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A CNJG member queried the Health & Aging listserves asking for sample letters of inquiry. This document includes a few responses from fellow members. If you would like to add yours to this list, please email us.
Right Size Applications; Simplify Reporting
Affirmation: Paperwork hinders us all.
Duplicative or complex proposal and reporting requirements divert time and resources for both nonprofits and philanthropy, needlessly burdens nonprofit partners and siphons scarce resources away from where they are most needed. Funders can lessen the burden on grantee partners by streamlining the application and reporting processes, especially for repeat grantee partners; decreasing the required data to only the most necessary for decision-making; taking on some of the burden of data collection by gathering data from central repositories such as Candid (formerly GuideStar) and the IRS; and retain and use data already collected from repeat grantees. Funders should require updated information such as annual budget, staffing, board member changes, etc., in their grant applications only when the nonprofit is the only source for this information. Collaborate with other local funders and agree to common GOS application questions and budget templates; streamline tools through technology and offer innovative ways for organizations to apply for and report out on grants; limit written requirements to information that is relevant to the request, and which moves the needle on critical social issues.
Activities
• Reduce rigidity and increase the flexibility of what nonprofits must submit for their applications in creative, egalitarian, and less burdensome ways.
• All funders right-size their application and report requirements relative to the grant amount.
• Shift from reports to conversations or other lower time-intensive means.
• Develop agreed-upon common questions for use across the philanthropy sector for general operating support grant applications.
• Explore the efficacy of using common applications for general operating support grants.
• Change site visits for compliance to goals of learning.
• Consider developing a central data repository for New Jersey nonprofits and funders, where applicants can submit and update basic information once a year, and funders can access the necessary information.
Outcomes
• 75% of funders begin to reduce the size of applications and reports relative to the size of the grant.
• 75% of funders shift from reports to conversations or other lower time-intensive means, like site visits geared to learning and relationship building.
• 50% of funders making general operating support grants accept creative, egalitarian, less burdensome applications including other funders proposals.
• Nonprofits have increased capacity to dedicate time to other activities and efforts.
How to Begin Doing Good Better on Reducing Burden
Learning opportunities
• For funders who do not right-size their applications, what are the barriers to reducing paperwork?
• Who is making the decisions about the application and reporting requirements, and how can they be reached to encourage change? How can we involve more board members of funders in this effort?
• For funders who require reports, determine what is “nice to have” vs. what is needed and used and consider eliminating the rest; what are expeditious ways to collect data including accepting other funders’ reports?
• Which funders who make multi-year grants require a full application for the first year and updates for subsequent years?
Pre-Work
• For funders who already report tailoring their applications, consider how to further simplify processes for grantees; share these practices with other colleagues in philanthropy.
• Learn how information is collected without burdening the applicant.
• Review and implement recommendations already provided by nonprofit networks and philanthropy-serving organizations for concrete examples such as centralized document repositories; allowing nonprofit partners to re-use other proposals and reports; holding check-in meetings in lieu of written reports; and other helpful practices.
• Seek promising practices of funders who use site visits as opportunities to build trust and understand the programs and organizations they support instead of as compliance reviews.
Notes:
See, for example, SMU DataArts (formerly the Cultural Data Project), https://culturaldata.org, a nationwide research and data repository for the arts and cultural community. DataArts serves as a collector and clearinghouse for a wide array of data, which funders can access instead of requiring nonprofits to provide it separately.
In 2003, with member support, CNJG commissioned a report on the impact a potential conversion of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield to a for-profit might have on access to health care in New Jersey. Research from the Center for State Health Policy (CSHP) at Rutgers University, provided details about the law governing such conversions in New Jersey and the experience of other states with conversions. The report identified questions raised in other states when such conversions occur, especially about the valuation of assets, the impact on low-income families, and the operation of the philanthropic foundations that have been established as stewards of the assets generated by the conversions. CNJG’s purpose was to seek answers to critical questions relevant to the availability of healthcare coverage for New Jersey’s citizens and to discuss models of best practice for healthcare conversion foundations across the United States.
CNJG affinity and interest groups provide a valued forum through which New Jersey grantmakers can connect, exchange information, and learn from experts in a wide range of fields and sectors. Members with a focus on a particular geography or issue meet on a regular basis and are self-organized. For additional information or to discuss forming a new group, contact Chanika Svetvilas.
Camden Funders Affinity Group
Camden Funders Affinity Group provides a valued forum for grantmakers working in Camden to connect and exchange information and to hear from stakeholders working in benefit of Camden.
Culture Funders Affinity Group
The Culture Funders Affinity Group includes private and public grantmakers working in the arts and humanities across New Jersey. It aims to maximize the leadership potential and grantmaking abilities of those interested in developing a strong and thriving arts community in New Jersey.
Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Affinity Group
The Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Affinity Group’s mission is to nurture, develop and support professionals in the philanthropic sector across all departments/roles within foundations. Programming for the Emerging Leaders group is geared towards early and mid-career professionals and will serve as: a professional learning community for emerging professionals working in diverse positions; an opportunity for professional development and individual capacity-building that will lead to institutional change within the member organizations; and as a critical partner in the creation of a pipeline into senior/executive leadership in NJ philanthropy.
Environmental Grantmakers Affinity Group
The Environmental Grantmakers Affinity Group formed in 2007 to provide a network and sounding board for environmental grantmakers who share an interest in: (1) insuring a healthy environment for all residents of the Garden State; (2) preserving, restoring and regenerating natural resources, including air, water, land, energy resources, as well as native flora and fauna; and (3) encouraging solution-based responses to resource challenges, wiser use of resources, and sustainable practices at individual, public agency small business and corporate levels.
Finance & Investment Affinity Group
The Finance & Investment Affinity Group brings together grantmakers of all types and sizes to discuss financial market trends and to exchange strategies to help ensure the greatest endowment growth. At each meeting, the latest market performance reports and commentaries are also discussed.
Funders for NJ Education Affinity Group
The Funders for NJ Education Affinity Group connects those making grants in support of education and provides interested members with insights into current initiatives, research findings, and best practices. Past topics of discussion have included analyses of school funding, innovative educational programming, measuring teacher effectiveness and youth development programs and have included roundtable discussions of emerging trends and key issues.
Funders for Strong and Thriving Communities Affinity Group
The Funders for Strong and Thriving Communities Affinity Group is an intrastate, inter-disciplinary network of public and private investors interested in enhancing the quality-of-life of the residents that live within New Jersey communities, through place-based investment or philanthropy. The group aims to draw upon and leverage the knowledge of public and private sector experts in the field of community development; including affordable housing, economic development, job creation, neighborhood building, and services to children and families.
Health Funders Affinity Group
The Health Funders Affinity Group is a collaborative network of grantmakers dedicated to advancing a holistic and intersectional view of health across New Jersey. This group provides a platform to exchange grantmaking strategies, funding priorities, best practices, and valuable insights while fostering collaboration to address health-related challenges and opportunities across diverse populations and life stages.
New Jersey Corporate Philanthropy Network Affinity Group
The New Jersey Corporate Philanthropy Network Affinity Group convenes corporate funders whose giving footprint includes New Jersey. Meetings cover such topics as current and emerging trends in strategic philanthropy, the business case for Corporate Social Responsibility, marketing/branding, sponsorships, employee matching gifts, employee engagement/volunteerism, and more. Best practices are shared and opportunities for collaboration are offered. A traditional Round Robin, where current burning issues/questions are discussed closes out the meetings. We hope you will join us at an upcoming event.
Newark Funders Affinity Group
The Newark Funders Affinity Group began in 2010 as a result of the convening work of CNJG’s Newark Philanthropic Liaison. As of May 20th, 2025, the Newark Education Funder Affinity Group merged with the Newark Funders Affinity Group to ensure alignment and coordination among funders dedicated to the city. The group meets quarterly hearing from elected officials, senior government and educational leaders, members of the nonprofit community, and local civic stewards to better understand Newark's emerging needs and opportunities, all with the goal of leveraging grantmaking for greater impact.
Paterson Funders Affinity Group
The Paterson Funders Affinity Group helps facilitate awareness of work by nonprofits and funders in Paterson, foster collaboration, and improve the lives of Paterson residents. Past meetings have focused on information regarding funder projects in the city, including some new grants made and lessons learned on ongoing projects in the areas of education, health and nutrition, arts and culture, and civics.
Trenton Area & Mercer County Funders Affinity Group
The Trenton Area & Mercer County Funders Affinity Group’s goal is to explore the most pressing needs and issues in the Trenton and Mercer County region and to uncover ways to leverage resources and develop solutions to this community’s greatest concerns. Past meetings have included roundtable discussions on the unique needs of the Trenton area and guest speakers that highlighted the dynamic interrelationship between the City of Trenton and the State of New Jersey.
CNJG’s 2024 Affinity Group co-chairs (name/affinity group):
Front row: Sharnita Johnson/Culture Funders; Leslie Walker/Camden Funders; Bill Leavens/Environmental Grantmakers; Julia Stoumbos/Paterson Funders; Chanika Svetvilas/CNJG’s Manager of Programs and Learning
Back rows: Theresa Jacks/CNJG’s President and CEO; Kevin Callaghan/CNJG’s Newark Philanthropic Liaison; Shakirat Odunsi/CNJG’s Manager of Communications; Julie Holland/Paterson Funders; Katherine Nunnally/Trenton Area and Mercer County Funders; Jasmyne Beckford/Newark Funders; Monica Hall/Emerging Leaders; Erik Estrada/Camden Funders; Jessica Nugent/Health & Aging Funders; Sharif Braxton/Health & Aging Funders; Liz Crowley/Environmental Grantmakers
Not pictured: Tammy Herman/Culture Funders; Alana Vega/Emerging Leaders; Rich Riberio/Finance & Investment; Paul Stierhoff/Finance & Investment; Jessica McKenzie/Newark Education Funders; Pat Hartpence/NJ Corporate Philanthropy Network; Etta Denk/NJ Corporate Philanthropy Network; Kortney Swanson Davis/ Education Funders; Melissa Litwin/Education Funders
Current Vacancies (as of 4/2024): Trenton & Mercer County Funders (1); Strong & Thriving Communities Funders (2); Newark Funders (2)
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.