NNJCF awards $240K worth of grants to nonprofits for COVID-19 response

As the demand for nonprofit services is on the rise amid COVID-19, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation announced on Friday it has awarded 54 grants totaling nearly $240,000 to nonprofits in Bergen County to aid in pandemic recovery efforts.

The NNJCF, a Hackensack-based not-for-profit, said the grants will be used to build community engagement and arts programs and services, and range in size from $1,000 to $10,000.

“The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation is grateful for the support of a network of funders who recognized we are ideally positioned to distribute grants to help nonprofits serving our neighbors experiencing hardships during this pandemic.  Their support enables us to carry out the Foundation’s mission and foster collaboration among local agencies and our partners to build stronger communities in the region,” Michael Shannon, president, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, said.

Support for the fund came from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, The Russell Berrie Foundation, NEC Financial Services via the NEC Foundation of America, Visions Federal Credit Union, individuals and other donors.

Grants were awarded to nonprofits to serve these fields:

Arts (15 nonprofits)

  • Adelphi Chamber Orchestra
  • Art Center of Northern New Jersey
  • Art School at Old Church, Inc.
  • ArtWorks-The Naomi Cohain Foundation Inc.
  • Bella Music Foundation Inc.
  • Bergen Performing Arts Center
  • CavanKerry Press
  • Center for Modern Dance Education
  • Orpheus Club Men’s Chorus
  • Pro Arte Chorale Inc.
  • Ridgewood Symphony Orchestra
  • Skyline Theatre Co.
  • Teaneck International Film Festival
  • The Black Box Performing Arts Center Inc.
  • The Company Theatre Group Inc.

Community (7 nonprofits)

  • Boys & Girls Club of Lodi Inc.
  • Bloom Empowerment
  • Greenfaith
  • ITN North Jersey
  • Network for Responsible Public Policy
  • Project Literacy of Greater Bergen County
  • YWCA Northern New Jersey

Food (7 nonprofits)

  • Center for Food Action
  • Circles for Healing
  • Community Chest of Leonia NJ
  • Disabled Combat Veterans Youth Program
  • Meals With A Mission Inc.
  • Tri-Arc Community Development Corp.
  • Trinity Baptist Church

Health and Safety (20 nonprofits)

  • Adler Aphasia Center
  • Bergen Medical Volunteer Initiative
  • Backpacks for Life Inc.
  • Buddies of New Jersey, Center for Hope and Safety Inc.
  • Comprehensive Behavioral Healthcare Inc.
  • Englewood Health Foundation
  • Garfield First Community Development Corp.
  • Geriatric Services Inc.
  • Hackensack Meridian Foundation
  • Holy Name Foundation
  • Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey
  • Marblejam Kids Inc.
  • North Jersey Friendship House
  • S.H.A.R.E. Inc.
  • Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps
  • The Center for Family Support Inc.
  • The Jillian Fund
  • Valley Hospital Foundation
  • Valley Kids Matter Foundation Inc.
  • Visions Recovery Inc.

Housing (4 nonprofits)

  • Habitat for Humanity of Bergen County
  • Family Promise of Bergen County
  • Rebuilding Together North Jersey
  • Volunteer Center of Bergen County Inc.

NNJCF said a second round of funding will open to nonprofits that have not already applied to the CRRF. To qualify, they must provide services to meet a community’s emergency needs in Bergen, Essex, Husdon, Passaic and Union counties. Applications will be available on the organization’s website in June.

If you would like to make a donation to the NNJCF’s COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, click here.

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