Lindsay oversaw a portfolio that included the award-winning Age-friendly NYC, Health & Age Across All Policies NYS, and IMAGE: The Interactive Map of Aging. Earlier in her career, Lindsay was responsible for strategic planning and allocations to support older adults in New York and Israel while working for the UJA-Federation of New York. She also directed the Health Enhancement Partnership at Lenox Hill Neighborhood House and received a Best Practice Award from the National Council on Aging in 2008. She began her career at Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, where she coordinated an intergenerational mentoring program in the Bronx. She holds a BA from Wesleyan University and an MSW from NYU.
Emily Hinsey is the Director of Programs. In her capacity, Emily coordinates the programmatic work of the organization, including the webinar series, member meetings, funder networks on housing, serious illness, caregiving, technology, rural health, and multisector plans for aging, and grant-funded projects. Prior to beginning her work with GIA in 2017, Emily was the Administrator and Project Development Manager at Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana, where she advised on the organization’s accreditation and new business development. Emily began her career as the Prevention Coordinator at the Open Arms Domestic Violence Center. Emily serves on the Fort Wayne Mayor's Age-Friendly Council. Emily holds a BA in Social Work from Bluffton University.
This program is open to all interested attendees.
As of February 22, 2021, the coronavirus pandemic has claimed the lives of more than 2.5 million people around the world, with an additional 110 million people infected. And while data such as this serves an enormous purpose in understanding the scale and scope of a disaster, aiding experts in determining needs and directing resources, it remains far from the complete picture of the impact of COVID-19 on humanity.
Philanthropy’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that not only can donors be exceedingly generous in a crisis, but they can lead through trust and courage. In this new report, the Center for Disaster Philanthropy and Candid recognize this leadership, as demonstrated by increased overall giving, even if too little of it is in the form of unrestricted grants and funds directed toward Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. There remains much to be done, especially regarding support for programs that deliver the policy and system changes necessary to redress generations of inequities.
Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ), has awarded a fifth round of grants from its COVID-19 Response Fund. Sixteen grants totaling $155,000 were awarded to South Jersey nonprofits meeting the needs of communities in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem Counties. Over the past year, CFSJ has distributed more than $848,000 to more than 110 organizations negatively impacted by the pandemic and related economic downturn.
“This pandemic has created challenges for families across South Jersey, including food insecurity, housing instability, and a lack of childcare. These grants build on the Foundation’s efforts to help those on the front line provide access to these essential services and more,” said CFSJ Executive Director Andy Fraizer. “We applaud the efforts of those who are working tirelessly to serve individuals and families.”
A total of $29,000 has been donated by Kearny Bank to the scholarship funds of 26 high schools, one local board of education, and two educational support organizations in nine New Jersey counties. The funds represent the latest contributions in a long-standing, annual scholarship program managed by the KearnyBank Foundation.
“We’re quite proud of our annual high school scholarship program, which highlights Kearny Bank’s deep commitment to supporting education throughout New Jersey,” says Kearny Bank President and CEO Craig Montanaro. “High school was anything but conventional for members of the class of 2021. We’re hoping our scholarship donations will play a part in enabling these students to have spectacular, post-pandemic collegiate experiences.”
The Overdeck Family Foundation has announced third-quarter grants totaling $13.5 million.
Six new grants and twenty-seven renewal grants were awarded in support of cost-effective programs with the potential to accelerate improvement in key academic and socioemotional outcomes for all children. Recipients include Future City, a four-month-long afterschool STEM program for grades six through eight, which was awarded $200,000 to increase the number of under-resourced students served, diversify revenue streams, and refine data tracking and reporting practices; Teaching Lab, which will receive $200,000 to pilot a virtual, adaptive, and competency-based delivery model; and Public Impact, which was awarded $700,000 in support of efforts to restructure Pre-K–12 schools to extend the reach of excellent teachers, principals, and their teams to more students, for more pay, within recurring school budgets.
Wells Fargo is donating $300,000 from the Wells Fargo Foundation to support three organizations providing urgent relief in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Fiona. The funding to the Hispanic Federation, SBP, and World Central Kitchen will focus on necessities like meals and supplies as well as resources for rebuilding efforts.
"We understand the urgency when natural disasters hit – especially in Puerto Rico, where communities are still recovering from Hurricane Maria," said Otis Rolley, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation and head of Philanthropy and Community Impact. "At times like this, our company supports the resilience of Puerto Rico and is quickly deploying resources to help meet the many needs unfolding in the aftermath of this storm."
CNJG is pleased to partner with the Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth (OCIG) within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration at the U.S. Department of Commerce on this series to help the funding community know about the federal government’s investment into broadband access, and how communities, residents and organizations can take advantage of these funding opportunities.
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the New Jersey Office of Broadband Connectivity are hosting a series of public virtual roundtable meetings, which will take place once per month from February through July 2023. Join us to learn more about Internet for all, Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) and the Digital Equity Grant funding planning in New Jersey.
These meetings are intended to create open communication and collaboration on BEAD and DE projects. This first meeting is an introduction to these programs, explains the coordination between NTIA and the NJ Office of Broadband Connectivity, and outlines upcoming important upcoming dates.
Resources
Webinar Recording
BEAD Info Sheet
Digital Equity Act Info Sheet
Ways to Get Involved – Local Governments
Ways to Get Involved – Tribal Entities
Ways to Get Involved – Community Based Organizations
Ways to Get Involved – Communities of Color
Ways to Get Involved – Industry
OceanFirst Foundation, Toms River, has awarded $718,900 in grants to 104 New Jersey and Philadelphia nonprofits. Organizations will receive General Operating/Flexible Support Grants to help them meet organizational needs. Services include, but are not limited to, healthcare, crisis assistance, emergency response, homelessness prevention, hunger and poverty fighting programs, and job readiness services.
“Our partners are passionate about serving our neighbors, and we’re proud to present them with General Operating/Flexible Support Grants as we work together to uplift our communities,” shared Katherine Durante, executive director, OceanFirst Foundation. “Through unrestricted funding, our partners have the flexibility to adapt to evolving community needs. We are committed to empowering nonprofits and providing resources to neighborhoods served by OceanFirst Bank. I am confident that this year’s incredible grantees will make a positive and long-lasting impact.”
The Regional Foundation announced $1,950,000 in Implementation Grants to three organizations throughout New Jersey. The Neighborhood Implementation Grants program supports comprehensive community development plans that target specific neighborhoods, are resident-driven, and equity-focused. The multi-year funding is designed to assist the foundation’s grantee partners to start or sustain momentum in their comprehensive neighborhood revitalization initiatives.
“The grant investments announced today reflect the foundation’s ongoing commitment to sustained funding for our partners” stated Kevin Dow, Executive Director of the foundation. “Habitat and Parkside are strong partners doing amazing work including collaborations with other foundation partners and NJCDC is exciting as it moves our long-standing partnership from neighborhood planning to implementation and deepens our support in Paterson.”
The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey (HFNJ) is pleased to announce that it has awarded $2,802,521 to twenty New Jersey nonprofit organizations in its third quarter grant cycle of 2023. The total includes renewal funding for 15 projects that had previously been awarded grants from HFNJ, and first-time funding for five new projects.
The projects reflect the many diverse areas in which HFNJ works to fulfill its mission of improving the health and well-being of individuals in Newark and its environs and the Jewish community of Greater MetroWest, NJ. Programs providing vision care for children; dental care for veterans; care for individuals experiencing homelessness; the provision of healthy foods; and more will be supported by the grants awarded this quarter.
The New Jersey Historic Trust, an affiliate of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA), today approved a total of $14,038,043 in grant recommendations from the Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund to save and promote historic sites throughout the state. Seventy-one preservation planning, municipal, county, and regional planning, heritage tourism, and capital projects are included in this year’s list of recommendations.
“As the state’s leading voice for historic preservation, the Trust has consistently advanced historic guardianship in New Jersey for the benefit of future generations through education, stewardship, and financial investment programs that protect our traditions and strengthen our communities,” said DCA Acting Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez. “This investment in historic resources will help to preserve New Jersey’s history for generations to come.”
The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) joined more than 1,000 community foundations nationwide to celebrate National Community Foundation Week from November 12-18, 2023. During the week, the NNJCF, a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Hackensack, New Jersey, announced on National Philanthropy Day that $53,803 in grant and scholarship awards were made in 2023. These grants and scholarships were recommended by a Grants Committee and reviewed and approved by the NNJCF’s Board of Trustees.
“During our 25th anniversary, we are delighted to support several organizations responding to the needs in their communities and making an impact,” said NNJCF Executive Director Leonardo Vazquez. “We thank the Foundation’s donors and supporters for making these grant and scholarship awards possible.”
The Camden Coalition and the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMS Foundation) today announced the first-ever recipients of the New Jersey Safety Net Innovation Program (NJ SNIP), which will provide $3.3 million in grants to 11 organizations focused on strengthening the healthcare safety net and improving health equity in New Jersey.
Awardees of the NJ SNIP grants will each receive $300,000 in funding over two years from the BMS Foundation to address the community and/or strategic capacity-building needs in their areas. The Camden Coalition will offer tailored one-on-one technical support related to project management and implementation barriers as well as other technical resources.
The FirstEnergy Foundation has granted surprise "Gifts of the Season" totaling $20,000 to two nonprofits that are working to make lives better in New Jersey communities served by FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) subsidiary Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L).
Jim Fakult, President of JCP&L: "We're proud to support these organizations because their missions align with our commitment to diverse, equitable and inclusive communities where everyone feels safe, valued, included and respected. The winners were chosen by FirstEnergy External Affairs employees who identified organizations in their local areas that do extraordinary work to strengthen the community and enhance the lives of vulnerable and underserved populations."
The F. M. Kirby Foundation Board of Directors announced 255 grants totaling $15,431,175 were approved in 2023 to nonprofit organizations working to increase the strength and vitality of our communities.
Of this total, over 130 grants included general operating support and over 140 grants were made to organizations that have been partners of the Foundation for over 25 years, representing the Foundation’s grantmaking strategy of forming long-term, trusting relationships with grantees. Grantmaking in 2023 included a combined $9.1 million to organizations working in New Jersey and North Carolina, the Foundation’s primary geographic areas of interest. Additional grants, totaling over $6 million, supported organizations in Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania, regions dear to Kirby family members, as well as national nonprofits largely based in Washington, D.C., and New York City.
As Jewish institutions across the U.S., from synagogues to Jewish Community Centers, tighten security measures as a response to rising antisemitism, the Tepper Foundation noticed that fears were particularly heightened among young families. In response, the grantmaking foundation announced on Monday that it will deploy $2.5 million in emergency grants through its Security Fund to underwrite the cost of security personnel in Jewish institutions where young children are in attendance.
“By speaking with our grantees, we discovered that many of them don’t have security on the premises when young children are present. This was creating a good deal of anxiety among parents,” Marian Stern, a consultant who serves as a portfolio manager at The Tepper Foundation, told eJewishPhilanthropy.