The Devils Youth Foundation announced Thursday that it will award more than $1.1 million in grants to New Jersey community outreach programs for the 2024-25 season.
The grant money is a 24% increase from last year’s class of grants.
According to the foundation, the 2024-25 grant class is a diverse mix of returning and new partners. Foundation officials said they endeavor to foster innovation and collaboration within their grantee network.
Each grant category has been designed to address a pressing need identified through a comprehensive assessment of the New Jersey Devils’ communities, particularly focusing on areas such as Newark, Jersey City, Paterson and other surrounding towns, officials said.
The 2024/25 categories include:
- Physical and Mentally Healthy Kids, 32%;
- Food and Nutrition Security, 26%;
- Access to the Arts, 26%;
- Getting Kids Active and Moving, 16%.
Devils Youth Foundation Chair Allison Blitzer said she was thrilled about the growth and commitment to serving the local community.
“We envision a world where all youth are sustainably healthy, supported and feel empowered to pursue their dreams,” Blitzer said. “Expanding the reach of the Devils Youth Foundation to unprecedented levels, both in terms of funds disbursed and beneficiaries served, broadens the spectrum of experiences and opportunities available to New Jersey’s youth.
“Our commitment remains steadfast in surpassing previous standards and extending our collaborative network to encompass organizations driving meaningful change within our core pillars of physical and mental well-being, food and nutrition security and inclusive access to the arts.”
Since its inception, the Devils Youth Foundation has raised more than $4 million dollars through marquee events such as the Champions Gala, Devils Sweep the Deck Gala and Martin Brodeur’s “MB30” Charity Golf Invitational, ongoing individual fundraising, player programs and seasonal online auctions and merchandise sales. The funds have been distributed to over 50 organizations and have helped over 100,000 children in Newark and throughout New Jersey.
The 2024-25 Grant Class includes:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties;
- Boys & Girls Club of Newark;
- Challenged Athletes Foundation;
- History is Power Project in partnership with the United Community Corp. and the city of Newark’s Centers of Hope;
- Community FoodBank of New Jersey;
- Coalition for Food and Health Equity;
- Educational Arts Team;
- Express Newark;
- FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development;
- Greater Newark Conservancy;
- Green Light Newark;
- Hockey in New Jersey;
- Ironbound Community Corp.;
- La Casa de Don Pedro;
- Mentor Newark;
- New City Kids;
- New Jersey Performing Arts Center;
- Newark Arts Ed Team;
- Newark Beth Israel Medical Center;
- Newark Community Street Team;
- Newark Day Center;
- Oasis — A Haven for Women and Children;
- Record High;
- Save the Music Foundation;
- Special Olympics of New Jersey;
- Trust for Public Land;
- United Community Corp.;
- United Way of Greater Newark;
- Urban Agriculture Cooperative and YMCA of Newark and Vicinity.
