Recognizing that the most underserved communities are hit the hardest in times of crisis, first lady Tammy Murphy announced the launch of the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund on Tuesday.
The nonprofit’s goal is to marshal resources across the state to identify critical needs and fight the economic and social impact of COVID-19 on New Jersey’s vulnerable communities, she said.
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“The COVID-19 virus has already had far-reaching societal ramifications that have overwhelmingly and disproportionally impacted low- to-middle-income residents and New Jersey’s small business community,” Murphy said in a release. “We are committed to the task of identifying the most effective interventions, determining community needs, and raising essential funds and awareness as we battle this challenge.”
Murphy said 100% of donations received online by NJPRF will be used to fight the medical, social and economic impact of COVID-19 on New Jersey’s most vulnerable, supporting organizations that provide essential services and aiding those on the front line of the pandemic.
Former hedge fund executive Josh Weinreich will serve as CEO. He will not take a salary.
The fund’s administrative costs are supported by grants received explicitly for that purpose, she said. The NJPRF’s board of directors will have authority over distribution decisions and will consider recommendations from Weinreich.
“At this time, maximizing our impact is our first priority,” Weinreich said. “If we put resources to work right now, we can drastically change the course of events here in our state, protecting and supporting our vulnerable residents and getting them back on their feet as soon as possible.”
NJPRF is hosted by the Community Foundation of New Jersey and has no affiliation with any government or for-profit entity. The Community Foundation of New Jersey creates and scales custom philanthropic solutions for purpose-driven individuals, families and businesses.
Additional information regarding grant guidelines and applications will be posted shortly on the organization’s website, NJPRF.org.
Watch Jon Bon Jovi, Stephen Colbert, Danny DeVito, Whoopee Goldberg, Carli Lloyd, Charlie Puth, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Stewart — and Murphy — in the launch video.
