Schumann Fund for New Jersey Grant

The Schumann Fund for New Jersey is a private foundation based in Montclair, New Jersey, committed to empowering children, families, and communities of color across the state. Through a strategic focus on affordable homes, early childhood education, and child welfare reform, the Fund provides targeted support to organizations whose missions align with racial and economic equity. While its grantmaking strategy prioritizes long-standing relationships with nonprofit organizations, the Fund continues to offer opportunities for both new and renewal applicants to engage in its mission-driven programming. The foundation’s three key program areas are affordable homes and healthy communities, early childhood and education, and child welfare and youth justice. Within these domains, the Fund supports initiatives that prevent family homelessness and eviction, bolster economic stability, and promote healthy and resilient neighborhoods. In education, its focus lies in developing a holistic early childhood system for children from birth to age eight and fostering equitable K-12 public education. For child welfare and youth justice, the Fund emphasizes policy reforms, narrative change, and leadership development that address systemic disparities. Funding is limited to direct services in Essex County and to statewide public policy initiatives. The foundation supports a wide array of strategies, including civic engagement efforts, youth and parent organizing, and programs that provide lasting educational, economic, and emotional benefits for low-income families of color. All applicants are encouraged to demonstrate clear alignment with these priorities and the geographic focus of the Fund. Proposals are reviewed quarterly, with deadlines on January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15. If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications are accepted on the next business day. The Board of Trustees meets each quarter to make decisions, and applicants are notified following the meeting. However, due to budget constraints, the Fund’s 2025 budget is nearly fully committed. As a result, only renewal applications will be accepted for the final quarter of 2025. New proposals will next be considered starting January 15, 2026. All proposals must be submitted using the Schumann Fund for New Jersey Grant Application form, available as both a Word document and a PDF. Required supporting documents must be submitted along with the application. Final proposals and reports should be sent via email to Program Partner Jared Boone. Renewal applicants may submit their narrative and financial reports alongside their proposals or by the deadline outlined in their award letter. Applicants who are not funded must wait at least 12 months from the declination date before submitting a new proposal. All funding decisions are made solely by the Schumann Fund’s Board of Trustees. Staff, including Program Partner Jared Boone, are available to support applicants throughout the process, especially those who are engaging with the Fund for the first time.

Staff are available to answer questions and support applicants, especially new ones, in understanding the Fund’s expectations.