Reitman Foundation
Supporting women and children in NJ
The Reitman Foundation aims to improve the independence and productivity of women and children who are experiencing challenges in daily living. Our Foundation is governed by a board of five family members. In their role as funders, the members are committed to core beliefs that include:
- Ensuring that children receive the guidance, support, and commitment to thrive and inspire hope for their future
- Helping women and children find the hero within so they can build their self-esteem and become self-reliant
- Providing equal opportunity for all
History
Frank Reitman (1886-1973) was a successful businessman and generous philanthropist who made significant gifts to institutions and causes he cared about. Frank’s successor, his son Ray, formed the Rockingham Foundation in 1970. As a name associated with several Reitman enterprises, the Foundation funded interests that were important to individual family members and associated family enterprises. A decade later, the Foundation was renamed the “Reitman Foundation” by shareholder Peg Reitman. Peg was a big believer in helping others, was a well-known leader in the community, and her legacy lives on in the mission of the Foundation which has been funded largely by contributions from Reitman Industries.
In 2009, Peg’s daughters restructured the Foundation by adding grantmaking and developed a strategic focus on at-risk women and children. Her granddaughters joined the Foundation in 2011. Working together as women, the board members believe that they can add value and make a difference by giving a hand to other women in need.
Funding Criteria and Priorities
The Foundation focuses its grantmaking in Essex County, although it will consider funding New Jersey-wide organizations. It also funds a small number of organizations and projects that aim to make a material impact on the lives of at-risk women and children. Examples of the types of projects that have been supported by the Foundation include:
- Enrichment, education, and mentoring programs for at-risk youth
- Advocacy programs for women and children in crisis
- Arts education
Important qualities that the Foundation seeks in its grantee partners include:
- Evidence of being an effective and dynamic organization
- Understanding of and credibility with the population it serves
- Quality of leadership
- An engaged and committed Board of Directors
- Urgency of need
- Diversity of funding base
The Foundation will provide money for general purposes, seed money, and support for special projects including technical assistance. It generally makes one-year grants, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. It’s the policy of the Foundation to fund organizations for no more than three consecutive years.
Proposals are accepted by invitation only. For questions, contact Aaron Turner, Chief Philanthropic Officer, at aturner@cfnj.org.