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A CNJG member queried our listserves for sample questions (not included in the grant application) you might ask grantees or potential grantees during site visits. CNJG compiled these responses, and other documents members use.
Get the complete 2024 Joint Policy Forum Resource List including a printable Agenda on the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits website.
Conference Photos
Monmouth and Ocean County funders, join us at the PEEP at the Jersey Shore BlueClaws event! This is a time for connection and relationship building with people we don't always get a chance to see in the philanthropic and nonprofit world. Most importantly, this is for ALL levels of your organization, including those doing direct service and operations, and board members. This is a family-friendly event so feel free to bring your kids!
PEEP (started by Vu Le, writer of the blog, Nonprofit AF)—Party to Enhance Equity in Philanthropy - is a nationally celebrated movement to bring together nonprofit and philanthropic leaders to help break down the pervasive power dynamics in our work and a small tool to help us see each other in our full humanity.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members and Non-Member Grantmakers
This program is open to Monmouth and Ocean County grantmakers and nonprofits only.
This event is available to philanthropic and nonprofit professionals at no cost thanks to the generous support of members of the Monmouth-Ocean Roundtable of Funders, a program through the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers.
In the third session of Putting Racism on the Table (2016), Julie Nelson, Director of the Government Alliance on Race & Equity, Haas Institute for a Fair and Inclusive Society, focused on implicit bias. We encourage check out the viewing guide and discussion guide to be used with the video.
Watch the video
We are pleased to share the 2022 Newark Philanthropic Liaison Report to the Field. The role continues to demonstrate meaningful impact in Newark while serving as a model to other cities and states across the country interested in deepening the intentionality of public-private partnerships.
The only statewide study ever published on giving, CNJGs New Jersey Gives report provides a status report on the strength of charitable giving in New Jersey and its influence on the state's economy. First published in 2001 with an updates produced in 2003 and 2005 New Jersey Gives features key statistics on corporate and community foundations, individual giving and more.
Community colleges offer greater affordability than private or state colleges, are adept at providing flexible education schedules and delivery, and are often deeply tied to the local areas in which they reside. This type of accessibility and inclusivity provides enormous opportunities for students left out of traditional higher education models. And while there is a road to recovery for community colleges post-COVID, they can play a critical role in building a future workforce in local communities and creating a more equitable higher education system for New Jersey students.
During this program, we’ll hear from several community college leaders on the impact of the pandemic on enrollment and learning, the biggest challenges facing higher education right now, and the opportunities they see to close education gaps and improve student outcomes. Join us to learn more about community colleges as a pathway to success for students in New Jersey, and philanthropy’s role in supporting more accessible, affordable, and flexible higher education models.
Speakers include:
Brian Bridges, Ph.D., Secretary of Higher Education, State of New Jersey
Dr. Michael Gorman, President, Salem Community College
Steven M. Rose, President, Passaic Community College
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $50 for Non Member Grantmakers.
This program is only open to staff and trustees from grantmaking organizations.
Webinar Video
Hosted by United Philanthropy Forum, in partnership with the Council on Foundations and Independent Sector, Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) is an annual opportunity for foundation executives, staff, and board members, philanthropy-serving organizations, and other philanthropic and social sector leaders to meet with their federal lawmakers, talk about issues of interest to philanthropy, and strengthen relationships with their representatives.
The overall purpose of Foundations on the Hill is to:
- Inform and educate Congress about philanthropy
- Advocate on issues affecting foundations
- Build CNJG’s relationships with lawmakers and their staff
- Create visibility for foundations and philanthropy on Capitol Hill
- Encourage Congress to view foundations as resources on key public policy issues
CNJG Makes Strong Showing at Foundations on the Hill 2025
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers joined over 350 colleagues nationwide at Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) from February 23rd to 26th. This premier policy conference brought together the philanthropic sector for advocacy and education.
The CNJG delegation, led by our President and CEO Theresa Jacks, included Board Chair Craig Drinkard, Executive Officer, Victoria Foundation, Policy Co-chairs, Lucy Vandenberg, Executive Director, The Schumann Fund for New Jersey and William Engel, President, The Union Foundation, as well as a diverse group of foundation leaders representing various regions and interests across New Jersey. Notably, Linda Czipo, President and CEO of the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits, also participated, providing valuable insights from the nonprofit perspective.
FOTH offered a rich program beyond meetings with legislators. Attendees participated in conference sessions, learned about key national trends in philanthropy, and engaged with experts on critical issues like equitable grantmaking, tax reform, and the budget reconciliation process.
The CNJG delegation met with all New Jersey Congressional and Senate offices, including meeting directly with Congressmen Josh Gottheimer and Herb Conaway, and Senator Andy Kim, along with a photo meet-up with Senator Cory Booker. They advocated for the bipartisan Charitable Act, H.R.801/S.317). These bills modify and extend the deduction for charitable contributions for individuals who do not itemize deductions on their tax returns, thereby incentivizing charitable giving and encouraging greater philanthropic support for nonprofits and the communities they serve.
Beyond policy discussions and sharing what is happening on the ground in our state’s communities as a result of executive actions, FOTH provided valuable networking opportunities. The annual CNJG dinner fostered connections and relationships within the delegation, as well as time to debrief about what we were hearing on the Hill. Special thanks to Jermey Grunin, President, Grunin Foundation and Bill Engel for underwriting our dinner!
Overall, CNJG's participation in FOTH proved successful. By advocating for key legislation, educating Congress, and building relationships, CNJG helps ensure the voice of New Jersey philanthropy is heard on Capitol Hill.
2025 CNJG Delegation:
Carrie Bersak, Program Officer, The Burke Foundation
Sharif Braxton, Director, EQUIP NJ
Naeema Campbell, Program Officer, The Fund for New Jersey
Linda Czipo, President and CEO, New Jersey Center for Nonprofits
Kortney Swanson Davis, President and CEO, Forman S. Acton Educational Foundation
Craig Drinkard, Executive Officer, Victoria Foundation
William Engel, President, The Union Foundation
Alma Garcia, Director, Equity Ahora
Jeremy Grunin, President, Grunin Foundation
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO, CNJG
Jessica Johansen, Manager of Portfolio and Strategic Operations, The Tepper Foundation
Sharnita Johnson, Vice President, Victoria Foundation
Jessica Nugent, Senior Program Officer, The Burke Foundation
Katherine Nunnally, CEO, Smith Family Foundation
Jonathan Pearson, Executive Director, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey
Shelley Skinner, Managing Director of Portfolios, The Tepper Foundation
Nelida Valentin, Vice President, Grants & Programs, Princeton Area Community Foundation
Lucy Vandenberg, Executive Director, The Schumann Fund for New Jersey
Renee Woodside, Associate Director, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey
Hellen Zamora-Bustos, Grassroots Community Advocate, Equity Ahora
These links and materials are presented as guides to help facilitate foundations and government agencies seeking partnerships or engagements to support mutual goals.
Council on Foundations’ Public-Philanthropic Partnership Initiative
Risks and Rewards of Partnerships an article from Let's Talk Philanthropy
The Essentials for Collaboration Between Foundations and Government from the Council on Foundations
What's the right relationship between philanthropy and government? results from a GrantCraft Study
Working with Government: Guidance for Grantmakers a guide from GrantCraft
The 2018 President’s Report is our annual look back at CNJG’s robust programming and services for our members and, by extension, the communities they serve. The Council is an engaged and cohesive network of grantmakers dedicated to our state’s communities and people.
The 2020 President’s Report is our annual look back at CNJG’s robust programming and services for our members and, by extension, the communities they serve. The Council is an engaged and cohesive network of grantmakers dedicated to our state’s communities and people.
The 2021 President’s Report is our annual look back at CNJG’s robust programming and services for our members and, by extension, the communities they serve. The Council is an engaged and cohesive network of grantmakers dedicated to our state’s communities and people.