Site Search
- resource provided by the Forum Network Knowledgebase.
Search Tip: Search with " " to find exact matches.
The nonprofit and philanthropic communities are important contributors to well informed policies for all residents of our state. Nonprofits and philanthropy are essential partners with the government in ensuring a strong quality of life for everyone, and our voices in public policy are more vital than ever.
Opening Speaker:
The Honorable Britnee Timberlake, New Jersey Senator, District 34
Panel Discussion
Outlook 2026: Navigating What's Next
As New Jersey prepares to elect a new governor and Assembly members this November, nonprofits and funders are navigating a moment of transition — and opportunity. In addition, national trends around democracy, the economy, philanthropy, and nonprofits are also reshaping the environment we work in. This session takes a wide-angle, grassroots-informed look at what’s ahead: the political shifts, social currents, and structural changes likely to impact our missions, our communities, and our ability to create change. Panelists will explore how we can stay grounded, work together, and move forward with purpose in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Panelists:
Kiran Gaudioso, Chief Executive Officer, United Way of Northern New Jersey
Paul DiLorenzo, Executive Director, Salem Health and Wellness Foundation
Brandon McKoy, President, The Fund for New Jersey
Moderator: Doug Schoenberger, Government Affairs Specialist, NJ Center for Nonprofits
Additional panelists to be announced.
Panel Discussion
Power in Participation: Voter Engagement for a Stronger New Jersey
In a critical election year, voter engagement is more than a civic duty — it’s a pathway to equity, representation, and lasting change. This panel brings together voices from across the field to explore how nonprofits and funders can help strengthen democracy by supporting inclusive, community-driven voter outreach. From youth organizing to culturally grounded strategies and nonpartisan education, our speakers will highlight what’s working, what’s needed, and how we can all play a role in building power at the ballot box.
Panelists:
Claire Abernathy, Associate Professor of Political Science, Stockton University
Jesse Burns, Executive Director, League of Women Voters New Jersey
Danielle Iwata, Director of Organizing, AAPI New Jersey
Moderator: Michele Tuck-Ponder, CEO, Destination Imagination
Open Space Discussion: Strategizing for Impact in the Next Administration
Join this focused Open Space session to tackle a critical question:
What priorities should the next governor focus on in the first 90 days, and how can nonprofits and philanthropy advocate and partner with the new administration on the advancement of those priorities?
Get the complete 2025 Joint Policy Forum Resource List including a printable Agenda on the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits website.
This co-created forum empowers participants to surface priority policy issues, identify strategic opportunities, and explore cross-sector collaborations essential for systemic change. Facilitated by Gathering Ground, known for convening diverse groups to generate equitable, community-rooted solutions, this session offers a unique space to build actionable momentum for New Jersey’s social sector in the months ahead.
Presented by the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits and the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers
The effects of COVID-19 continue to be felt all around New Jersey. In order to dig deeper into the impact of the pandemic on certain communities and stay connected during this difficult time, CNJG worked with our affinity group chairs and other members to develop programming that supplemented our COVID-19 Funders Briefing Series and Newark COVID-19 Series. These virtual affinity and interest group meetings were designed for colleagues to update each other on coronavirus response efforts, hear about the greatest needs in their funding area, and share what they have learned. CNJG members can access the recordings of these past meetings to hear what was said.
Join us for this Health & Aging Affinity Group meeting, a unique opportunity for New Jersey-based funders to connect and share insights on initiatives and strategies related to health and aging. This engaging event will provide a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and fostering potential partnerships among organizations dedicated to improving the well-being and quality of life for families in our communities. Let's come together to explore innovative solutions, share best practices, and build a stronger, more impactful funding network in the realm of health and aging.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members; $50 for Non Member Grantmakers
Impact100 South Jersey awarded $211,000 in grants to three South Jersey nonprofits at our Annual Meeting on June 21, 2023 at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ.
A $100,000 core mission grant was awarded to the Heart of Camden. The grant will be used to expand programming and services provided by their Bridge Builders Project at the Michael J. Doyle Fieldhouse. The goal is to build on ten years of success at the MJD Fieldhouse by maximizing capacity to improve the lives of women, children, and families living in low-to-moderate income households in the Waterfront South neighborhood, South Camden, and the City of Camden as a whole.
The Bridge Builders Project is a unique initiative that aim to connect critical services to residents, young people, women, women with children and families. The project will serve as a bridge to connect outside volunteers and supporters, educating them about the city and building stronger connections with the community.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cumberland & Salem Counties and Habitat for Humanity of Camden County each received a $55,500k general operating grant.
Since launching in 2017, Impact100 South Jersey has awarded $1,035,365 to 15 South Jersey nonprofits. It is one of more than sixty-five chapters in four countries that, combined, have awarded over $123 million in grants to nonprofits in their local communities since 2008.
“The Impact100 model is simple — each member contributes $1,000 toward large, transformative grants for nonprofits in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, and Cumberland Counites. When our chapter started in 2017 with a few women around a kitchen table, we never imagined the moment we could say we had awarded over $1 million. We owe our success to each of our members — past and present,” said Kyle Ruffin, President of the Impact100 South Jersey Chapter.

What can over a million teachers tell us about the needs of schools? This report digs into the data from 1.8 million teacher requests on the crowdfunding site DonorsChoose to tell the story from inside today's classrooms. We feel this data provides a roadmap for funders seeking to support students directly, but also for funders seeking broader reform of U.S. education policy and systems.
At a recent Ocean & Monmouth Funders Roundtable, the group discussed all of the different databases and lists of nonprofits available to philanthropy to be able to research new and different nonprofits.
Two different CNJG members queried the CEO listserve on how/when/how to return to the office following the COVID-19 pandemic. CNJG staff compiled the answers from the responding members removing identifying information of the respondents.
This “How to Collect and Share DEI Data” guide is a resource for the field and has been written with nonprofits who want to start collecting their organization’s data in mind. The questions and choices of answers have been carefully considered with expert partners – CHANGE Philanthropy, Equity in the Center, and RespectAbility.
The legal staff at the Packard Foundation, Gates Foundation, Hewlett Foundation and Moore Foundation developed this free, first-of-its-kind resource, which covers the basic legal rules around what staff are allowed to fund and engage in at a private foundation.

Effecting systemic change through philanthropic initiatives requires not only a strategy but a well-constructed implementation plan focused on "people, partners, and platforms.” According to a new report, Moving Beyond Theories of Change: A Framework for Strategic Implementation, philanthropic organizations hoping to achieve impact must align the partners, approaches, and organizational commitments before they begin to design programs, issue Requests for Proposals, or even hire staff. The report further suggests frameworks should include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts and partnerships with intermediaries and donor collaboratives.


This report is designed to inform stakeholders in complex change strategies involving multiple partners, funders, intermediaries, and evaluators. It is framed by a literature review on partnership structures, trust building, and developing a learning culture, and offers case studies of three different partnerships. The report was commissioned by The James Irvine Foundation and collaboratively developed by Equal Measure, Engage R+D, and Harder+Company Community Research.
Case study from Philanthropy New York documenting the formation, challenges and ultimate success of the Education Funders Research Initiative – an unusual funder collaborative that brought together funders for and against charter schools, funders with different views of testing and accountability, and funders with vastly different approaches to supporting education reform to identify and advance shared priorities.
The Executive Director is an employee of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Metrowest. In this role, they lead the Grotta Fund’s grantmaking, strategic initiatives, and partnerships to advance its mission. The Executive Director guides the Advisory Council’s priorities, monitors emerging issues affecting older adults, builds collaborative relationships, and supports advocacy aligned with policy and program opportunities in New Jersey.
The Northern NJ Community Foundation (NNJCF) is hiring a part-time Foundation Coordinator (20 hours per week) to help support daily operations, donor services and event management. This role is perfect for an independent self-starter with strong organizational and communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and a hands-on approach. Prior experience in the nonprofit sector is a plus.

Anchor institutions can play a vital role in strengthening and connecting local economies, and can serve as powerful drivers for building inclusive and equitable communities. This report by the Funders’ Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities as part of its Anchors Institution Funders’ Group examines the potential these deeply rooted local enterprises hold to create lasting and sustainable change—and illustrates how funders are working with anchor institutions to create healthier, more equitable, and economically vibrant places to live and work.
The report offers recommendations for funders looking to deepen and refine their strategies for working with anchors. In each of the profiled communities—Albuquerque, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver and the Twin Cities—the report shares stories of how funders are extending beyond traditional grantmaking roles to embrace their roles as conveners and leaders in their communities.