News

Help those affected by Hawaii wildfires

Devastating wildfires in Hawaii have killed more than 100 people and destroyed countless homes and businesses. Many fundholders are responding to critical needs in Hawaii and we are pleased to recommend these vetted charities:   The Maui Strong Fund from Hawaiʻi Community Foundation supports rapid response, food, shelter, and financial assistance for residents impacted by the wildfires on Maui.…

Making it fun: Tips for teaching children about philanthropy

Over the years, you’ve probably taught your young children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews lessons along the lines of “share and share alike” and “better to give than to receive.” But how do you transition these lessons into more concrete instruction about charitable giving, without risking the youngest members of your family becoming overwhelmed or bored?…

Hooey Scholar at UConn: “Where I was meant to be”

August 17, 2023 Megan Flynn’s non-linear college career took her to several colleges, but the University of Connecticut, where the New Jerseyan graduated this Spring, was “where I was meant to be,” she says. Thanks to a generous scholarship from the Austin O.…

Wilhelmina Holder Student Assistance Fund Launched at Community Foundation

August 16, 2023 The Community Foundation of New Jersey today announced the creation of the Wilhelmina Holder Student Assistance Fund, which will provide support for Newark students attending post-secondary programs who have unexpected costs not covered by financial aid. Students will also receive counseling and workshops to ensure stability in their programs.…

Irvington High School Alumni Scholarship Fund

The IHS Alumni Scholarship Fund offers up to 5 scholarships each year to graduates of Irvington (NJ) High School to attend a college, university, or business/trade school. The scholarships are renewable for up to 4 years, provided the students are performing at a satisfactory academic level.…

Siegel Family Scholar Studies Abroad, Graduates, and Pursues Master’s

July 12, 2023 For Laisha Perez, a generous scholarship from the Siegel Family Scholarship Fund not only made her dream of a college education possible, but also gave her the opportunity to study abroad in Rome. Perez recently returned from a semester in Italy, which she described as being “filled with growth, new perspectives, learning experiences, and meeting people from around the world”.…

‘Field Trip New Jersey’ Expands to Include Essex County Schools, Nonprofits

The Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ) today announced that the Field Trip New Jersey Fund, which it founded in 2016 to provide opportunities for students in under-served communities to connect classroom learning with real-life experiences, is expanding its eligibility criteria to include Essex County K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations starting this summer.…

Alphabet soup: QCDs, CRTs, and CGAs

If you or a family member has reached the age of 70 ½, you might have heard of a tax benefit known as the Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD), which allows you to direct up to $100,000 annually from your IRA to a qualified charitable organization (which includes a designated or field-of-interest fund at the community foundation).…