February 2, 2017
The Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ) today announced that Ryan P. Haygood, one of the country’s leading civil rights lawyers, has joined its Board of Directors.
Haygood serves as president and CEO of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice where he works to ensure that urban residents live in a society that respects their humanity, provides equality of economic opportunity, empowers them to use their voice in the political process, and protects equal justice.
Prior to leading the Institute, Haygood served as the deputy director of litigation at the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund Inc. (LDF), where he worked for than decade. At LDF, Haygood litigated some of the most important civil rights cases of our time, including twice defending a core provision of the Voting Rights Act before the United States Supreme Court.
“Ryan’s keen understanding of the challenges facing many communities in New Jersey and his ability to advocate on their behalf makes his contributions to the Foundation’s work critically important,” said Tom Uhlman, Chairman of the CFNJ Board of Trustees. “And we know his energy and advocacy will help us as a foundation improve even more communities, and to do so in concrete, meaningful ways.”
A passionate advocate, Haygood speaks and writes regularly on issues concerning race, law, civil rights, and democracy. He was previously a litigation associate in the New York office of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, LLP, and was a recipient of the prestigious LDF/Fried Frank Fellowship.
“The pursuit of social justice and the realization of stronger, healthier communities are inextricably linked,” said Haygood. “I am honored to join the board of the Community Foundation, which not only understands that relationship, but is also serious about meaningfully improving the well-being of people in communities across New Jersey.”
About the Community Foundation of New Jersey
Since 1979, individuals and businesses have opened charitable funds at the Community Foundation of New Jersey to fulfill their charitable goals and craft their philanthropic legacies. These Legacy Funds and Donor Advised Funds have granted tens of millions of dollars each year, and enabled the Foundation to launch its own Changemaker Projects that are improving New Jersey and its dynamic communities. The Foundation’s funds currently hold over $400 million in charitable assets and made over 5,000 grants last year to charitable work in New Jersey and around the world.
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