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Seeking to increase their philanthropic impact, many engaged foundations are turning to impact investing. The reason is clear: The field and practice of impact investing have matured—structures are in place, best practices have emerged, and opportunities have multiplied—enabling more foundations to use this powerful tool. Yet entering unfamiliar terrain can be intimidating, and foundations with few or no staff face unique challenges even as they enjoy unique opportunities.
Essentials of Impact Investing: A Guide for Small-Staffed Foundations addresses those challenges and highlights those opportunities. The guide demystifies the process of designing and implementing an effective impact investing strategy, offering advice, tools, and real-world examples of impact investing by foundations with few or no staff.
In anticipation of Columbia Bank’s acquisition of Freehold Bank – scheduled for Saturday, the bank and its foundation awarded grants to 18 organizations totaling more than $100,000.
The funds will be used to support food insecurity, housing initiatives, medical aid and community development within the Freehold area.
Thomas Kemly, the head of the bank and the foundation, said the bank was excited to make the donations – and to acquire Freehold Bank.
“Columbia Bank is thrilled to welcome Freehold Bank to its family,” he said. “Both organizations share a commitment to excellent customer service, superior products and to giving back. Through this acquisition, we’ll introduce new branches and ATM locations with added products and services, paired with the same friendly faces from both teams.”
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation in Morristown, New Jersey, has announced grants totaling more than $2.4 million.
The foundation's final grants of 2020 include awards in support of COVID-19 relief and response efforts, as well as to organizations working to improve and/or advance the arts, education, the environment, and community development. Recipients of COVID-related grants include the Community Foundation of New Jersey, which was awarded $200,000 for its New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund; Clinton Hill Community Action, which will receive $25,000 in support of efforts to use the arts to engage residents who have been isolated during the pandemic; the Newark Arts Council, which will receive $50,000 in support of its Creative Catalyst Fund; and the Cave Canem Foundation, which was awarded $10,000 for COVID-19 relief and in support of 2020 Dodge Poetry Festival programming.
The foundation also awarded sixteen grants totaling $785,500 through its Education program area, twenty-two grants totaling $778,000 through its Environment program area, six grants totaling $171,000 through its Informed Communities program, and grants totaling $255,000 through its Technical Assistance and other program areas. In 2020, the foundation committed $10.8 million in support of efforts to build a more equitable New Jersey.
"The dual crises of racial injustice and the global pandemic accelerated the foundation's imperative to Imagine A New Way and commitment to transform our work and the construct of philanthropy itself," said Dodge Foundation president and CEO Tanuja Dehne. "We are grateful to our partners, our community, and networks and friends as we use our collective influence and power to amplify, multiply, and activate the voices of many."
Hear Executive Director Keith Adams speak on how New Jersey VOAD members are responding to the current crisis during our first COVID-19 Funder Briefing.
New Jersey Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) is a coalition of organizations dedicated to developing and sustaining community resiliency in the face of disasters. In his presentation, Keith will share how NJ VOAD is working with their members, nonprofits, and state partners to coordinate efforts and help to avoid duplicative services. He will also share some of the long-term needs and where there may be gaps in services. NJ VOAD’s dedication to helping communities throughout the entire disaster cycle will provide insight into the continuous and comprehensive efforts that will be essential for improving outcomes for New Jerseyans, especially for our most vulnerable populations.
Following Keith Adam's presentation, CNJG will provide an update on our own work assisting with COVID-19 response and relief efforts.
Cost: Free for CNJG Members and Nonmember Grantmakers.
This program is open to Grantmakers only.
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The Fund for Women and Girls at the Princeton Area Community Foundation awarded more than $200,000 in grants to six nonprofits that work to help single mothers, families with young children, abuse survivors and high school students.
“I would love it if we didn’t need to continue this work – if our work was done. But it isn’t done. Great needs remain in the community,” said Carolyn Sanderson, Fund Chair. “I’m so very grateful for the support of all our Fund members. I especially appreciate all our nonprofit partners who work tirelessly to help our neighbors get the assistance they need and who work together to address important and sometimes difficult challenges. They are incredible partners, doing their best every day to help build a thriving community.”
Founded 26 years ago, the Fund for Women and Girls is comprised of generous members – mostly women – who pool their donations because they believe they can make a larger impact in the community through collaborative giving.
Each year, the grants committee recommends to its voting members grants for local nonprofits. Since its founding, the Fund has awarded a total of more than $2 million in support to local organizations.
Stanford Social Innovation Review is a quarterly magazine produced by the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at Stanford University.
CNJG members are eligible for $10 off a subscription to Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR). The discounted rate is $39.95 for a one year print plus digital subscription for U.S. subscribers who subscribe online with credit card.
To obtain this discount, visit the Forum & CNJG members page on the SSIR website.
SSIR also offers a free enewsletter, announcing news and events of interest to nonprofits, foundations, and socially responsible businesses. Signing up is very fast and easy—just go to their homepage and enter your email address in the enewsletter box.