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Thank you to all that attended CNJG’s 2023 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering - Philanthropic Collaboratives: Driving Impact and Opportunity on December 14.
Both our fireside chat speakers, Nidhi Sahni, Bridgespan, and Lucy Vandenberg, Schumann Fund for New Jersey, and pre-meeting workshop facilitators John Harper, Chirlie Felix, and Waheera Mardah from FSG, helped us to gain a better understanding of the nuance and benefits of collaboration. Please check out the program book, and you’ll find additional information on the Annual Meeting Resources page.
We elected two new Board trustees for their first 3-year term: Jasmyne Beckford, Prudential Foundation, and Paul DiLorenzo, Salem Health and Wellness Foundation, as well as re-electing several trustees for another term. We also said goodbye to 3 trustees rotating off, including 2023 Board Chair, Jeff Vega. Thank you, Jeff, for your leadership and commitment to CNJG. Following the annual meeting of members, the Board elected their officers for 2024: Craig Drinkard, Chair, (Victoria Foundation), Christine Healey, 1st Vice Chair, (The Healey Education Foundation), Justin Kiczek, 2nd Vice Chair, (F. M. Kirby Foundation), Maisha Simmons, Secretary, (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), and Catherine Wilson, Treasurer, (United Way Greater Newark). Congratulations!
Approved by the Board in October, we were thrilled to introduce CNJG’s first-ever policy agenda to the membership (see pages 9 – 11 of the program book). Among the policy agenda’s priorities are advancing racial equity and justice, a well-resourced nonprofit sector, civic engagement, and a healthy democracy.
Also adopted at the October Board meeting, we shared the New Jersey Principles for Philanthropy, our equity principles, with the membership (see pages 12 – 15 of the program book). CNJG’s last revision of Guiding Beliefs and Principles was in 2007. These revised Principles use a developmental framework and understand that each organization has its own starting point. Next year we’ll create tools and resources to help members on their own equity journeys.
Both of these important items are included as part of our 2023 – 2025 Strategic Plan, unveiled to the membership at last year’s Annual Meeting. CNJG envisions a healthy, thriving, and civically engaged NJ where people of all places, racial identities, socio-economic backgrounds, abilities, and identity expressions are valued for their gifts and talents, and we all can reach our full potential and participate generously in the common good. Our mission supports and elevates New Jersey’s philanthropic community through shared learning, collaborative and trusting relationships, network building, and leadership.
We also highlighted the importance of committee participation to drive CNJG’s work. Committees focus on a specific function or assignment. Our committees include: Audit, Finance, Governance, Member Engagement, Policy, Racial Equity, Signature Programs, and Strategic Plan Implementation. Thank you to everyone that submitted a committee interest card. If you are interested in serving on a committee, please email me. This is an exciting time to be involved in committee work.
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers thanks our Annual Meeting sponsors for their generous support: Signature Sponsor – Prudential; Collaborating Sponsor – Victoria Foundation; Contributing Sponsors – Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Devils Youth Foundation; and Supporting Sponsors – Grunin Foundation, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Princeton Area Community Foundation, and WSFS Bank. Thank you also to NJM Insurance Group for an additional donation to support the event.
The CNJG offices will be closed from December 25, 2023 to January 1, 2024.
2023 was a terrific year – thank you to the Council membership for making it so. Our membership is truly an exceptional group of leaders that care deeply about the communities they serve, and their nonprofit partners. On behalf of the entire CNJG team, we wish you happy holidays and a joyful new year! We look forward to seeing you in 2024!
With Gratitude,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
Facing Our Future was a landmark initiative looking at the systemic, long term fiscal challenges facing all levels of government in New Jersey. It grew out of a 2010 briefing CNJG held for members that outlined how a Governor’s budget is annually crafted. CNJG leadership worked with members to convene a group of enthusiastic former government leaders. Their collective experience crossed party lines, and many of them had served multiple New Jersey governors. This Leadership Group included 4 former Attorney Generals, 3, former Commissioners, 2 former State Treasurers, a former Director of the State Senate and a former Chief Justice of the NJ Supreme Court, in addition to leading New Jersey researchers.
Facing Our Future became an independent, bipartisan effort under the auspices of CNJG. It has produced 3 different reports that centered on the same theme.
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
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
Philanthropic Collaboratives:
Driving Impact and Opportunity
Thursday, December 14, 2023 - 9:00am to 3:00pm
Luncheon, Keynote Presentation & Workshop
Location: Crowne Plaza Edison, 2055 Lincoln Highway, Edison, NJ 08817
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers thanks everyone who attended our 2023 Annual Meeting & Holiday Luncheon and the Pre-Meeting Workshop that explored Philanthropic Collaboratives: Driving Impact and Opportunity. We were thrilled to reconnect with friends and colleagues and meet new members.
At the Business meeting, the membership elected the new class of Trustees. We also honored our outgoing Board Chair, Jeff Vega, for all the incredible work he accomplished during his term. After lunch and networking time, we listened attentively to Nidhi Sahni, Partner and Head of US Advisory Group, New York, Bridgespan, and Lucy Vandenberg, Executive Director of the Schumann Fund for New Jersey in conversation about the nuances and benefits of collaboration.
At the pre-meeting workshop, Tools for Funder Collaboration, presented by John Harper, Chirlie Felix, and Waheera Mardah of FSG, members were presented multiple models of collaboration and examples of collective impact followed by an opportunity to engage in dynamic discussion to further explore the concepts.
CNJG members can view the FSG PowerPoint and additional resources from the event on the resources tab, when logged in.
Virtual Marketplace
The Virtual Marketplace provides a list of vendors providing services of particular interest to the philanthropic community.
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers encourages its members to conduct their own due diligence when selecting vendors. This listing does not imply endorsement by CNJG.
If you are interested in being listed here, please contact us.
Marketplace Vendors
Tom Knowlton
CEO | CSR Talent Group
New York, NY
1-917-751-4482
[email protected]
www.csrtalentgroup.com
CSR Talent Group provides companies with vetted, flexible CSR, Philanthropy, ESG and Sustainability experts that can be hired on a project basis or for longer term needs. Our on-demand, global talent marketplace provides companies with a turnkey, standardized RFP process followed by immediate access to their choice of specialized experts who match their needs – and all without the overhead of a traditional consulting firm. For more information, www.csrtalentgroup.com.
Christopher D. Petermann, CPA, Co-Partner-in-Charge Private Foundation Practice
Scott A. Brown, CPA, Partner Private Foundation Practice
20 Commerce Drive, Suite 301
Cranford, NJ 07016
(908) 272-6200
[email protected]
[email protected]
www.pkfod.com
PKF O’Connor Davies, LLP is a full-service certified public accounting and advisory firm with offices located in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, Florida, Rhode Island and Massachusetts and more than 1,400 professionals. The Firm provides a complete range accounting, auditing, tax and management advisory services to over 4,000 not-for-profit organizations – including 500 private foundations.
Christine Michelle Duffy, Director New Jersey Program
Parsippany, NJ
(732) 227-0800
[email protected]
www.probonopartner.org
Pro Bono Partnership provides free legal help to nonprofits in New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. The Partnership has been helping nonprofits build capacity, reduce risk, and keep up with legal requirements for 25 years! In addition to direct legal advice, the Partnership offers a free Legal Resource Helpline (in NJ: 973-240-6955), important updates via email, and free and low-cost webinars, workshops, and articles covering most-asked-about topics.
Adam Holzberg, Partner
389 Interpace Parkway, Ste 3
Parsippany, NJ 07054
(973) 554-6065
[email protected]
www.saxllp.com
SAX is a Top 100 accounting, tax, and advisory firm serving the needs of privately held companies, family-owned businesses, nonprofit organizations, and high-net-worth individuals. With a commitment to guiding clients through complex financial landscapes, SAX provides strategic solutions that drive growth, compliance, and long-term success. Founded in 1956, the firm is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, with additional offices across the region.
Amy Fiore, Managing Director
LinkedIn
[email protected]
Maureen Prout Alvidrez, Managing Director
LinkedIn
[email protected]
Sobel Bixel: Consulting for Nonprofits is a fundraising and organizational management consulting group of experienced nonprofit and development professionals focused on campaigns, feasibility studies, strategic planning, leadership training & development, and fundraising strategy. Learn more at www.sobelbixel.com
Keith Timko, Executive Director
One Gateway Center, Ste. 2600
Newark, NJ 07102
(646) 436-0453
[email protected]
www.supportcenteronline.org
Support Center is a nonprofit capacity building organization originally established in 1971. We have been a trusted local partner to nonprofits in the greater New Jersey/New York/Connecticut area for more than 30 years. Support Center specializes in organizational development, consulting and executive transition and has worked with grantmakers directly and with grantees on initiatives ranging from leadership programs to individual executive transition and strategy and management initiatives.
Larissa Lazaro, Sales Consultant – Nonprofit
640 5th Avenue, 19/F
New York, NY 10019
(646) 895-0995
[email protected]
www.trinet.com
TriNet provides small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) with full-service HR solutions tailored by industry. To free SMBs from HR complexities, TriNet offers access to human capital expertise, benefits, risk mitigation and compliance, payroll, all enabled by industry leading technology capabilities. TriNet’s suite of products also includes services and software-based solutions to help streamline workflows by connecting HR, Benefits, Employee Engagement, Payroll and Time & Attendance. From Main Street to Wall Street, TriNet empowers SMBs to focus on what matters most—growing their business and enabling their people. TriNet, incredible starts here.
George H. Stout Jr., Manager
(215) 525-3121
[email protected]
www.yptc.com
For nearly 30 years, Your Part-Time Controller has focused exclusively on helping nonprofit organizations with their accounting, financial reporting, and financial management. YPTC works on-site or remotely, with all types of nonprofit organizations.
A working glossary of terms to help shape a common language for work in Community Capacity. This glossary is intended to help promote philanthropy's roles in building community capacity by defining core concepts and closely related terms.
This guide was designed to help the state’s philanthropic community understand their ethical, legal, and fiduciary requirements and obligations.
Despite a field replete with research, analysis, recommended policies and practices — not to mention an abundance of educational programs and frameworks for grantmaking to diverse communities — philanthropic leaders have been slow to advance these values in their foundations. Philanthropy Northwest (PNW) wondered: what is getting in the way? Why are good intentions, buttressed with theory and practical advice, not achieving better results on measures of diversity, equity and inclusion?
With the support of the D5 Coalition, PNW began a year-long study to explore these questions. The study was divided into two parts. They began with personal interviews of 23 philanthropic leaders in the Pacific Northwest. In order to better understand how these organizations incorporated diversity, equity, and inclusion into their work and workplaces, they collected baseline information about their staff composition, leadership styles, and organizational practices/policies.
This report details their findings. It includes an in-depth look at the peer cohort model, in which ten foundation leaders met regularly to discuss these issues and support each other in advancing their own leadership. It also includes practical lessons about shifting organizational cultures towards greater diversity, equity and inclusion — lessons drawn directly from the experiences of peer cohort leaders.
PNW presented this work in a webinar hosted by the D5 Coalition. The webinar recording and slides are below.
We’re thrilled to announce the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers’ 2024 Spring Colloquium – a timely conversation exploring the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data in the social sector.
Empowering the Future: Harnessing AI and Data for Philanthropic Social Impact will take place on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center opening at 9:30 AM with networking and check-in, Resource Marketplace, and continental breakfast.
The main event begins at 10:30 AM and will feature a distinguished panel discussion moderated by Jean Westrick, Executive Director of the Technology Association of Grantmakers, (TAG). Our esteemed panelists will delve into critical topics such as:
- Optimizing Problem-Solving: How can AI enhance our ability to address social issues without sacrificing human connection?
- Equity in Action: How can we ensure AI is used ethically and fairly to promote a more equitable society?
- Funding for the Future: How are foundations leveraging AI for strategic grantmaking initiatives?
- Gen Z and AI: What role will AI play in shaping the future generations of philanthropic leaders?
Following lunch and conversation, we’ll have 2 afternoon sessions focused on the practical side of AI usage for foundations and nonprofits. The Spring Colloquium is your chance to gain valuable insights from leading experts, network with fellow New Jersey grantmakers and nonprofit leaders, and discover innovative strategies for using AI to maximize your own social impact.
Registration is now open! We’re opening registration exclusively to CNJG members until Friday, April 26, so please secure your spot for this essential event by registering today.
As this is such an important topic for our sector, I invite you to consider sponsorship of the event. Sponsorship 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. Please reach out to 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: Connector Sponsors - Campbell Soup Company, Sixers Youth Foundation and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
In the coming weeks, we’ll share more details about the 2024 Spring Colloquium, including the full panel line-up. Stay tuned for further updates in the newsletter and on our website.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
Philanthropic organizations of all shapes and sizes are well positioned to support Communities for a Lifetime (CfaL). This issue brief explores four roles for philanthropy in advancing CfaL work.