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The only statewide study ever published on giving, CNJGs New Jersey Gives report provides a status report on the strength of charitable giving in New Jersey and its influence on the state's economy. First published in 2001 with an updates produced in 2003 and 2005 New Jersey Gives features key statistics on corporate and community foundations, individual giving and more. 

In response to Hurricane Ida and the devastating impact it has had on many New Jersey communities, CNJG has gathered numerous resources, articles, and information on the philanthropic response. CNJG encourages you to share these with your nonprofit and community partners. Please let us know if there is information we have missed.

CNJG Actions

CNJG in partnership with NJVOAD presented a funder briefing for the recovery efforts in New Jersey on September 10.

CNJG has created a new Disaster Response listserve for members to share information and resources, coordinate on funding, and hear about upcoming programs regarding relief and recovery efforts for all disasters that affect New Jersey communities. If you are interested in being on this listserve, please email Craig Weinrich.

At the October 2021 CNJG Board of Trustees meeting, Keith Adams, Executive Director of the NJ Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NJVOAD) gave a presentation on the ongoing challenges facing New Jersey communities. This presentation (below) was the Board’s “Mission Moment” for the meeting, a time to focus on a big picture issue affecting the philanthropic community in New Jersey.

State and National Organizations and Resources

• New Jersey Center for Nonprofits: Hurricane Ida Resource Page
  Resources for nonprofits and small businesses, and information about donations and recovery.
• NJVOAD: Regularly posts updates on their Facebook and Twitter pages like this recent update about Hurricane Ida.
• HELPNJNOW: A website designed to connect resources with up-to-date community needs to best respond to disasters.
• State of New Jersey: Tropical Storm Ida Resource Page
  Information about NJ's response to Ida. This includes more information on the $10 million in financial relief for small businesses impacted by the storm, which will be administered by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
• Compass 82 JUMPSTART
  Provides survivors with knowledge and guidance in the critical first 90 days after a disaster to understand the framework of disaster recovery, helping them expedite a successful recovery.
• FEMA: Hurricane Ida Response Page
• Assistance for Individuals: DisasterAssistance.gov
  The Disaster Assistance Improvement Program’s mission is to provide disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners.

Recovery can be a long process. For more information on disaster response and recovery, visit CNJG's Disaster Response Resource Page and the Disaster Philanthropy Playbook, designed with the Center for Disaster Philanthropy.

CNJG Member Recovery Funds

Community Chest of Englewood
ReNew Jersey: Ida Relief (at the Community Foundation of New Jersey)
New Jersey Economic Development Authority
United Way of Greater Newark

Other Recovery Funds

New Jersey Ida Just Recovery Fund

Articles

NJ Spotlight: Storm’s damage might boost support for more aggressive climate policy, experts hope (9/6/2021)
Center for Disaster Philanthropy: 4 Days After Hurricane Ida: A Q&A with Lori Bertman (9/2/2021)
The Philadelphia Inquirer: How to help victims of Ida from Philly (& South Jersey) (9/2/2021)
Northjersey.com: Ida has wreaked havoc across New Jersey. Here's how to help victims (9/3/2021)
NJ.com: Ida’s aftermath: How to find help, how to offer help (9/3/2021)
NJ.com: Here’s how to help Ida recovery efforts in New Jersey (9/2/2021)
NBCNewYork.com: Ida Tri-State Resource Guide: How to Help, List of Emergency Services and More (9/2/2021)
Patch.com/New-Jersey/Bridgewater: Fundraisers, Donations Set Up To Help Somerset Co. Flood Victims (9/3/2021)
NJBiz: Federal government rolling out SBA loans for Ida-hit NJ businesses (9/8/21)
Patch.com/Newark: Here’s How One Local Nonprofit Aims to Help Newark Residents Impacted by Tropical Storm Ida (9/8/2021)
Center for Disaster Philanthropy: Supporting long-term recovery groups: Funding in the chaos of disaster (9/18/2021)

The National Center for Family Philanthropy and Youth Philanthropy Connect, a program of the Frieda C. Fox Foundation, have joined together to bring new resources to the field of philanthropy focused on engaging the next generation of donors and family members. Igniting the Spark: Creating Effective Next Gen Boards is the first publication of its kind, offering a comprehensive overview of the growing practice among family foundations and donor advised fund holders of using next generation boards.

The issue brief outlines creative options for involving children as young as 8 in family philanthropy.  It is supplemented by case studies of seven foundations using next gen boards and other approaches for engaging youth in philanthropy.  Throughout both resources, the voices of next gen donors describe what works — and what doesn’t — providing family members and staff with guidance and insights new to the field.

Family Philanthropy Online
In partnership with the National Center for Family Philanthropy, CNJG members have complimentary access to Family Philanthropy Online — a web-based knowledge center that provides practical advice and knowledge on a variety of relevant topics. Continually updated, the site provides members with access to the latest resources to inform their philanthropic efforts. Logged in CNJG members may access Family Philanthropy Online directly from our website through our members-only portal.

*The use of FP Online is only available to CNJG staff and family foundations. Community foundations, philanthropic consultants, and professional advisors must subscribe themselves.

Family Philanthropy Webinars
Every second Thursday of the month, CNJG members have the opportunity to participate in interactive webinars featuring presentations and Q&A sessions with nationally recognized experts in areas of family philanthropy, also presented in partnership with the National Center for Family Philanthropy. These webinars are free for CNJG members. You can access the registration page for these webinars from the CNJG website. Please note, registration for these webinars is separate from CNJG’s website. Directions on how to register are available on CNJG’s website page for each webinar.  Our online tutorial has directions on how to register for a NCFP webinar.

Please note: only webinars that are indicated for “members of one of our Family Philanthropy Online Partner Communities” are free for CNJG family foundation members. NCFP offers many different webinars for various audiences. If you don’t see that phrase in their price description, you may not be able to attend that webinar. If you have any questions, please contact Craig Weinrich.

The Trust-Based Philanthropy Project is pleased to announce a six-part webinar series addressing common questions, clarifying misconceptions, and exploring ways to overcome obstacles in implementing trust-based philanthropy. CNJG is pleased to share this opportunity with our members.

Series Description: Trust-based philanthropy is a philosophy and approach rooted in values of relationship-building, mutual learning, and systemic equity – with a vision of advancing a healthier and more impactful nonprofit sector. While this approach is generally associated with six core grantmaking practices such as multi-year unrestricted funding and streamlined paperwork, the day-to-day work of trust-based philanthropy is very nuanced and dynamic. In fact, funders who have embraced this approach are finding that it requires ongoing self-reflection and rigor with regards to how they think about – and evolve – many of the deeply embedded practices and assumptions of traditional philanthropy.

Given these nuances, it is not surprising that there are many questions and occasional misperceptions about what it actually means to embody trust-based philanthropy in practice. In this 6-part webinar series, the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project will explore some of the most commonly asked questions and the underlying misperceptions that may be roadblocks to understanding and operationalizing trust-based philanthropy.

Each session in the series will focus on a frequently asked question from the field, and will feature perspectives from foundation leaders and others who have grappled with similar or related questions. At the end of each session, participants will walk away with: 1) a deeper and more nuanced understanding of the underlying cultural philosophy of trust-based philanthropy; 2) tips for how to think about and approach these nuances in their own work; and 3) talking points for how to answer these FAQs when they come up from colleagues or peers.

Each session will also provide dedicated space for small-group peer dialogue (among CNJG members) about ways to implement these practices into your grantmaking.

Cost: Free

Who should attend: Anyone in a grantmaking role that is curious about understanding the nuances of trust-based philanthropy and how it applies to your work. This series will be ideal for those who have some baseline familiarity with trust-based philanthropy and have questions about how it manifests in practice.

Please note: this webinar series is separate from CNJG’s 2023 Conference for the Social Sector, which features an in-person luncheon keynote by the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project. CNJG’s conference is open to both funders and nonprofits, so the keynote will differ from this series. Because CNJG’s Doing Good Better initiative leans on the principles of Trust-Based Philanthropy, we encourage our members to register for these sessions - as time allows - for funders to learn about different approaches to changing systems in New Jersey.

Demystifying Trust-Based Philanthropy Series Sessions
Session #1: Does Trust-Based Mean Unconditional Trust?
Session #2: Does Unrestricted Funding Automatically Make a Funder Trust-Based?
Session #3: How Do We Approach Risk and Due Diligence in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
Session #4: What Does Grantee Accountability Look Like in Trust-Based Funding?
Session #5: How Do You Measure Impact in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
Session #6: What Does Racial Equity Have To Do With Trust-Based Philanthropy?

Resources
Recording: Session 5: How Do You Measure Impact in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
Transcript: Session 5: How Do You Measure Impact in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
Presentation: Session 5: How Do You Measure Impact in Trust-Based Philanthropy?
Trust-Based Philanthropy Peer Exchange for Grantmakers
The 6 Practices of Trust-Based Philanthropy
Trust-Based Philanthropy in 4D Overview
Trust-Based Philanthropy Story Map
Trust-Based Framework for Learning and Evaluation
Headwaters Foundation Grant Reporting Process
AJWS Accompaniment Model
Satterberg Foundation's Insight Circles Report
Headwaters Foundation Learning Book
AJWS Social Movements Tool
Center for Effective Philanthropy Blog: Rigorous Evaluation Versus Trust-Based Learning: Is This a Valid Dichotomy?

Through CNJG's partnership with the United Philanthropy Forum, Council on Foundations, and other colleague organizations, CNJG is pleased to extend these discounts to our members on a variety of products and services.

Alliance Magazine

CNJG members are eligible to receive a 20% discount on new print and digital subscriptions to this magazine for philanthropy and social investment worldwide providing news and analysis of what’s happening in the sector.

Amalgamated Bank

Amalgamated Bank provides high quality service and expert financial support to CNJG and its philanthropy members. As America’s socially responsible bank, Amalgamated offers banking and investment products specifically designed for foundations to help align your money with your mission. CNJG members can access free or discounted banking, along with a preferred private banker.

Community Foundation Services

This includes a national listserv for CEOs of community foundations, two in-person boot camp trainings a year, and a $400 discount on the On-Line Community Foundation Express Training.

D&O Insurance

CNJG-endorsed insurance program by Affinity Nonprofits and The Hartford offers D&O, Fiduciary Liability and other coverage to members at a discounted rate. Coverage is available in all states.

Family Philanthropy Online Knowledge Center & Webinars

Access cutting edge resources in family philanthropy through discounted subscriptions to NCFP’s online knowledge center and monthly webinars.

The Foundation Review

Get a 20% subscription discount for your organization on a quarterly peer-reviewed journal of philanthropy, written by and for foundation staff and boards and those who work with them.

Foundation Legal Help Desk

The Help Desk is designed to provide foundations with access to answers to legal questions related to the operations of a foundation.

Inside Philanthropy

Get a discount of 25% off the subscription price for new subscriptions for CNJG members. Every day, Inside Philanthropy editors and journalists seek to bring more transparency and accountability to philanthropy at a time that it's having a growing impact on America and the world through their reporting.

Stanford Social Innovation Review

For a discounted price CNJG members can subscribe to Stanford Social Innovation Review (SSIR), whose mission is to advance, educate, and inspire the field of social innovation by seeking out, cultivating, and disseminating the best in research- and practice-based knowledge.

ValuesAdvisor

ValuesAdvisor is a nonprofit that offers a searchable database of values-oriented investment advisors, who have been suggested by other trusted affinity groups. The platform offers a simple and dynamic interface that allows investors to filter advisor information on data points such as minimum account size, amount of values-aligned AUM, impact themes, service offerings, asset classes, diversity, and other key information. Note: the platform does not collect user data and is committed to preserving the anonymity of the asset owners who use the platform.

For more information on any member benefits, please contact Craig Weinrich.

The 2018 President’s Report is our annual look back at CNJG’s robust programming and services for our members and, by extension, the communities they serve. The Council is an engaged and cohesive network of grantmakers dedicated to our state’s communities and people.

The 2021 President’s Report is our annual look back at CNJG’s robust programming and services for our members and, by extension, the communities they serve. The Council is an engaged and cohesive network of grantmakers dedicated to our state’s communities and people.

Membership in the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers offers foundation leaders and grantmakers the opportunity to deepen their experience with the organization by serving on a Board committee. Committee members lead, recommend, and develop policies that help shape our organization. The commitment level for each committee varies and includes an expectation that members will participate in regularly scheduled meetings either in person or via Zoom, and other planning calls as needed, as well as be willing to participate in independent projects as they arise. Members usually join those committees best suited to their professional strengths. Individual members of the CNJG staff team are assigned to each committee.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee advises the Board of Trustees in overseeing the selection and performance of the Council’s independent auditors, conducting periodic RFPs for auditor services, the quality and integrity of the Council’s financial reporting, its fiscal controls and tax and regulatory compliance, and compliance with legal and accepted standards. An audit or finance background/experience is desirable for some of the members of this Committee.

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee advises the Board of Trustees with all financial policies and strategies, including but not limited to: consultation and review of the annual budget(s), reviewing and monitoring financial reporting, approving and monitoring investments, and developing and approving significant financial policies. A background in finance and financial operations is desirable for some of the members of this group.

Governance Committee

The Governance Committee acts as a nominating committee for vacant board seats and board officers, develops a board slate each year, recommends by-law changes, develops board membership criteria on an annual basis, recommends and develops best practices and expectations for trustees and the board chair, and undertakes any other board governance-related issues.

Member Engagement Committee

The Member Engagement Committee works with the staff to recruit, retain and engage members. Committee members assist in identifying new prospects, setting up and participating in introductory meetings, and keeping prospective members informed of upcoming CNJG programs. It also collaborates with staff members to develop the structure and strategy of membership recruitment and retention activities, as well as recommending changes and/or updates to criteria for membership in CNJG to the Board.

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee advises the Board and Council on public policy matters as appropriate, develops recommendations on specific legislation or proposed regulatory activity, implements the Council’s policy agenda, engages in government relations activities, and actively collaborates with partners to move forward the CNJG’s policy agenda and favorable legislation and regulations to support the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors.

Racial Equity Committee

The Racial Equity Committee was first formed as a taskforce in 2020 as a reaction to systemic and structural racism embedded within the United States, and CNJG’s commitment to raising awareness and instigating change in New Jersey’s philanthropic community. In June 2023 the taskforce was designated a committee of the Board by the Board, and is committed to infusing racial equity throughout CNJG’s programming and structures. In 2024 and 2025, the committee will focus efforts on creating tools and resources to move forward the New Jersey Principles for Philanthropy, CNJG’s equity principles.

Signature Programs Committee

The Signature Programs Committee helps plan and recommend topics, speakers, etc. for CNJG's Signature events including the Annual Meeting & Holiday Gathering, and Spring Colloquium or Spring Conference. When called upon, its members may assist with other (non-affinity group) meetings or events throughout the year.