Morristown, NJ, July 13, 2026 – The newly created Morris County Nonprofit Capacity Fund announced today that 15 Morris County-based nonprofits have received $142,000 in grants to build stronger, more sustainable organizations.
This philanthropic initiative was directly supported by local foundations, including the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ), the F. M. Kirby Foundation, and the Mimi Washington Starrett Foundation. Additional support came from a reserved fund of the Morris County Funders Group.
“A coalition of local funders has been talking about the challenges our nonprofit community has been facing since last year. These challenges include overarching federal government disinvestment and other compounding factors that are making the work of nonprofits harder and putting greater strain on both staff and operating budgets,” said Aaron Turner, CFNJ’s Chief Philanthropic Officer. “As community funders, it’s vital for us to listen to our partners, actively consider ways to invest in our nonprofit network, and ensure that organizations can thrive with increased capacity while supporting the communities where we live and work.”
The 2026 recipients of the Morris County Nonprofit Capacity Fund Grant are as follows:
- Center for Evaluation and Counseling, Inc. (Staff Training)
- Family Promise of Morris County, Inc. (Strategic Planning)
- The Growing Stage – The Children’s Theatre of New Jersey (Marketing)
- Interfaith Food Pantry (Staff Retention Initiatives)
- Jersey Battered Women’s Service (Leadership Training & Development)
- Jewish Family Service of Metrowest (Technology & Security)
- Lakeland Hills YMCA (Strategic Planning)
- Legal Services of Northwest Jersey (Staff Training & Outreach Efforts)
- Life Center Stage (Strategic Planning)
- The Milestone House (Staff Retention & Development)
- Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs (Strategic Planning)
- NJ 211 Partnership (Capacity During Reaccreditation Process)
- New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program (Staff Training & Software)
- Roots and Wings Foundation (Technology)
- Zufall Health Center, Inc. (Volunteer Recruitment Strategy)
The capacity-building funding was announced in January and specifically designed to be a strategic investment in infrastructure that enables nonprofits to fulfill their missions effectively. In total, 75 organizations applied and the most-commonly identified needs were strategic planning and staff training.
“We deliberately kept the funding opportunity broad so that applicants could define their own most-urgent capacity needs, rather than fitting into predetermined categories. This allowed funds to reach the Morris County nonprofit community quickly and in the ways each organization needed most,” said Liz Crowley, Program Officer at the F. M. Kirby Foundation. “We’re thankful for our grant review committee and looking forward to learning more about how this funding will help our neighbors.”
“Our local nonprofits are the core of our community health,” added Turner from CFNJ. “It’s important for funders to step up when there’s a need for dedicated organizational capacity assistance in the form of specialized grants and beyond-the-grant support, such as strategic and technical assistance. Part of our responsibility as partners and neighbors is to ensure our community organizations have the resources to stay strong and viable, especially in challenging times.”
About the Community Foundation of New Jersey
Over our 47-year history, the Community Foundation of New Jersey has collaborated with individuals, families, organizations, and businesses to design charitable funds and implement the philanthropic solutions they want to see in their communities. We leverage $1.17 billion in assets and 1,200 funds to help our partners think boldly and creatively about ways to give. Learn more: cfnj.org
About the F. M. Kirby Foundation
The F. M. Kirby Foundation is a philanthropic family foundation dedicated to making strategic investments in opportunities that foster self-reliance or otherwise create strong, healthy communities. Established in 1931, the Foundation upholds the legacy of Fred Morgan Kirby, a pioneer in the five-and-dime store industry, by supporting organizations and programs that advance positive, sustainable change. With a mission to create lasting impact, the Foundation partners with nonprofits to address critical organizational needs. Through its grantmaking, the F. M. Kirby Foundation is committed to strengthening nonprofit institutions, improving lives, and building strong, vibrant communities. Learn more: fmkirbyfoundation.org
About the Mimi Washington Starrett Foundation
The Mimi Washington Starrett Foundation provides grants to nonprofit organizations that have a meaningful impact on the well-being and economic development of the greater community, including those that address issues surrounding health, addiction, and homelessness; animal welfare; equal education opportunities; access to the arts; and environmental and historical preservation. Learn more: mwstarrettfoundation.org