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Newark Collaboratives Target Common Goals

The City of Newark and Newark Philanthropic Liaison are working closely with several consortia of nonprofits to address some of the City’s most critical challenges. Grantmakers with an interest in Newark are connecting with these groups to better understand issues, interact with organizational leaders, and find ways to leverage philanthropy across a range of needs.

The coalitions often have ambitious agendas that focus on reviewing and changing policy on local, statewide and national levels. They offer a platform to share information and create strong cases for increased investment from both public and private sources. Below is an overview of just three of these groups. Through their convenings, they provide a powerful opportunity for Newark-related nonprofits and grantmakers to mobilize to improve the fortunes of the State’s largest City.

Opportunity Reconnect
Mayor Cory Booker has made public safety the leading priority of his administration.  Success will come only through lowered recidivism, better management, and increased job opportunities and support for persons returning from prison. The Opportunity Reconnect (OR) consortia meets weekly at Essex County College, the site of OR’s comprehensive one-stop center that offers ex-prisoners an array of services from dozens of organizations and agencies.

OR’s strength lies in its ability to create partnerships and memorandums of understanding among for-profit government contractors, community-based groups and government agencies. The shared protocols are having a profound effect on the City’s ability to provide efficient and effective services for thousands of returning inmates each month. The agreements are enabling the City to respond to RFPs from both private and federal sources to strengthen the capacity of OR and its effect on public safety.  The City welcomes participation of grantmakers to further leverage the strength of these proposals and maximize OR’s continued growth. 

Interagency Collaboration for Addiction Treatment
This informal collaborative of nonprofits, faith-based groups, government agencies, and funding partners meets regularly at Integrity House, a long-term residential and outpatient treatment program. Integrity House is the lead agency for the United Way’s Bridge to Recovery, a consortium effort of over 200 agencies dedicated to helping those with addiction problems. 

Among ICAT’s goals is the creation of a central Newark facility to handle all intake, referral and screening of individuals in need of detox. The group is also seeking to link and combine databases among agencies for better support of clients, who often include the homeless and ex-prisoners. A number of legislative barriers prevent some persons from receiving aid to cover costs of addiction treatment. These persons often end up in hospital emergency rooms or under the jurisdiction of law enforcement. ICAT is looking at ways to advocate for policy changes that would provide the additional preventive-care funding to remedy these situations. 

Green Future Summit Working Groups
Mayor Booker has called for the City to become a leader in urban sustainability by implementing economic and environmental strategies that will make Newark a safer, wealthier, and healthier place for its children and families. Under the auspices of Apollo Alliance, a national organization, a team of allies is developing an agenda and recruiting participants for the “Green Future Summit” in Newark on September 11-12. Pre-summit planning sessions have involved a coalition of businesses, government leaders, environmental groups, community-based organizations and grantmakers. 

The coalition has divided into working groups focused on three areas: green buildings, green space, and green economic development/jobs. The working groups are now drafting roadmaps and defining concrete, measurable goals and strategies for each issue area (e.g. "retrofit 100 homes"). They are also securing commitments from stakeholders on how they will work to meet these goals.  

The groups communicate through listservs and periodic check-in calls as they shape the Summit agenda, recruit speakers, and build the relationships necessary to carry their work forward to develop a roadmap for the City. Members of the CNJG are playing an active role in the Summit and additional partners are welcome.

CNJG members can gather a wealth of information by tapping into the resources of Newark’s collaborative groups. Additional consortia have been formed to address the foreclosure crisis, homelessness, newly-formed Family Success Centers, and other areas.
News Type: Newark Liaison
Topic: Strategy & Collaboration
CNJG Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering

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
What Funders Need to Know: Introduction to the Food System
Publication Date: March, 2014

Food is essential. But how often do you consider where your food comes from?This issue of What Funders Need to Know from the Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers explores the stages of the food system, from production all the way to disposal. Why is this important to philanthropy?

Because hunger, food insecurity, nutrition-related chronic disease, the health of resource lands and waterways, wages, and equal opportunity in the food economy all converge in our regional food system.
Resource Type: Issue Briefing
Funding Area: Food/Agriculture/Nutrition
What Funders Need to Know: Quality Care = Quality Jobs
Publication Date: June, 2013
As older adults are increasingly choosing to age in place, cross-cutting issues are coming to the forefront – the quality of care received by disabled or chronically ill older adults in their own homes, and the quality of the jobs of the caregivers who provide this care.
 
In-home care is often provided by direct care workers – an over-arching term that captures a number of different occupations, but in general refers to caregivers who provide essential assistance with everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, and eating. Direct care workers play a huge role in maintaining the health and general well-being of their clients. And, due to the oncoming “silver tsunami” of older adults, direct care jobs are some of the fastest growing occupations in the entire economy.
 
Despite the size of the workforce and the important services that direct care workers provide, the workforce is faced with a number of challenges. These include extremely low pay, irregular hours, inadequate training, and high rates of employee turnover. There is a clear need for better employment practices and policy changes to improve the quality of direct care jobs, by raising pay and benefits, standardizing and increasing employee training, and creating career pathways that lead to higher paying jobs. These efforts, in turn, will help improve the quality of the care that older adults receive.
 
In this edition of What Funders Need to Know, Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers take a look at the state of the local direct care workforce today and the connections between quality jobs and quality care, and discuss five ways that funders can get involved.
Resource Type: Issue Briefing
Funding Area: Food/Agriculture/NutritionSeniors/Aging
Investment Forum Materials from CommonFund
Publication Date: October, 2014

From the Commonfund, these white papers on investment policy statements, spending policy, board governance and risk tolerance, together with their most recent studies of investments at private and community foundations, operating charities and nonprofit healthcare organizations are made available though CNJG's Investment Forum for Foundations and Endowments.
Resource Type: Best PracticeCase StudyResearch
Audience: All Funders
Topic: Finance
Newark Philanthropic Liaison - Reports to the Field
Publication Date: April, 2025

The Newark Philanthropic Liaison is a unique partnership between the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and the City of Newark, supported by several foundations. Read more about the Liaison’s work In these reports. Due to several transitions, there were no written reports between 2015 and 2022.
Resource Type: Report
Topic: Strategy & Collaboration
Funding Area: Newark Funders
Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Immigration

This program delves into the latest federal policies introduced at the national level and their specific implications for the state of New Jersey. This series will unpack how these policies affect various sectors such as immigration, healthcare, environment, education, housing, media and journalism, and arts and culture within New Jersey. Kevin Douglas, Senior Director of National Programs, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR), Amy Torres, Executive Director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ), Johanna Calle, Director at the Office of New Americans (ONA) at the New Jersey Department of Human Services, and Stephanie Greenwood, Senior Strategy Officer for Victoria Foundation will share how the latest federal policies are affecting immigration.

Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $75 for Non Member Grantmakers
This program is only open to staff and trustees from grantmaking organizations.

Kevin Douglas (he/him/his) joined GCIR in 2019 and is the Senior Director of National Programs. He leads GCIR’s public policy work, manages the Advancing Economic Justice Community of Practice, and shapes strategic programming and funder resources. Previously, he served as Co-Director of Policy and Advocacy for United Neighborhood Houses of New York, where he led campaigns securing hundreds of millions of dollars in public investment for community services. He was recognized as one of New York Nonprofit Media’s 40 Under 40 and a Next Generation Leader by the Human Services Council. He also co-founded the giving circle 100 New Yorkers Who Care and has served on several boards, including the New York Immigration Coalition. Kevin holds an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania.

Amy Torres (they/them or she/her) leads the charge for immigrant rights as the Executive Director of the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice (NJAIJ). Since 2021, Torres has deepened NJAIJ's policy advocacy and grown its movement building programming. NJAIJ is now the largest immigration coalition in the state. Notable achievements include winning the East Coast's first statewide ban on immigration detention, New Jersey's inaugural language access law, and NJAIJ’s Advocacy Academy, a first of its kind training program that leverages case studies from successful New Jersey racial justice campaigns to empower the next generation of emerging organizers and activists. Prior to their role at NJAIJ, Torres led policy and advocacy efforts for the nation's largest AAPI social services organization. They have held positions from grasstops to grassroots in executive boards, academia, and local organizing. Torres credits their relentless pursuit of fairness, justice, and inclusion to their upbringing in a tight-knit immigrant family in West Texas. As a leader, Torres is anchored by the Filipinx value of 'kapwa' - a sense of self through others, and an unbreakable interconnection and responsibility to one’s community.

Johanna Calle is the Director at the Office of New Americans (ONA) at the New Jersey Department of Human Services. In this role, Ms. Calle works on identifying, developing, and executing policies and strategies to advance efforts to welcome and empower immigrant communities in the state. She will go over the work of the ONA and the work they are doing to support immigrant populations in our state, including overseeing programs around language access, refugee resettlement, and legal services.

Stephanie Greenwood serves as the Senior Strategy Officer for Victoria Foundation’s Economic Justice portfolio in Newark, NJ.  She combines over twenty years of experience in public policy, advocacy, coalition-building, project management, and grants administration in the nonprofit, public, and philanthropic sectors. She brings a background in policy and resource mobilization for housing and environmental justice and a deep personal commitment to place-based, intersectional equity and justice to her work. She has the most fun working in big coalitions that are accountable to social movements and that push toward a healthy, just, regenerative economy that works for all of us. Before joining Victoria, she worked for the City of Newark for eight years with leadership roles in both housing and sustainability. Stephanie holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard University and a Masters of Public Affairs from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. 

Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $75 for Non Member Grantmakers
This program is only open to staff and trustees from grantmaking organizations.

Webinar Video

Programs in this Series:
March 13: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Immigration
March 20: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Health
March 27: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Environment
April 3: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Education
April 10: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Housing
April 17: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Media & Journalism
April 24: Making Sense of Federal Policy: Understanding What it Means for NJ: Arts

Resources
GRIC: Fighting for our Future: Immigrant Rights and our Multiracial Democracy Recommendations for Philanthropy in 2025
Event Type: Meeting
Audience: All Funders
NJCPN: Facing Federal Funding Fissures: Four Perspectives

We invite you to join our next virtual meeting of the NJ Corporate Philanthropy Network where we will learn how non-profits are responding to the changing Federal landscape from the perspective of four different stakeholders and how they’re dealing with these challenges and the impact this climate is having on future planning. Our speakers include: Linda Czipo, New Jersey Center for Nonprofits, who will share with us a broad brushstroke of the impact and the Center’s advocacy efforts to respond;. Sandra Toussaint, United Way of Greater Mercer County, who will review the findings of a recent study in the region; Elizabeth McCarthy, Community FoodBank of New Jersey, who will discuss the impact on the already overly stressed issue of food insecurity in the state; and Peter Rosario, La Casa de Don Pedro (in Newark), will share how a large multi-service organization’s constituents have been directly impacted and how La Casa has responded and adapted.

Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $75 for Non Member Grantmakers
This program is only open to staff and trustees from grantmaking organizations.

 

Linda Czipo is President & CEO of the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits, New Jersey's statewide champion and network for the charitable community. Through advocacy, education, professional training, management and compliance assistance, and membership services, the Center strengthens charities so that they can do their vital work in our communities. Linda’s nonprofit sector experience spans over 30 years, and includes expertise in public policy, analysis, research, compliance and management. She speaks frequently to the media, nonprofit, philanthropic and business leaders, and government officials regarding the size, strength, economic and social contributions of New Jersey’s nonprofit sector and current and emerging trends facing the nonprofit community; and has successfully mobilized broad-based coalitions of nonprofits around numerous advocacy issues. She is a public policy committee member and former board treasurer of the National Council of Nonprofits, and also serves on the New Jersey Commission on National and Community Service, and the Policy Committee of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University

Elizabeth McCarthy, President and CEO, Community Foodbank of New Jersey, has been a leader in shaping and implementing programs that address immediate critical needs, as well as providing the tools and support to effect long-term positive impacts on communities. Elizabeth joined The Community FoodBank of New Jersey in July of 2023, CFBNJ distributes enough food for more than 90 million meals annually and addresses the root causes of food insecurity with programs that provide job training, nutrition education, and more. From 2011 to 2023 Elizabeth served as the CEO of Sheltering Arms, which addressed the effects of social inequity for children and families in the most challenged New York City communities. The organization provided wraparound services for families living in poverty, including education, mental health, and violence prevention programs. She chaired the Board of Directors of the Council of Family and Child Caring Agencies (COFCCA),was the Treasurer of The Developmental Disabilities Services/Child Welfare Collaborative, LLC, and was a Board member of The Children’s Collaborative, Inc.

Peter T. Rosario is the President and CEO of La Casa de Don Pedro, Inc., New Jersey’s largest Latinx-led community development corporation, celebrating over 50 years of mission-driven service. Under his leadership since August 2021, La Casa has implemented a comprehensive service delivery model focused on three central pillars: Early Childhood, Healthy Homes, and Community Empowerment. Peter has led a strategic transformation of the organization, overhauling its strategic plan, strengthening its brand around the core values of Justice, Love, Solidarity, Excellence, and Belonging, and securing major new funding from leading institutions including the Devils Youth Foundation, MetLife Foundation, Pershing Square Foundation, and Bank of America. A passionate and transformative advocate for equity, Peter has played a key role in advancing critical state policy reforms such as expanding NJ FamilyCare to undocumented children, eliminating barriers to early childhood education, and improving access to child care and nutrition programs. His work continues to elevate the voices and needs of New Jersey’s hardest-working families and communities.

Sandra Toussaint-Burgher serves as the President & CEO of United Way of Greater Mercer County, a role she’s had since 2016. Sandra provides executive leadership and vision to the organization. Prior to that Sandra held the position of Vice President of Resource Development & Strategic Partnerships. Sandra also serves as Chair of the statewide association of Unted Ways of New Jersey. Sandra has 20+ experience in fund development, strategic partnerships, community relations, and marketing. She’s held senior positions at local and national organizations including Youth Communication, Inc., Special Olympics, and Twenty-First Century Foundation. Before coming into the non-profit sector, Sandra worked in the insurance industry. Sandra is a sought-after speaker on a variety of topics such as creating and motivating teams, corporate engagement, board development, cultivating donors and finding your passion - transitioning from for-profit to non-profit. She has presented at the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association forum, New Jersey Center for Nonprofit Conference, Princeton Community Works, Association for Fundraising Professionals Conference, Nonprofit Connect and many others. Sandra is very active with the nonprofit community. She serves on the Board of Directors of Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce, NJ Center for Nonprofit, Foundation Academies Leadership Council and Advisory Board Member for Kidsbridge Tolerance Center. She also served on the YWCA of Princeton Board of Directors and on the Advisory Committee for Single Stop USA, a nonprofit organization that aims to reduce poverty and promote economic mobility. Sandra is a 2021 Lead New Jersey fellow and a recipient of the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce Champion for Business Award. This award recognizes outstanding business leaders for growing their business and demonstrating the values of being a good corporate citizen.

 

Webinar Video
Event Type: Affinity Group Meeting
Audience: Corporate Giving
Topic: Corporate Philanthropy/CSR
Disaster Recovery Plans for Foundations
Publication Date: January, 2011

Sample disaster preparedness and recovery plans for foundations.
Resource Type: Sample Document/Template
Audience: All Funders
Topic: Administration
Funding Area: Disaster Response/Relief
2016 Annual Meeting Resources on Racial Equity
Publication Date: December, 2016

These resources are from CNJG's 2016 Annual Meeting & Holiday Luncheon where the topic of shifting demographics was explored. Research by the Pew Research Center shows that New Jersey, and the nation, is experiencing the most striking social, racial, economic, and demographic shifts that have not been seen in more than a century. Funders will need to address the new challenges this “next America” will face, including an increasing aging population, greater racial tapestry, the influence of religion and technology, and more.
Resource Type: PresentationResource Guide
Audience: All Funders
Topic: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
CNJG Member Actions

 

These news articles show our members’ responses to the coronavirus pandemic, including announcements, emails, blogs, grants and other resources. If you have items to add, please email us.

Actions and Announcements

Audible Creates Global Center for Urban Development and Hires Aisha Glover to Help Lead It


Russell Berrie Foundation Post: Our Response to COVID-19

Campbell Soup to pay hourly employees premium during outbreak
Post: Our Response to COVID-19

Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
Dodge signs CoF pledge

Grunin Foundation 3/13 COVID-19 Announcement and 3/31 COVID-19 Update

Johnson & Johnson’s lead COVID-19 vaccine candidate shots for early 2021 authorization

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Culture of Health Blog: Handwashing to Slow the Coronavirus Pandemic
Opinion: Racism is the other virus sweeping America during this pandemic by Julie Morita, M.D
Opinion: Disabled Americans can’t be a COVID-19 afterthought by Dr. Richard Besser
Culture of Health Blog: Incarceration Rates: A Key Measure of Health in America
Opinion: In Covid-19 Crisis, Philanthropy’s Attention Must Focus on People With Disabilities
Brief: Health Equity Principles for State and Local Leaders in Responding, Reopening & Recovering from COVID-19
Culture of Health Blog: Lessons for an Equitable COVID-19 Response and Recovery

Kessler Foundation has produced two COVID related podcasts:
Practical Tips to Help Survive the Pandemic as a Parent of a Child with Autism
COVID-19 and Spinal Cord Injury: Minimizing Risks for Complications

New Jersey Council of Humanities Op-ed: Staying Human During the Pandemic

New Jersey Health Initiatives’ Deputy Director of Programs, and CNJG Board Member Diane Hagerman penned “Collaboration across county lines is key to a healthy New Jersey” on NJ Spotlight.

New Jersey Council for the Humanities and New Jersey Historical Commission present a webinar series for cultural nonprofits navigating the COVID-19 pandemic


New Jersey Economic Development Authority assists more than 10,000 small businesses impacted by COVID-19

New Jersey State Council on the Arts partners with ArtPride New Jersey Foundation on “Keep Jersey Arts Alive” campaign.

Newark Arts and the City of Newark Retools Its Ambitious Arts Grant Program to Respond to COVID-19

Nicholson Foundation Email to Grantees
Nicholson honors their own Colette Lamothe-Galette, lost to COVID-19

OceanFirst Foundation and Grunin Foundation along with Townsquare Media Launch Acts of Kindness Campaign

Subaru teams up with TerraCycle on PPE recycling

Turrell Fund Email to Grantees about CARES Act
Turrell Fund manages new Passaic County Pandemic Partnership hosted at the Community Foundation of New Jersey

United Way of Greater Mercer County Op-ed message from Sandra Toussaint

Valley National Bank offers Community Pledge CD to help donate and save at the same time

Resources

Newark Trust for Education COVID19 Resources

New Jersey State Council on the Arts Resources for Artists and Arts Organizations

Video: Hear from recognizable native New Jersey voices about the importance of donating to the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund

PKF O’Connor Davies: Grantmaking During Disasters & Tax-favored Financial Assistance to Employees
Community Foundation Bylaws
Publication Date: March, 2014

Sample bylaws for Community Foundations.
Resource Type: Sample Document/Template
Audience: Community Foundation
Topic: Governance
Conflict of Interest Policy for Independent Foundations
Publication Date: January, 2013

A sample conflict of interest form for independent private foundations.
Resource Type: Sample Document/Template
Audience: Family FoundationProgram Staff
Topic: AdministrationGovernance
Glossary of Philanthropic Terms
Publication Date: January, 2012

501(c)(3): 

Section of the Internal Revenue Code that designates an organization as charitable and tax-exempt. Organizations qualifying under this section include religious, educational, charitable, amateur athletic, scientific or literary groups, organizations testing for public safety or organizations involved in prevention of cruelty to children or animals.
 
509(a): 
Section of the tax code that defines public charities (as opposed to private foundations). A 501(c)(3) organization also must have a 509(a) designation to further define the agency as a public charity. (See Public Support Test)
 
990: 
The federal information tax return form required of all nonprofit organizations with annual gross receipts exceeding $25,000.
 
990-PF: 
The federal information tax return form used for all private foundations filing under tax-exempt status.
 
990-T: 
The federal tax form that must be filed by any nonprofits (including private foundations) that have gross unrelated trade or business income of $1,000 or more (see Unrelated Business Income Tax below).
 
Accountability: 
Foundations must be accountable to the public because foundation donors and the institutions they create receive important tax benefits and are consequently required to serve valid public purposes as defined by law. Foundations are stewards of public as well as private trusts, and must reflect this stewardship in everything they do.
 
Advisory Board: 
A group of individuals, who offer advice, inform or notify. An advisory board differs from an elected board in that they do not have any oversight responsibilities.
 
Affiliate Funds: 
Affiliate funds operate like freestanding community foundations for smaller communities. By affiliating with a local community foundation, these communities can enjoy the benefits of a community foundation without having to file incorporation papers, apply to the IRS for Section 501(c)(3) status, arrange for annual audits, or raise funding for staff. Affiliates have a local board of directors who raise the initial investment, create awareness about the foundation within their communities, and determine recipients for grants.
 
Affinity Groups:
See: funder networks
 
Altruism: 
Altruism, like passion, is the key intent that philanthropy expresses; a concern for the welfare of others; selflessness.
 
Annual Report: 
A voluntary report published by a foundation or corporation describing its grant activities.
 
Assets: 
Cash, stocks, bonds, real estate or other holdings of a foundation. Generally, assets are invested and the income is used to make grants. (See Payout Requirement)
 
Audit: 
An independent examination of the accounting records and other evidence relating to an organization to support the expression of an impartial expert opinion about the reliability of the financial statements.
 
Bequest: 
A bequest can be a legacy; a sum of money committed to an organization and donated upon the donor's death.
 
Board of Directors: 
An organized body of advisors with oversight responsibility.
 
Bylaws: 
Rules governing the internal operation of a nonprofit corporation. Bylaws often provide the methods for the selection of directors, the creation of committees, and the conduct of meetings.
 
Charitable Gift Annuity: 
With a charitable gift annuity, the donor contributes cash or marketable securities in exchange for a contractual promise to pay the donor (and/or another annuitant) a guaranteed income for life. The rate of that income is based on the age(s) of the annuitant(s). A charitable gift annuity pays a fixed, guaranteed amount for life to one or two persons. In almost every instance, a portion of the payments will be tax-free, plus the donor receives an income tax deduction for a portion of the value of the assets contributed.
 
Charitable Gift Fund:
Charitable gift funds are vehicles for giving that are established as charitable affiliates of for-profit financial institutions such as banks and mutual fund companies. These funds are donor-advised funds; therefore, distribution is made to nonprofit organizations at the advice of the donor, with final authority in the board of the charitable affiliate.
 
Challenge Grant:
A grant that is made on the condition that other funding be secured, either on a matching basis or some other formula, usually within a specified period of time, with the objective of encouraging expanded fundraising from additional sources.
 
Charitable Giving Plan:
A plan that best reflects one's life experiences, values, goals and passions that structures giving to charitable organizations.
 
Charitable Lead Trust: 
A legal device used to set aside the money or property of one person for the benefit of one or more persons or organizations. Specifically, this type of trust allows for a regular, fixed amount to go to a charity for a specific number of years. At the end of that time, the remainder of the trust passes to one's heirs.
 
Charitable Remainder Trust:
A legal device used to set aside money or property of one person for the benefit of one or more persons or organizations. Specifically, this type of trust allows one to take a deduction for a gift to the trust in the year in which the trust is formed. One receives income from this type of trust for life and after one's death, the assets pass to the charity you designated.
 
Charity:
In its traditional legal meaning, the word "charity" encompasses religion, education, and assistance to the government, promotion of health, relief of poverty or distress and other purposes that benefit the community. Nonprofit organizations that are organized and operated to further one of these purposes generally will be recognized as exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and will be eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable gifts.
 
Civic sector: 
Often used to describe nongovernmental organizations, sometimes used interchangeably with “nonprofit sector.”
 
Community Foundation: 
A community foundation is a tax-exempt, nonprofit, autonomous, publicly-supported philanthropic institution composed primarily of permanent funds established by many separate donors. It benefits the long-term diverse, charitable benefit of the residents of a defined geographic area. Typically, a community foundation serves an area no larger than a state. Community foundations provide an array of services to donors who wish to establish endowed and non-endowed funds without incurring the administrative and legal costs of starting independent foundations.
 
Conflict of Interest: 
A situation in which the private interests of someone involved with an organization could cause him or her to make decisions that are not in the best interest of the organization.
 
Corporate Foundation: 
A corporate (company-sponsored) foundation is a private foundation that derives its grantmaking funds primarily from the contributions of a profit-making business. The company-sponsored foundation often maintains close ties with the donor company, but it is a separate, legal organization, sometimes with its own endowment. Corporate foundations are subject to the same rules and regulations as other private foundations.
 
Corporate Giving Program: 
A corporate giving program (or direct giving program) is a grantmaking program established and administered within a profit-making company. Gifts or grants go directly to charitable organizations from the corporation. Giving programs do not have a separate endowment; their expense is planned as part of the company's annual budgeting process and usually is funded with pre-tax income.
 
Designated Funds:
A type of restricted fund in which the fund beneficiaries are specified by the grantors.
 
Discretionary Funds: 
Grant funds distributed at the discretion of one or more trustees that usually do not require prior approval by the full board of directors. The governing board can delegate discretionary authority to staff.
 
Disqualified Person: 
A private foundation's officers, directors, trustees, key employees, substantial contributors, their family members, and certain entities associated with any of these individuals. Federal self-dealing laws prohibit a wide range of transactions between a private foundation and any disqualified persons.
 
Donee: 
The receiving organization of a donor's resources. (Also know as a grantee.)
 
Donor: 
A donor is anyone who gives resources - financial, social, intellectual and time - to a nonprofit organization, public charity or fund. A donor is committed to making a difference in society. (Also known as a grantor.)
 
Donor Advised Fund: 
A fund held by a community foundation or other public charity, where the donor (or a committee appointed by the donor), may recommend eligible charitable recipients for grants from the fund. The public charity's governing body must be free to accept or reject the recommendations.
 
Donor Circle:
A term sometimes used interchangably with "giving circle." Donor circles, however, often refer to a group of donors giving to a single organization, such as a university.
 
Donor Designated Fund: 
A fund held by a community foundation where the donor has specified that the fund's income or assets be used for the benefit of one or more specific public charities. These funds are sometimes established by a transfer of assets by a public charity to a fund designated for its own benefit, in which case they may be known as grantee endowments. The community foundation's governing body must have the power to redirect resources in the fund if it determines that the donor's restriction is unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment or inconsistent with the charitable needs of the community or area served.
 
Donor Intent: 
The vision, legacy and intentions of a foundation’s original donor for the foundation’s mission.
 
Donor Restriction: 
A stipulation that the donated assets to a foundation must be maintained permanently, permitting expenditure of only the income or net appreciation of the donated assets. A gift for endowment is a donor restriction.
 
Due Diligence: 
The process through which a grantmaker researches a nonprofit’s financial and organizational health to guide a grantmaking decision.
 
Earmarking: 
A grant is earmarked if the grantee is required to use the grant funds for a specific purpose or recipient, or if the grantor has the right to impose such a requirement.
 
Endowment: 
While there is no legal definition of endowment, most people commonly understood it to be a gift of cash, assets or other property donated to an institution for eternity (in perpetuity). Typically, the gift is converted into cash—if it isn’t cash already—and placed into an endowment fund. In this endowed fund, the amount of the original gift is never touched, but is invested to produce income.
 
Excise Tax: 
An annual federal tax that private foundations must pay on one or two percent of their investment income. The IRS can also impose penalty excise taxes on private foundations, and in some cases their managers, for violations of certain federal laws.
 
Family Foundation: 
"Family foundation" is not a legal term, and therefore, it has no precise definition. Yet, approximately two-thirds of the estimated 44,000 private foundations in this country are believed to be family managed. The Council on Foundations defines a family foundation as a foundation whose funds are derived from members of a single family. At least one family member must continue to serve as an officer or board member of the foundation. Most family foundations concentrate their giving locally, in their communities.
 
Federated Fund: 
A centralized campaign whereby one organization raises money for its member agencies. These annual workplace giving campaigns raise millions of dollars for distribution to local, state, and national nonprofit organizations. The United Way campaign and Community Works are examples.
 
Fiduciary: 
An individual or entity responsible to manage assets for the benefit of others.
 
Financial Statements: 
Presentation of financial data including balance sheets, income statements and statements of cash flow, or any supporting statement that is intended to communicate an entity's financial position at a point in time and its results of operations for a period then ended.
 
Field of Interest Fund: 
A fund held by a community foundation that is used for a specific charitable purpose such as education or health research.
 
Fiscal agent: 
An organization or a legal entity managing the funds for a nonprofit organization.
 
Fiscal sponsor: 
An arrangement where an established nonprofit provides financial support for a project that may be independent or which has yet to obtain its own tax-exempt status.
 
Funder Collaboration: 
Term used by the Forum referring to collaborations between a regional association of grantmakers and funder networks with a presence in the area the regional association serves.
 
Funder Network: 
Also referred to as “affinity groups,” funder networks are groups of grantmakers that act collectively to support a particular population, region, interest, or other identifying characteristic.
 
Giving Circle:
A pooled fund that makes grants and is managed by the funds donors. Giving circles pool time, talent and resources between people who share a common interest in a social cause or issue, and allow for a wide range in charitable styles, philosophies and politics, structure, size, and focus through a very hands-on approach. Occasionally referred to as donor circles. See the Forum's Giving Circle Knowledge Center.
 
Giving Pattern: 
The overall picture of the types of projects and programs that a donor has supported historically. The past record may include areas of interest, geographic locations, dollar amount of funding, or kinds of organizations supported. Grant: An award of funds to an organization or individual to undertake charitable activities.
 
Grant Agreement: 
A legally binding written understanding between a grantmaker and a grantee specifying terms for a grant's expenditure and reporting.
 
Grant Monitoring: 
The ongoing assessment of the progress of the activities funded by a donor, with the objective of determining if the terms and conditions of the grant are being met and if the goal of the grant is likely to be achieved.
 
Grantee: 
An individual or organization that receives a grant.
 
Grantmaker: 
An individual or organization that awards a grant. Grantmaking: The word “grant” refers to the monetary awards made to nonprofits by foundations, corporations, or government agencies. The term “grantmaking” therefore refers to the practice of giving money.
 
Grantseeking: 
The practice of raising money.
 
Grantor: 
The individual or organization that makes a grant.
 
Identity Funds: 
Identity funds, or focus funds as they are sometimes called, are grantmaking organizations created by people who are connected not just by location, but by shared experience and culture, such as race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.
 
In-Kind Contribution: 
A donation of goods or services rather than cash or appreciated property.
 
Independent Foundation: 
An individual usually establishes these private foundations, often by bequest. They are occasionally termed "nonoperating" because they do not run their own programs. Sometimes individuals or groups of people, such as family members, form a foundation while the donors are still living. Private foundations must make charitable expenditures of approximately five percent of the market value of their assets each year. Although exempt from federal income tax, private foundations must pay a yearly excise tax of one to two percent of their net investment income. The Ford Foundation and the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation are two examples of well-known "independent" private foundations.
 
Internal Control: 
Process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding achievement of various management objectives, such as the reliability of financial reports.
 
IRC Election 501(h): 
A section of the Internal Revenue Code that provides specific guidance on how much a public charity can spend on lobbying activities. Any charity that files IRS Form 5768 can choose to be treated under the lobbying expenditure test in Section 501(h), which many organizations find more advantageous than other federal laws on lobbying expenditures. (The 501(h) election does not apply to private foundations.)
 
Jeopardizing Investment: 
An investment that risks a foundation's ability to carry out its exempt purposes. Federal tax law provides that certain risky investments or investment strategies may constitute "jeopardizing investments" that subject a foundation to private foundation excise taxes.
 
Legacy: 
The gift that an individual leaves, both in the details of their will and in the tradition of giving they shared with their descendents. (See bequest)
 
Leverage: 
A method of grantmaking practiced by some foundations and individual donors, leverage occurs when a small amount of money is given with the express purpose of attracting funding from other sources or of providing the organization with the tools it needs to raise other kinds of funds; sometimes known as the "multiplier effect."
 
Life Insurance Gift: 
A gift of life insurance may be made either by designating a charity as a beneficiary of a policy or by arranging for it to become the owner of the policy. The former entails many of the same advantages as a bequest, whereas the latter can result in current income tax savings.
 
Lobbying: 
Any attempt to influence public officials in support of, or in opposition to, any legislation that has been introduced, or any draft legislation that may be introduced, in any legislative body.
 
Lobbyist: 
A person who is compensated for multiple lobbying contacts and whose lobbying activities constitute at least 20 percent of his or her services for an organization during any six-month period.
 
Matching Gifts Program: 
A grant or contributions program that will match employees' or directors' gifts made to qualifying educational, arts and cultural, health or other organizations. Specific guidelines are established by each employer or foundation. (Some foundations also use this program for their trustees.)
 
Matching Grant: 
A grant or gift made with the specification that the amount donated must be matched on a one-for-one basis or according to some other prescribed formula.
 
Memorialize: 
To commemorate; to present a memorial to; to honor the memory of an individual or group by donating resources or establishing a fund that reflects the gifts, values or concerns of the individual or group.
 
Nonprofit Organization: 
A term describing the Internal Revenue Service's designation of an organization whose income is not used for the benefit or private gain of stockholders, directors, or any other persons with an interest in the company. A nonprofit organization's income must be used solely to support its operations and stated purpose.
 
Operating Foundation: 
Also called private operating foundations, operating foundations are private foundations that use the bulk of their income to provide charitable services or to run charitable programs of their own. They make few, if any, grants to outside organizations. To qualify as an operating foundation, specific rules -- in addition to the applicable rules for private foundations -- must be followed. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the Getty Trust are examples of operating foundations.
 
Operating Support: 
A contribution given to cover an organization's day-to-day, ongoing expenses, such as salaries, utilities, or office supplies.
 
Passion: 
Boundless enthusiasm; deep and positive emotion; fervent expression of hope; belief in the essential connection of individual and community; and love of humanity. Passion, like altruism, is essential to the action of giving and the purpose of philanthropy.
 
Pass-Through Foundation: 
The pass-through foundation is a private grantmaking organization that distributes all of the contributions it receives each year (not just the minimum five percent of assets). The pass-through election may be made or revoked on a year-to-year basis.
 
Payout Requirement: 
The minimum amount that a private foundation is required to expend for charitable purposes (includes grants and necessary and reasonable administrative expenses). In general, a private foundation must annually pay out approximately five percent of the average market value of its assets.
 
Philanthropist: 
A person who loves humanity, is committed deeply to making society a better place, who believes that each individual, each dollar and each action makes a difference.
 
Philanthropy: 
Philanthropy is defined in different ways. The origin of the word philanthropy is Greek and means love for mankind. Today, philanthropy includes the concept of voluntary giving by an individual or group to promote the common good. Philanthropy also commonly refers to grants of money given by foundations to nonprofit organizations. Philanthropy addresses the contribution of an individual or group to other organizations that in turn work to improve the quality of life for all citizens or residents. Philanthropic giving supports a variety of activities, including research, health, education, arts and culture, as well as alleviating poverty.
 
Pledge: 
A promise to make future contributions to an organization. For example, some donors make multiyear pledges promising to grant a specific amount of money each year.
 
Pooled Income Fund: 
A pooled income fund is a life-income arrangement wherein the income from the donor's gift is paid to the donor (and/or designated friends and family members) for life at the rate earned by the total pool of gifts. A pooled income fund contribution has some of the same features as a mutual fund investment. Upon the death of the last beneficiary, the remaining funds pass to the charity or charities designated.
 
Private Foundation: 
A nongovernmental, nonprofit organization with funds (usually from a single source, such as an individual, family or corporation) and program managed by its own trustees or directors, established to maintain or aid social, educational, religious or other charitable activities serving the common welfare, primarily through grantmaking. U.S. private foundations are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are classified by the IRS as a private foundation as defined in the code.
 
Professional Advisor: 
Individuals who assist in planning and executing charitable giving through providing information on giving options according to one's specific financial situation. Types of professional advisors include: attorney, accountant, estate planner, financial planner, stockbroker, insurance broker, planned giving officer, and philanthropy consultant.
 
Public Charity: 
A nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that receives its financial support from a broad segment of the general public. Religious, educational and medical institutions are deemed to be public charities. Other organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) must pass a public support test (See Public Support Test, below) to be considered public charities, or must be formed to benefit an organization that is a public charity (see Supporting Organizations). Charitable organizations that are not public charities are private foundations and are subject to more stringent regulatory and reporting requirements (See Private Foundations, above).
 
Public Foundation: 
Public foundations are nonprofit organizations that receive at least one-third of their income from the general public. Public foundations may make grants or engage in charitable activities. The IRS recognizes public foundations, along with community foundations, as public charities. Religious, educational and medical institutions are deemed to be public charities.
 
Public sector: 
Those organizations in society other than for-profit corporations, or organizations that serve the public good, including government.
 
Public Support Test:
This test is used to assure a minimum percentage of broad-based public support in an organization's total support pattern. So, the "one-third support test" means qualifying support divided by total support must equal at least one-third. An organization qualifies as publicly supported if it normally receives at least one-third of its total support from government, from contributions by the general public, or from a combination of these. See IRS Publication 557 for full details.
 
Qualified Terminable Interest Property (QTIP): 
A qualified terminable interest property trust will provide the donor's spouse the right to income for life. Upon the spouse's death, the trust property will be passed on to a designated charity or charities. This arrangement is more flexible than the charitable remainder trust. Here, the trustee may be given broader powers including the right to invade trust principal for the support and comfort of the surviving spouse.
 
Regional Associations of Grantmakers: 
A regional association (no abbreviation) is a staffed organization with a defined governance and financial structure that serves grantmakers in a metropolitan area, a single state, or a multi-state region. Its membership includes a variety of grantmaking institutions and programs.
 
Restricted Funds: 
Assets or income that is restricted in its use, in the types of organizations that may receive grants from it, or in the procedures used to make grants from such funds.
 
Risk Management: 
A general term describing the process of analyzing risk in all aspects of an organization’s management and operations and developing strategies to reduce the exposure to such risks.
 
Seed Money:
A grant or contribution used to start a new project or organization.
 
Site Visit: 
A fact-finding visit that a foundation’s staff and/or board members make to a grant applicant’s or grantee’s office location or area of operation. This may involve meeting with the nonprofit’s staff, directors, and/or recipients of its services. Site visits are normally conducted before a grant is approved, during project implementation and/or during project evaluation.
 
Social Investing: 
Also referred to as ethical investing and socially responsible investing, this is the practice of aligning a foundation's investment policies with its mission. This may include making program-related investments and refraining from investing in corporations with products or policies inconsistent with the foundation's values.
 
Strategic Giving: 
Engaging in philanthropy in a strategic manner to make a major philanthropic impact through making better choices surrounding how much one spends, invests and gives back to society.
 
Supporting Organization: 
A supporting organization is a charity not required to meet the public support test because it supports a public charity. To be a supporting organization, a charity must meet one of three complex legal tests that assure, at a minimum, that the organization being supported has some influence over the actions of the supporting organization. Although a supporting organization may be formed to benefit any type of public charity, the use of this form is particularly common in connection with community foundations. Supporting organizations are distinguishable from donor-advised funds because they are distinct legal entities.
 
Tax-Exempt Organizations: 
Organizations that do not have to pay state and/or federal income taxes. Organizations other than churches seeking recognition of their status as exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code must apply to the Internal Revenue Service. Charities may also be exempt from state income, sales and local property tax.
 
Technical Assistance: 
Operational or management assistance given to a nonprofit organization. It can include fundraising assistance, budgeting and financial planning, program planning, legal advice, marketing and other aid to management. Assistance may be offered directly by a foundation or corporate staff member or in the form of a grant to pay for the services of an outside consultant.
 
Tithing: 
A belief, found in many faiths, of giving 10 percent - the first and best part - back to a place of worship.
 
Transparency: 
Transparency is the opposite of privacy; an activity or organization is transparent if all information about it is open and freely available. Being transparent helps a private foundation fulfill its obligation to be accountable to the public, and can also help improve its effectiveness. When foundations make their information open and freely available, doing so can help them do their jobs better by clarifying the objectives they are seeking, informing potential grantees of priority interests, and making the general public aware of their accomplishments.
 
Trust: 
A legal device used to set aside money or property of one person for the benefit of one or more persons or organizations.
 
Trustee: 
The person(s) or institutions responsible for the administration of a trust.
 
United Philanthropy Forum:
The United Philanthropy Forum (the Forum) is a national philanthropic leader and a network of 32 regional associations of grantmakers. It supports philanthropy by strengthening the ability of all regional associations to fulfill their missions; these associations promote the growth and effectiveness of philanthropy in order to improve life in their communities.
 
Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT): 
Federal tax on income that is the result of any legal trade or business conducted by a nonprofit organization to make money in a way not directly related to its tax-exempt mission.
 
Unrestricted Funds: 
Normally found at community foundations, an unrestricted fund is one that is not specifically designated to particular uses by the donor, or for which restrictions have expired or been removed.
 
Unsolicited Grant Proposal: 
A proposal sent to a foundation without invitation or prior knowledge on the part of the foundation, usually in response to a foundation’s application guidelines. Some foundations will not accept unsolicited proposals or applications.
 
Venture Philanthropy:
A philanthropy that borrows some of the best practices of the venture capital world to invest deeply in nonprofits to build their capacity effectively. Venture philanthropists value their donor dollars in terms of the social return of investment.
 
Voluntarism/Volunteerism: 
Performing an act of kindness, freely giving of your talent, time, and effort for the simple fulfillment of community expectations. Voluntarism often refers to the field or study of volunteering; volunteerism often refers to concerns of the specific management or actions of volunteers.
 
Women's Giving: 
Considered by some to be the next frontier of the women's movement, women's giving builds on the tradition of volunteerism and is empowered with women's financial resources.
Resource Type: Resource Guide
Audience: All Funders
Topic: About Philanthropy
Native Voices Rising, A Case for Funding Native-Led Change
Publication Date: January, 2013

Native Voices Rising is a joint research and re-granting project of Native Americans in Philanthropy and Common Counsel Foundation. This report focuses on the practices and challenges of community organizing and advocacy, focusing on the need for increased investment in and sustained support for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.

Resource Type: Issue Briefing
Topic: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Balancing Speed, Equity, and Impact during a Crisis
Publication Date: October, 2020

The COVID-19 public health and economic crisis has changed our world as we know it. As employers moved to remote work, schools shifted to distance learning, and businesses closed completely, it became clear that the impact on residents, nonprofits, and businesses was far greater than anyone could have ever imagined.

In response to the growing and evolving needs of our region, the Greater Washington Community Foundation established the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund to raise and rapidly deploy funding to local nonprofits providing food, shelter, educational supports, and other critical services.

From the beginning our goal was clear: to address the immediate needs and reach adversely affected communities, particularly low-income households and communities of color. We know all too well that in a crisis like this, these marginalized communities are hit the hardest, and often take the longest to recover.

In times of crises, The Community Foundation is our region’s philanthropic first responder, bringing together individuals and families, philanthropic peers, corporate partners, and local government advisors to address community issues. Building on our rich history of emergency response work, we grounded our COVID-19 response efforts in a similar coordinated approach.

This report chronicles the steps taken, under immense pressure, to develop a coordinated emergency response effort to support a broad range of needs across the region. Once again this effort has demonstrated that working in partnership and close collaboration with our philanthropic peers and local government advisors is an effective way to manage a response to both urgent and longer-term needs.
Resource Type: Research
Audience: All Funders
Topic: COVID-19Grantmaking
A New Anchor Mission for a New Century
Publication Date: November, 2014

Community foundations are beginning to deepen and shift how they work, adopting an anchor mission that seeks to fully deploy all resources to build community wealth. Moving into territory relatively uncharted for community foundations, they are taking up impact investing and economic development — some in advanced ways, others with small steps. This report offers an overview of how 30 representative community foundations — including The Seattle Foundation, the Vermont Community Foundation, and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation — are working toward adopting this new anchor mission.

This Democracy Collaborative report was written by Marjorie Kelly, Senior Fellow and Director of Special Projects and Violeta Duncan, Community Development Associate.
Resource Type: Issue Briefing
Audience: Community Foundation
Topic: Hurricane Sandy
Informing Philanthropy on Executive Actions
... Administration’s Actions (shared summary document) Just Security: Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to ...
NJ Focused Response Funds
... health grants 5/8 - NJPRF gives out 27 additional food security and need-based grants 5/13 - New Jersey Pandemic ...
Report: Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Strategy
Publication Date: August, 2013

President Obama's Hurricane Sandy Task Force released this rebuilding strategy to serve as a model for communities across the nation facing greater risks from extreme weather and to continue helping the Sandy-affected region rebuild. The Rebuilding Strategy contains 69 policy recommendations, many of which have already been adopted, that will help homeowners stay in and repair their homes, strengthen small businesses and revitalize local economies and ensure entire communities are better able to withstand and recover from future storms.
Resource Type: Report
Topic: Hurricane Sandy
Funding Area: Disaster Response/Relief

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