August 16, 2023
The Community Foundation of New Jersey today announced the creation of the Wilhelmina Holder Student Assistance Fund, which will provide support for Newark students attending post-secondary programs who have unexpected costs not covered by financial aid.
Students will also receive counseling and workshops to ensure stability in their programs. This counseling is made possible through partnerships with three local, youth-serving organizations: High School Academic Support Program, ALI, and Leaders for Life.
The Fund was created and funded – and will be advised – by Newark residents who value and embody Wilhelmina Holder’s spirit of aspiring to greatness through post-secondary success and nurturing the community around them through advocacy.
“Wilhelmina Holder believed that we all have a role to play in changing the world around us,” said Aaron Turner, Chief Philanthropic Officer at the Community Foundation of New Jersey. “We are proud to help turn this core belief into Wilhelmina’s legacy, and to continue helping Newark’s young people just as Wilhelmina did over so many years.”
Grants from the Fund can help cover the costs of books, fees, supplies, transportation, food and toiletries, housing and any unexpected emergencies that might derail students’ overall chances of earning a post-secondary degree or certificate.
The Community Foundation of New Jersey will accept applications on a rolling basis. Awards will be announced four times per year, or monthly for emergencies. To apply, visit www.cfnj.org/holderfund.
Initial donors to the Fund include the Community Foundation of New Jersey, the Turrell Fund, Prudential Foundation, and New Jersey Children’s Foundation.
The Community Foundation invites those interested to support the fund with a one-time or monthly donation at www.cfnj.org/holderfund.
About the Community Foundation of New Jersey
The Community Foundation of New Jersey creates and scales custom solutions for purpose-driven individuals, families, and businesses. From creative projects that tackle critical societal or policy issues to scholarship funds, corporate philanthropy, legacy funds and donor advised funds, CFNJ manages nearly every kind of giving vehicle and tailors solutions to meet critical needs. CFNJ’s team of specialists understand the unique contours of communities and manage the scope of CFNJ investment and grantmaking capabilities with precision. With $725 million in assets, the Community Foundation grants tens of millions of dollars each year through its more than 1,100 funds. In 2022, CFNJ granted more than $150 million to nonprofits in New Jersey and beyond.