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CNJG joined 250 delegates from the across the country over 3 days last week for Foundations on the Hill. Joining me, the CNJG delegation included Jeremy Grunin, President, Grunin Foundation, Calvin Ledford Jr., President, and Maria Spina, Manager, PSEG Foundation, Marianna Schaffer, Vice President of Programs, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Catherine Wilson, President and CEO, United Way Greater Newark, and Lucy Vandenberg, Executive Director, Schumann Fund for New Jersey. Lucy serves as the co-chair of the CNJG Leadership and Policy Committee. 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.

While we were in Washington, the Charitable Act was introduced by Senators Lankford and Coons during a press conference on March 1. The bipartisan bill makes charitable giving available to nonitemizers. Throughout our meetings, we urged our legislators to support this proposal, and hope it will be introduced on the House side soon. Several United Philanthropy Forum staff and FOTH participants attended the announcement, including Calvin, Maria, and Catherine. 
 
CNJG’s Strategic Plan positions the Council to move beyond “defense of the sector issues,” and this year, in addition to advocating for charitable giving, we also advocated for the Nonprofit SEAT Act. This proposed legislation, if done right, could be a game changer. The bill proposes to create the White House Office on Nonprofit Sector Partnership, an interagency council, and advisory board. It directs the Bureau of Labor Statistics to release quarterly economic data on the nonprofit sector in the same way as other industries. While on the Hill, we heard the bill is likely to be introduced in the next few weeks. 
 
In addition to advocating for legislation that supports our work, and educating Congress about the social sector, FOTH also helps build relationships with our Congressional delegation. We were thrilled to meet directly with Representatives Watson Coleman, Kim, and Payne, and newly elected Congressman Kean. Relationship building and partnerships are key approaches highlighted in our strategic plan because they are integral to moving forward philanthropy’s impact.

 
 
On Thursday, 3/9 at 12:00 noon, we’ll jointly host with the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits, a webinar outlining the 2023 CDS program with the Office of Senator Menendez. The Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) program enables members of Congress to allocate existing funding for specific local projects by nonprofit organizations. Senator Menendez’ staff will outline the program, eligibility requirements, and application procedures. We hope you’ll join us, and encourage your grantees and nonprofit partners to attend. Register here.
 
It was quite an eventful 3 days – advocating for important policy, witnessing the introduction of the Charitable Act, strengthening and building relationships with our legislators, planning a webinar to inform the sector about funding opportunities, and engaging in activities that support our strategic plan. 
 
Another important platform to strengthen and inform both the philanthropic and nonprofit sector in NJ is on May 23. The Conference for the Social Sector: Doing Good Better will explore how funders and nonprofits can address philanthropy’s power imbalances, rethink traditional grantmaking practices to better serve New Jersey communities, and position equity as a driving force. Register today!
 
Sincerely,

Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers

CNJG's special programming, “Race, Racism and Ramifications for Philanthropy” is a multifaceted, multi-layered learning journey that included a two-part workshop from the Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE)  on diversity, equity, and inclusion, four cultural experiences, and a funders briefing from the Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey. The series also included four facilitated salon-style conversations focusing on health disparities, implicit bias and white privilege, livable moments, and structural racism. Additionally, the CNJG Annual Meeting in both 2016 and 2017 addressed diversity and its value providing an overarching vision. 

Our broader objectives for this series were to:

• offer a range of different ways to enlighten, engage and educate Council members about structural racism and implicit bias;
• provide a deeper understanding of the language, definitions and constructs of racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• explore and uncover the long-term effects of institutional and structural racism, and discriminatory policy;
• give funders real and effective tools that they can implement in their day-to-day work to combat and mitigate the impact of racism and bias in our communities and neighborhoods;
• provide a “safe space” for grantmakers to consider and fully unpack these difficult issues.

CNJG worked directly with a number of well-respected and informed partners and facilitators to provide specific content, expertise, experiences, and lead discussion. This included ABFE: A Philanthropic Partnership for Black Communities and its leader Susan Taylor Batten, Dr. Denise Rodgers of Rutgers, Aljira Arts, consultants Tanya Odom and Inca Mohamed, Bethany Baptist Church Rev. Timothy Levi-Jones, and leaders from the Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey.

Throughout the journey we tried to be deliberate in meeting CNJG members “where they are” given their varying degrees of experience and sophistication on this topic.  Since this learning journey started in late 2016, there are many more regular conversations and exchanges among CNJG members on the issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers has been pleased to bring to our members a variety exceptional thought leaders, tools, facilitators, and resources to assist them as they consider the ramifications of racism in their work.

The Race, Racism and Ramifications for Philanthropy Learning Journey Includes:

Events

CNJG 2016 Annual Meeting and Luncheon PreMeeting Workshop - A Framework for Effective and Responsive Philanthropy – How to Navigate Racial Dynamics within the Communities We Serve on December 9, 2016
Phillips Collection Field Trip – People on the Move: Beauty and Struggle in Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series on December 15, 2016
Workshops: A Deeper Dive Into Navigating Racial Dynamics – Part 1 on February 13, 2017 and Part 2 on March 6, 2017
Cultural Experience and Field Trip – “American Son” at the George Street Playhouse on February 23, 2017
Funders Briefing from the Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey - The Uncomfortable Truth: Racism, Injustice and Poverty in New Jersey on October 3, 2017
Cultural Experience: Pre-Opening Reception – “The Missing” at Aljira on October 12, 2017
Lunch and Conversation: Health Disparities on November 1, 2017
Lunch and Conversation: Implicit Bias & White Privilege on November 29, 2017
CNJG Annual Meeting - Our Compelling Interests: The Value of Diversity for Democracy and a Prosperous Society on December 15, 2017
Lunch and Conversation: Structural Racism on January 18, 2018
Cultural Experience and Field Trip<- “Back to Real” at Crossroads Theatre on May 17, 2018

The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers thanks The Fund for New Jersey and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for its support of our Race, Racism and the Ramifications for Philanthropy programming.

Articles & Resources

The Atlantic: The Case for Reparations
NY Times Essay: White Debt
National Center for Family Philanthropy: You Can't Fund Equity Without Sweat Equity
Harvard Business Review: Emotional Agility
Letter from Nina Stack: Conversation and Educational Program on Structural Racism (2/07/2018)
Letter from Nina Stack: CNJG's Unique Programming (10/05/2017)
Letter from Nina Stack: Race, Racism and the Ramifications for Philanthropy Launch (12/08/2016)
CNJG: Implicit Bias & White Privilege Presentation
CNJG: 2017 Implicit Bias Review
Medium: A Day in the Life: How Racism Impacts Families of Color
The Good Men Project: White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard to Talk to White People About Racism
Race to Lean: The Race to Lead Series
Virginia Commonwealth University: Mapping Life Expectancy-Zipcode and Health
Website: The Equality of Opportunity Project
Project Implicit: Implicit Association Test
Stanford Social Innovation Review: Eliminating Implicit Bias in Grantmaking Practice
Grantcraft: Grantmaking with a Racial Equity Lens

Videos

TedTalk: Dr. David Williams “How Racism Makes Us Sick”
The Race Card Project: In Conversation with Ta-Nehisi Coates at AtlanticLive New York Ideas 2015
NY Times: Implicit Bias Videos
NJTV News: Police and Teachers Undergo Trauma Training

The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is pleased to announce a six-part webinar series addressing common questions, clarifying misconceptions, and exploring ways to overcome obstacles in implementing trust-based philanthropy. CNJG is pleased to share this opportunity with our members.

Series Description: Trust-based philanthropy is a philosophy and approach rooted in values of relationship-building, mutual learning, and systemic equity – with a vision of advancing a healthier and more impactful nonprofit sector. While this approach is generally associated with six core grantmaking practices such as multi-year unrestricted funding and streamlined paperwork, the day-to-day work of trust-based philanthropy is very nuanced and dynamic. In fact, funders who have embraced this approach are finding that it requires ongoing self-reflection and rigor with regards to how they think about – and evolve – many of the deeply embedded practices and assumptions of traditional philanthropy.

Given these nuances, it is not surprising that there are many questions and occasional misperceptions about what it actually means to embody trust-based philanthropy in practice. In this 6-part webinar series, the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project will explore some of the most commonly asked questions and the underlying misperceptions that may be roadblocks to understanding and operationalizing trust-based philanthropy.

Each session in the series will focus on a frequently asked question from the field, and will feature perspectives from foundation leaders and others who have grappled with similar or related questions. At the end of each session, participants will walk away with: 1) a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the underlying cultural philosophy of trust-based philanthropy; 2) tips for how to think about and approach these nuances in their own work; and 3) talking points for how to answer these FAQs when they come up from colleagues or peers.

Each session will also provide dedicated space for small-group peer dialogue (among CNJG members) about ways to implement these practices into your grantmaking.

Who should attend: Anyone in a grantmaking role that is curious about understanding the nuances of trust-based philanthropy and how it applies to your work. This series will be ideal for those who have some baseline familiarity with trust-based philanthropy and have questions about how it manifests in practice.

Please note: this webinar series is separate from CNJG’s 2023 Conference for the Social Sector, which features an in-person luncheon keynote by the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project. CNJG’s conference is open to both funders and nonprofits, so the keynote will differ from this series. Because CNJG’s Doing Good Better initiative leans on the principles of Trust-Based Philanthropy, we encourage our members to register for these sessions - as time allows - for funders to learn about different approaches to changing systems in New Jersey.

Demystifying Trust-Based Philanthropy Series Sessions
Session #1: Does Trust-Based Mean Unconditional Trust?
Session #2: Does Unrestricted Funding Automatically Make a Funder Trust-Based?
Session #3: How Do We Approach Risk and Due Diligence in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
Session #4: What Does Grantee Accountability Look Like in Trust-Based Funding?
Session #5: How Do You Measure Impact in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
Session #6: What Does Racial Equity Have To Do With Trust-Based Philanthropy?

Resources
Recording: Session 2: Does Unrestricted Funding Automatically Make a Funder Trust-Based?
Transcript: Session 2: Does Unrestricted Funding Automatically Make a Funder Trust-Based?
Presentation: Session 2: Does Unrestricted Funding Automatically Make a Funder Trust-Based?
Trust-Based Philanthropy Peer Exchange for Grantmakers
The 6 Practices of Trust-Based Philanthropy
Trust-Based Philanthropy in 4D Overview
Legal Considerations for Trust-Based Philanthropy
How to Show Up in a Trust-Based Way
From Creative Disruption to Systems Change
The Case for General Operating Support
Research: Restricted Gifts Have a Negative Effect

The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is pleased to announce a six-part webinar series addressing common questions, clarifying misconceptions, and exploring ways to overcome obstacles in implementing trust-based philanthropy. CNJG is pleased to share this opportunity with our members.

Series Description: Trust-based philanthropy is a philosophy and approach rooted in values of relationship-building, mutual learning, and systemic equity – with a vision of advancing a healthier and more impactful nonprofit sector. While this approach is generally associated with six core grantmaking practices such as multi-year unrestricted funding and streamlined paperwork, the day-to-day work of trust-based philanthropy is very nuanced and dynamic. In fact, funders who have embraced this approach are finding that it requires ongoing self-reflection and rigor with regards to how they think about – and evolve – many of the deeply embedded practices and assumptions of traditional philanthropy.

Given these nuances, it is not surprising that there are many questions and occasional misperceptions about what it actually means to embody trust-based philanthropy in practice. In this 6-part webinar series, the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project will explore some of the most commonly asked questions and the underlying misperceptions that may be roadblocks to understanding and operationalizing trust-based philanthropy.

Each session in the series will focus on a frequently asked question from the field, and will feature perspectives from foundation leaders and others who have grappled with similar or related questions. At the end of each session, participants will walk away with: 1) a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the underlying cultural philosophy of trust-based philanthropy; 2) tips for how to think about and approach these nuances in their own work; and 3) talking points for how to answer these FAQs when they come up from colleagues or peers.

Each session will also provide dedicated space for small-group peer dialogue (among CNJG members) about ways to implement these practices into your grantmaking.

Who should attend: Anyone in a grantmaking role that is curious about understanding the nuances of trust-based philanthropy and how it applies to your work. This series will be ideal for those who have some baseline familiarity with trust-based philanthropy and have questions about how it manifests in practice.

Please note: this webinar series is separate from CNJG’s 2023 Conference for the Social Sector, which features an in-person luncheon keynote by the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project. CNJG’s conference is open to both funders and nonprofits, so the keynote will differ from this series. Because CNJG’s Doing Good Better initiative leans on the principles of Trust-Based Philanthropy, we encourage our members to register for these sessions - as time allows - for funders to learn about different approaches to changing systems in New Jersey.

Demystifying Trust-Based Philanthropy Series Sessions
Session #1: Does Trust-Based Mean Unconditional Trust?
Session #2: Does Unrestricted Funding Automatically Make a Funder Trust-Based?
Session #3: How Do We Approach Risk and Due Diligence in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
Session #4: What Does Grantee Accountability Look Like in Trust-Based Funding?
Session #5: How Do You Measure Impact in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
Session #6: What Does Racial Equity Have To Do With Trust-Based Philanthropy?

Resources
Recording: Session #1: Does Trust-Based Mean Unconditional Trust?
Transcript: Session #1: Does Trust-Based Mean Unconditional Trust?
Presentation: Session #1: Does Trust-Based Mean Unconditional Trust?
The 6 Practices of Trust-Based Philanthropy
Trust-Based Philanthropy in 4D Overview
Legal Considerations for Trust-Based Philanthropy

On a recent Saturday, the Jeremy Johnson, the Newark Philanthropic Liaison and over 150 arts lovers, historians, and community leaders gathered to reflect on the past, acknowledge the present, and imagine the future of the historic Newark Symphony Hall. The liaison shares his observations from the conference.

Newark Symphony Hall, the aging national treasure on the south end of Broad Street in downtown Newark, comprises a 2800-seat main auditorium, a 1,000 seat-auditorium/banquet hall, a 200-seat black box theatre, a dance studio, a new TV studio, and much more.

Its history is unsurpassed. The place has hosted every imaginable superstar since 1925, from Toscanini to Marian Anderson to Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash, Judy Garland and Newark's own Sarah Vaughan. It's going to take millions (estimates ranged from $40M to $100M or more) to restore it to its former glory.

The planners are on the right track, engaging experts, philanthropists, historians, residents, educators, government and corporate leaders, and arts and nonprofit groups. However, to justify the outlay of millions in public-private funds during these economic times, Newark Symphony Hall (NSH) will need to frame this nascent campaign beyond that of the restoration of another culturally important edifice.

Sure, the arts and history will play an important role in its rebirth, but for this effort to be truly achievable, sustainable and worthwhile, NSH should consider:

1. Jobs, jobs, jobs. Can the renovation, preservation, retrofitting and weatherization of NSH be implemented as a job training laboratory for Newark workers to gain skills in "green" trades? This experience can then be exported to the broader community where workers can help green energy-inefficient homes and buildings throughout Newark and the region. NSH, which has a long-term lease with the city, could join forces with the Mayor in attracting public and private investment for green job development and energy-saving initiatives. Natural allies in this effort would be Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District (LPCCD), which is achieving inroads with green job training, or the Obama-endorsed YouthBuild, which has a strong outpost in Newark.
2. Education. Through the Amistad Commission, the state now requires that African American history be taught as in integral part of United States History. Such history resonates at NSH. Think of Paul Robeson, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone or Marian Anderson, who performed more at NSH than any other hall during her first years of touring--she was the first black artist to perform at NSH in the 1940s. School systems could be encouraged to subscribe to annual NSH tours and learn of this rich history, providing ancillary income to NSH while also instilling invaluable lessons to our youth.
3. Space usage. Think creatively about use of the Hall's enormous spaces. Possibilities could range from the creation of New Jersey's largest green roof to rental possibilities for space-starved charter schools and after-school programs.
4. “Think big” was the advice of Larry Goldman, President and CEO of NJPAC. Could NSH be re-imagined as the nation's largest LEED-certified renovated historic theater, designed on a template of green-job apprenticeships for urban residents?
5. Secure the right leadership. Philip Thomas, NSH's estimable executive director and the growing board, mustn't fall prey to provincialism nor favoritism as it outlines a formidable mission, development, and operational plans for this initiative. Call on leadership from within the community but also from beyond it. This project is regional and even national in scope and it should be approached as such.
6. Finally, leverage partnerships. Tap the expertise of higher education institutions. Rutgers historian and Newarker Clement Price, who spoke at the convening, is a terrific example. Historic and cultural agencies are obvious partners, but also seek out federal and state sources, such as departments of labor, transportation, energy, education, human services, bureau of justice, and organized labor. Thomas stated there may be some private dollars to help initiate early studies and linkages. This is good news, for these can leverage the larger resources and community engagement needed to ultimately make the Newark Symphony Hall dream come true.

Schools are uniquely positioned to support student wellbeing and promote a positive learning environment, but often lack the resources to do so. The Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA) is giving schools the tools needed to help students succeed through two initiatives: Transforming Early Childhood Leadership Institute and the Healing Centered Engagement program.

As New Jersey continues to expand full-day preschool, principals and school leaders face the challenge of creating a high-quality experience for early learners. The Transforming Early Childhood Leadership Institute supports this endeavor by training and coaching leaders from schools offering PreK-3 instruction. Through the Institute, participating schools send leadership teams of principals, teacher leaders, and central office staff to learn best practices on strengthening early childhood education and creating a strong learning foundation. The Institute is supported by The Nicholson Foundation (now sunsetted) and The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation.

Launched in response to unprecedented levels of youth mental health concerns, the Healing Centered Engagement program offers interactive trainings and tailored coaching to school staff on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), trauma informed practices, healing centered engagement, and Youth Mental Health First Aid. The model takes a whole-school approach – reaching community partners, teachers, administrators, school staff, and families across regions and grade-levels. Since the program’s launch, FEA has trained over 3,400 New Jersey school staff and partners. The Burke Foundation supports the project with the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Princeton Area Community Foundation, and the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund (now sunsetted).

Join our speakers from the NJ Office of Resilience, NJ Department of Education, and the Foundation for Educational Administration to:

• Understand the importance of alignment in early childhood education
• Learn the role of positive childhood experiences in promoting student wellbeing
• Find out more about the Healing Centered Engagement program and Transforming Early Childhood Leadership Institute
• Discuss opportunities to get involved in this work and support the initiatives in your community

Speakers:
Mary M. Reece, Ed.D; Director of Special Projects, NJ Principals & Supervisors Association/Foundation for Educational Administration
Rebecca Bryan, DNP; Executive Director of the Office of Resilience, NJ Department of Children and Families
Dottie Specht, M.S. Ed, Director, K-3 Office of Education/Division of Early Childhood Services, NJ Department of Education
Monica Carmichael, Director of Early Childhood, Trenton (TECLI)
Samantha Lott-Velez, Assistant Superintendent, Newark (TECLI)
Dr. Bobbi Downs, Director of CST, Burlington County Special Services School District (HCE)
Thomas Barclay, retired Assistant Superintendent and current consultant (TECLI & HCE)

Webinar Video

Articles
Rethinking Our Approach to Youth Mental Healthcare
The Surgeon General’s New Mission: Adolescent Mental Health
8-Year-Olds in Despair: The Mental Health Crisis Is Getting Younger

I can’t believe October began last weekend. I honestly don’t know where the time goes. Before you know it, the new year will be here.

Before that, I’m looking forward to our annual gathering of members – the CNJG 2023 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering.

On Thursday, December 14, over 150 Council members and special guests will gather at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Edison to celebrate the holiday season, welcome new CNJG members, convene a brief business meeting to elect new trustees, feature a dynamic discussion related to the vital work of philanthropy, and provide an excellent opportunity to connect with your colleagues and friends – both old and new.

This year’s overall theme is Philanthropic Collaboratives: Driving Impact and Opportunity.

Together we’ll explore the collaborative process, surface opportunities and challenges, and uncover how to create sustainable partnerships for lasting impact. We’re thrilled to have FSG lead the morning workshop, Tools for Funder Collaboration. The morning workshop will share real life examples of how funders have actively engaged in collaborative efforts, used data for continuous learning, and ensured momentum and buy-in among partners.

Thank you to the Signature Programs Committee, led by co-chairs Christine Healey, President of the Healey Education Foundation, and Atiya Weiss, Executive Director of the Burke Foundation, for their commitment to bring this important topic to CNJG members. The 2023 - 2025 Strategic Plan uplifts collaborations as a way to create more value for member-organizations and the social sector, and catalyze other partnerships in support of all our communities.

The Annual Meeting is the one time per year when many CNJG members come together in one place, at one time, to convene, connect, and celebrate together. And as the “annual meeting of members,” I invite you to consider sponsorship of the event. Even if you’ve never sponsored this gathering before, this is an excellent opportunity to support our work, while also increasing visibility for your own organization and philanthropic efforts. We have a number of outstanding sponsorship opportunities for this event - all outlined here.

We hope you’ll consider supporting the Annual Meeting this year with a sponsorship.

Please call me at (609) 414-7110 extension 805, or email me if you need more information or require an online application to secure your sponsorship. We can also customize a sponsorship package for you.

Thank you to our sponsors to date – we could not do this without you: Signature Sponsor – Prudential, and Contributing Sponsors - Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Devils Youth Foundation.

We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at the CNJG Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering. In the meantime, happy fall.

With all good wishes,

Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers

Thank you to everyone who attended CNJG’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Holiday Luncheon.

The theme for the 2019 Annual Meeting and Holiday Luncheon was “Challenging Power Dynamics to Build Strong Partnerships,” and focused on how philanthropy can forge more transparent, trusting, and dynamic relationships with nonprofits and the communities they serve.

The pre-meeting workshop, “Finding Balance: Addressing Grantmaker-Grantee Power Dynamics Head-On” was led by Linda Czipo of the Center for Non-Profits and Tim Delaney of the National Council of Nonprofits. The workshop explored ways in which funders could overcome power dynamics. Tim and Linda discussed strategies to create more powerful partnerships, such as multi-year funding, advocacy, and unrestricted general operating support, and shared hero and horror stories to remember when working with nonprofits.

To close out our event, Phil Buchanan, President of the Center for Effective Philanthropy  gave a captivating keynote address entitled “Giving Done Right: The Challenge and Opportunity.” During his presentation, Phil discussed the current critique of philanthropy, reminded us of the importance of working with and reflecting the communities we serve, and left attendees with seven different ways in which we can work more effectively with our partners in the new year.

Together, the social sector has the power, resources, and know-how to respond to our communities’ urgent and long-term needs. Thank you for joining us for this year’s critical conversation on breaking down power dynamics and building strong partnerships.

AGENDA
10:00 am to 11:30 am  Pre-Meeting Workshop
11:30 am to 12:00 pm  Networking and Registration
12:00 pm to 2:30 pm  Luncheon and Business Meeting

Pre-Meeting Workshop: “Finding Balance: Addressing Grantmaker-Grantee Power Dynamics Head-on"
Presenters: Linda Czipo, President & CEO, Center for Non-Profits and Tim Delaney, President and CEO, National Council of Nonprofits
Linda Czipo, President & CEO of the Center for Non-Profits, and Tim Delaney, President and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, will present this year’s workshop on how to overcome power dynamics between funders and nonprofits. This workshop will explore ways in which funders can create trusting and transparent relationships with grantees, and further engage nonprofits in their grantmaking strategies. Among other things, we will explore strategies to incorporate full cost funding that strengthens the effectiveness of your grantees' work. Join us for a discussion on how philanthropy can move towards a system of truly partnering with nonprofits in order to maximize the beneficial impact for your community.

The Council thanks our generous event sponsors: Novartis - Signature Sponsor, The Prudential Foundation – Sustaining Sponsor, New Jersey Health Initiatives – Speaker Sponsor, Princeton Area Community Foundation – Gift Sponsor, Devils Care Foundation and Sixers Youth Foundation – Pre-Meeting Workshop Sponsors, Novo Nordisk – Program Sponsor, The Provident Bank Foundation – Performance Sponsor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey – Contributing Sponsor, and The Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation – Supporting Sponsor. Additional support provided by NJM Insurance Group.

Annual Meeting Photos

Watch Everyone Deserves a Fair Slice from the Human Services Council.

A new year always feels like a fresh start—a chance to reflect on where we’ve been and chart a course for where we’re headed. As we step into 2025, I want to take a moment to thank you for the incredible work you do every day to strengthen New Jersey’s communities. Your dedication and passion are what make our state—and our sector—thrive.  

This January not only brings in a new presidential administration but also the 119th United States Congress. These transitions remind us of the vital role we play as advocates for the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors, and civil society overall. Decisions made in Washington over the coming months and years will directly impact philanthropy’s ability to foster equity, champion the vital role nonprofits play in our communities, create opportunities, and address systemic challenges.  

Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) is just around the corner and will take place in Washington, D.C. from February 23 - 26. Presented and hosted by United Philanthropy Forum and the Council on Foundations, in partnership with Independent Sector, FOTH brings foundation leaders to Washington for meetings with Congress about key issues of importance to foundations and philanthropy. These meetings also strengthen relationships between funders and our elected representatives. CNJG will join colleague PSOs and foundations from across the country to present a strong, collective voice on Capitol Hill. If you are interested in attending or would like to learn more, please contact me.

As we look ahead to 2025, building strong relationships with legislators through efforts like FOTH, advancing our policy agenda, and continuing our ongoing advocacy work will be critical. The CNJG programs below provide key opportunities for nonprofits and philanthropy to come together, strengthen our collective voice, and focus on shaping impactful public policy. 

Save the Dates: 2025 Programs on Public Policy and Advocacy

Policy World Wednesdays
Starting January 8, 2025, and recurring every second Wednesday of the month
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM (Monthly via Zoom)  
FREE monthly sessions diving into key policy issues, advocacy opportunities, and the latest developments affecting nonprofits and philanthropy.  
Registration is recommended but not required.
 

2025 Conference for the Social Sector
June 18, 2025
Focus: Civic Engagement
Join nonprofit and philanthropic leaders to explore strategies to strengthen civic engagement.  Registration will open in early spring.
 

2025 Summer Joint Policy Forum
August 5, 2025
A dynamic convening of nonprofit and philanthropic leaders to address emerging policy issues, voter engagement, and collective advocacy for the sector.  Registration will open in late spring.

Save these dates on your calendar and stay tuned for more details—we hope to see you there!

It’s important that philanthropy engages in and supports advocacy. Philanthropy continues to be a cornerstone of civil society, where vision and resources come together to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. From racial equity and climate resilience to education and public health, CNJG remains committed to supporting our members in creating lasting and meaningful change.  

It was wonderful seeing so many members at the 2024 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering on December 11. 2024 was truly an extraordinary year. I’ve no doubt 2025 will be extraordinary as well.  Thank you for all you do, and here’s to a productive and impactful year ahead.  
 
Warmly,

Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers