New Jersey Capacity Building Grants

This grant provides financial support to non-profit organizations in New Jersey and beyond for various projects, operational needs, and capacity building, with a focus on enhancing community services and leveraging additional funding.

This program provides financial assistance to New Jersey communities at risk of wildfires to enhance their resilience through proactive planning, risk mitigation, and public awareness initiatives.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Middlesex, Union, and Mercer Counties of New Jersey, as well as those with a regional or statewide focus, to enhance their capacity and address community needs through various projects and initiatives.

This grant provides funding to non-profit organizations and schools in New York City, Boston, and Newark, New Jersey, that focus on youth development and education, helping young people achieve academic and career success.

This funding opportunity provides up to $50,000 to nonprofit organizations in New Jersey to strengthen their operations and enhance their ability to fulfill their missions through activities like strategic planning and improving governance.

The Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey is offering a $5,000 Impact Grant for 501(c)3 organizations to fund projects supporting self-identifying women, girls, and gender non-conforming individuals in selected counties of New Jersey, with a focus on inclusion in leadership roles, excluding individual grants, political campaigns, capital campaigns, endowments, loans, scholarships, sponsorships, and international travel.

This funding opportunity provides multi-year financial support to nonprofit organizations in New Jersey and nearby areas to enhance their operational capacity and effectiveness in fulfilling their missions.

This grant provides financial support to New Jersey-based nonprofit organizations focused on history and humanities, helping them address specific operational challenges and enhance their stability through targeted projects.

The Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation has announced that the 2024 Grant application for funding of open space projects under the Morris County Preservation Trust. Donor Name: Morris County Office of Planning and Preservation State: New Jersey County: Morris County (NJ) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/14/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Program rules now include costs for demolition and restoration of a property (up to a maximum of 10% of the eligible land cost, or $50,000 whichever is less) as allowable costs under the program. Projects eligible for consideration for funding from the Morris County Municipal and/or Non-Profit program of the Morris County Preservation Trust Fund include the following: Land or water areas for recreation and conservation purposes, including but not limited to: Parkland, natural areas, greenways The protection of ecologically sensitive areas including freshwater wetlands, steep slopes and stream corridors The preservation of lands containing exceptional flora or fauna The preservation of areas of scenic, historic and cultural value Passive and active outdoor recreational opportunities The protection of critical water supplies such as areas surrounding municipal/county wells, aquifer recharge protection areas or watershed areas, and floodplains The acquisition of historic sites eligible under the Historic Preservation Trust Fund Program. Eligible Applicants  The following entities are eligible to apply for funds: Any of the thirty-nine municipalities in the County of Morris. Charitable conservancies. For more information, visit Morris County.

The County of Somerset Cultural & Heritage Commission is accepting applications for its History Partnership Grant Program. Donor Name: County of Somerset Cultural & Heritage Commission State: New Jersey County: Somerset County (NJ) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/13/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The County History Partnership Program (CHPP) enables the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) to support both existing and emerging local history organizations serving the public. Funds granted are used to support local history organizations and other non-profit organizations and municipalities within Somerset County that provide history programming, services and development. Grant awards are competitive and seek to encourage excellence in history programming at the local level.  The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission (SCC&HC) is the agency officially designated in Somerset County to apply for, receive and administer this annual local History Partnership Program Grant. The SCC&HC accepts grant proposals which conform to the guidelines stated herein. An independent peer panel evaluates all submitted applications, and provides recommendations for funding, which are submitted to the SCC&HC for approval. Upon the Commission’s approval, grants are authorized through resolution with the Somerset County Board of County Commissioners.  Organizations must be Somerset County based and provide programs or services that increase access to New Jersey history and/or expand upon the knowledge of New Jersey history or seek to improve management of a local history organization. Eligible Expenses Salaries and wages  Contracted services / outside fees and services  Printing, publicity, marketing  Postage and telephone  Fundraising and development  Staff training / capacity building  Lease expenses  Mortgage interest  Equipment purchase, installation, and lease (e.g., computers, office furnishings, files)  Utilities and HVAC (operational costs of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning)  Maintenance of collections and the interiors of structures (Note: Interior construction is not considered maintenance and is not an eligible expense)  Basic grounds maintenance  Project Specific Travel and transportation (automobile travel @$.31/mile, train, or air coach travel)  Insurance  Licensing and registration fees (e.g., New Jersey charities registration)  Planning for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act  Long-term and strategic planning Eligiblity Criteria Organization must be Somerset County-based, operating as a:  Non-profit organization – 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 Unit of local government  Institution of higher education or Faith-based organization For more information, visit County of Somerset Cultural.

The Ion Bank Foundation is accepting applications to support programs and organizations that will contribute to the betterment of the communities it serves. Donor Name: Ion Bank Foundation State: Connecticut, New Jersey County: Hartford County (CT), Litchfield County (CT), Morris County (NJ), New Haven County (CT) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  09/18/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Types of Grants The Ion Bank Foundation awards both designated and competitive grants. Designated grants will be made to organizations selected by the Ion Bank Foundation and will not be required to submit an application for this funding. Organizations will be notified by Ion Bank Foundation about the schedule for distribution and amount of their funding immediately after these awards are made. Competitive grants are made for programs and capital needs. The Foundation will primarily fund direct costs incurred in starting or improving a program. However, indirect/overhead expenses are permitted as a line item – overhead above 10% of request must be documented in the Budget Narrative. Specifically, Ion Bank Foundation seeks projects that align with the Ion Bank Foundation’s priorities. The priorities are: Affordable housing and rehabilitation Community services; including but not limited to, healthcare, education, job training, social services, child care, and credit or financial services Economic development Revitalization or stabilization of distressed or underserved areas In addition, the Ion Bank Foundation looks for strong proposals that Address demonstrated community need. Summarize the organization’s track record in successfully implementing programs. Adopt evidence-based programs and models, when appropriate. Demonstrate potential for leveraging additional or sustaining support. Clearly explain the project plan and provide a realistic budget that aligns with stated goals. Advance community plans and priorities, when applicable. Preference is afforded to those requests with broad, visible community involvement in the design and fundraising for the project. Include alliances and collaborative ventures between organizations, especially in cases where a partnership is essential for program success. Describe local presence and benefits to Hartford County, Litchfield County, or New Haven County in Connecticut and Morris County in New Jersey. Funding Information The Ion Bank Foundation fall in the $1,000-$10,000 range. Eligibility Criteria An applicant must be a non-profit organization recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, a municipal entity seeking a grant for public purposes or a religious organization seeking a grant for nonsectarian projects primarily associated with foundation priorities. Applicants must be in, or serving communities with Ion Bank’s defined assessment area for Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) purposes. For more information, visit Ion Bank Foundation.

The Bunbury Fund supports non-profit organizations making significant impacts across central New Jersey, and most specifically Mercer County, to strengthen their capacity to effectively advance their missions toward sustainable, organizational maturity. Donor Name: Princeton Area Community Foundation State: New Jersey, Pennsylvania County: Bucks County (PA), Burlington County (NJ), Huntingdon County (PA), Mercer County (NJ), Middlesex County (NJ), Somerset County (PA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/05/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The Bunbury Fund’s mission is to strengthen the ability of nonprofit organizations to do their best work. They refer to this work as capacity building. It is work that helps your organization deliver its mission with greater confidence. They respect that what an organization might need in terms of capacity building is best identified by its staff and board. The Bunbury Fund Advisors strongly support and encourage projects and organizations that embrace and promote anti-racism strategies and conduct projects that place racial equity at the core of their work. Funding Information One year capacity-building grants: up to $50,000 Strengthening the board governance Succession planning for board and staff leadership Developing strategic partnerships and program collaborations Strategic and scenario planning Systems upgrades to improve service delivery and measurement Embracing practices that support racial equity and inclusion Supporting the strategic and capacity building needs of start-ups and newly launched initiatives Strengthening Human Resources systems Improving technology/communications Multi-year capacity building grants: up to $150,000 and up to three years Foundation will also review proposals for multi-year projects that focus on developing organizational effectiveness over a period of up to three years. This is work that might be accomplished in phases where the completion requires more than one year. Planning Grants: up to $10,000: A planning grant helps an organization evaluate the resources required to undertake a more comprehensive capacity-building project. This is often an initial step in determining the needs and viability associated with a larger capacity building project. Eligibility Criteria  An applicant must have tax-exempt status under Section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code, be a publicly supported charity under Section 509, and be registered with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs as a charity in good standing. Applications will be accepted from organizations that operate and provide services within the geographic region covered by the Princeton Area Community Foundation, defined as follows: Mercer County Eastern Bucks County, PA, including New Hope, Morrisville, Washington Crossing and Yardley Northern Burlington County, including Bordentown and Bordentown Township Southern Hunterdon County, including Lambertville, West Amwell, adjacent parts of East Amwell Southern Middlesex County, including Plainsboro and Cranbury Southern Somerset County, including Montgomery, Rocky Hill, and adjacent sections of Franklin Twp. For more information, visit PACF.

Applications are now being accepted’ for the 2025 Arts & History Re-Grant Program. Donor Name: Cape May County Government State: New Jersey County: Cape May County (NJ) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Categories There are three categories of funding under the Division’s regrant program.  Special Project Funding is for any applicant, regardless of the intent of its charter, to sponsor a special arts or history related project. This Special Project funding is intended to allow, for example, a civic organization to present a music program as part of its annual holiday celebration; a social organization to mount an exhibit; or the local center to stage a theatrical performance. A single event.  General Programming Support (GPS) Funding is for any applicant, regardless of the intent of its charter, to offset the expense of presenting major, on-going arts programs. These programs should have their own mission and goals and contain multiple events or activities. These activities could include a series of concerts, history lecture or other multiple events throughout the year and is distinguished from Special Projects by having multiple events rather than a single activity within a calendar year.  General Operating Support (GOS) This funding is for applicants whose charter is primarily arts or history related. It is designed to provide general operating support for groups that increase exposure to art/history in the community. This would include, but is not limited to community theater groups, dance companies, museums or galleries, orchestras, and singing groups who exist primarily to create and/or perform art or history projects. General Operating Support funding is more stringent in its requirements and more detail is required in substantiating fiscal responsibility. Eligible Expenses  The following expenses are eligible: Salaries and wages Contracted services/outside fees and services Printing, publicity, marketing Postage and telephone Fundraising and development Staff training/capacity building Lease expenses Mortgage interest Equipment purchase, installation, and lease (e.g., computers, office furnishings, files) Utilities and HVAC (purchase, installation, and operational costs of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) Maintenance of collections and the interiors of structures (Note: Interior construction is not considered maintenance and is not an eligible expense.) Basic grounds maintenance Travel and transportation (automobile travel @$.31/mile, train, or air coach travel) Insurance Licensing and registration fees (e.g., New Jersey charities registration) Planning for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Long-term and strategic planning Eligiblity Criteria An applicant may apply for grant funding from the Arts and/or History under three categories. Those categories are: General Operating Support, Special Project or General Programming Support. The applying organization must be located within Cape May County to receive General Operating Support. Projects and Programs must take place within Cape May County to be eligible for funding. For more information, visit Cape May County Government.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, local governments, and public schools in selected states to implement sustainability initiatives, workforce development, and community resilience programs that enhance the quality of life and economic vitality in their communities.

This program provides financial support for training and wraparound services to help low-income individuals in New Jersey gain the skills needed for better employment opportunities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Greater Newark and the Jewish community of Greater MetroWest NJ to reduce health disparities and improve healthcare access for underserved populations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations focused on improving their services for low- to moderate-income and historically underserved communities through strategic investments in planning, staff development, and technology.

This grant provides flexible funding to community-based organizations with annual budgets between $50,000 and $15 million to support initiatives that enhance local communities and demonstrate measurable impact over a two-year period.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in New Jersey that empower and assist women and girls through impactful projects.

This funding opportunity provides unrestricted financial support to small nonprofit organizations in Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, and Gloucester Counties, New Jersey, that have annual budgets of $500,000 or less, enabling them to expand their impact and improve their services.