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The F. M. Kirby Foundation Board of Directors announced 249 grants totaling $14,354,050 were made in 2022 to nonprofit organizations working to foster self-reliance and create strong, healthy communities. Over half of these organizations have been partners of the Foundation for over 20 years, in keeping with the Foundation’s philosophy of long-term investments in effective programs.

The Foundation’s 2022 grantmaking included increased contributions to nonprofit organizations in the arts and humanities, education, health, human services, environment and animals, public affairs, and religion. Over 100 grants totaling more than $5.2 million were awarded to New Jersey-based nonprofit organizations working to make a direct impact on people’s lives throughout the state, 60 of which (totaling $3.1 million) supported work in Morris County, the Foundation’s home county. Additional grants totaling over $9 million supported organizations in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, regions connected to Kirby family members, as well as national nonprofits largely based in Washington, D.C. and New York City.

Reflecting on a year of grantmaking supporting both consistent community partners and exciting new initiatives, Executive Director Justin Kiczek stated, “The F. M. Kirby Foundation was founded more than 90 years ago by Fred Morgan Kirby, an entrepreneur. The values that led to his success have informed this organization and its grantmaking since its founding. We are proud of the ways in which we supported, in 2022, the entrepreneurs, innovators, and problem-solvers who are fostering strong and healthy communities. On a local level, our grantmaking this year supported organizations like Rising Tide Capital, based in Jersey City, NJ, in their mission to transform lives and communities through entrepreneurship. On the other hand, we continued to promote national and global social entrepreneurship through the F. M. Kirby Prize for Scaling Social Impact, administered by the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. We remain committed to funding the next generation of Fred Morgan Kirbys, who are inspired to use their entrepreneurial vision to tackle the significant challenges of our era.”

Sample board committee descriptions, including roles and responsibilities of committee members

Membership in the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers offers foundation leaders and grantmakers the opportunity to deepen their experience with the organization by serving on a Board committee. Committee members lead, recommend, and develop policies that help shape our organization. The commitment level for each committee varies and includes an expectation that members will participate in regularly scheduled meetings either in person or via Zoom, and other planning calls as needed, as well as be willing to participate in independent projects as they arise. Members usually join those committees best suited to their professional strengths. Individual members of the CNJG staff team are assigned to each committee.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee advises the Board of Trustees in overseeing the selection and performance of the Council’s independent auditors, conducting periodic RFPs for auditor services, the quality and integrity of the Council’s financial reporting, its fiscal controls and tax and regulatory compliance, and compliance with legal and accepted standards. An audit or finance background/experience is desirable for some of the members of this Committee.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee advises the Board of Trustees with all financial policies and strategies, including but not limited to: consultation and review of the annual budget(s), reviewing and monitoring financial reporting, approving and monitoring investments, and developing and approving significant financial policies. A background in finance and financial operations is desirable for some of the members of this group.

Governance Committee

The Governance Committee acts as a nominating committee for vacant board seats and board officers, develops a board slate each year, recommends by-law changes, develops board membership criteria on an annual basis, recommends and develops best practices and expectations for trustees and the board chair, and undertakes any other board governance-related issues.

Member Engagement Committee

The Member Engagement Committee works with the staff to recruit, retain and engage members. Committee members assist in identifying new prospects, setting up and participating in introductory meetings, and keeping prospective members informed of upcoming CNJG programs. It also collaborates with staff members to develop the structure and strategy of membership recruitment and retention activities, as well as recommending changes and/or updates to criteria for membership in CNJG to the Board.

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee advises the Board and Council on public policy matters as appropriate, develops recommendations on specific legislation or proposed regulatory activity, implements the Council’s policy agenda, engages in government relations activities, and actively collaborates with partners to move forward the CNJG’s policy agenda and favorable legislation and regulations to support the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.

Racial Equity Committee

The Racial Equity Committee was first formed as a taskforce in 2020 as a reaction to systemic and structural racism embedded within the United States, and CNJG’s commitment to raising awareness and instigating change in New Jersey’s philanthropic community. In June 2023 the taskforce was designated a committee of the Board by the Board, and is committed to infusing racial equity throughout CNJG’s programming and structures. In 2024 and 2025, the committee will focus efforts on creating tools and resources to move forward the New Jersey Principles for Philanthropy, CNJG’s equity principles.

Signature Programs Committee

The Signature Programs Committee helps plan and recommend topics, speakers, etc. for CNJG's Signature events including the Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering, and Spring Colloquium or Spring Conference. When called upon, its members may assist with other (non-affinity group) meetings or events throughout the year.

ADOPTED: 10/20/2023

APPROACH
CNJG takes an active role in championing the vital role New Jersey’s nonprofit sector plays in the state. We advocate for public policies that support a strong and fair economy, the economic and social well-being of New Jersey’s residents, a healthy environment, and civically engaged and educated communities. In keeping with our vision, we seek to advance equity and inclusive public policies. We promote participatory philanthropy, which seeks to include a diversity of voices in public policy development and implementation and ensure that those most affected are included in the public policymaking process. We advance trust-based philanthropy, which seeks to foster equitable relationships within the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors by redistributing power — systemically, organizationally, and interpersonally — in service of a healthier and more equitable nonprofit sector. We focus our public policy efforts on issues that affect or impact the nonprofit and/or philanthropic sectors, that potentially have long-term, systemic impact, and where the involvement of CNJG could positively shape the outcome of an issue. We encourage policymakers to engage with us and think of us as a resource as we advocate for strong policies to strengthen New Jersey’s nonprofit sector and recognize the sector for the valuable and essential role that it plays.

POLICY PRIORITIES

ADVANCE RACIAL EQUITY AND JUSTICE. Philanthropy has a critical role to play in dismantling structural racism by advancing equitable public policy. We seek to analyze and support public policies that further racial equity, eliminate persistent racial disparities, and promote equitable outcomes across issue areas including health and well-being, education, economy, housing, and the environment.

A WELL-RESOURCED NONPROFIT SECTOR. A resilient and well-resourced New Jersey nonprofit sector is essential to a healthy and equitable New Jersey and a resilient economy that works for all. Too often, the nonprofit sector is under-resourced and under-valued for the critical role that it plays. We support policies that eliminate barriers to effective nonprofit operations, enable long-term fiscal planning, and encourage all New Jersey residents to support and engage with the nonprofit sector. Examples of policies we support include:

• state contracts that adequately compensate staff.
• multi-year investments in the nonprofit sector.
• government policies that support nonprofit innovation.
• reductions of “red tape.”
• increased government transparency.
• incentives for New Jersey residents to engage in charitable giving.

A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT TO SUPPORT INNOVATION. We seek to foster collaboration and enhanced coordination among the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, and government at all levels. We support public policy initiatives and innovative efforts that further this aim.

SUPPORTING NONPROFITS’ ADVOCACY ROLE. We work to protect the vital ability of the nonprofit sector to advocate and engage in public policy, recognizing that the nonprofit sector plays an essential role in strengthening New Jersey’s economy, improving the lives of New Jersey residents, and advancing equity.

INVESTING IN PREVENTION, RESPONDING TO CRISIS AND SUPPORTING LONG-TERM RECOVERY. The philanthropic sector is often called upon to respond in times of crisis. We support public policies that make necessary investments to prevent such crises, including health, climate and natural disasters.

We also advocate for policies and investments to adequately respond to such crises and invest in long-term recovery, with a focus on prioritizing the needs of those communities that are most at-risk and hardest hit.

A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY & ENGAGED COMMUNITIES/CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. We support public policies that foster a healthy democracy, an engaged and educated populace, and the right of New Jersey residents to freely exercise their right to vote. We seek to advance efforts that remove barriers to civic engagement and voting.

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ABOUT THE COUNCIL OF NEW JERSEY GRANTMAKERS

VISION
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers envisions a healthy, thriving, and civically engaged New Jersey where people of all places, racial and ethnic identities, socio-economic backgrounds, abilities, and identity expressions are valued for their gifts and talents, and we all can reach our full potential and participate generously in the common good.

MISSION
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers supports and elevates New Jersey’s philanthropic community through shared learning, collaborative and trusting relationships, network building, and leadership.

CORE VALUES
CNJG values shared power and leadership to advance our mission and vision. We look for opportunities for individual members, member institutions, and allied organizations across the social sector to engage in a common cause of supporting and elevating New Jersey's philanthropic community.

From expanding access to programs to exploring the inequitable origins of wealth, CNJG values equity as an organizing principle and lens for looking at our structure, business model, programs, and communications.

CNJG values trusting cross-sector relationships grounded in inclusion that seek out diverse voices, contributions, and participation from across the social sector. We are a network that works to form new alliances and broad coalitions to advance our mission and vision.

CNJG values learning and dialogue across our community as we explore, engage, and identify new ways of organizing ourselves and redefining philanthropy in broader ways.