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After careful consideration, the CNJG Leadership and Policy Committee recommended the Council’s Board of Trustees should adopt the following formal position:
The Council of New Jersey Grantmakers supports simplification of the private foundation excise tax on net investment income to a flat rate.
The Committee believes a flat rate would remove uncertainty and simplify the process. A flat rate could also potentially encourage grantmakers to give more. The Committee stressed that the issue is not to necessarily lower the tax burden on private foundations, but to simplify the process. Therefore, the Committee did not endorse a “specific” rate such as the 1% rate, but simply recommended endorsing a “flat rate.” The Board agree and adopted the formal position at the October 23rd Board meeting.
For additional information, please contact Theresa Jacks.
The Ford Institute for Community Building, a program of The Ford Family Foundation, works to help community leaders learn how to implement local solutions based on principles of effective community building. This paper describes the development and work of the The Ford Institute for Community Building.
Learn how to support a disability-inclusive COVID-19 response.
COVID-19 disproportionately threatens the physical, financial, and emotional health of people with disabilities. Individuals with pre-existing health issues are at greater risk of contracting the coronavirus, many in the disability community still lack access to healthcare, and -- according to the National Trends in Disability report from the Kessler Foundation and University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability -- nearly one million working-age people with disabilities lost their jobs.
In this webinar, we’ll hear from Elaine E. Katz, MS, CCC/SLP, Senior Vice President Grants and Communication at the Kessler Foundation and Audrey Winkler, Executive Director of JESPY House.
Speakers will explore:
· Unique challenges facing people with disabilities during COVID-19.
· How philanthropy can support workforce opportunities for people with disabilities.
· Efforts to address ableism and create more inclusive policies and practices, on a national and local level.
For a truly equitable recovery that centers the experience of people facing multiple forms of systemic discrimination, we must address the ableism embedded in our systems, institutions, and culture. Join us for this important conversation on how your organization can address ableism in your fight for social justice, and support a more disability-inclusive response to COVID-19.
Cost: Free for CNJG Grantmakers. $50 for Non Member Grantmakers
Webinar Video
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.
The Culture Funders Affinity Group and the Health Funders Affinity Group are pleased to collaborate on this meeting. During the meeting, we will delve into critical questions on the topic - can the arts really improve wellness, what can funders learn from existing statewide models and what is needed to further this work? Globally, the field of arts and health is well-established with healthcare systems strategically positioning the arts to support wellness and wellbeing. In the US, many states are establishing Arts and Health programming to intentionally leverage art experiences as mitigation, intervention, and even as preventative care. In New Jersey, vibrant cross-sector partnerships have resulted in innovative programming and dynamic models to increase arts access and participation while expanding the traditional bounds of health and wellbeing. Bringing together voices from both the nonprofit and funding communities, this panel explores what’s working and envisions what’s possible as partners break down silos to build a stronger, healthier New Jersey through the art. Join us for an enlightening conversation. Light refreshments will be served.
Panelists
Jennifer Kastle-Goudy, Associate Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey
Alyson Maier Lokuta, AVP, Arts & Well-Being, New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Morgan Yacoe, Director of the George Family Center for Healing Arts, Rowan University.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $75 for Non Member Grantmakers
This program is open to all funders.
Andrew Binger is the Program Officer for Community Partnerships at the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. In his role, Andrew manages the Local Arts Program, a $6 million partnership that provides state dollars to each of New Jersey’s 21 counties via a designated county arts agency (CAA). CAAs use these dollars to support their own local arts development programs and to provide regrants to local, grassroots organizations in their respective counties. In addition to managing this extensive grant program, Andrew plays a vital role in the Council’s emergency preparedness efforts and co-leads the agency’s arts and health initiatives. Andrew represents the Council in various cross-sector collaborations, including the NJ Department of Transportation’s Transit Village Task Force, Revolution NJ, and Performing Arts Readiness, to name a few. With a strong commitment to fostering cultural vitality, Andrew continues to make a significant impact in the local arts landscape. Andrew currently serves on the board of the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund, Just Say It, and the steering committee for the Creating Healthy Communities convening. He is also pursuing a Master of Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary. Through his work, Andrew amplifies voices historically denied opportunity, fostering a more equitable, inclusive, and vibrant society.
Jennifer Kastle-Goudy is an Associate Director for The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, the charitable giving arm of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. She represents the Foundation in southern New Jersey and is responsible for cultivating strategic relationships with charitable organizations and identifying grant-making opportunities to advance the Foundation’s mission, which is to support organizations that make New Jersey healthier. A graduate of Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Jennifer acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Graphic Design. She serves on the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army Kroc Center in Camden and Chair’s their Community Relations and Development Committee. Jennifer also serves on the Community Advisory Committee for Jewish Family Service of Atlantic County. Jennifer is a resident of Audubon, New Jersey where she lives with her children Reagan and Jack.
Aly Maier Lokuta, MA (she/her) is the Assistant Vice President of Arts & Well-Being at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), where she leads innovative programming, research, and education at the intersection of arts and health, serving communities in Newark and New Jersey. A multidisciplinary artist, Aly stays well through creating visual art and writing. You can learn more about NJPAC Arts & Well-Being at www.njpac.org/well and about Aly’s art and consulting work at www.alysonmaier.com.
Morgan Yacoe (BFA, Virginia Commonwealth University; MFA, University of Florida) is the inaugural director of the George Family Center for Healing Arts at Rowan University, where she conducts research, education, and community initiatives at the intersection of arts and health. At the Center, she leads programs such as ArtWise Rx, Rowan’s arts prescribing initiative, GlassArt for Military Wellness, and multiple artist in residence programs within Rowan-Virtua Medicine. She also directs the Healing Arts Research Lab and is advancing new academic pathways, including the Healing Arts Area of Distinction for medical students at Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine and a Certificate of Undergraduate Study in Healing Arts. With 15 years of experience in the field, Yacoe is an interdisciplinary artist, sculptor by training, and researcher who develops innovative medical training tools and collaborative art projects designed to enhance wellness, health, empathy, enhance observation, and strengthen cultural competency in healthcare. She has presented nationally, published in peer reviewed medical journals, and secured competitive funding, including the NIH Behavioral Research Prize and multiple foundation grants supporting community-based, educational, and veteran mental health initiatives.
BOOKS
Julia Hotz, The Connection Cure
Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, Your Brain on Art
Arts on Prescription: A Field Guide
NeuroArts Blueprint
RESEARCH/DATA
Americans for the Arts
· Arts and Well-Being Info Fact Sheet
· Improving Our Nation’s Health Through the Arts
Arts Ed Newark: 5-Year Report on Community-Led Healing-Centered Engagement
White Papers: Arts in Health in Long-Term Care, Arts in Health in Social Domain, Arts in Health in Hospitals
Arts, Culture, and Social Prescribing in the US (23 Case Studies)
Music and Mind Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness
WHO 2019 Report
UF Epi Arts Lab Results Table
NJPAC Arts & Well-Being
Upcoming Event: Creating Healthy Communities Conference
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.
Listen to SECF’s President & CEO Janine talk about her organization’s racial equity journey on an episode of the ForumNation podcast.
We’re thrilled to announce the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers’ 2024 Spring Colloquium – a timely conversation exploring the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data in the social sector.
Empowering the Future: Harnessing AI and Data for Philanthropic Social Impact will take place on Tuesday, June 18th, 2024, at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center opening at 9:30 AM with networking and check-in, Resource Marketplace, and continental breakfast.
The main event begins at 10:30 AM and will feature a distinguished panel discussion moderated by Jean Westrick, Executive Director of the Technology Association of Grantmakers, (TAG). Our esteemed panelists will delve into critical topics such as:
- Optimizing Problem-Solving: How can AI enhance our ability to address social issues without sacrificing human connection?
- Equity in Action: How can we ensure AI is used ethically and fairly to promote a more equitable society?
- Funding for the Future: How are foundations leveraging AI for strategic grantmaking initiatives?
- Gen Z and AI: What role will AI play in shaping the future generations of philanthropic leaders?
Following lunch and conversation, we’ll have 2 afternoon sessions focused on the practical side of AI usage for foundations and nonprofits. The Spring Colloquium is your chance to gain valuable insights from leading experts, network with fellow New Jersey grantmakers and nonprofit leaders, and discover innovative strategies for using AI to maximize your own social impact.
Registration is now open! We’re opening registration exclusively to CNJG members until Friday, April 26, so please secure your spot for this essential event by registering today.
As this is such an important topic for our sector, I invite you to consider sponsorship of the event. Sponsorship 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. Please reach out to 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: Connector Sponsors - Campbell Soup Company, Sixers Youth Foundation and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
In the coming weeks, we’ll share more details about the 2024 Spring Colloquium, including the full panel line-up. Stay tuned for further updates in the newsletter and on our website.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
Empowering the Future: Harnessing AI and Data for Philanthropic Social Impact
Date: Tuesday, June 18
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center
Arthur Laurents Theater
11 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Directions and Parking
On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers held the Spring Colloquium – A Conversation on the Social Sector at the New Brunswick Performing Arts center. This year, we explored the impact of AI and data on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. Our panel discussion will brought together multiple perspectives to explore how AI can enhance problem-solving without losing human connections, how it affects equity, and how philanthropy has engaged with AI for funding initiatives.
The Technology Association of Grantmakers’ new Executive Director, Jean Westrick, moderated our esteemed panel that included Don Chen, President, Surdna Foundation; Rachel Kimber, Full Circle Solutions; and Dave Cole, State pf New Jersey’s Chief Innovation Officer.
After the panel, Jean Westrick, TAG, facilitated an afternoon session on an AI Framework for Philanthropy. Additionally, the Community Resource Exchange presented an afternoon session on an AI Guide for Nonprofits facilitated by their CEO, Tiloma Jayasinghe, CEO and Jared Carroll, Senior Consultant.
CNJG’s spring colloquium brought together New Jersey grantmakers and nonprofits to connect with each other, Increase their knowledge, learn best practices, find opportunities for collaboration, and to be introduced to new ideas.
Conference Photos
Foundations Facilitate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Partnering with Community and Nonprofits, a new report by the OMG Center for Collaborative Learning, confirms that foundations can, in fact, facilitate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through their grantmaking processes and their partnerships with nonprofits—and identifies eight specific practices for foundations to emulate.
The report takes a deep dive into the work of nine foundations that represent a diverse cross-section of types and sizes, and offers useful lessons about how foundations can better partner with nonprofits to be more effective in their work.
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
The Future of Work and the Role of Philanthropy
Date: This event has been postponed.
After much consideration and in light of the ongoing spread of coronavirus, CNJG has decided to postpone the 2020 Spring Colloquium, entitled The Future of Work and Philanthropy’s Role.
This was a difficult decision, but the health and safety of attendees and staff are of the utmost importance at this time. It is especially significant because our communities--and indeed our state--rely so heavily on the services and programs made possible by New Jersey’s foundations and charitable organizations. We do not want to do anything that could impede the good work being done by our philanthropic and nonprofit staff, leaders and stakeholders.
We are tremendously grateful to PSEG, our Signature Sponsor, for their continued support, and thank the CNJG Program Committee for their thoughtful guidance and ongoing assistance.
A Framework for Change
The Doing Good Better Steering Committee encourages funders to focus on and advocate for four (4) changes that can make an immediate difference in addressing power dynamics between nonprofits and funders and maximizing nonprofit impact. These goals are aligned with Trust Based Philanthropy, and are interdependent; when combined, they foster equity and a spirit of mutual trust between grantmakers and nonprofit partners. For more details about a specific goal, click on its individual goal link below.
• Goal 1: Center Equity
• Goal 2: Provide Flexible Funding
• Goal 3: Provide Reliable Funding
• Goal 4: Reduce Paperwork Burden
Self-Assessment/Reflection Tool for Funders
Philanthropy and Nonprofits for Greater Impact: The “Doing Good Better” Blueprint Video