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During 2021 — the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic — 63 distinct charitable organizations in New Jersey and New York received donations totaling $706,325 from the KearnyBank Foundation. The funds were contributed across four specific categories: Education, Quality of Life, Housing and Community.
The five largest contributions were $65,000 to Junior Achievement of New Jersey; $50,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark; $50,000 to Chilton Medical Center Foundation; $50,000 to the Kip Center; and $30,000 to the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.
In the Fairfield-based financial institution’s four categories of giving, $227,525 was granted to organizations under the Quality of Life heading, with $197,300 going to Education, $177,500 to Housing and $104,000 to Community.
“Particularly given the pandemic experience of the past two years, we embrace every opportunity to provide grants through the KearnyBank Foundation,” Craig Montanaro, Kearny Bank’s CEO and president, stated. “We’re able to contribute to these deserving charities because of our company’s ongoing success, and we never take for granted how fortunate we are to be in this position.”
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on Tuesday announced the recipients of the 2022 Creative Catalyst Fund awards. A total of 114 grants will be awarded to individual artists and artists’ collectives, with an average award of $3,200; and 34 grants will be awarded to small and midsized arts organizations with an average award of $10,100.
Baraka created the fund in January 2020 as a multiyear initiative providing the local community of artists and small and midsized arts organizations up to $1 million annually for at least three years. The fund has awarded a total of $2.35 million in grants in its first three years. Grantees use the funds to help pay for operating costs, space rentals, staff, programming costs, supplies and equipment, and COVID-related expenses.
“Newark has a long history as a center of the arts, and our administration has supported the arts in word and deed, creating great works like the second-longest public mural on the East Coast. We are proud, privileged and humbled to write a new chapter by supporting this year’s grantees. Their works will define the voice and talent of a new generation of Newark artists for our present and future,” Baraka said.
TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank has awarded a total of $7 million to 37 non-profits across the bank’s footprint through the 17th annual Housing for Everyone grant program. Grants ranging from $150,000 to $250,000 will support organizations that work to deliver rental assistance, rehabilitate affordable rental housing properties, and build organizational capacity to address resident sustainability for the long-term.
As individuals and families across the country struggle with inflation and an exponential rise in rental costs, affordable housing providers face increased hardship given the growing demand for affordable rental units and emergency rental assistance.
“The affordable housing crisis continues to burden the most vulnerable members of our communities and the organizations committed to supporting them,” said Paige Carlson-Heim, Director of the TD Charitable Foundation. “At TD, we’re committed to doing our part to help create a more sustainable and inclusive future for everyone, and that includes providing access to safe, affordable homes. This year’s grant recipients are mission-critical to that work, and the TD Charitable Foundation is proud to support them in their efforts to create a positive impact and a pathway to housing stability in the communities we serve.”
The Devils Youth Foundation, with the support of its marquee brands, the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center, issued a record number of grants, both in money donated and nonprofits supported, having a significant impact throughout New Jersey.
According to a Tuesday announcement, this year, the Devils Youth Foundation provided 24 grants worth over $890,000 to organizations having an impact in New Jersey through community outreach programs that support over 20,000 youth. The organizations include: Arts Education Newark; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties; Boys & Girls Club of Newark; Challenged Athletes Foundation; Coalition for Food and Health Equity; Community FoodBank of New Jersey; Educational Arts Team; Express Newark (Rutgers); FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development Inc.; GreenLight Newark; Hockey in New Jersey; Jazz House Kids; La Casa de Don Pedro; Mentor Newark; Newark Boys Chorus School; Newark Community Street Team; Newark Day Center; New City Kids; Oasis — A Haven for Women and Children; Playworks; Record High; Save the Music Foundation; Special Olympics of New Jersey; and United Community Corp.
The Provident Bank Foundation on Tuesday announced the recipients of its 2023 Signature Grant cycle. The foundation awarded three $100,000 grants to support nonprofit organizations administering bold and innovative programs focused on long-term, sustainable change within the communities they serve.
The foundation’s Signature Grant program emphasizes sustainable community enhancement and meaningful impact, providing flexible funding support for programs, projects and initiatives that propose solutions to chronic problems impacting quality of life in the communities served by Provident Bank.
“At the Signature Grant level, we seek partnerships with nonprofit organizations that are addressing systemic issues at their root causes,” Samantha Plotino, executive director of the Provident Bank Foundation, said. “I am incredibly excited to partner with this year’s Signature Grant recipients as they break down barriers to economic self-sufficiency by focusing on workforce development, education and housing through an equity lens.”
The New Jersey State Council on the Arts held a public meeting on December 19, 2023, during which 30 New Jersey organizations received grants through the Council's Creative Aging Initiative grant program. This investment is the key component of the Council's focus on lifelong learning, providing $10,000 grants to arts organizations, libraries, veterans homes, and senior and community centers to cover costs for artist-led residencies for New Jersey adults aged 55 and over.
Speaking on the importance of this program, Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way said, “Abundant evidence shows that artmaking and arts participation improves a number of health and well-being factors as we age. I’m honored to work closely with the Council to help ensure New Jerseyans of all ages have opportunities to have a better, overall quality of life.”
Reflecting on the impact of the grant, Council Chair Elizabeth Mattson said, “Supporting quality arts experiences for people of all ages has long been a priority for the Council. I was fortunate to see firsthand the impact of this program earlier this year during a visit to a Creative Aging Initiative session at an adult day center. Hearing the participants speak to the importance and value of being able to express themselves and share their life experiences in new and engaging ways is a powerful reminder of why the Council invests in this work.”
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin recently announced that the Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC), in conjunction with the Governor’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Committee, has awarded 17 grants totaling more than $369,000 to police departments, schools, and non-profit organizations across the State to expand summer programs for at-risk youth.
The grants provide organizations already operating successful summer programs for at-risk youth with up to $30,000 in additional funding to enhance their programs and/or increase the number of young people they serve.
Due to these new grants, approximately 500 additional youth throughout New Jersey will be able to participate in an array of recreational, educational, and character-building activities being offered in their communities this summer.
“I’m pleased that New Jersey is able to continue its investment in programs that serve our most vulnerable young people,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The funding announced today by the Juvenile Justice Commission is emblematic of the Murphy Administration’s commitment to make sure all of New Jersey’s youth have opportunities to develop new skills, overcome challenges and achieve their optimal potential.”
The William Penn Foundation today announced 90 grants totaling more than $8 million to support nonprofit organizations focused on families’ basic needs and children’s education as Philadelphians continue to be impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Through the Family Recovery Fund, a one-year, $10 million initiative supporting both direct grantmaking and matching funds, the William Penn Foundation awarded grants to dozens of organizations providing access to healthy food, support for families to stay in their homes, and enhanced K-12 learning opportunities.
“After a year of virtual schooling, children must come first this summer. Their needs, educational experiences, and playful learning opportunities are essential to Philadelphia’s recovery,” said Janet Haas, M.D., Board Chair of the William Penn Foundation. “So too are efforts to help families stay nourished and remain in their homes. For the allocation of these grants we relied on the expertise of peers and colleagues with experience in these fields, and are grateful for their guidance, which helped us allocate grant funds more quickly.”
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.
Paterson One Square Mile is a hyper-local, place-based, cross-sector initiative with the goal of accelerating the revitalization of a concentrated area in Paterson, New Jersey. Utilizing strategically organized community engagement efforts focused on a bounded area within the city of Paterson, this community-led collective impact initiative aims to improve equitable outcomes in health, education, and economic opportunity for the residents of Paterson.
You will have the opportunity to hear from partners involved in shaping the Paterson One-Square Mile Project including: Jonathan GS Koppell, President, Montclair State University; Bryan Murdock, Montclair University; Malcolm McClain, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation; Amanda Lopez, Transform Consulting Group; Richard Williams, St. Paul’s Community Development Corporation
Following the panel discussion, there will be a bus tour of the Paterson One-Square Mile Project that culminates with a stop to hear from nonprofit organizations that have benefited from this project. Program space is limited to twenty-five people.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $50 for Non Member Grantmakers
Continental breakfast and lunch provided.
Webinar Video
The Bunbury Fund of the Princeton Area Community Foundation has awarded more than $3.8 million in grants to more than four dozen local nonprofits, marking the final phase of its $17 million Sunset Awards.
As part of its sunsetting process, the Fund has distributed a total of $17,139,000 across 74 grants to 55 organizations, concluding its 75-year philanthropic legacy that began with The Bunbury Company. The Fund transitioned to a donor-advised fund at the Community Foundation in 2015, and its sunset grants mark the culmination of a decade of impactful giving.
“The Bunbury Fund Advisors hope these sunset grants will amplify what has always been at the heart of our grantmaking—enhancing effectiveness and fostering innovation for the greater good,” said Jamie Kyte Sapoch, Lead Advisor to the Fund.
Over the past decade, the Bunbury Fund has awarded more than $24 million to nearly 100 regional nonprofits. The final round of grants includes unrestricted support for organizations and competitive capacity-building funding aimed at strengthening nonprofits’ operations and strategic growth.
Kearny Bank said Wednesday that it gifted $590,385 in 2024 to charities in New Jersey and New York. The donations were made through the KearnyBank Foundation and went to community, education, housing, and quality of life organizations.
Kearny Bank’s 2024 contributions were: $272,885 to community; $142,885 to education; $92,500 to quality of life; and $80,000 to housing.
During 2024, the largest single donation was to Junior Achievement of New Jersey, which received $65,000. In addition, the 55 Kip Center of Rutherford received $50,000. Also included among recipients was the Essex County chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women, which received $18,000. The Robeson Classic High School Football All-Star Game and HABcore, Inc. each received $15,000, while $12,000 was contributed to the Student/Partner Alliance.
“We’re delighted that our success enables us to donate to a range of programs and organizations that help communities in which we conduct business,” says Craig Montanaro, Kearny Bank president and CEO. “Our company has been committed to charitable giving since it was founded in the 19th century and we continue seeking ways to enhance people’s lives.”
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.”