Quinn’s Corner Fund
Supporting safe havens for DV survivors and their pets
Quinn’s Corner Fund was inspired by Karen Lindemann’s abiding love for animals.
Our fundholder’s generous philanthropy has supported animal causes across the state for years. And when she was ready to plan her estate, Karen designed a charitable legacy with CFNJ that aims to ensure that domestic violence survivors and their companions have access to pet-inclusive shelters and services in all 21 New Jersey counties. We’ve dedicated ourselves to Karen’s mission since her untimely death.
Over the past two years, more than $5 million has been awarded to 28 grantee partners that provide supportive, pet-friendly programming and safe houses for survivors so they can remain together with their companions. Crisis shelters are now available in six counties, with more sanctuaries coming soon.
You can read about our work with our partner, the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence (NJCEDV), below or apply for a grant via our online portal. For guidance, review the sections on the application process and grant criteria. You can also contact Lydia Gracey at [email protected] with questions.
Our goal — a safe haven in every county
Survivors fleeing with their pets may face an impossible choice. With this grant opportunity, more New Jerseyans can make a safer one.
They will be able to afford a pet deposit at an apartment — or stay in a safe house with their entire family — rather than be forced to live in their car, stay with their abuser, or leave their pet behind.
This funding covers everything from vet bills and staff training to capital expenses and planning funds.
We’re proud to share that the counties of Ocean, Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, Morris, and Warren offer pet-friendly access. Passaic and Union will build safe havens soon.
Karen’s gift keeps people and pets together
Karen adored and doted on her pets. She had a 150-pound dog who was devoted to her and nursed Quinn, her rescue cat, back to health after she became ill with feline leukemia.
This love for animals inspired her to connect with staff at 180 Turning Lives Around, a Monmouth County nonprofit that provides refuge to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, because she understood two things.
Survivors couldn’t fully rebuild their lives if they had to choose between leaving their pet or saving themselves. She also knew that that no DV shelters had ever provided a safe house to both in New Jersey. But Karen was undeterred. She championed the need for a pet-friendly sanctuary so passionately to the organization’s Board of Trustees that the member who was most opposed to the idea became its staunchest advocate.
In 2019, 180 Turning Lives Around and Karen worked together to create the first safe house program for survivors and their pets in New Jersey. After her death, Karen’s legacy fund evolved to include a new purpose of ensuring greater access to pet-friendly shelters and services in all 21 counties.
Learn more: Press Release
News and blogs
A Call to Action for DV Nonprofits: ‘Leap and the Net Will Appear’
SAFE in Hunterdon: Keeping People & Pets Together
Promoting Safe Havens for DV Survivors & Grieving the Pet I Left Behind
Grant criteria
For the first phase of grantmaking, CFNJ is administering Jumpstart Grants. These $5,000 grants will help organizations support survivors who are fleeing domestic violence with their pets and increase their capacity.
They can be used as:
- Emergency funds that support survivors and their pets (e.g., a pet deposit for a new apartment, temporary pet boarding, vet bills, pet food)
Please note that these grants can only be used for direct expenses to support survivors and their pets, not for staff or administrative costs.
- Planning funds to help an organization prepare for the future goal of housing pets on-site at a shelter
Funding cannot be used to support costs to adopt a new pet. It also cannot be used to provide direct cash assistance to survivors and their families. If you need assistance, you can contact the statewide domestic violence hotline at 1-800-572-7233 or visit NJCEDV’s website to find services in your county.
Please note that the planning funds category is a one-time grant. However, after expending all grant funding and submitting a report, organizations are welcome to apply for a second emergency funds grant.
Application process
To apply, use this link to create an account in CFNJ’s online portal and fill out the application. Please email [email protected] for the access code.
Applications will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis. Organizations that receive a grant will be asked to submit a brief follow-up report in six months with details and stories of how the funding was utilized.
If you know about a project or initiative that would be a good fit for this fund, or are interested in other ways to get involved and support New Jersey’s DV shelters, contact Aaron Turner at [email protected] or Lisette Ortiz at [email protected].
Community impact
Since 2024, more than $5 million in total has been awarded to grantee organizations across the state.
The total funding also includes $160,000 in Jumpstart Grants, more than $2 million that was awarded for two capacity-building grants, and Pet Advocate positions for four organizations.
These advocates provide trauma-informed support for survivors and their pets at shelters and assist organizations as they increase pet accessibility.
Grantee stories
Stray Kitty Rescue has provided emergency shelter, vet care, and supplies for over 15 pets with its grant. The organization has also cultivated stronger connections with local DV shelters and service providers. Its successes include building a reliable foster network that’s trained to handle trauma-informed care and increasing awareness about pet-safe housing options through targeted outreach.
Bright Harbor Healthcare is using its grant to cover pet deposits for rentals, pet boarding, supplies, and vet bills for survivors who are leaving abusive situations. It has also established a foster care network in its county to ensure no survivor will be forced to choose between the safety of themselves and their pet.
180 Turning Lives Around is ensuring that people and pets are safer together, and thriving together, with its grant. Like their owners, pets have basic daily needs — including food, water, and walks — that 180 is committed to fulfilling. They can also, just like their owners, face additional mental, emotional, and physical stresses and challenges. With the Quinn’s Corner funding, 180 provided direct client assistance — from food and grooming to medication and routine vet care.