New Jersey Community Development Grants

The RSI Foundation Grant Program, administered through the Community Foundation of New Jersey, is designed to carry forward a long-standing tradition of community investment established by RSI Bank prior to its 2022 merger with Columbia Bank. This grantmaking initiative reflects a deep commitment to the communities historically served by RSI Bank and operates in close coordination with Columbia Bank Foundation and other philanthropic partners. Together, these aligned entities ensure that funding is directed toward initiatives that produce measurable, meaningful, and localized impact. The program’s philanthropic mission emphasizes community resilience, equity, and the strengthening of neighborhood well-being. The Foundation’s strategic priorities are concentrated in two central focus areas. First, it seeks to partner with and uplift marginalized populations—those who face barriers to meeting their basic needs due to economic, physical, mental, or social constraints. Second, it aims to improve neighborhood quality of life by supporting initiatives that foster health, happiness, and holistic well-being for community members. This dual focus reflects the Foundation’s theory of change: when communities address the unmet needs of their most vulnerable populations while simultaneously enhancing the shared community environment, they cultivate stronger, more equitable, and more resilient neighborhoods. The program’s target beneficiaries include both organizations working directly with individuals experiencing various forms of marginalization and initiatives that aim to strengthen community infrastructure and quality of life. The Foundation is particularly focused on funding work that delivers measurable benefits in Rahway, New Jersey, and surrounding communities within Union and Middlesex Counties. Projects supported through this grant must demonstrate direct relevance to these geographic and thematic priorities, ensuring that every dollar invested contributes to tangible improvements in local well-being and community vitality. To achieve its intended impact, the RSI Foundation employs clear and rigorous evaluation criteria for applicants. Organizations must identify and address a specific community need, present achievable and well-structured programs with defined goals, timelines, and budgets, and demonstrate a capacity to produce measurable outcomes. Grant amounts typically range from $2,500 to $25,000, with the total annual program budget between $10,000 and $100,000. This funding structure allows the Foundation to support both smaller grassroots initiatives and larger community-serving projects, maximizing the breadth of its local impact. Expected outcomes from funded initiatives include increased access to essential resources for marginalized populations, improved community health and wellness indicators, and strengthened neighborhood infrastructure and cohesion. By emphasizing measurable results and sustainable change, the RSI Foundation seeks to ensure that its grant investments translate into lasting benefits for the communities it serves. These outcomes align with the Foundation’s overarching goal of fostering neighborhoods that are not only more equitable but also more capable of thriving in the long term. Ultimately, the RSI Foundation Grant Program exemplifies place-based philanthropy rooted in community trust and strategic collaboration. By focusing on marginalized populations and community well-being, and by holding grantees accountable for clear and measurable outcomes, the Foundation positions itself as a catalyst for sustainable, locally driven change. This approach ensures that the legacy of RSI Bank continues as a living, evolving force for good—enriching communities, empowering organizations, and building more resilient futures for the residents of Rahway and its neighboring areas.

The Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Development Fund, supported by the Princeton Area Community Foundation, aims to bolster nonprofits within the Chamber's five-county operational area. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by strategically investing in organizations that are vital to the community's progress in education, leadership, economic opportunity, and self-sufficiency. The fund specifically targets areas that address critical societal needs, ensuring that resources are directed towards impactful and sustainable change within the region. The program's core focus areas are Education and Economic Opportunity and Workforce Development. In education, the fund prioritizes innovative programs designed to help low-income and at-risk students succeed academically, prepare for higher education, or enter the workforce. Key impact goals include reaching a broad student population, fostering community resource collaboration, promoting curriculum innovation, and supporting scalable models. The expected outcomes are improved academic achievement, increased access to post-secondary education or employment, and the development of replicable successful educational initiatives. For Economic Opportunity and Workforce Development, the fund supports nonprofits that drive economic growth. This includes initiatives for small business development and expansion, commercial revitalization, job creation, work-entry programs, specialized skills training, and transportation solutions. The impact goals are centered on fostering a more robust local economy and creating pathways to self-sufficiency for community members. Measurable results would include an increase in new businesses, job placements, individuals completing skills training, and improved access to employment opportunities. The eligibility criteria for applicants reflect the foundation's strategic priorities, requiring tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)3, public charity status under Section 509, and registration with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. This ensures that funds are distributed to credible and well-governed organizations. The geographic scope, encompassing numerous municipalities within the Chamber's area, highlights a theory of change that local, targeted investments in key sectors will lead to broad community development and improved quality of life across the region. The one-year grant duration encourages focused, impactful projects with clear objectives within that timeframe.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to New Jersey municipalities and communities for implementing wildfire hazard mitigation practices outlined in their approved Community Wildfire Protection Plans.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that develop innovative resources and services to help adults in the middle or late stages of their careers with reskilling, upskilling, and career navigation, particularly those who are unemployed or underemployed.

The IPromise Jeffrey M. Glabicki Memorial Giving Fund, supported by Volpe Koenig, is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in the Greater Philadelphia area. This mission aligns with the foundation's goal of supporting programs that positively impact the community. The fund specifically targets organizations involved in Arts, Culture and Humanities; Community Development; Education and Research; Environment and Animals; Health, Human Services & Youth Development; and Veteran Services. By focusing on these broad categories, the fund aims to address a diverse range of community needs and contribute to a healthier, more vibrant Philadelphia Metro area. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations that are at least two years old, have an annual operating budget of less than $10 million, and are headquartered in and serve the population of the Philadelphia Metro area. This includes specific counties in Pennsylvania (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia) and New Jersey (Burlington, Camden, Gloucester). The impact goals are to support and empower these qualifying organizations to continue their vital work in the specified focus areas, ultimately leading to improved quality of life for the residents of the Greater Philadelphia region. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly outlined by the eligible categories for application. These include areas that promote cultural enrichment, strengthen local communities, advance knowledge and learning, protect the environment and animals, improve health and well-being for individuals and youth, and provide support for veterans. The foundation's strategic priorities are to make a significant impact by awarding a single $40,000 grant to a deserving organization, thereby concentrating resources to achieve meaningful outcomes within one of these critical sectors. The expected outcomes of this grant are to enable the selected organization to expand its reach, enhance its programs, or develop innovative solutions within its focus area. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided information, the implicit theory of change is that by investing in established, impactful non-profits within these key sectors, the fund can foster positive social change and contribute to a thriving community. The eligibility criteria, such as the requirement for a 501(c)(3) status and a two-year operational history, suggest a focus on supporting organizations with a proven track record and capacity for effective program delivery. Ineligible organizations include those promoting religious or political activities, programs accessible only to paying members, scholarship or tuition assistance programs, endowments, government agencies, individuals, grant-making organizations, and past recipients within the last five years. These exclusions further refine the fund's strategic approach, ensuring that grants are directed towards direct charitable operations that serve the broader public and avoid duplication of previous efforts. This focused approach allows the fund to maximize its impact by supporting direct service providers in alignment with its mission.

This program provides $50,000 in funding and support to nonprofit organizations in select regions that are working to integrate artificial intelligence into their operations to enhance community impact.

This funding opportunity provides $10,000 per year for two years to organizations in New Jersey that create free arts-based learning experiences for older adults aged 55 and over, promoting creativity and engagement in the community.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community organizations in Puerto Rico for implementing off-grid energy solutions, helping them maintain essential services without relying on the unreliable local power grid.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to create accessible and safe housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities transitioning from nursing facilities to community-based living arrangements.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities in New Jersey to develop programs that reduce social isolation among older adults and people with disabilities, promoting their health and community engagement.

The Atlantic County award program seeks to recognize outstanding residents with disabilities who have achieved significant personal accomplishments and positively impacted the lives of others. While the context does not explicitly state a "foundation mission alignment" or "theory of change," the program's objective is clearly aligned with celebrating and acknowledging individuals who serve as exemplary citizens and contribute to making Atlantic County a better place, particularly within the context of Disabilities Awareness Month. The program aims to highlight the achievements of the disability community and promote greater understanding and appreciation of their contributions. The target beneficiaries for this program are Atlantic County residents with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Individuals of all ages are eligible for nomination. The impact goals are to honor these individuals, raise awareness about their contributions, and inspire others within the community. The program aims to foster a sense of recognition and value for residents with disabilities, underscoring their integral role in the county's social fabric. The primary focus of the program is to identify and celebrate individuals who generously give of themselves and demonstrate significant personal achievement. Nominations are reviewed by the Disability Advisory Board, which prioritizes selecting nominees who embody these qualities and serve as positive role models. The selection criteria emphasize residency in Atlantic County and having a disability, ensuring that the awards directly benefit the local community the program intends to serve. Expected outcomes include the successful recognition of deserving individuals at a public reception in October, during Disabilities Awareness Month, where they will be presented with the Donald J. Sykes Award. Measurable results would involve the number of nominations received, the number of individuals honored, and the positive publicity generated for the disability community within Atlantic County. The broader impact aims to enhance community appreciation for individuals with disabilities and reinforce a culture of inclusivity and recognition.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide stable housing and empower low- and moderate-income communities, focusing on vulnerable populations such as working families, youth, seniors, and veterans.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in New Jersey that are dedicated to improving the social, economic, and educational outcomes of Hispanic communities through various initiatives.

This program provides funding to eligible nonprofits and educational institutions in New Jersey for purchasing bottle filling stations to promote access to clean drinking water and encourage sustainable hydration practices.

This funding program provides financial support to affordable housing developers for creating and preserving rental units specifically for extremely low-income households in New Jersey.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations seeking to improve the inclusivity and accessibility of public spaces in Greater Philadelphia, particularly for historically underserved communities.

This program provides financial assistance to small and medium-sized businesses in New Jersey that have suffered losses due to temporary closures along Route 80 caused by sinkholes.

This funding opportunity supports non-profit organizations in New York City and Northeastern New Jersey that focus on innovative programs in social welfare, education, and healthcare, particularly for youth in underserved communities.

Special Projects grants are available for Mercer County-based nonprofits and government units that present special New Jersey/Mercer County (including local) history programs or events. These grants support specific history-related activities such as exhibitions, educational projects, and preservation efforts. A 1:1 match is required, but 50% of this match can be in-kind. The application deadline is July 1, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in New Jersey that offer training and employment services to individuals affected by the opioid crisis, helping them gain skills and secure jobs.