July 8, 2013
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, many New Jerseyans find themselves on a long road to recovery. Others are met with more immediate needs, like food and shelter. That’s why CFNJ took the lead in developing two post-Sandy funds: the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund and the New Jersey Recovery Fund.
In the roughly eight months since Hurricane Sandy hit, the Relief Fund – which is dedicated to meeting critical community needs like emergency food programs, first responder equipment and local clean-up efforts – has distributed roughly $330,000 in outgoing grants. Recipient organizations include Madison Area YMCA, Union Beach Disaster Relief Fund, and DonorsChoose.org, among others.
The New Jersey Recovery Fund has, in that same period, secured $7 million in commitments and already begun the discussion around long-term planning and sound recovery. With support from local and national foundations and corporations, the Recovery Fund provides a flexible source of financial support for ongoing recovery needs.
Funding allocations go toward policy work related to best practices in community resiliency and sustainability, community and regional planning, and support for arts, mental health and venture capital. Funds also promote public information, community engagement and recovery managers to assist with planning and implementation. To date, Recovery Fund gifts have supported initiatives like New Jersey Future/Sustainable New Jersey’s recovery manager network. Other funded projects include a public policy consortium led by the American Littoral Society, and public information reporting by NJ Spotlight, NJTV and WNYC.
Both funds work in tandem to rebuild New Jersey, mitigate existing damages and improve emergency preparation and resources. We’d like to extend a special thanks to our Relief Fund & Recovery Fund Partners for their generous support:
- Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
- William Penn Foundation
- MetLife Foundation
- Subaru of America Foundation
- Doris Duke Charitable Foundation
- Wells Fargo
- Newman’s Own Inc.
- John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
- David & Lucile Packard Foundation
- Bank of America
- David and Arleen McGlade Foundation
- Capital One
- Roche Foundation
- Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation
- Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies
- Rita Allen Foundation
- Blanche & Irving Laurie Foundation
- F.M. Kirby Foundation, Inc.
- William E. Simon Foundation
- Coastal Community Foundation
- National Mah Jongg League Foundation
- Lisa & Douglas Goldman Fund
- Rockefeller Brothers Fund