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Post Sandy Funder Briefing Call Written Summaries - Series 1
Publication Date: November, 2015

This weekly conference call series welcomed New Jersey-based grantmakers along with national funders and provided an opportunity for grantmakers to hear from a wide range of experts in the field of disaster philanthropy. This series started on November 5, 2012, one week after Sandy struck New Jersey, and continued through March 25, 2013. The written summaries of each recording are listed below.
Resource Type: Issue BriefingPresentation
Audience: All Funders
Topic: Hurricane Sandy
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
Newark Liaison

The Office of the Newark Philanthropic Liaison (NPL) —an innovative collaboration between the city of Newark and the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers (CNJG) —is tasked with harnessing interest, fostering greater effectiveness, and attracting resources toward policy and programmatic areas that affect and improve the lives of Newark’s residents. Supported by a dedicated cohort of funders through CNJG, the office is non-partisan and based in the Mayor’s Office in Newark City Hall. The Liaison represents one of the nation's first formal partnerships between a city and the philanthropic community, and has become a national model for public-private alliances. At its core, the role has three main functions:

  • Connect – Align citywide initiatives and bring together cross-sector partners for collective action.
  • Convene – Foster strong partnerships with regional and national philanthropic leaders and support Newark and New Jersey funder collaboration through funder affinity groups.
  • Leverage – Identify and maximize public and private resources for City priorities.


As Newark is at a pivotal time in its growth and development, the Office of Newark Philanthropic Liaison is focused on a number of big issues including equitable economic development in our neighborhoods, educational equity, employment, serving the needs of our immigrant and other vulnerable communities, housing for the homeless, and expanding broadband and health services. Now more than ever, we need collaboration and partnerships. These issues are too big for any one person or entity to solve alone.

The Newark Philanthropic Liaison project is supported by Bank of America, the Burke Foundation, the Community Foundation of New Jersey, the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Maher Charitable Foundation, the MCJ Amelior Foundation, The Prudential Foundation, Schumann Fund for New Jersey, Turrell Fund, and the Victoria Foundation. While the Nicholson Foundation sunset in late 2021, we acknowledge and thank the foundation for its long-term support of the initiative.

We also acknowledge the City of Newark for its commitment to collaborating with the position and elevating the voice of philanthropy. A special thank you to the Community Foundation of New Jersey, which facilitates and manages grant funds for many of our partnerships.

 
Regional Policies for Affordable and Sustainable Housing in Greater New York (and New Jersey)

Home ownership remains a central pillar to the American dream. For most Americans, home equity encompasses the lion’s share of their wealth. Yet, housing is becoming increasingly inaccessible and out of reach. Median sales prices across the country have outpaced income growth. Demand for housing far outweighs supply. Costs are out of range for many. Contemporary mortgage markets still exclude more than half of Black American households from homeownership. The importance of homeownership in building wealth coupled with the oppressive legacy of racial exclusion point to the need for systemic policy change.

Together, we will:

  • Hear market-specific strategies to lower entry barriers and create more equity and affordability through housing policy
  • Discuss the role of philanthropy to identify, support, and educate for housing affordability and equity

Speakers:
Christie Stewart, Chief Initiative Officer, Center for Housing Opportunity (CT)
Marcel Negret, Senior Planner, Regional Plan Association 
Staci Berger, President and CEO of Housing & Community Development Network of New Jersey
Julian St. Patrick Clayton, Deputy Director of Policy and Research, Center for NYC Neighborhoods

Moderator:
Julian Pierce, Director, Economic Opportunity, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation

Cost: Free for CNJG Members and Non Member Grantmakers

Articles of Interest
Webinar recording
Renter Empowerment and Neighborhood Tools (RENT) for Health Equity
New York Neighbors Coalition
NYC Community Land Initiative and CLT Map
Reimagining Financial Resources for Affordable Housing Development in Fairfield County, CT in 2020
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Fiscal Recovery Funds
Who Owns Newark? Rutgers-Newark Study Finds Troubling Rise in Corporate Buying of City Homes | Rutgers University-Newark
Connecticut Housing Accessibility and Affordability (urban.org)
Fairfield County Housing Accessibility and Affordability (urban.org)
The Fourth Regional Plan - The Fourth Regional Plan (fourthplan.org)
Housing Segregation is a Choice
Be My Neighbor: Untapped Housing Solutions: ADUs and Conversions
Be My Neighbor in Fairfield County: Untapped Housing Solutions: ADUs and Conversions
Event Type: Partner
Newark COVID-19 Webinars

Newark Funders

CNJG’s Newark Philanthropic Liaison, Kevin Callaghan, organized a series of webinars for our Newark Funders Affinity Group and other funders to know the specific challenges of New Jersey’s largest city responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Guest speakers included, Mayor Ras Baraka, Newark Public Schools Superintendent Roger Leon, consulting firm McKinsey & Co., and Catherine Wilson, CEO of United Way of Greater Newark.

 
Facing Our Future

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.
Staff
... strategy. She will promote the CNJG brand, its events, programs, and campaigns through innovative digital ... coordination and logistics, including for Signature events. A lifelong reader and writer, Dana always knew ... and manages programming for membership including signature events, affinity group gatherings, and educational programs ...
Racial Equity Case Stories
Publication Date: December, 2020

United Philanthropy Forum is committed to advancing racial equity in philanthropy. We provide space for our members to connect, learn and share together on how to effectively address racial equity in their work as philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs), and works to share our members’ learnings with the broader philanthropy field. As part of these efforts, we are pleased to share case stories from our members about their racial equity work.

Case Story

Funders Together to End Homelessness: A Racial Equity Learning Journey

Funders Together to End Homelessness began its racial equity journey in 2016. Its case story explains how the PSO named racial equity in its strategic plan and embarked on a learning journey together with its board, staff, and members to normalize the conversation about structural and historic racism and how it contributes to disparities in the homelessness system. The story also describes how Funders Together created a two-year community of practice, called Foundations for Racial Equity (FRE), that has been a critical part of its journey, and how its codified its racial equity work through the creation of its Commitment to Racial Equity. 

Read Funders Together’s Case Story

Listen to Funders Together’s CEO Amanda Misiko Andere talk about her organization’s racial equity journey on an episode of the ForumNation podcast. 

Case Story

Southeastern Council of Foundations: An Experiential Racial Equity Journey

In early 2018, the Southeastern Council of Foundations (SECF) along with its board undertook a racial equity learning journey in order to develop an Equity Framework that would describe and define SECF’s character, what it stood for, and what its leaders were willing to fight for. The decision to develop the Equity Framework was the culmination of years of work. SECF’s case story explains how the organization used data to inform the development of its Equity Framework, created an Equity Task Force to lead the effort of developing a Framework, and engaged board, staff and Task Force members in a racial equity learning journey. 

Read SECF’s Case Story

Listen to SECF’s President & CEO Janine talk about her organization’s racial equity journey on an episode of the ForumNation podcast. 
Resource Type: Case Study
Topic: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Funding Area: Racial Equity
Philanthropy's Role in the 2020 Census

The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers joins the Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation’s Funders Census Initiative, the United Philanthropy Forum, and philanthropy-serving organizations around the country in asking our members to commit to supporting and encouraging a fair and accurate census.

“Census Day,” April 1, 2020, is here and the time to act is now.

More than $800 billion annually in federal assistance to states, localities and families is distributed based on census data; yet historically, the census has missed disproportionate numbers of people of color, young children and the rural and urban poor, leading to inequality in political power and inaccessibility to public funding and private investment for these communities. Going into 2020, additional communities, including immigrants, refugees, unmarried women and the LGBTQ community are at risk of being missed.

Of that $800 billion, $17.56 billion distributed to our state is based on census data. Furthermore, in the 2010 census, return rates for New Jersey’s cities were very low: 55% in Newark, 50% in Irvington, 55% in Orange, 55% in Atlantic City, 56% in New Brunswick, 59% in Trenton, 60% in Paterson, and 61% in Camden. These communities are among those labeled Hard-to-Count (HTC). Being hard-to-count can lead to unequal political representation and unequal access to vital public and private resources for these groups and their communities. Our state has so much at stake, and we need to ensure a full, fair and accurate census. Without accurate census data, the communities you care about could see less investment in their vital public and private resources.

The Fund for New Jersey has created a website, which includes interactive maps to find Hard to Count areas, resources, and news. The Fund reminds us that almost everything we know about our communities comes from information collected during the census and its related surveys. Read The Fund for New Jersey’s policy paper, Toward a Fair and Accurate Census 2020 and a Timeline for Philanthropy, and download their checklist for outlining a number of ways philanthropy can support Census 2020.

The 2020 Census is facing unprecedented challenges, including years of underfunding, a climate of fear, and the challenges of the first “high tech” census.

Ways to Help

  1. Review the Funder Menu of Options created in partnership by United Philanthropy Forum and the Funders Census Initiative (FCI 2020) to help funders identify what they can to do.
  2. Join the Funders Census Initiative Working Group. As a working group member, you’ll have access to the core listserv for funders to connect on their work at the national, state and local levels. There is no cost, and you don’t need to be a FCCP member to join.
  3. Sign up to get ongoing updates from the Census Bureau, including America Counts: Stories Behind the Numbers, the latest news, Tip sheets, and Stats for Stories. You can also partner with our Census Regional Office.
  4. Talk to your grantees about the importance of a full and accurate 2020 Census, and what it means for their community and their work. Encourage them to get involved by sending them this message, and sharing this write up for use in their e-communications.
  5. Advocate for a fair and accurate census, and for the resources to support a complete count in your community and statewide.
  6. Share information on your website; via mailings, e-blasts and social media; and at your board and staff meetings to inform people why the census matters to your community and your grantees.
  7. Join the Census 2020 NJ Coalition, a statewide outreach and awareness campaign to coordinate nonprofit and community-based efforts to ensure an accurate 2020 Census count in New Jersey. The Coalition is working together with the State of New Jersey Complete Count Commission and the U.S. Census Bureau to make sure the public has clear, accurate information about the importance of the upcoming Census.
  8. Keep the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers up to date on what you are doing. Please contact Theresa Jacks, Deputy Director for more information.  

It is difficult to overstate the importance of a fair census count. When census information is not accurate, it threatens to muffle the voices of undercounted groups and regions, and undermine the basic political equality that is central to our democracy. Institutions across the country, including local and state governments, businesses, nonprofits and foundations, routinely rely on data from the census to allocate funding, define where services are delivered, and promote economic development. Thank you for your commitment to making sure that everyone counts!

Websites to Visit

  • The Census Project
    A broad-based network of national, state, and local organizations that supports a fair and accurate 2020 Census and comprehensive American Community Survey (ACS — the modern version of the census “long form”). Participating stakeholders represent a diverse range of American sectors that rely on objective data for decision-making and promote civic engagement: business and industry; civil rights advocates; state and local governments; social service agencies; researchers and scientific associations; planners; foundations; and nonprofits focused on housing, child and family welfare, education, transportation, and other vital services.
  • Funders Census Initiative
    A project of the Funders Committee for Civic Participation, a philanthropy-serving organization spearheading Census-related work and information for funders.
  • United Philanthropy Forum
    The largest network serving philanthropy in America, consisting of regional and national philanthropy-serving organizations (PSOs). Through the Census 2020 Project, the Forum is working with members to mobilize regional funders to advocate for policy improvements for the 2020 census, and to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of a fair and accurate census count to philanthropy. CNJG is a member of the Forum.
  • United States Census Bureau
    The Bureau's mission is to serve as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy and is the federal government’s largest statistical agency. The Decennial Census is the once-a-decade population and housing count of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Island Areas as required by the U.S. Constitution. The results of the decennial census determine the number of seats for each state in the U.S. House of Representatives and are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts and to distribute more than $675 billion in federal funds each year.
  • NJ Department of Labor and Workforce Development
    NJ's governmental department that works with the Census Bureau to conduct the census in New Jersey.
  • Advocates for Children of New Jersey – Census 2020 NJ
  • The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights – 2020 Census

Resources to Use

Webinars to Watch

Articles to Read
Job Bank/Virtual Marketplace

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.

 

Your Part-Time Controllert

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.
Strengthening Philanthropy in Newark

We are pleased to share Strengthening Philanthropy in Newark - Report to the Field 2015 from the Office of the Newark Philanthropic Liaison. First established in 2007, the Liaison office represents one of the nation’s first formal partnerships between a city and the philanthropic community. The initiative began as a partnership between the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers in collaboration with then Mayor Cory A. Booker. We are proud this unique partnership continues with Mayor Ras Baraka and his new administration.

This report provides a brief summary of some of the substantial activities and impact the Office of the Newark Philanthropic Liaison facilitated throughout 2015. The strategy of collective impact is thriving throughout Newark thanks in large part to the work of the Liaison, and the funding community’s support of and robust engagement with the Office of the Mayor and anchor institutions across the city continue to reap positive outcomes. The Office of the Newark Philanthropic Liaison is supported by: Bank of America, The Foundation for Newark’s Future, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, The MCJ Amelior Foundation, The Nicholson Foundation, Panasonic Corporation of North America, The Prudential Foundation, Schumann Foundation for New Jersey, Turrell Fund, Victoria Foundation, and PSEG Foundation providing in-kind support and meeting space.
News Type: Newark Liaison
Funding Area: Newark Funders
Our Story

More than 20 years ago, the Garden State’s philanthropic community began meeting informally to discuss issues of importance to grantmakers. In the late 1980s, fueled by the observation that philanthropy is more effective when grantmakers have a forum to communicate, exchange information, and take part in continuing education, CNJG was born.

By 1998, CNJG was an independent 501(c)(3) organization with a full-time executive director and approximately 80 members. In the years since, membership has grown to include more than 130 foundations, corporate giving programs, government and other public grantmaking organizations. Informal gatherings of likeminded individuals and organizations have been replaced by robust, highly valued seminars, convenings, workshops and conferences.

Extending Philanthropy's Contribution

Over the years, CNJG also actively engaged in a number of landmark initiatives including commissioning the first study of giving in the Garden State, NJ Gives, the first study of nonprofit health insurance provider conversions to for profit corporations, New Jersey Together (a major funder collaborative centered on youth development), a landmark effort looking at the systemic, long term fiscal challenges facing all levels of government in New Jersey entitled Facing Our Future, the creation of the Community Foundation of South Jersey, and creation of the Newark Philanthropic Liaison position within our state’s largest city administration.

View our CNJG Through the Years pictorial.
COVID-19 Funders Briefing Series: Combating Food Insecurity amid the Coronavirus Outbreak

Feeding America estimates that an additional 17.1 million Americans may go hungry due to the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. Join us to explore how COVID-19 is exacerbating food insecurity in New Jersey and how philanthropy can support solutions that reduce hunger in the wake of this crisis. Cathy McCann, Chair Emeritus of NJ VOAD and former COO of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, will open up the program with an overview of the issue, what food insecurity looks like during this particular disaster, and long-term needs that will need to be addressed during recovery.

We’ll then hear from Carlos Rodriguez, CEO of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey. Carlos will present what he is seeing on the ground, challenges that local food banks and pantries are experiencing, and how philanthropy can help to combat food insecurity in the short, mid, and long-term phases of this crisis.

To close out the webinar, Adele LaTourette, Director of Hunger Free New Jersey, will outline state and federal responses to increased need during COVID-19, share advocacy efforts to address food insecurity issues, and offer solutions to help spur change.

Cost: Free for CNJG Members and NonMember Grantmakers
This program is only open to staff and trustees from grantmaking organizations.

Webinar Video
Event Type: Funder Briefing
Audience: All Funders
Topic: COVID-19
Funding Area: Food/Agriculture/Nutrition
Advocacy

Public policy is a vital aspect of the work of many of New Jersey's grantmaking organizations and is an integral component of CNJG's programs and member services. CNJG's Policy Committee advise and assist CNJG in identifying issues for potential action.

In late 2023, CNJG’s Board of Trustees approved our first-ever Policy Agenda. The Policy Agenda aligns with CNJG’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, specifically Goal #3, Amplify Our Collective Voice. This agenda includes our approach to the work, followed by five policy priorities. Read or download the agenda.

Resource Websites

To learn more about what CNJG is doing to foster deeper relationships between New Jersey grantmakers and public and elected officials in Trenton and Washington, D.C., contact Theresa Jacks.
Update on CNJG Programs
It was great seeing so many of you at the CNJG 2024 Spring Colloquium: A Conversation for the Social Sector. This biennial signature event brought together 150 philanthropic and nonprofit leaders across the state for a day of shared learning and networking focused on Empowering the Future: Harnessing AI and Data for Philanthropic Social Impact. The gathering was a tremendous success in helping social sector leaders consider how their organizations can influence AI systems aligned with mission and community.

The Colloquium heard from an extraordinary line-up of morning and afternoon speakers, including Dave Cole, NJ Chief Innovation Officer. Clearly, the government is – and must be - on the front lines to ensure that AI ethically and responsibly benefits society. Having Dave join the panel served yet another function - introducing NJ’s philanthropic sector to the NJ Office of Innovation. One of CNJG’s important roles is connecting members with potential partners in government.

And while we’ve been deep in planning for the Colloquium, that’s not all we’ve been focused on. Over the past few months, CNJG has been at the forefront of fostering crucial dialogues between the philanthropic sector and state government, exploring philanthropy's role in civic engagement and democracy, and organizing a new convening for NJ’s nonprofit and philanthropic sector to engage in public policy collectively.

In partnership with the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits, we hosted two informational sessions for the Office of Legislative Services. In April, Center president and CEO Linda Czipo and I presented “Understanding NJ’s Nonprofit and Philanthropic Community: Role, Impact, Myths and Facts” to OLS staffers. Educating government officials and staffers about the social sector provides a grounding for future collaboration and potential partnerships. Additionally, because OLS is charged with drafting bills and conducting analysis on the impact of legislation, it is particularly important to have a good understanding of the charitable sector’s role in nurturing thriving communities. We hosted a second session in May focused on “Nonprofit Startup and Compliance Issues: A Legal Review.” Attendees came away with a working knowledge of the 501c3 family, state, and federal reporting requirements, tax rules, and an overview of the Center’s efforts to convene expert practitioners to recommend updates to the NJ Nonprofit Corporation Act in line with the modernization already done on the NJ Business Corporation Act. Attendees received continuing legal education units for session 2. Special thanks to William Engel, CNJG Policy Committee co-chair and president of the Union Foundation, and Frances A. McElhill, Archer & Greiner, long-time champion for the nonprofit sector, for joining Linda and me to present this session.

In June, we brought back one of our signature programs - Conversations with the Cabinet. Nearly 25 funders met with Commissioner Jacquelyn Suárez, NJ Department of Community Affairs, at their Trenton office to discuss current priority areas and possible opportunities for NJ’s philanthropic community to partner with state government on areas of mutual concern. We’re grateful to Commissioner Suarez and Assistant Commissioner/Director of Housing and Community Resources Janel Winter for their comprehensive presentation. As part of our discussion, we asked our friends at DCA to share examples of how philanthropy might leverage funding. One of the examples that Assistant Commissioner Winter shared was considering philanthropic investment in approved projects through the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit (NRTC) program, which, while highly rated, does not receive funding due to a lack of corporate investment. If you could not attend the meeting and would like to learn more about these approved projects and other DCA programs, please get in touch with DCA Special Policy Advisor Renee Koubiadis. I’m also happy to provide an e-introduction to Renee.

On June 24, I was pleased to join several CNJG members at a funders’ briefing hosted by the Community Foundation of New Jersey and the NJ Civic Information Consortium. The Consortium provides grants to “foster increased civic engagement to organizations building and supporting local news and information in communities” in our state. During the briefing, we were introduced to Press Forward, a national movement led by inaugural director Dale Anglin to “strengthen our democracy by revitalizing local news and information.” Dale has deep roots in NJ, having served as Associate Director of Programs at the Victoria Foundation and co-chair of the Newark Funders Education Affinity Group for many years. 

Looking ahead, don’t miss our first-ever Summer Joint Policy Forum – Nonprofit and Philanthropic Champions for New Jersey, on August 13, hosted by CNJG and the Center. The nonprofit and philanthropic communities are important contributors to well-informed policies for all residents of our state. This inaugural policy forum convening of nonprofit and philanthropic leaders and allies will discuss current and emerging nonprofit and philanthropic policy issues, voter engagement, and ways we can all become more involved.

As we look ahead, it has never been more important that philanthropy seeks out opportunities to partner with government, promotes civic engagement, and contributes to a healthy democracy. Among CNJG’s six policy priorities outlined in our policy agenda, we support a healthy democracy, engaged communities, and a collaborative environment between nonprofits, government, and philanthropy to move forward with this work. The connections forged during these – and future – engagements will serve as a foundation for an even more significant impact.

Sincerely,

Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
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
Post Sandy Funder Briefing Call Written Compendium - Series 1 & 2
Publication Date: November, 2015

This weekly conference call series welcomed New Jersey-based grantmakers along with national funders and provided an opportunity for grantmakers to hear from a wide range of experts in the field of disaster philanthropy. Series 1 started on November 5, 2012, one week after Sandy struck New Jersey, and continued through March 25, 2013. Series 2 started on September 9, 2013 and concluded on November 4, 2013. The written compendium of the recordings is listed below.
Resource Type: Issue BriefingPresentation
Audience: All Funders
Topic: Hurricane Sandy
Doing Good Better Resources

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.
Collaboration

Collaboration. Partnership. Alliance. Joint effort. Collective.

Whatever we call it - every one of us has been involved in a collaboration of some kind at some point in our lives. At the same time, both simple and complex, the definition of collaboration – the act of working together with other people or organizations to create or achieve something – means we collaborate nearly every day. To be human is to collaborate.

We’ll explore the constructs of more complex collaborations at the CNJG 2023 Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering on December 14. Following the pre-meeting workshop, Tools for Funder Collaboration, the business meeting to elect new trustees, and the networking luncheon, the fireside chat, Sustainable, Effective, and Equitable Collaboration – A Conversation that Centers Community, will feature Nidhi Sahni, Partner and Head of US Advisory Group, Bridgespan, and Lucy Vandenberg, Executive Director, the Schumann Fund for New Jersey, to explore what makes a successful collaboration, and how collaboration strengthens the impact of funding initiatives across sectors.

The Annual Meeting is the place where the seeds of collaboration are often first sown. Consider the collaborations you’re involved with now or have engaged in previously – where did those ideas first take shape – possibly in a conversation with another funder that, like you, wanted to have impact on a particular issue, solve an entrenched problem, or explore an untried solution.

Council members collaborate in a number of ways with other funders and nonprofit organizations. As a prelude to the Annual Meeting, on November 16, we’ll learn about the Morris County Funders Group and their Mental Health First Aid collaborative partnership. This first initiative of the funders group aims to address the growing mental health crisis in young people and adults.

Over 25 years ago, CNJG began its life as a collaboration – New Jersey foundations gathered together to form a collective to learn together, build relationships, and share resources. We have several resources to inform your collaborative journey as part of the Annual Meeting resource tab.

One of our core activities has always been to share resources. As we witness the conflict and heartbreaking devastation and sadness in Israel and Gaza following the October 7 attacks, some key resources to inform your work are available through the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, the go-to resource for disaster-related giving, and the Council on Foundations. You can connect quickly with your CNJG colleagues to share additional resources via our 25 listserves, including the Disaster Response Funders listserve. Contact Director of Member Services Craig Weinrich to join listserves that interest you.

Another joint effort highlighting what happens when funders come together, this time to share their own data, is the 2023 New Jersey Philanthropy Benefits & Salary Summary Report. Thank you to CNJG members that completed the surveys to inform this report.

As part of your registration for the Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering, you’re asked if you have or are participating in a collaboration. I think it’s safe to say the answer is “YES!” for everyone. Maybe the question we should ask as we speed toward 2024, is where are the additional opportunities for collaborations? How can I build on past or current collaborations? Who else should I invite in?

I’m looking forward to seeing you at the Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering to further explore these ideas and questions. 

Thank you to our Annual Meeting sponsors, Prudential, Victoria Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Devils Youth Foundation, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and the Princeton Area Community Foundation. There’s still time – I hope you will consider sponsorship for this special event – our annual “meeting of members.”

In Partnership,

Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
Board

The CNJG board is comprised of 20 leaders who come from CNJG member organizations and are elected by the CNJG membership. Each board member provides guidance and leadership to CNJG by serving up to two 3-year terms.


Photo taken after CNJG Annual Meeting on December 11, 2024.

Back Row: Andy Fraizer, Christine Healey, Lucy Vandenberg, Patricia Hartpence, Aaron Turner, Craig Drinkard, Catherine Wilson, Margarethe Laurenzi, Tammy Rice Herman, and Paul DiLorenzo
Front Row: Priti Mehta, Melissa Litwin, Justin Kiczek, Kate Barrett, Theresa Jacks (CNJG), Marcy Felsenfeld, Jasmyne Beckford, and Jeremy Grunin
Not Pictured: Kortney Swanson Davis, Maisha Simmons, and Maria Spina.

CNJG Board Members  

Craig Drinkard, Chair, Victoria Foundation

Justin Kiczek, 1st Vice Chair, F. M. Kirby Foundation

Christine Healey, 2nd Vice Chair, The Healey Education Foundation, Inc.

Catherine Wilson, Treasurer, United Way of Greater Newark

Kortney Swanson Davis, Secretary, Forman S. Acton Educational Foundation

Kate Barrett, The Campbell’s Foundation

Jasmyne Beckford, The Prudential Foundation

Paul DiLorenzo, Salem Health and Wellness Foundation

Marcy Felsenfeld, The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey

Andy Fraizer, Community Foundation of South Jersey

Jeremy Grunin, Grunin Foundation

Patricia Hartpence, NJM Insurance Group

Tammy Rice Herman, New Jersey State Council on the Arts

Margarethe Laurenzi, Maher Charitable Foundation

Melissa Litwin, The Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation

Priti Mehta, Investors Foundation

Maisha Simmons, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Maria Spina, PSEG Foundation

Aaron Turner, Community Foundation of New Jersey

Lucy Vandenberg, Schumann Fund for New Jersey

Theresa Jacks, President & CEO, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers – ex officio

 

The Board of Trustees are supported by the work of 8 different committees.

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