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When considering how to improve health outcomes for low-income individuals, most people think about providing access to good medical care and keeping the cost of that care as low as possible. What people rarely think about is the connection between good health and quality affordable housing.
The F. M. Kirby Foundation Board of Directors announced 249 grants totaling $14,354,050 were made in 2022 to nonprofit organizations working to foster self-reliance and create strong, healthy communities. Over half of these organizations have been partners of the Foundation for over 20 years, in keeping with the Foundation’s philosophy of long-term investments in effective programs.
The Foundation’s 2022 grantmaking included increased contributions to nonprofit organizations in the arts and humanities, education, health, human services, environment and animals, public affairs, and religion. Over 100 grants totaling more than $5.2 million were awarded to New Jersey-based nonprofit organizations working to make a direct impact on people’s lives throughout the state, 60 of which (totaling $3.1 million) supported work in Morris County, the Foundation’s home county. Additional grants totaling over $9 million supported organizations in Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, regions connected to Kirby family members, as well as national nonprofits largely based in Washington, D.C. and New York City.
Reflecting on a year of grantmaking supporting both consistent community partners and exciting new initiatives, Executive Director Justin Kiczek stated, “The F. M. Kirby Foundation was founded more than 90 years ago by Fred Morgan Kirby, an entrepreneur. The values that led to his success have informed this organization and its grantmaking since its founding. We are proud of the ways in which we supported, in 2022, the entrepreneurs, innovators, and problem-solvers who are fostering strong and healthy communities. On a local level, our grantmaking this year supported organizations like Rising Tide Capital, based in Jersey City, NJ, in their mission to transform lives and communities through entrepreneurship. On the other hand, we continued to promote national and global social entrepreneurship through the F. M. Kirby Prize for Scaling Social Impact, administered by the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. We remain committed to funding the next generation of Fred Morgan Kirbys, who are inspired to use their entrepreneurial vision to tackle the significant challenges of our era.”
Late last year, the Texas legislature passed a series of bills targeting migration at the Texas-Mexico border. This included Senate Bill 4 (SB4), which criminalizes anyone suspected of crossing the border without authorization to enter or re-enter into Texas. Since then, a series of legal decisions have created confusion and uncertainty. Similarly, Florida has passed legislation targeting community IDs and driver's licenses for immigrants and criminalizing the transportation of undocumented immigrants into the state.
As battleground border states, Florida and Texas have had an immense influence across the country, as other states have stood up similar anti-immigrant bills. Most recently the governor of Iowa signed SF2340, a bill which made it a state crime for immigrants with prior deportation orders from the U.S. to reside in the state. The Louisiana governor recently introduced SB 388, which, as in Florida, criminalizes undocumented immigrants entering or reentering the state. Meanwhile, Georgia has introduced legislation to punish local governments for having sanctuary city policies.
In an election year when immigration is the top issue in the minds of many voters, these policies exacerbate xenophobic, anti-immigrant, and racist sentiments that further dehumanize and criminalize immigrant and refugee communities while also expanding state powers to detain, deport, and terrorize undocumented individuals. To respond to this moment, organizations are leveraging different strategies–from litigation to organizing–to prevent the implementation of these policies and create a more welcoming country for all.
Join us for a panel conversation with frontline leaders, which will be followed by a funder-only discussion.
Speakers
Jennefer Canales-Pelaez, Texas Policy Attorney & Strategist, Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
Erica Johnson, Founding Executive Director, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ)
Dauday Sesay, Founder & Executive Director, Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI) & National Network Director, African Communities Together (ACT)
Moderator
Cairo Mendes, Senior Director of State and Local Programs, GCIR
Join your fellow CNJG members and CNJG staff, every first Friday of the month, for a 60-minute Zoom session. Much like the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits’ Member Mondays or “open office hours,” these sessions are a dedicated time for members to gather online to network, ask questions of each other or the CNJG staff on topics that could address:
- The latest issues facing New Jersey philanthropic organizations, resources and calls to action.
- How to use Trust-Based Philanthropy practices at your philanthropy.
- How can funders “Do Good Better?”
- Sincere discussions, sharing your questions, challenges, and success stories with your philanthropic colleagues.
- Opportunities for collaboration, programs you are offering for grantees, RFP announcements, and more.
Current members (grantmaking and associate) are invited to participate. No registration is required.
There won’t be an agenda, and we will not record the session, but we will take attendance.
To Join:
Use this link
or use
Zoom Meeting ID: 879 8405 2351
Passcode: 663599
Meeting Norms:
To make the experience comfortable and worthwhile to all, we respectfully ask the following.
- Please try to be on camera as much as possible.
- Please keep the conversation respectful and nonpartisan.
- While everyone is welcome to share resources during the session and to include helpful information in the chat, we ask that there be no direct soliciting for new clients/customers.
- Please allow everyone the opportunity to participate.
- Feel free to continue discussions offline with anyone that shares their contact information with you. Contact information for our members can be found through our online member directory.
Join your fellow CNJG members and CNJG staff, every first Friday of the month, for a 60-minute Zoom session. Much like the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits’ Member Mondays or “open office hours,” these sessions are a dedicated time for members to gather online to network, ask questions of each other or the CNJG staff on topics that could address:
- The latest issues facing New Jersey philanthropic organizations, resources and calls to action.
- How to use Trust-Based Philanthropy practices at your philanthropy.
- How can funders “Do Good Better?”
- Sincere discussions, sharing your questions, challenges, and success stories with your philanthropic colleagues.
- Opportunities for collaboration, programs you are offering for grantees, RFP announcements, and more.
Current members (grantmaking and associate) are invited to participate. No registration is required.
There won’t be an agenda, and we will not record the session, but we will take attendance.
To Join:
Use this link
or use
Zoom Meeting ID: 879 8405 2351
Passcode: 663599
Meeting Norms:
To make the experience comfortable and worthwhile to all, we respectfully ask the following.
- Please try to be on camera as much as possible.
- Please keep the conversation respectful and nonpartisan.
- While everyone is welcome to share resources during the session and to include helpful information in the chat, we ask that there be no direct soliciting for new clients/customers.
- Please allow everyone the opportunity to participate.
- Feel free to continue discussions offline with anyone that shares their contact information with you. Contact information for our members can be found through our online member directory.
CNJG’s listserves facilitate ongoing group e-mail discussions among subscribed members. Members can share information and expertise, ask questions, and gather opinions of colleagues across the network. Listserves also enable members to get the most up-to-date information on related programs being offered throughout the field.
These listserves can be a great resource if members participate on a regular basis. You can use the listserves to:
- Pose a question to the group.
- Discuss and brainstorm issues related to New Jersey grantmaking.
- Request assistance on a specific topic, problem or issue.
- Alert members about time-sensitive or other helpful information.
Members are automatically included in relevant listserves based on their member profiles. You can begin using the listserves to communicate with your colleagues as soon as you’d like. Please refer to the Listserves’ Membership Policies page for access to the direct email address of each listserve, information on using the listserves, and the directories of who is subscribed to each list.
CNJG now offers 25 listserves.
- Bergen Funders
- Camden Funders
- Community Foundation CEO’s (this list connects to a national listserve for Community Foundation CEO’s)
- CNJG Member CEO's
- CNJG Member CFO’s and Finance Managers
- CNJG Member Communications Staff
- COVID-19 Funders
- Culture Funders
- Corporate Funders
- Disaster Response Funders
- Education Funders
- Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy
- Environmental Funders
- Family Funders
- Food Funders
- Health Funders
- Monmouth & Ocean Roundtable of Funders
- Newark Funders
- New Jersey Census Funders
- Paterson Funders
- Racial Equity Funders
- South Jersey Funders
- STEAM Funders
- Strong and Thriving NJ Community Funders
- Trenton Area Funders
If you would like to join, opt out, have questions, comments or concerns about the listserve, please contact Craig Weinrich at (609) 414-7110 x802.
Join your fellow CNJG members and CNJG staff, every first Friday of the month, for a 60-minute Zoom session. Much like the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits’ Member Mondays or “open office hours,” these sessions are a dedicated time for members to gather online to network, ask questions of each other or the CNJG staff on topics that could address:
- The latest issues facing New Jersey philanthropic organizations, resources and calls to action.
- How to use Trust-Based Philanthropy practices at your philanthropy.
- How can funders “Do Good Better?”
- Sincere discussions, sharing your questions, challenges, and success stories with your philanthropic colleagues.
- Opportunities for collaboration, programs you are offering for grantees, RFP announcements, and more.
Current members (grantmaking and associate) are invited to participate. No registration is required.
There won’t be an agenda, and we will not record the session, but we will take attendance.
To Join:
Use this link
or use
Zoom Meeting ID: 879 8405 2351
Passcode: 663599
Meeting Norms:
To make the experience comfortable and worthwhile to all, we respectfully ask the following.
- Please try to be on camera as much as possible.
- Please keep the conversation respectful and nonpartisan.
- While everyone is welcome to share resources during the session and to include helpful information in the chat, we ask that there be no direct soliciting for new clients/customers.
- Please allow everyone the opportunity to participate.
- Feel free to continue discussions offline with anyone that shares their contact information with you. Contact information for our members can be found through our online member directory.
Join your fellow CNJG members and CNJG staff, every first Friday of the month, for a 60-minute Zoom session. Much like the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits’ Member Mondays or “open office hours,” these sessions are a dedicated time for members to gather online to network, ask questions of each other or the CNJG staff on topics that could address:
- The latest issues facing New Jersey philanthropic organizations, resources and calls to action.
- How to use Trust-Based Philanthropy practices at your philanthropy.
- How can funders “Do Good Better?”
- Sincere discussions, sharing your questions, challenges, and success stories with your philanthropic colleagues.
- Opportunities for collaboration, programs you are offering for grantees, RFP announcements, and more.
Current members (grantmaking and associate) are invited to participate. No registration is required.
There won’t be an agenda, and we will not record the session, but we will take attendance.
To Join:
Use this link
or use
Zoom Meeting ID: 879 8405 2351
Passcode: 663599
Meeting Norms:
To make the experience comfortable and worthwhile to all, we respectfully ask the following.
- Please try to be on camera as much as possible.
- Please keep the conversation respectful and nonpartisan.
- While everyone is welcome to share resources during the session and to include helpful information in the chat, we ask that there be no direct soliciting for new clients/customers.
- Please allow everyone the opportunity to participate.
- Feel free to continue discussions offline with anyone that shares their contact information with you. Contact information for our members can be found through our online member directory.
It’s Jan. 1 and I am thinking about 2015, as many of us are. Thinking about plans, what must be accomplished, what new projects and ideas we’ll explore, and so on. But I realize the building blocks for our 2015 plans are embedded in 2014, and even 2013, and 2012 and before.
As Deputy Director at the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, part of my role is building our public policy work on behalf of New Jersey’s philanthropic sector and our members.
I believe the best definition of public policy that engages all of us — citizens, the community, nonprofits, for-profits, and philanthropy is: Government programs and decisions that impact the economy, people and our society. Such a basic, thoughtful, and powerful definition that speaks to everyone at our core. I would even say the definition is elegant in its simplicity.
Key to our work is the profound realization of the power of partnerships — not that we didn’t already know that. We’ve been fortunate and proud over the last few years to have developed a strategic and planned relationship with the Center for Non-Profits.
In 2014, this partnership added another milestone. The Center for Non-Profits and Council of New Jersey Grantmakers on Nov. 9 co-presented a two-hour briefing for New Jersey Legislative staff on “Understanding New Jersey’s Non-Profit Community: Role, Impact, Myths & Facts.” The session was a great success. Legislative staff from some key sections and committees that need to understand the work of the nonprofit and the philanthropic sectors attended the briefing. Attendees were quite engaged and asked a number of insightful questions.
We’re confident everyone came away with a heightened understanding of the many nuances of the nonprofit, charitable and philanthropic communities. We also encouraged each attendee to reach out to our organizations when they have questions about the sectors, as well as for information and assistance. We’re scheduled to provide another briefing to the Office of Legislative Services in 2015.
Another initiative of critical importance to the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors that launched in 2014 is the Stand for Your Mission campaign. A joint partnership of the National Council of Nonprofits, the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, BoardSource, Alliance for Justice, the Campion Foundation, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the campaign “seeks to unleash the full potential of the nonprofit sector to create positive impact by engaging board leaders more directly in the advocacy work of their organizations.”
This means encouraging board members and social sector decision-makers to actively represent their organization’s mission and values. This is basic advocacy and honors the elegant definition of public policy noted above.
For these reasons (and frankly more) 2015 looms with abundant promise. Can’t wait to see what comes next. How will you and your organization engage in public policy to further the missions so dear to your work and to make a positive impact on our communities?
Theresa Jacks, Deputy Director, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers.
ADOPTED: 10/20/2023
APPROACH
CNJG takes an active role in championing the vital role New Jersey’s nonprofit sector plays in the state. We advocate for public policies that support a strong and fair economy, the economic and social well-being of New Jersey’s residents, a healthy environment, and civically engaged and educated communities. In keeping with our vision, we seek to advance equity and inclusive public policies. We promote participatory philanthropy, which seeks to include a diversity of voices in public policy development and implementation and ensure that those most affected are included in the public policymaking process. We advance trust-based philanthropy, which seeks to foster equitable relationships within the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors by redistributing power — systemically, organizationally, and interpersonally — in service of a healthier and more equitable nonprofit sector. We focus our public policy efforts on issues that affect or impact the nonprofit and/or philanthropic sectors, that potentially have long-term, systemic impact, and where the involvement of CNJG could positively shape the outcome of an issue. We encourage policymakers to engage with us and think of us as a resource as we advocate for strong policies to strengthen New Jersey’s nonprofit sector and recognize the sector for the valuable and essential role that it plays.
POLICY PRIORITIES
ADVANCE RACIAL EQUITY AND JUSTICE. Philanthropy has a critical role to play in dismantling structural racism by advancing equitable public policy. We seek to analyze and support public policies that further racial equity, eliminate persistent racial disparities, and promote equitable outcomes across issue areas including health and well-being, education, economy, housing, and the environment.
A WELL-RESOURCED NONPROFIT SECTOR. A resilient and well-resourced New Jersey nonprofit sector is essential to a healthy and equitable New Jersey and a resilient economy that works for all. Too often, the nonprofit sector is under-resourced and under-valued for the critical role that it plays. We support policies that eliminate barriers to effective nonprofit operations, enable long-term fiscal planning, and encourage all New Jersey residents to support and engage with the nonprofit sector. Examples of policies we support include:
- state contracts that adequately compensate staff.
- multi-year investments in the nonprofit sector.
- government policies that support nonprofit innovation.
- reductions of “red tape.”
- increased government transparency.
- incentives for New Jersey residents to engage in charitable giving.
A COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENT TO SUPPORT INNOVATION. We seek to foster collaboration and enhanced coordination among the nonprofit sector, philanthropy, and government at all levels. We support public policy initiatives and innovative efforts that further this aim.
SUPPORTING NONPROFITS’ ADVOCACY ROLE. We work to protect the vital ability of the nonprofit sector to advocate and engage in public policy, recognizing that the nonprofit sector plays an essential role in strengthening New Jersey’s economy, improving the lives of New Jersey residents, and advancing equity.
INVESTING IN PREVENTION, RESPONDING TO CRISIS AND SUPPORTING LONG-TERM RECOVERY. The philanthropic sector is often called upon to respond in times of crisis. We support public policies that make necessary investments to prevent such crises, including health, climate and natural disasters.
We also advocate for policies and investments to adequately respond to such crises and invest in long-term recovery, with a focus on prioritizing the needs of those communities that are most at-risk and hardest hit.
A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY & ENGAGED COMMUNITIES/CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. We support public policies that foster a healthy democracy, an engaged and educated populace, and the right of New Jersey residents to freely exercise their right to vote. We seek to advance efforts that remove barriers to civic engagement and voting.
***
ABOUT THE COUNCIL OF NEW JERSEY GRANTMAKERS
VISION
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers envisions a healthy, thriving, and civically engaged New Jersey where people of all places, racial and ethnic 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.
MISSION
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers supports and elevates New Jersey’s philanthropic community through shared learning, collaborative and trusting relationships, network building, and leadership.
CORE VALUES
CNJG values shared power and leadership to advance our mission and vision. We look for opportunities for individual members, member institutions, and allied organizations across the social sector to engage in a common cause of supporting and elevating New Jersey's philanthropic community.
From expanding access to programs to exploring the inequitable origins of wealth, CNJG values equity as an organizing principle and lens for looking at our structure, business model, programs, and communications.
CNJG values trusting cross-sector relationships grounded in inclusion that seek out diverse voices, contributions, and participation from across the social sector. We are a network that works to form new alliances and broad coalitions to advance our mission and vision.
CNJG values learning and dialogue across our community as we explore, engage, and identify new ways of organizing ourselves and redefining philanthropy in broader ways.
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.
On a recent Saturday, the Jeremy Johnson, the Newark Philanthropic Liaison and over 150 arts lovers, historians, and community leaders gathered to reflect on the past, acknowledge the present, and imagine the future of the historic Newark Symphony Hall. The liaison shares his observations from the conference.
Newark Symphony Hall, the aging national treasure on the south end of Broad Street in downtown Newark, comprises a 2800-seat main auditorium, a 1,000 seat-auditorium/banquet hall, a 200-seat black box theatre, a dance studio, a new TV studio, and much more.
Its history is unsurpassed. The place has hosted every imaginable superstar since 1925, from Toscanini to Marian Anderson to Elvis Presley to Johnny Cash, Judy Garland and Newark's own Sarah Vaughan. It's going to take millions (estimates ranged from $40M to $100M or more) to restore it to its former glory.
The planners are on the right track, engaging experts, philanthropists, historians, residents, educators, government and corporate leaders, and arts and nonprofit groups. However, to justify the outlay of millions in public-private funds during these economic times, Newark Symphony Hall (NSH) will need to frame this nascent campaign beyond that of the restoration of another culturally important edifice.
Sure, the arts and history will play an important role in its rebirth, but for this effort to be truly achievable, sustainable and worthwhile, NSH should consider:
- Jobs, jobs, jobs. Can the renovation, preservation, retrofitting and weatherization of NSH be implemented as a job training laboratory for Newark workers to gain skills in "green" trades? This experience can then be exported to the broader community where workers can help green energy-inefficient homes and buildings throughout Newark and the region. NSH, which has a long-term lease with the city, could join forces with the Mayor in attracting public and private investment for green job development and energy-saving initiatives. Natural allies in this effort would be Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District (LPCCD), which is achieving inroads with green job training, or the Obama-endorsed YouthBuild, which has a strong outpost in Newark.
- Education. Through the Amistad Commission, the state now requires that African American history be taught as in integral part of United States History. Such history resonates at NSH. Think of Paul Robeson, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone or Marian Anderson, who performed more at NSH than any other hall during her first years of touring--she was the first black artist to perform at NSH in the 1940s. School systems could be encouraged to subscribe to annual NSH tours and learn of this rich history, providing ancillary income to NSH while also instilling invaluable lessons to our youth.
- Space usage. Think creatively about use of the Hall's enormous spaces. Possibilities could range from the creation of New Jersey's largest green roof to rental possibilities for space-starved charter schools and after-school programs.
- “Think big” was the advice of Larry Goldman, President and CEO of NJPAC. Could NSH be re-imagined as the nation's largest LEED-certified renovated historic theater, designed on a template of green-job apprenticeships for urban residents?
- Secure the right leadership. Philip Thomas, NSH's estimable executive director and the growing board, mustn't fall prey to provincialism nor favoritism as it outlines a formidable mission, development, and operational plans for this initiative. Call on leadership from within the community but also from beyond it. This project is regional and even national in scope and it should be approached as such.
- Finally, leverage partnerships. Tap the expertise of higher education institutions. Rutgers historian and Newarker Clement Price, who spoke at the convening, is a terrific example. Historic and cultural agencies are obvious partners, but also seek out federal and state sources, such as departments of labor, transportation, energy, education, human services, bureau of justice, and organized labor. Thomas stated there may be some private dollars to help initiate early studies and linkages. This is good news, for these can leverage the larger resources and community engagement needed to ultimately make the Newark Symphony Hall dream come true.