Site Search

A CNJG member queried the Health & Aging listserves asking for sample letters of inquiry. This document includes a few responses from fellow members. If you would like to add yours to this list, please email us.

Foundations Facilitate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Partnering with Community and Nonprofits, a new report by the OMG Center for Collaborative Learning, confirms that foundations can, in fact, facilitate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through their grantmaking processes and their partnerships with nonprofits—and identifies eight specific practices for foundations to emulate.

The report takes a deep dive into the work of nine foundations that represent a diverse cross-section of types and sizes, and offers useful lessons about how foundations can better partner with nonprofits to be more effective in their work.

Steering Committee

Jorge Cruz, Executive Director, LISC Greater Newark
Linda Czipo, President & CEO of the New Jersey Center of Nonprofits
Jackie Edwards, Executive Director, Parents Inc of NJ
Victoria Fernandez, Director of Thriving Communities, Grunin Foundation; and Co-Founder, Nonprofit Professionals of Color Collective
Tyneisha Gibbs, Founder and Principal Consultant of 144th & Vine; and Co-Founder, Nonprofit Professionals of Color Collective
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
Bridget Phifer, Chief Executive Officer, Parkside Business & Community in Partnership
Rosalía Velázquez, Director of Strategic Partnerships, New Jersey Center of Nonprofits

Advisory Group

Keith R. Adams, Executive Director, NJVOAD
Carin Berkowitz, Executive Director, New Jersey Council for the Humanities
Elsa Candelario, Professor of Professional Practice, Latino/a/x Initiatives for Service, Training, and Assessment, Rutgers School of Social Work
Jane Cohen, Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy
René O. Deida, Director, Corporate and Community Engagement, Prudential Financial, Inc.
Hans Dekker, President, Community Foundation of New Jersey
Craig Drinkard, Co-Executive Officer, Victoria Foundation
Bill Engel President, The Union Foundation
Andy Fraizer Executive Director, Community Foundation of South Jersey
Laurie Goganzer, President and CEO, YMCA of Greater Monmouth County
Jeremy Grunin, President, Grunin Foundation
Bob Guarasci, Founder & CEO, New Jersey Community Development Corporation
Susan Hoskins, Executive Director, Friends Foundation for the Aging
Sharnita C. Johnson, Vice President of Strategy, Impact and Communication, Victoria Foundation
Elaine E. Katz, Sr. Vice President, Kessler Foundation
Eddie LaPorte, Director, New Jersey Office of Faith Based Initiatives
Taneshia Nash Laird, President and CEO, Newark Symphony Hall
Tammy Rice Herman, Director of Grants & Strategies, New Jersey State Council on the Arts
John Thurber, Partner, Br'Island Group
Keith Timko, Executive Director & CEO, Support Center
Sandra Toussaint, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Mercer County
Allison Tratner, Executive Director, New Jersey State Council on the Arts
Mark Valli, CEO, NORWESCAP
Margaret Waldock, Executive Director, Duke Farms
Catherine Wilson, President & CEO, United Way of Greater Newark

Doing Good Better, a partnership of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits, is a community of funders and nonprofits taking action against the power imbalances and racial inequities in philanthropy, nonprofits, and government.

As we settle into the festive spirit of the holiday season, it's the perfect time to take a step back and reflect on the impact we've made - and the exciting possibilities ahead. I'm reaching out once again to remind you about the CNJG Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering - our key year-end event where we gather to reflect, learn, and most importantly, strengthen the connections that make our work in philanthropy so impactful.

This year's theme, Inspiring Change through Leadership: Maximizing Philanthropic Impact, is about how we can use leadership to drive meaningful and lasting change. I'm excited to share that this year's gathering will offer an inspiring mix of learning, reflection, and connection - an opportunity to think about where we've been and where we want to go next. 

Here's what to look forward to: 

• Leadership in Action Workshop: We'll be diving into the New Jersey Principles for Philanthropy with a panel of CNJG members who have led the efforts for CNJG to adopt the principles. The panelists will discuss how they are aligning their work with the principles, where some challenges lie ahead, and how we can promote these principles within our organizations to engage in further work. It will be an excellent opportunity to learn, discuss, and brainstorm how you, too, can apply these guiding principles to your own work and further strengthen your organization's impact.
• Keynote Address by Amalia Brindis Delgado: I'm especially excited about our keynote speaker, Amalia Brindis Delgado, Chief Strategy Officer, Panta Rhea Foundation. Amalia will speak on leadership and leadership transitions as well as share insights from her work with Leading Forward and Resilience & Renewal Grantmaking. Her talk will offer valuable lessons on navigating change and building organizational resilience - something that's more important than ever as we look towards the future of philanthropy. 

A Special Announcement:
I'm also pleased to share that we have a new face joining the CNJG team.  Please join me in welcoming Fortunata Cuomo as our new Development Associate. Fortunata brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit fundraising, and we're excited for you to meet her at the Annual Meeting. Her role will focus on improving and expanding our sponsorship and Resource Marketplace programs, managing all aspects of our grant funding, and spearheading efforts to build new revenue streams. This position is a critical investment in CNJG to help us expand our business model and create new opportunities to generate revenue. 

With just a few days to go, I encourage you to take a moment to register for the Annual Meeting (if you haven't already) and join us for what promises to be an inspiring, energizing day of conversation and connection. We are truly looking forward to seeing you on December 11 at APA Hotel Woodbridge in Iselin. 

A big thank you to our sponsors to date - we couldn't do this without you! Special thanks to Signature Sponsor – Prudential; Contributing Sponsors – Campbell’s, Devils Youth Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Victoria Foundation; Supporting Sponsors – Grunin Foundation, LISC NJ, Pincus Family Foundation, and WSFS Bank; and Colleague Sponsor – Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
 
Warmly,

Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers

As we navigate today's challenges and opportunities, it's important that we continue to gather, exchange ideas, and move forward the causes we value. We all know how a single conversation can spark a big idea or inspire a new partnership. That's why you won't want to miss our much-anticipated 2024 Spring Colloquium: Empowering the Future: Harnessing AI and Data for Philanthropic Social Impact - a must-attend gathering for every funder working in New Jersey. Join us for valuable insights and opportunities to connect with colleagues and passionate thought leaders who share your commitment to driving social change.

I look forward to seeing you there and engaging in the vibrant discussions and community building opportunities that awaits us.

Thank you to the generosity of our sponsors: Signature Sponsor - PSE&G, Collaborator Sponsor - Wells Fargo, Connector Sponsors - Campbell Soup Company, Sixers Youth Foundation, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and Exhibitor Sponsor - PKF O'Connor Davies. We couldn't do this without you.

We look forward to seeing you there!
 
Sincerely, 

Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers

This new report from CNJG and partners examines the response of foundations, corporations, and other institutional donors to the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Numbering nearly 600, these funders have so far committed more than $380 million for relief, recovery and building efforts. The hard data and reflective observations in the report contribute to the growing body of knowledge that helps foundations and corporations be strategic and effective with their giving when disaster strikes.

Two years after the historic storm, Philanthropy & Hurricane Sandy: A Report on the Foundation & Corporate Response breaks down the allocation of dollars contributed thus far and offers perspective on the role of private giving in disaster response and lessons to be taken from this one. The report was published by the Foundation Center in partnership with the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and Philanthropy New York, and with support from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.

“Throughout the past two years, our exceptional nonprofit and funder community has taken on challenges they never imagined,” said Nina Stack, president of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers. “These organizations continue to develop innovative solutions that other communities will learn from and build upon in future disasters.”

In addition to the report’s numerous funders, CNJG wishes to thank the PSEG Foundation for supporting this project.

As we know, COVID-19 had a significant impact on student academic achievement. School districts across the state and country are working to accelerate student learning with a particular focus on literacy. Join us for our next Newark Education Funder meeting as we explore how funders can support a community approach to literacy, including the recently released Ten Point Literacy Plan. We will hone in on statewide and local data with the support of a recent study published by JerseyCAN, and then discuss how we can collaborate with grantees on systems that complement the traditional K-12 school day, particularly early literacy and support for reading at home, after-school and community programs, and collaborations with institutions like the Newark Public Library.

Panelists:
Paula White, Executive Director, JerseyCAN
Christian Zabriskie, Director, Newark Public Library
Nayibe Capellan, CEO, Programs for Parents
Catherine Wilson, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Newark

Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $50 for Non Member Grantmakers.