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The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Board of Trustees met virtually this March and approved more than $2.8 million in grants toward an equitable and just New Jersey. The grants include more than $350,000 in new Imagine a New Way grants, representing Dodge’s latest step towards our commitment to becoming an anti-racist organization and centering racial equity and justice in our work.

“Weeks after the Atlanta attack marked a turning point in the rise of anti-Asian hate and violence, the latest in our country’s history of white supremacy, systemic racism, and gendered violence, it is more clear than ever that we cannot return to the way things were,” said Tanuja M. Dehne, Dodge Foundation President & CEO. “Dodge’s Imagine a New Way transformation has begun to change what we do and how we do it to achieve our vision of an equitable and just New Jersey so that New Jerseyans of all races and communities have what is needed to realize a quality life.”

These articles have a philanthropic focus. We encourage grantmakers to read, share, and use strategies detailed here.

5/13/22 - ABC News: Two New Jersey towns illustrate the race gap in the COVID pandemic 

NJTV: LIVE UPDATES: Tracking the Coronavirus in New Jersey

3/16/21 – Denver Post: On Philanthropy: Pandemic puts nonprofits in peril – what donors can do

9/9 – NPR: NPR & Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Poll: Financial Pain From Coronavirus Pandemic 'Much, Much Worse' Than Expected

8/26 – Center for Disaster Philanthropy: $12 Billion Pledged Worldwide to Fight COVID-19 through June 2020

8/25 – Generocity: Changing Metrics for Impact: The Emergence of a New Donor-Grantee Business Model

8/19 – Good News Network: Generous American Are Giving More to Charities Through The Pandemic, Survey Says

6/8 – Chronicle of Philanthropy: How Foundations Can Make Covid Research Grants More Equitable

6/5 – Governing Magazine: The America Ethos and the Betrayal of Expertise

5/19 – Nonprofit Quarterly: COVID-19 Calls for Philanthropy to Redefine Urgency

5/13 – Nonprofit Quarterly: Will Philanthropy Stand Up for Black America?

5/11 – Nonprofit Quarterly: Deer Eyes, Circle Mind: Reflections on Pandemic & Philanthropy

5/8 – Inside Philanthropy: Pandemic Philanthropy: Moving From Relief to Power

5/5 – NY Times: In Philanthropy, Race Is Still a Factor in Who Gets What, Study Shows

5/5 – Funders Together to End Homelessness: COVID-19 Response and Recovery: Recommendations for Philanthropy to Support Immediate Needs and Long-Term Solutions to End Homelessness

5/5 – Chronicle of Philanthropy: Op-Ed: Flexibility for Grantees Is Not Enough. Let Them Decide Where the Money Goes

5/5 – Chronicle of Philanthropy: Op-Ed: Change Is Too Rapid in Covid-19 Era to Tie Nonprofits’ Hands With Old Rules

5/4 – Bridgespan Group: Racial Equity and Philanthropy: Disparities in Funding for Leaders of Color Leave Impact on the Table

5/4 – Stanford Social Innovation Review: Overcoming the Racial Bias in Philanthropic Funding

5/1 – Stanford Social Innovation Review: For a More Equitable America, Understand Race and Racism as Actions We Do and Can Undo

4/30 – National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy: Large Funder Quadruples its giving in response to COVID-19

4/30 – Chronicle of Philanthropy: How the 25 Biggest Grantmakers are Responding to the COVID Crisis

4/30 – Chronicle of Philanthropy: In Covid-19 Crisis, Philanthropy’s Attention Must Focus on People With Disabilities

4/30 – Inside Philanthropy: A Time for Reform: Philanthropy and the Push for Better State Policymaking

4/28 – Newsweek: Why the Coronavirus Pandemic is Philanthropy's Big Moment

4/23 – Bridgespan Group: Want to Support Your Community’s Equitable Recovery from COVID-19? Invest in Child Care

4/21 – Center for Effective Philanthropy: Essential Questions for Foundation Boards in a Time of Crisis

4/20 – LA Times: Charity is off the charts amid the coronavirus. Is that a sign of America’s strength or weakness?

4/20 - Nonprofit Times: Foundations Paying Out, Expect Deep Recession (quotes from Community Foundation of New Jersey)

4/17 - Nonprofit Quarterly: Why Grantmakers Need to Break Their Restriction Habit—Permanently

4/16 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Philanthropy’s Stimulus Plan Must Bolster Democracy

4/16 - Nonprofit Quarterly: How Philanthropy Can Support Black Workers

4/15 - Candid.org: A Call for COVID-19 Grants Data

4/15 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: In This Crisis, Philanthropy Must Tackle 3 Existential Challenges All At Once

4/14 - Bridgespan Group: Four Ways for Community-Focused Philanthropy to Confront the Coronavirus Crisis

4/9 - Inside Philanthropy: COVID and the Count: Funders Confront New Challenges to the 2020 Census

4/9 - Forbes: COVID-19 And Aging: What Can Philanthropy Do?

4/7 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: The Coronavirus Crisis Has Changed How I View What Matters in Philanthropy

4/7 - App.com: Coronavirus: 10 ways to avoid becoming victim of a scam

4/7 - Washington Post: Coronavirus is a Totally Different Disaster for Philanthropies to Handle

4/6 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Small Nonprofits Struggle to Get Payroll Loans in New Federal Program

4/6 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Foundations and Nonprofits See Crisis as Opportunity to Advance Equity

4/3 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: What Philanthropy Can Do Now to Promote Education Equity After the Pandemic

4/2 - Inside Philanthropy: The Hardest Hit: Who is Supporting Communities of Color During COVID-19?

4/2 - Nonprofit Quarterly: Philanthropy, Meet Our Matrix Moment: Which Pill Will You Choose?

4/1 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Grant Maker Dilemma: Spend More Now or Protect Shrinking Endowments?

4/1 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Foundations Adopt Policies to Move More Money Faster, and With Fewer Restrictions

4/1 - NJ Spotlight: A Coronavirus Checklist to Help Keep NJ Residents Informed

3/30 - Nonprofit Quarterly: COVID-19: Using a Racial Justice Lens Now to Transform Our Future

3/26 - NJ.com: City of Newark Creates $6 million fund for Non-Profits, arts organizations, resident, businesses, and homeowners

3/23 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Federal Aid Plan for Nonprofits Needs More Input From Black-Led Organizations

3/20 - Nonprofit Quarterly: A Growing Group of Foundations Pledge ‘No Business as Usual’

3/20 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Senate Bill would create ‘Universal Deduction’ & Expand Loans for Nonprofits

3/20 - Asbury Park Press: Digital Divide in Schools Will Affect Web-Only Lessons

3/17 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Grantmaker Responses for Nonprofits in Need Vary Widely

3/17 - Strategy & Action Philanthropy: 5 Things Funders Can Do Right Now to Help Nonprofits During This Crisis

3/17 - Trust-based Philanthropy Project: Philanthropy Needs To Trust Nonprofits Now More Than Ever

3/16 - Exponent Philanthropy: Market Volatility in the Face of COVID-19

3/16 - Philadelphia Inquirer: Free Wifi from Comcast

3/16 - Inside Philanthropy: Philanthropy Has a Duty to Respond Quickly to the COVID-19 Outbreak. Here’s How We Can Do It

3/16 - NJBiz.com: NJ Government recommendations on March 16, 2020

3/13 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: As Disasters Go, Coronavirus Impact on Philanthropy Unprecedented and ‘Crazy’

3/13 - Bloomberg: Nonprofits Prepare for Worst with Wealthy Losing Billions

3/12 - Forbes: Philanthropy: COVID19 Doesn’t Need to Slow You Down

3/12 - Inside Philanthropy: On the Frontlines of a Pandemic, Local Philanthropy Scrambles to Respond

3/12 - NorthJersey.com: Many seniors face coronavirus fears while cut off from activities and social networks

3/12 - Independent Sector/Chronicle of Philanthropy: A Novel Opportunity to Strengthen Public Trust in the Nonprofit World

3/12 - NJ Spotlight: Sick Leave in NJ, What the Law Provides

3/12 - NJ Spotlight: Experience with Virtual Snow Days Helps NJ School Prepare for COVID-19 Closures

3/12 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Coronavirus ‘Rapid Response’ Funds Proliferate as Threat Grows

3/11 - NJ.com: NJ schools feed 500K kids for free. What happens if coronavirus closes them?

3/11 - Daily Beast: Will Coronavirus make America finally care about the homeless

3/11 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Coronavirus Is Hard on Nonprofits That Rely on Events

3/11 - Nonprofit Quarterly: Nonprofits Who Can’t Cancel: The Ones that Serve Those at Greater Risk of COVID-19

3/10 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: As Coronavirus Threat Continues, Experts Tell Nonprofits to Shore Up Reserves

3/9 - Nonprofit Times: Lessening the Risk of Coronavirus at Nonprofits

3/9 - Nonprofit Quarterly: Community Healthcare Centers Funding at Risk at Time of Health Peril

3/9 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: 6 Steps for Grant Makers to Take Now to Ensure Nonprofits Recover From Coronavirus Spread

3/8 - ROI-NJ: NJ Insurers Announce Coverage Related to Coronavirus

3/8 - Nonprofit AF: A few things for nonprofits and foundations to consider in light of the Coronavirus

3/5 - Washington Post: RWJF CEO Pens Opinion Piece on Coronavirus

3/5 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Coronavirus Giving Tops $1 Billion Worldwide

3/4 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Nonprofits Work to Protect Employees and Volunteers as Coronavirus Threat Grows

3/3 - Candid.org: Funders Respond to Coronavirus

3/3 - CDNet: Tech Tools Offered for Free During Outbreak

3/2 - FSG: COVID-19 – Seven Things Philanthropy Can Do by Lauren Smith, MD, MPH

3/2 - Chronicle of Philanthropy: Nonprofit Conference Attendees Worry About Coronavirus

2/18 - Professional Convention Management Association: Is Your Event (if cancelled) Covered by Insurance?

CNJG provides this information free to the philanthropic community. If you are not a CNJG member, please join so you can take full advantage of the many benefits of membership and help underwrite the cost of services like this.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin recently announced that the Juvenile Justice Commission (JJC), in conjunction with the Governor’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (JJDP) Committee, has awarded 17 grants totaling more than $369,000 to police departments, schools, and non-profit organizations across the State to expand summer programs for at-risk youth.

The grants provide organizations already operating successful summer programs for at-risk youth with up to $30,000 in additional funding to enhance their programs and/or increase the number of young people they serve.

Due to these new grants, approximately 500 additional youth throughout New Jersey will be able to participate in an array of recreational, educational, and character-building activities being offered in their communities this summer.

“I’m pleased that New Jersey is able to continue its investment in programs that serve our most vulnerable young people,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The funding announced today by the Juvenile Justice Commission is emblematic of the Murphy Administration’s commitment to make sure all of New Jersey’s youth have opportunities to develop new skills, overcome challenges and achieve their optimal potential.”

CNJG’s work throughout this year will be driven by the 2023 – 2025 Strategic Plan, and you’ll see that reflected in the monthly president’s letter. 
 
This month, I want to highlight goal 3 of the strategic plan: amplify our collective voice. As part of this goal, we’ll create our first-ever “social sector-wide policy and advocacy agenda designed to provide leadership for sector-critical issues and causes, including those that advance equity.” 
 
As we celebrate Black History Month, and Women’s History in March, it’s important to remember change starts with advocacy, and philanthropy has a critical role to play. Our recent Advocacy Series for Funders outlined the following: basics for funders, how to involve your trustees in advocacy, and how to evaluate your advocacy efforts.
 
The Council’s Leadership and Policy Committee met in January to begin exploring what our policy agenda would look like. Guided by the strategic plan, our priorities will closely align with the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits’ Advocacy Agenda.
 
The Center’s agenda embraces strategies that correlate seamlessly with our own strategic plan: expanding and deepening relationships with policy makers; highlighting the societal importance of the nonprofit community to the well-being of our state; ensuring public policy positions are equitable and anti-racist; as well as working with key partners to advance equity.
 
CNJG’s policy agenda will also be informed and inspired by United Philanthropy Forum’s 6 policy principles: champion racial equity and justice, support fair tax policy and regulation, enhance charitable giving, defend and strengthen democracy, promote civic engagement, and strengthen the nonprofit sector’s impact.
 
Back in person this year, both the Forum and the Center’s agendas will factor into our conversations during Foundations on the Hill. This event, scheduled from February 27 to March 1, is an opportunity for philanthropic leaders and advocates to meet with our representatives in Washington to share key issues and communicate the important roles foundations and philanthropy play in serving the public good.
 
While we’re deep in the planning for FOTH, there’s still time if you would like to join the CNJG delegation. Please contact me as soon as possible. 
 
CNJG envisions a healthy, thriving, and civically engaged NJ where people of all places, racial identities, socio-economic backgrounds, abilities, and identity expressions are valued for their gifts and talents, and we all can reach our full potential and participate generously in the common good. Creating and implementing a policy agenda to guide our work is another way we’ll move forward our vision.

Theresa Jacks, President and CEO
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers

The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Board of Trustees met virtually this June and approved $4.3 million in grants to nonprofit organizations focused on the Arts, Education, Informed Communities, and Technical Assistance, as well as new Imagine a New Way grants that address root causes and repair of structural racism and inequity in New Jersey. <BR><BR>

“All that we have learned since embarking on our racial equity journey and through the pandemic is affirming the Dodge Foundation’s path toward a more just and equitable New Jersey, said Tanuja M. Dehne, Dodge Foundation President & CEO. “We are humbled and inspired by the networks, movements, and organizations which continue to meet community needs and build power so that our systems provide opportunities for people of all races and communities to thrive.”

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This one-hour webinar will offer a high-level overview of recent trends and best practices for foundation governance. Attorneys from the Nonprofit and Tax-Exempt Organizations group of Dentons, the world’s largest global law firm, will present practical tips for governance and legal compliance, focused on small to mid-size foundations. Drawing from both national trends in the industry and the impact of the pandemic and social change, topics will include:

1. Considerations for revising bylaws and conflict of interest policies;
2. Foundation political activity, including lobbying and advocacy;
3. Issues to consider when funding a project with a fiscal sponsor; and
4. Updating grant agreements.

Speakers

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Jeffrey Fromknecht Counsel Dentons Cohen & Grigsby	Hayley Haldeman Counsel Dentons Cohen & Grigsby

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This program is for members of the following philanthropy-serving organizations: Maryland Philanthropy Network, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, Florida Philanthropic Network, Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania, Philanthropy Wisconsin, NY Funders Alliance, and North Carolina Grantmakers.

Webinar Recording

Late last year, the Texas legislature passed a series of bills targeting migration at the Texas-Mexico border. This included Senate Bill 4 (SB4), which criminalizes anyone suspected of crossing the border without authorization to enter or re-enter into Texas. Since then, a series of legal decisions have created confusion and uncertainty. Similarly, Florida has passed legislation targeting community IDs and driver's licenses for immigrants and criminalizing the transportation of undocumented immigrants into the state. 

As battleground border states, Florida and Texas have had an immense influence across the country, as other states have stood  up similar anti-immigrant bills. Most recently the governor of Iowa signed SF2340, a bill which made it a state crime for immigrants with prior deportation orders from the U.S. to reside in the state. The Louisiana governor recently introduced SB 388, which, as in  Florida, criminalizes undocumented immigrants entering or reentering the state. Meanwhile, Georgia has introduced legislation to punish local governments for having sanctuary city policies.

In an election year when immigration is the top issue in the minds of many voters, these policies exacerbate xenophobic, anti-immigrant, and racist sentiments that further dehumanize and criminalize immigrant and refugee communities while also expanding state powers to detain, deport, and terrorize undocumented individuals. To respond to this moment, organizations are leveraging different strategies–from litigation to organizing–to prevent the implementation of  these policies and create a more welcoming country for all.

Join us for a panel conversation with frontline leaders, which will be followed by a funder-only discussion.

Speakers
Jennefer Canales-Pelaez, Texas Policy Attorney & Strategist, Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
Erica Johnson, Founding Executive Director, Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ)
Dauday Sesay, Founder & Executive Director, Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI) & National Network Director, African Communities Together (ACT)

Moderator
Cairo Mendes, Senior Director of State and Local Programs, GCIR

Thank you to everyone who attended CNJG’s 2019 Annual Meeting and Holiday Luncheon.

The theme for the 2019 Annual Meeting and Holiday Luncheon was “Challenging Power Dynamics to Build Strong Partnerships,” and focused on how philanthropy can forge more transparent, trusting, and dynamic relationships with nonprofits and the communities they serve.

The pre-meeting workshop, “Finding Balance: Addressing Grantmaker-Grantee Power Dynamics Head-On” was led by Linda Czipo of the Center for Non-Profits and Tim Delaney of the National Council of Nonprofits. The workshop explored ways in which funders could overcome power dynamics. Tim and Linda discussed strategies to create more powerful partnerships, such as multi-year funding, advocacy, and unrestricted general operating support, and shared hero and horror stories to remember when working with nonprofits.

To close out our event, Phil Buchanan, President of the Center for Effective Philanthropy  gave a captivating keynote address entitled “Giving Done Right: The Challenge and Opportunity.” During his presentation, Phil discussed the current critique of philanthropy, reminded us of the importance of working with and reflecting the communities we serve, and left attendees with seven different ways in which we can work more effectively with our partners in the new year.

Together, the social sector has the power, resources, and know-how to respond to our communities’ urgent and long-term needs. Thank you for joining us for this year’s critical conversation on breaking down power dynamics and building strong partnerships.

AGENDA
10:00 am to 11:30 am  Pre-Meeting Workshop
11:30 am to 12:00 pm  Networking and Registration
12:00 pm to 2:30 pm  Luncheon and Business Meeting

Pre-Meeting Workshop: “Finding Balance: Addressing Grantmaker-Grantee Power Dynamics Head-on"
Presenters: Linda Czipo, President & CEO, Center for Non-Profits and Tim Delaney, President and CEO, National Council of Nonprofits
Linda Czipo, President & CEO of the Center for Non-Profits, and Tim Delaney, President and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, will present this year’s workshop on how to overcome power dynamics between funders and nonprofits. This workshop will explore ways in which funders can create trusting and transparent relationships with grantees, and further engage nonprofits in their grantmaking strategies. Among other things, we will explore strategies to incorporate full cost funding that strengthens the effectiveness of your grantees' work. Join us for a discussion on how philanthropy can move towards a system of truly partnering with nonprofits in order to maximize the beneficial impact for your community.

The Council thanks our generous event sponsors: Novartis - Signature Sponsor, The Prudential Foundation – Sustaining Sponsor, New Jersey Health Initiatives – Speaker Sponsor, Princeton Area Community Foundation – Gift Sponsor, Devils Care Foundation and Sixers Youth Foundation – Pre-Meeting Workshop Sponsors, Novo Nordisk – Program Sponsor, The Provident Bank Foundation – Performance Sponsor, Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey – Contributing Sponsor, and The Jay and Linda Grunin Foundation – Supporting Sponsor. Additional support provided by NJM Insurance Group.

Annual Meeting Photos

Watch Everyone Deserves a Fair Slice from the Human Services Council.

The Grunin Foundation, in partnership with CNJG, invites you to the first in-person Monmouth & Ocean County Funder Roundtable of 2024. The conversation will continue around what we can do together to move to action and create greater impact in our communities. The roundtable will be held from 10:00AM - 12:00PM with an optional lunch following, from 12:00PM - 1:00PM. To help with planning, please indicate during the registration process if you will be staying for the lunch.

Cost: Free for CNJG Members and Non-Member Grantmakers
This program is open to grantmakers only and is geared towards those who fund in Monmouth & Ocean Counties.