Articles

Breaking: Breakfast After the Bell Feeds More NJ Students

October 15, 2015 We were very pleased to join Advocates for Children of New Jersey and Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno in Jersey City this morning to celebrate the latest success of the NJ Food for Thought Campaign we’ve supported – while also acknowledging the long road ahead.…

A Look Back, Part 13: CFNJ Today

The Community Foundation’s recent history has been just as rich and success-filled as its founding, thanks to the strong involvement of fundholders and the deepening of relationships with the state’s key nonprofits and other drivers of change. “The progress we have made just in the last ten years would make our founders proud,” explained Tom Uhlman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.…

A Look Back, Part 12: Focus on Leadership

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy and the Community Foundation’s important role in the state’s recovery, the Foundation’s position as a leader on tough issues has become increasingly clear. While the Board’s Leadership Committee has long sought out interventions on complex, often overlooked issues, this work gained added significance.…

A Look Back, Part 11: Responding to Disaster

Hurricane Sandy Relief & Recovery When a disaster strikes, the work of a community foundation takes on added importance.  And in the wake of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the Community Foundation took on an important leadership role in harnessing the good will of thousands of New Jerseyans seeking to help their friends and neighbors recover.…

A Look Back, Part 10: New Leadership, New Focus Areas

Hans Dekker joined CFNJ as the new president in 2003. During his tenure, the Community Foundation has continued to expand its number of fundholders, its asset base, and its programmatic areas. It has also tripled its assets (from approximately $90 million to well over $300 million), despite an occasionally challenging market.…

A Look Back, Part 9: Responding to Tragedy

As part of its forward-looking programming, CFNJ continually seeks the input of its board members, fundholders, and fellow community members to gauge what issues are most important and what problems need addressing. In the weeks and months after September 11, 2001, the issue at the forefront for nearly all Americans was coping with and responding to that day’s tragic attacks.…

A Look Back, Part 8: Realizing a Fundholder’s Wish

Like all community foundations, CFNJ maintains its commitment and loyalty to its individual fundholders, many of whom seek to make an important difference in the community, but need a trusted partner to help realize their philanthropic goals. In 1996, the Alkemade Fund was established at CFNJ under the estate of George and Yvonne Alkemade.…

A Look Back, Part 7: The Role of National Foundations

While major corporations have supported much of CFNJ’s programming, so too have national foundations that seek to address community issues on a wide scale. Given CFNJ’s strength in community programming in New Jersey, it has been a natural partner to numerous national foundations seeking to make a difference in the state.…

A Look Back, Part 6: The Role of Corporate Philanthropy

For philanthropy to be truly effective on a wide scale, it requires more than just the work of nonprofits, foundations, individuals, or corporations – but, in fact, all of these entities working together. CFNJ has long placed a priority on helping businesses and foundations collaborate while encouraging new generations of committed philanthropists.…

Gun Buybacks: Effective & Easy to Replicate

Gun buybacks are a safe and effective tool for removing unwanted firearms from homes and communities. It’s why the Community Foundation of New Jersey has worked with several families across our state to bring gun buyback programs to their hometowns. We facilitate the partnership with local law enforcement, work with the family to set a budget and facilitate funding, and help to spread the word of the buyback to generate interest and then celebrate success.…