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Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on Tuesday announced the recipients of the 2022 Creative Catalyst Fund awards. A total of 114 grants will be awarded to individual artists and artists’ collectives, with an average award of $3,200; and 34 grants will be awarded to small and midsized arts organizations with an average award of $10,100.
Baraka created the fund in January 2020 as a multiyear initiative providing the local community of artists and small and midsized arts organizations up to $1 million annually for at least three years. The fund has awarded a total of $2.35 million in grants in its first three years. Grantees use the funds to help pay for operating costs, space rentals, staff, programming costs, supplies and equipment, and COVID-related expenses.
“Newark has a long history as a center of the arts, and our administration has supported the arts in word and deed, creating great works like the second-longest public mural on the East Coast. We are proud, privileged and humbled to write a new chapter by supporting this year’s grantees. Their works will define the voice and talent of a new generation of Newark artists for our present and future,” Baraka said.
As The Westfield Foundation marks its 50th anniversary, the organization is proud to announce the recipients of its Golden Impact Grants—an initiative that reflects five decades of commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive community through strategic philanthropy.
“It’s truly an honor to celebrate 50 years of service, partnership, and impact,” said Katie Darcy, executive director of The Westfield Foundation. “When the Foundation was established in 1975, it began with just $2,000 and a shared belief in building a better future through philanthropy. Today, we distribute over $1 million annually, thanks to the vision and generosity of the very community we serve.”
The Golden Impact Grants were created to mark this milestone by amplifying the Foundation’s investment in Westfield — the place where it all began. This special initiative invited a select group of local organizations to submit proposals for bold, visionary projects that address urgent community needs and will leave a lasting legacy.
"The most populous city in New Jersey has launched a pilot program to give guaranteed income to some residents, as the pandemic has exacerbated the racial wealth gap and exposed the economic vulnerabilities millions of Americans face.
Experts say success in Newark, New Jersey, a neighbor of New York City, could set a precedent for other communities around the country to follow suit as the nation seeks to equitably recover from the economic devastation wrought by COVID-19.
“We must emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic with new purpose, new vision and new ideas to transform our community and truly improve the quality of life of our residents,” Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democrat, said in a statement earlier this week. “Here, we have an opportunity to directly empower and strengthen hundreds of lives immediately, while also demonstrating how to do so to the entire nation.”
The Newark Movement for Economic Equity, launched by Baraka on Monday, is a two-year research study that will give unconditional cash payments to economically vulnerable residents. The pilot program is starting with just 30 residents, but is set to expand to 400 residents in the fall. To qualify, participants must be Newark residents who are at least 18 and have income levels at or below 200% of the federal poverty threshold.
To start, participants will receive $6,000 per year — with half receiving payments on a bi-weekly basis and half receiving payments twice yearly.
Some $2.2 million to date in private funds from local philanthropic groups and beyond have been raised to support the pilot program, and a statement from the mayor’s office said they are continuing to seek donors for the initiative.
If it is successful, the group has said on its website it anticipates it will be funded through state or federal money."
Related article: Free Money In Newark: City Experiments With 'Guaranteed Income'
Related article: Some Newarkers will get $500 a month - no strings attached - in pilot income program
Philanthropists are increasingly willing to support direct cash assistance. Foundations and individual donors have supported a range of emergency cash relief for various crises throughout the years, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the greater Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia region has been no exception. Private philanthropy is also working with the current wave of government-sponsored cash assistance pilots. This virtual convening highlighted Urban’s findings on philanthropic support and gathered speakers including Kevin Callaghan, our Newark Philanthropic Liaison, to reflect on the implications and future of philanthropic efforts aimed at transferring cash directly to individuals.
Welcome Remarks
Sarah Rosen Wartell, President, Urban Institute @swartell
Research Presentations
Benjamin Soskis, Senior Research Associate, Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy, Urban Institute @BenSoskis
Sonia Torres Rodríguez, Research Assistant, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute @urbaninstitute
Fay Walker, Research Analyst, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute @faycwalker
Panelists
Mary Bogle, Principal Research Associate, Metropolitan Housing and Communities Policy Center, Urban Institute @MaryMBogle
Kevin Callaghan, Newark Philanthropic Liaison, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and Office of Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka @CNJG
Nisha G. Patel, Creative Catalyst, Powered by Shakti @heynisha
Paula Sammons, Program Officer, W.K. Kellogg Foundation @WK_Kellogg_Fdn
Tonia Wellons, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Washington Community Foundation @ToniaWellons
Shena Ashley, Vice President, Nonprofits and Philanthropy, Urban Institute (moderator) @shenarashley
Six million immigrants in the US have jobs that could increase their risk of contracting the virus -- from physicians and home health aides to agriculture and food production workers. Another 6 million work in areas that have suffered major financial loss, including the restaurant and hospitality industry, in-home childcare, agriculture, and building services.
Yet, documented and undocumented immigrants are ineligible for federal relief funds and government-sponsored safety-net programs. Many “essential” workers lack health insurance. Language barriers often make getting services difficult. And, fear of repercussion if they test positive for COVID or uncertainty around immigrant policies prevent many immigrants from even seeking assistance.
During this webinar briefing, we will hear from Abel Rodriguez, Director for the Center on Immigration and Assistant Professor of Religion, Law, and Social Justice at Cabrini University and Sara Cullinane, Director of Make the Road New Jersey.
Topics will include:
• How immigrants and their families have been impacted by COVID, nationally and in our state.
• Supporting immigration policies and programs that advance the social and economic well-being of immigrant populations.
• Efforts in New Jersey communities to provide direct support, education, and other needed resources to immigrants during the pandemic.
Nearly 1 in 4 New Jersey residents is an immigrant. And despite their vital importance to this state and our country’s culture and economy, immigrants are often left out of programs and denied services that are critical for recovery. Join us for an important briefing on why your organization’s response to COVID must uplift immigrants and their families – now and for the future.
Cost: Free for CNJG Grantmakers. $50 for Non Member Grantmakers
Webinar Video
Join the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) for a discussion on health and racial equity in New Jersey and how to achieve it. The roundtable discussion will focus on exploring strategies to advance health equity goals across a number of key areas, some of which are those identified in A Policy Agenda for a Healthier, More Equitable New Jersey, which RWJF released earlier this year.
Speakers include:
Maisha Simmons, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Atiya Weiss, The Burke Foundation
Sharnita Johnson, Victoria Foundation
Marianna Schaffer, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
Alana Vega, The Fund for New Jersey
There will be time for Q & A following the roundtable.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members
Resources:
A Policy Agenda for a Healthier, More Equitable New Jersey
New Jersey Reparations Council
New Jersey Birth Equity Funders Alliance
Neighbors Helping Neighborhoods
New Jersey's Public Health Institute: Advancing Health Equity in New Jersey
Organizing Examples: Make the Road and Wind of the Spirit
Join this virtual session introducing systems thinking principles and their vital role in driving meaningful change. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this session will equip you with the knowledge to unlock transformative solutions for your organization and community.
The webinar will explore—and show participants how to apply—a systems change framework that adapts and expands the approach forged by New Jersey grantmaker, The Nicholson Foundation. This approach embodied collaboration with government, foundations, and community nonprofits to promote sustainable change in New Jersey. State leaders in government, nonprofits, and philanthropy will reflect on how they use systems thinking principles in New Jersey and their crucial role in getting to outcomes in health and early childhood education using community-based approaches. In addition to a deep dive on systems change in New Jersey, participants will gain insights from foundation leaders in Texas who are transforming complex systems, including education and behavioral health.
Key Takeaways
· Understand the Systems Change Framework: Analyze the systems affecting your work.
· Practical Tools: Acquire actionable insights to implement complex change.
· Interactive Learning: Engage in discussions, expert presentations, and real-world reflections.
Moderator and Panelists Focused on New Jersey
Kimberly Boller, PhD, former Executive Director of The Nicholson Foundation and CNJG Board member
Denise Anderson, PhD, Inaugural Executive Director of The Center for Health Equity & Wellbeing, New Jersey's Public Health Institute; and former Managing Director for the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health at the New Jersey Department of Health
Wendy McWeeney, MPA, Co-Director, Community Health Acceleration Partnership
Atiya Weiss, MPH, Executive Director of the Burke Foundation and former CNJG Board member
The Nicholson Foundation is sponsoring the webinar in partnership with the Center for Nonprofits & Philanthropy at Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government and Public Service.
Cost: $99. Please register by May 12.
Contact Kimberly Boller with questions and requests for group pricing.
The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is pleased to announce a six-part webinar series addressing common questions, clarifying misconceptions, and exploring ways to overcome obstacles in implementing trust-based philanthropy. CNJG is pleased to share this opportunity with our members.
Series Description: Trust-based philanthropy is a philosophy and approach rooted in values of relationship-building, mutual learning, and systemic equity – with a vision of advancing a healthier and more impactful nonprofit sector. While this approach is generally associated with six core grantmaking practices such as multi-year unrestricted funding and streamlined paperwork, the day-to-day work of trust-based philanthropy is very nuanced and dynamic. In fact, funders who have embraced this approach are finding that it requires ongoing self-reflection and rigor with regards to how they think about – and evolve – many of the deeply embedded practices and assumptions of traditional philanthropy.
Given these nuances, it is not surprising that there are many questions and occasional misperceptions about what it actually means to embody trust-based philanthropy in practice. In this 6-part webinar series, the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project will explore some of the most commonly asked questions and the underlying misperceptions that may be roadblocks to understanding and operationalizing trust-based philanthropy.
Each session in the series will focus on a frequently asked question from the field, and will feature perspectives from foundation leaders and others who have grappled with similar or related questions. At the end of each session, participants will walk away with: 1) a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the underlying cultural philosophy of trust-based philanthropy; 2) tips for how to think about and approach these nuances in their own work; and 3) talking points for how to answer these FAQs when they come up from colleagues or peers.
Each session will also provide dedicated space for small-group peer dialogue (among CNJG members) about ways to implement these practices into your grantmaking.
Cost: Free
Who should attend: Anyone in a grantmaking role that is curious about understanding the nuances of trust-based philanthropy and how it applies to your work. This series will be ideal for those who have some baseline familiarity with trust-based philanthropy and have questions about how it manifests in practice.
Please note: this webinar series is separate from CNJG’s 2023 Conference for the Social Sector, which features an in-person luncheon keynote by the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project. CNJG’s conference is open to both funders and nonprofits, so the keynote will differ from this series. Because CNJG’s Doing Good Better initiative leans on the principles of Trust-Based Philanthropy, we encourage our members to register for these sessions - as time allows - for funders to learn about different approaches to changing systems in New Jersey.
Demystifying Trust-Based Philanthropy Series Sessions
Session #1: Does Trust-Based Mean Unconditional Trust?
Session #2: Does Unrestricted Funding Automatically Make a Funder Trust-Based?
Session #3: How Do We Approach Risk and Due Diligence in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
Session #4: What Does Grantee Accountability Look Like in Trust-Based Funding?
Session #5: How Do You Measure Impact in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
Session #6: What Does Racial Equity Have To Do With Trust-Based Philanthropy?
This presentation will focus on the potential impact of federal healthcare policy changes on coverage and access to care in New Jersey. We will discuss changes under consideration by the current Presidential administration and the 119th Congress, including adjustments to program financing, eligibility, and other policy requirements, with potential broad implications for state Medicaid and Marketplace programs. Heather Howard, will provide an overview of the potential federal policy changes, vehicles for advancing and anticipated timing of such changes, and implications for New Jersey funders and nonprofits.
Heather Howard is a Professor of the Practice at Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs, where she co-directs the Global Health Program and is a faculty affiliate of the Center for Health & Wellbeing. She is also director of the State Health and Value Strategies program, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded program focused on assisting states with transforming their health care systems to be affordable, equitable and innovative. She served as New Jersey’s Commissioner of Health and Senior Services from 2008-2010. She also has significant federal experience, having worked as Senator Jon Corzine's Chief of Staff, as Associate Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council and Senior Policy Advisor for First Lady Hillary Clinton, as an Honors Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice's Antitrust Division Health Care Task Force, and for the U.S. Representative Nita Lowey (D-NY). She received her B.A. from Duke University and her J.D. from NYU School of Law.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $75 for Non Member Grantmakers
This program is only open to staff and trustees from grantmaking organizations.
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
Webinar Video
Op-Ed: The Affordable Care Act at 15 years old — successful, but facing challenges - Heather Howard, Rachel Morrow - March 24, 2025
In this funder briefing, Christopher Miller, Environmental Law Center, will cover recent and anticipated changes impacting water and air quality, and environmental justice, and the need for legal advocacy at the state and local level. Additionally, Alison Mitchel and Barbara Blumenthal, New Jersey Conservation Foundation will discuss the impact of federal policy on land conservation, clean energy, and climate change issues.
Dr. Barbara Blumenthal is research director with the New Jersey Conservation Foundation, which advocates for cost-effective clean-energy policies to achieve deep decarbonization. Dr. Blumenthal collaborates with national experts to develop foundational policy strategies and regulatory approaches for New Jersey. Dr. Blumenthal also collaborates with a wide range of environmental, environmental justice and consumer advocates to analyze costs that inform the implementation of affordable and effective clean energy policies.
Chris Miller is an environmental lawyer and the executive director of Eastern Environmental Law Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit law organization based in Newark, New Jersey. EELC partners with community groups and nonprofit organizations to advance equitable clean energy solutions, achieve environmental justice and defend our region's open space and natural resources from unsustainable development.
Alison Mitchell serves as the Executive Director of New Jersey Conservation Foundation, and has worked for New Jersey Conservation Foundation for over 30 years. Previously Assistant Director and Acting Development Director, Alison served as the Conservation Foundation’s Public Policy Director for over a decade. In earlier years, Alison also worked on land acquisition initiatives and led NJ Conservation’s Conservation Assistance Program, and played a leadership role in the organization’s farmland preservation efforts. In addition to her work at the Conservation Foundation, Alison was a founding trustee and former president of the Hunterdon Land Trust, and a member of the Board of Trustees of Isles. She also served as a public member appointed by Governor McGreevey on the Delaware and Raritan Canal Commission.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $75 for Non Member Grantmakers
This program is only open to staff and trustees from grantmaking organizations.
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
Webinar Video
Links
Report: Nature For All: A 2050 Vision for New Jersey
NJ Conservation Blueprint - data-driven, interactive mapping tool
Join funder colleagues to learn about two newly created funds to help address the challenging environment many nonprofits are experiencing today. United Way organizations in New Jersey have a long history of strengthening local communities by providing direct support and fostering collaboration across sectors. In response to the evolving needs of nonprofits and the communities they serve, six United Ways have partnered to establish the New Jersey Sustainability and Resiliency Fund. Learn about how the this newly created fund can help nonprofits recover, adapt, and thrive in the face of ongoing challenges. Equip NJ is also working to establish a fund to assist nonprofits focused on policy and systems change. To set the stage for this introduction, we’ll hear from our colleagues at the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits about how the upheaval of critical supports and systems nationally are posing grave threats to New Jersey’s nonprofit organizations and the people and communities they serve.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $75 for Non Member Grantmakers
This program is only open to staff and trustees from grantmaking organizations.
Webinar Video
In the past few years, training programs promising on-ramps to high-paying tech jobs have sprung up across the country, drawing attention from the media, government leaders, and the general public. The rapid growth of these new models for tech training – often designed to fill the projected growth in information and communication technology (ICT) jobs – raises questions about how best to classify and understand these programs and their role and value in workforce development more generally.
This report examines the reasons for the tech training hype and proposes a taxonomy of training programs, cataloging best practices from each program type. The report also identifies challenges that organizations, employers, and the government will need to address to ensure these expanding programs accurately meet market demand and look to the future of tech training more generally.