The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF), a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Hackensack, said recently that community solar developer, owner and operator Dimension Energy awarded a grant of $30,000. The grant supports these projects: Hackensack River Nation, Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice, and ArtsBergen’s tenth anniversary celebration — Connect the Dots: Works on Water.
“We are honored to receive this generous gift from Dimension Energy to support our environmental program. The Foundation is delighted to work with them, both as a donor and a collaborator on projects,” Leonardo Vazquez, executive director of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation said.
“Dimension is thrilled to support the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s environmental and community-building initiatives,” Charlotte Parker, director of Community Engagement, Dimension Energy, said. “Our work does not stop after we have permitted, subscribed, or energized a community solar project; we are committed to partnering with deep-rooted New Jersey organizations like NNJCF to build a more sustainable New Jersey for the long term.”
The New Jersey Community Solar Energy Program was introduced in 2018 to make solar savings available to renters and homeowners without upfront costs or expensive solar panels. To date, Dimension has energized three community solar projects on Northern New Jersey warehouse rooftops that now serve almost 1,200 households – over 51% of which are low-to-moderate income. Around 2,600 more households in NNJCF’s service counties will be able to access the benefits of community solar through eight more Dimension community solar projects that will come online in 2025-2026.
Three Initiatives Supported
Dimension’s grant supports these initiatives:
• Hackensack River Nation. This regional alliance of environmental organizations, community organizations, businesses and public agencies works to help protect the natural ecosystem in the Hackensack River Watershed.
• Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice. This effort seeks to reduce flooding and promote a greener, cleaner, healthier, and sustainable environment for residents, businesses, employees, and visitors in Hackensack, New Jersey. In February 2025, the NNJCF and Dimension Energy are planning a webinar on community solar benefits technology that will be announced in the future.
• ArtsBergen’s Connect the Dots – Works on Water. During National Arts and Humanities Month in October of 2024, this NNJCF ArtsBergen workshop celebrated the initiative’s tenth anniversary. The workshop focused on how public art and performances help to connect more people emotionally to local waterways such as the Hackensack River. Participants learned more about how public art raises awareness about environmental issues, while building beauty and community.
