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Employee engagement through cause is a vital means by which to strengthen employee relationships, enhance employee morale and even build critical skill sets and expertise. Plus, employees are hungry for ways to get involved in cause. Not sure how to integrate cause into your company’s employee engagement strategy? Network for Good is here to help.
We are pleased to share the Newark Philanthropic Liaison's latest Report to the Field. In 2023, we were proud of the multiple opportunities we had to spotlight the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers' leadership in starting and continuing this innovative model. Partners from across the country, from Philanthropy Serving Organizations (PSOs) to state and local governments, are considering the creation of a role similar to the Newark Liaison. Now more than ever, it is through partnerships that we will achieve our biggest collective goals in our sector.
CNJG hosts regular briefings where funders hear from government officials, disaster recovery and health experts, nonprofit leaders, funders, and other stakeholders dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The briefings provide an opportunity to share how colleagues are changing grantmaking practices for rapid response, learn about new policies and government actions, and connect with local leaders who work with people whose financial, physical, and mental health suffers due to COVID-19. Series I topics included food insecurity, mapping response funding, racial health disparities, federal and state policy, and updates from New Jersey response funds and Rapid Response Surveys, completed in partnership with the Center for Non-Profits in March, April, and July 2020.
CNJG celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017 marked by extraordinary progress and service to members over this time. As the nexus for the philanthropic community in New Jersey, the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers’ body of work grows more robust every year. This is clearly evident by the exponential growth in programs and services since CNJG was founded in 1987. However, this proliferation in programs and services does not reflect the full realm of CNJG's transformation over twenty years. CNJG has evolved to become a leader in the state, spearheading important and significant initiatives throughout our history.
These programs, services and leadership initiatives elevate, not only our members’ work and practice, but also grantmakers throughout New Jersey, and even beyond. CNJG's success stems from its ability to broker partnerships and alliances to solve problems, leverage shared resources, and forge sustainable solutions to bring about long-term change. During its 20 years, CNJG has grown to become a valuable, highly relevant leadership organization serving a diverse range of funders. View our CNJG Through the Years pictorial. CNJG thanks our members and partners for your ongoing support and leadership that has propelled us through the last 20 years. We look forward to the next twenty!
Newark Philanthropic Liaison
Philanthropy has played a vital role in Newark for decades. In 2007, in collaboration with the Office of the Mayor, CNJG hired the city’s first liaison – modeled after a similar position in the State of Michigan – to harness interest, foster greater effectiveness and attract resources toward policy and programmatic areas that affect Newark’s residents. In the years since, the Council’s Newark Philanthropic Liaison has become a model for the country.
Hurricane Sandy Response
Superstorm Sandy officially came ashore in New Jersey on October 29, 2012 at 8:00 p.m. and its aftermath continues to be felt in communities throughout our state. Not 24 hours after the storm made landfall, CNJG began planning a series of actions to help inform funders what to be prepared for, share information and discuss strategies. CNJG's support of the philanthropic community as it navigates the shifting landscape of disaster recovery, continues.
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.
Establishing South Jersey’s Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of South Jersey formally launched in 2009 after two years of extensive planning through the efforts of CNJG and a number Council members. CFSJ is dedicated to the southernmost counties of New Jersey - Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem. These counties are exceptionally diverse, stretching from rural farm lands to pockets of densely populated and poor urban areas, juxtaposed against wealthy suburban communities. However, they share many of the same social problems – a challenging economy, unengaged youth, access to healthcare, as well as issues related to hunger, unemployment and housing. Realizing the need, Council members through the work of CNJG formed The Community Foundation of South Jersey. CNJG is extremely proud to have played a role in building the foundation to serve South Jersey for generations to come.
Spring Colloquium
Held for the first time in 2008, CNJG's Spring Colloquium focuses on critical trends and issues affecting foundations and the people and communities they serve. Past discussions have featured Governor Tom Kean with US Editor for the Economist Matthew Bishop, writer David Borestein and philosopher Anthony Appiah, and Idealist.org founder Ami Dar with Cindy Rizzo of the Arcus Foundation.
Spring Conference
CNJG's Conference for Grantmakers brings together staff and trustees of all types and sizes of foundations for a day of networking and focused sessions dealing with key aspects of grantmaking, leadership, and management and operations.
From the Commonfund, these white papers on investment policy statements, spending policy, board governance and risk tolerance, together with their most recent studies of investments at private and community foundations, operating charities and nonprofit healthcare organizations are made available though CNJG's Investment Forum for Foundations and Endowments.
"Co-Creation" is a case study about the Connecticut Early Childhood Funder Collaborative, a project of the Connecticut Council for Philanthropy. The case study, written by Patricia Bowie, examines co-creation, an emerging systems change collaboration model which grew out of a funder-and-state partnership. This unique partnership led to the creation by executive order of a new and independent Office of Early Childhood, which was formally approved by the Connecticut State Legislature in 2013. The companion piece, "Taking on New Roles to Address 21st Century Problems," looks at co-creation from the perspective of a regional association of grantmakers.
The Connecticut Early Childhood Funder Collaborative comprises 14 funders from around the state who bring many years of experience in supporting and operating programs that serve the needs of children and families.
We’re coming off a historic week for New Jersey. As we went to the polls for the November elections – including voting for governor, we witnessed democracy in action, a reminder that leadership and civic participation shape not only policy but the everyday realities of our communities.
Nationally, it’s been historic as well. The lapse and confusion of federal funding for SNAP, due to the government shutdown, continues to leave many families uncertain about their next meal. Multiple lawsuits have been filed demanding support for SNAP, including one led by the National Council of Nonprofits. On Friday, Governor Murphy announced that the NJ Department of Human Services would “immediately process” full SNAP benefits for November, followed by a Trump administration memo on Saturday directing states to "immediately undo" any actions they have made to provide SNAP benefits. The disruption underscores the importance of a government that functions for all the people, and solid, trustworthy safety nets. More than 800,000 New Jerseyans rely on these critical benefits, and even brief interruptions create ripples that reach food pantries, schools, local nonprofit organizations, and our overall economy. And while the shutdown may end soon, it’s not only SNAP recipients hurting. As federal workers are missing paychecks, they are having to make difficult choices between buying food or paying the mortgage.
Throughout this crisis, we’ve seen the social sector stepping up. In response to these challenging times, CNJG members are taking action. We’ve heard from several funders that have already - or are planning to - disburse emergency supplemental grants. Several members of the Newark Funders Affinity Group quickly responded to the loss of SNAP benefits by opening a fund with the United Way of Greater Newark to directly support Newark residents. The fund will prioritize resourcing five community hubs opened by Mayor Baraka and staffed by nonprofit partners from around the city. The Tepper Foundation is creating a pooled fund to help address rising food insecurity across the state and will match donations up to $2.5 million. Donations will be routed through the Community Foundation of New Jersey to a network of emergency providers, including food banks and pantries. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Rose Rodriguez. More broadly, The Community Foundation of South Jersey launched the South Jersey Resiliency Fund “to enable individuals and organizations to pool resources to support nonprofits facing increased demand and reduced resources.” This fund joins others formed earlier this year to strengthen the nonprofit sector.
The power of coming together is no more evident than in times of crisis. Last week the CNJG CEO listserve generated a great deal of response when a member asked, “what are you doing in response to SNAP?” That is exactly the purpose of the CNJG listserves, and I encourage you to connect with your colleagues actively and often. Beyond planned programs and affinity group meetings, CNJG members can also connect virtually on a monthly basis via First Fridays for Philanthropy and CEO to CEO Conversations. And please continue to share your stories with Manager of Communications Shakirat Odunsi, about how you are changing and/or adapting your grantmaking in response to today and tomorrow’s challenges.
Next month, CNJG members will gather in person for the CNJG Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering on December 10, where we will explore our theme: Catalyzing New Jersey Communities: Building Local Coalitions, and our opening workshop will explore the New Jersey Philanthropy Hub, a first-of-its-kind data platform that brings together a clear, comprehensive view of giving across our state.
While the theme of the Annual Meeting and focus of the opening workshop could not be timelier, the Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering is also a space to connect, reflect, and renew our shared commitment to the people and places we serve. If you haven’t yet registered, I encourage you to do so.
Another underlying theme evident at every Annual Meeting is gratefulness. Thank you to our generous sponsors, whose partnership makes this convening possible: The Prudential Foundation, Devils Youth Foundation, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Pincus Family Foundation, The Campbell's Company, Grunin Foundation, and WSFS CARES Foundation. Please reach out to me or Development Associate Fortunata Cuomo if you are interested in sponsoring the Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering. Our sponsors’ commitment reflects the very spirit of coalition-building.
It’s good to be back from my much-needed sabbatical earlier this fall. The pause reminded me of the importance of renewal and perspective. I return with a renewed sense of purpose and gratitude for this community and the collective work that binds us together. Thank you for the work you do every day, often quietly, always purposefully, to advance the well-being of New Jersey’s communities.
Once again, I hope you will join us on December 10 for the CNJG Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering. It’s our one opportunity each year to come together as peers and a community of funders to reflect, connect, and build momentum for the work ahead. Please register today and add your voice to the conversation.
With gratitude for all you do,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
Racial Equity Tools is designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity. This site offers tools, research, tips, curricula and ideas for people who want to increase their own understanding and to help those working toward justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities and the culture at large.
Native Voices Rising is a joint research and re-granting project of Native Americans in Philanthropy and Common Counsel Foundation. This report focuses on the practices and challenges of community organizing and advocacy, focusing on the need for increased investment in and sustained support for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.