Author Archives: Mike

Response to the Earthquake in Turkey & Syria

The earthquake that rocked Turkey and Syria on Monday is a full-scale humanitarian disaster, with the death toll now exceeding 5,000. Many fundholders have reached out seeking guidance on the most effective ways to give. Below, we share several organizations in which we have high confidence.…

Community Foundation Fundholders Give More than $150 Million in 2022

The Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ) today thanked its 1,160 fundholders for making 7,350 philanthropic gifts to worthy causes and communities in 2022 totaling approximately $153 million. The total dollar amount of grants is a record for the Community Foundation, following annual grantmaking of $103 million in 2021, $87.5 million in 2020, and $57.8 million in 2019.…

New Tax Laws Related to Charity

If you’ve been tracking federal legislation, you’re likely aware that on December 29, 2022, President Biden signed a $1.65 trillion-dollar omnibus spending bill known as the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (“CAA”). A component of this legislation, known as “SECURE 2.0,” includes many provisions that make it easier for people to build retirement savings, ranging from required enrollment in employer-sponsored 401(k) plans to larger “catch up” contributions to enable workers nearing retirement to add more to their retirement accounts each year.…

Peter Eisen Scholar Embodies Resilience

Tommy Coman’s story is incredibly inspiring, marked by resilience and dedication to both academics and community service. His journey from experiencing a profound loss to honoring his father’s legacy through his studies and service is remarkable and why the Community Foundation of New Jersey is especially proud to administer his scholarship on behalf of the Peter Eisen Scholarship Fund.…

Hooey Scholar Ella DuRie savors in-person learning

December 31, 2022 For Ella DuRie, a junior at the University of Pittsburgh majoring in Biology with a minor in Spanish and Chemistry, making the transition from virtual to in-person learning has been a game-changer. After two full semesters of completely online courses, Ella went back to in-person learning this fall.…

Martha Gordon Santiuste Scholarship Fund

The Martha Gordon Santiuste Scholarship was established to further Martha’s legacy of inspiring lifelong learning. This scholarship seeks to make a meaningful impact through assisting qualifying students with a demonstrated need in paying for higher education. A cash gift made with a credit card, check, or wire transfer is the simplest way to give to the Martha Gordon Santiuste Scholarship, a fund at the Community Foundation of New Jersey.…

Consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution

A Qualified Charitable Distribution (“QCD”) is a very smart way to support charitable causes. If you are over the age of 70 ½, you can direct up to $100,000 from your IRA to certain charities, including a field-of-interest, unrestricted, or scholarship fund at the Community Foundation.…

Give the Gift of Giving Back

The Community Foundation can work with you to create and package a gift of a Community Foundation fund, pre-established and pre-funded, personalized in the name of your gift recipient. Your gift recipient can be a partner, child, grandchild, colleague, or friend.…