Supporting innovative initiatives. Promoting healthier communities.
Established in 2020, the Somerset Hills Community Health Foundation (SHCHF) is a donor advised fund at the Community Foundation. We aim to provide funding for projects and programs that promote healthier communities.
Our current grant cycle is closed. Click on this link or the Grants Process & Application button in the menu below for updates.
Our history
SHCHF was created from the endowment generated through annual fundraising outreach, dedicated campaign appeals, and various activities that the Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills (VNASH) volunteers undertook over many decades. These activities include the Far Hills Fair and Horse Show, which began in 1930 and transitioned to the infamous Far Hills “Rummage Sale” in 1938.
Through these events, dedicated volunteers were committed to assuring that VNASH was able to meet its mission and goals of providing preventive health programs, services for older adults, chronic disease education, case management to the underserved, and scholarship support for those entering registered nursing programs.
As a means of continuing the intent of the mission to ensure the health and well-being of Morris and Somerset county residents, these goals have been integrated into SHCHF’s priorities and guide the allocation of funds each year.
Our mission
We aim to provide funding for projects and programs that promote healthier communities.
Our leadership
Directors of the SHCHF board are knowledgeable about the needs of the communities in Morris and Somerset counties through their participation in community agencies and groups, as well as healthcare agencies and committees. Community members are invited to participate and share their insight and knowledge with the Foundation’s committees.
2025-26
Officers
- Lesley Hetherington, Chair
- Myra McGinley, Vice Chair
- Jim Helpinstill, Treasurer
- Marie Sperber, Secretary
Director Members
- Alison Buxton
- Kathy Cummins
- Kevin Maloney
- Peter Mercer
- Tim Mulder
- Evelyn Prather
- Sarah Rowland Wohlforth
- Reggie Yoskowitz
Grants process and application
The Foundation is committed to funding projects and programs that promote independent living, healthier individuals, and thriving communities exclusively in Morris and Somerset counties. Programs serving multiple counties are requested to carve out and address proposals targeting these specific counties. As a general guiding principle, SHCHF prefers to fund specific programs with measurable objective outcomes over general operating costs. It doesn’t fund affordable housing, capital improvements, and fundraising efforts.
Information about submitting Letters of Intent and grant application cycles will be posted on this page when the details are available.
Foundation priorities
Grants are awarded to organizations whose proposals address one or more of the following Foundation priorities:
- Foster independent living through innovative programs for underserved and/or aging populations
- Support critical community health and wellness needs addressing chronic disease prevention and management, healthy aging, and mental health
- Support programs to increase the number of available healthcare workers — such as RNs, therapists, and home health aides — through scholarships
Grant application cycle
SHCHF’s grant application cycle is currently closed. Check back soon for updates.
Grant recipients
Since its founding, SHCHF has awarded $3.38 million to community organizations and agencies as well as scholarships. Awards have included, but were not limited to, agencies focused on the elderly, mental health, underserved populations with limited access to healthcare resources, and schools with all levels of RN education.
2025 SHCHF grantees
- Alzheimer’s NJ
- County College of Morris Foundation
- Deirdre’s House
- Freedom House
- Homeless Solutions, Inc.
- Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties
- Middle Earth
- NORWESCAP, Inc.
- Raritan Valley Community College
- Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
- Safe+Sound Somerset
- Saint Elizabeth University
- Somerset County YMCA – Somerset Hills
- Visions and Pathways
- Zufall Health
In the news
- August 13, 2025, “Grow & Give with JFS,” Connectionsnj.com
- June 10, 2025, “Living on Her Own Terms,” ZufallHealth.org
- January 2025, “The Community Foundation of New Jersey Celebrates the Impact of its Fundholders & Partnerships in 2024,” CFNJ.org
- December 15, 2023, “CIC Awarded Grant from Somerset Hills Community Health Foundation,” CommunityinCrisis.org
- July 24, 2023, “Morris County Funders Group Announces Mental Health First Aid Training,” FMKirbyFoundation.org
- June 23, 2023, “SHCHF Gift to Fund 10 Full Nursing Scholarships at RVCC,” NJBIA.org
Contact us
SHCHF’s process of requesting Letters of Interest for the 2026 grant cycle is now closed. If your organization was selected to submit a full grant proposal, we will notify you by December 1, 2025, and request further information regarding the submission. The full application will be due by February 1, 2026.
Please check back in August 2026 for details about the 2027 grant cycle.
If you have any questions, please contact Lydia Gracey at info@cfnj.org.
Stories of impact
Foster independent living
Our grants help nonprofit organizations foster independent living by addressing the needs of underserved populations, incorporating innovative ways to increase access, providing modes of transportation, and offering educational and respite support for caregivers.
Hope House, a grantee organization based in Dover, shared that the funding it received from SHCHF helped it provide “…900 hours of service to 101 low-income seniors living in Morris County. These lifesaving services contributed to the health, safety, and dignity of older adults — many of whom are disabled and all of whom live alone or with disabled family — so they may age in place successfully.”
Individuals who benefited directly from independent living programming shared the following in their satisfaction surveys:
“Your service has blessed me so much because of my back and leg problems. I really appreciate everything you do.”
“Thank you for all the help I’ve received … [including] the food and wonderful volunteers who come to my house to fix things I couldn’t afford to pay for.”
“Myself and my wife are 100% disabled and need this [service] to continue and hope it does.”
“Your repair work has significantly improved my home’s safety and comfort — providing my kids with peace of mind and a more positive living environment. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and dedication.”
Stories of impact
Address health and wellness
We support critical health and wellness needs of Somerset and Morris county residents by funding programs focusing on chronic disease prevention, healthy aging, mental health, healthy eating, and physical exercise.
Middle Earth, a youth development organization that serves Somerset County, used its grant funding to build trusting relationships with students through its employment readiness, school-based mental health, and career-and college-readiness programs. In addition to developing positive connections with caring adults, students learn leadership skills, improve their academics, develop appropriate social skills, and more.
The organization shared how its mentoring program, in particular, has helped one of its mentees:
“...one of our mentees wrote to his mentor today. ...This young man is a third-grader with system involvement who was struggling in school in a variety of ways. Over the course of their time together, he made great progress in sharing his feelings and managing them in a more positive way.”
Stories of impact
Increase the availability of health care workers
Many of SHCHF’s grants help increase the number of available health care workers in communities — including nurses, therapists, and home health aides — by funding scholarships, training programs, and financial support to alleviate barriers for students pursuing educational programs.
Students, as well as a member of the administration from the County College of Morris (CCM), recently shared how the financial support provided by SHCHF is making a difference.
“Your commitment to [funding] scholarships at CCM is truly life changing... Thank you for investing in our students and in their journeys toward education, career, and community success.”
“I support my education by working two jobs and this scholarship will help cover my expenses for this semester and help to continue my educational journey in the future. Because of this scholarship, I will be able to better focus on my studies and become the best nurse possible.”
“I greatly appreciate the financial weight that has been lifted from my shoulders due to your substantial funding. I delayed going to school for many years because of the potential financial burden, so I am thankful to be able to focus on my schooling and my family without the added stress of accumulating debt.”