Fund for New Jersey
The Fund for New Jersey is based in Princeton, New Jersey, and supports organizations working to improve public policy decision-making on significant issues affecting New Jersey and the region. Its grantmaking emphasizes long-term policy impacts and strengthens nonprofit organizations whose research, analysis, advocacy, and grassroots engagement help shape policy discussions and build support for policy solutions.
Key facts about Fund for New Jersey
In short: Fund for New Jersey gave $3.3M across 55 grants in 2024 (avg $60K), mostly in New Jersey. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 22-1895028
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,276,111
- Grants made (2024)
- 55
- Average grant
- $59,566
- Median grant
- $50,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (14 of 51, 2024)
- Total assets
- $59,801,819
- Primary geography
- New Jersey (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$59.8M
+3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.3M
-41.3% YoY
Grant Count
55
-9.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$60K
-34.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Fund for New Jersey reported a distributable amount of $2.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Fund for New Jersey open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 51 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $54K; repeat grants $68K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $75K repeat.
- 73% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−11%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 147% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund says that improving quality of life requires addressing injustice and inequity. Its stated areas of work include civil rights, education, and the environment; its website also describes equity as a focus. Its grants support policy advocacy and related work on issues including housing, immigration, democracy, education, environmental protection, and economic and racial justice.
Examples illustrate the work of organizations it supports: New Jersey Policy Perspective describes itself as a nonpartisan think tank advancing economic, social, and racial justice through research, analysis, and strategic communications. Education Law Center describes its work as advocacy to secure children’s legal rights to quality public education. Fair Share Housing Center says it works to end discriminatory or exclusionary housing patterns. Eastern Environmental Law Center describes its work as providing legal assistance to nonprofits addressing environmental problems in New Jersey and the tri-state region.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Fund reported 55 grants totaling $3,276,111. Grant amounts ranged from $1,111 to $175,000, with a median of $50,000. Among the largest awards were $175,000 to Eastern Environmental Law Center; $125,000 each to the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, the NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, and New Jersey Policy Perspective; and $100,000 each to ACLU of NJ Foundation, American Friends Service Committee, Education Law Center, Fair Share Housing Center, Latino Action Network Foundation, League of Women Voters of New Jersey Education Fund, and Make the Road States.
Ready to take the next step with Fund for New Jersey?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund describes its work as focused on New Jersey and the region. In 2024, 89% of grant dollars went to recipients in New Jersey, 7% to New York, 2% to Maryland, and 2% to Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 55 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
331 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| EASTERN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CENTER Newark, NJ | TO PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR CLEAN ENERGY, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE. | $175,000 |
| HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NETWORK OF NEW JERSEY Trenton, NJ | TO ADVANCE POLICIES THAT EXPAND THE AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF HOUSING. | $125,000 |
| NEO- PHILANTHROPY-NJ ALLIANCE FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE Newark, NJ | TO EDUCATE, ORGANIZE, AND MOBILIZE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES TO ADVANCE FAIR AND HUMANE IMMIGRANT POLICIES. | $125,000 |
| NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE Newark, NJ | TO ADVANCE RACIAL AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE IN NEW JERSEYS URBAN COMMUNITIES AND TO EXPAND AND PROTECT DEMOCRACY. | $125,000 |
| NEW JERSEY POLICY PERSPECTIVE Trenton, NJ | TO PROMOTE A MORE TRANSPARENT STATE BUDGET PROCESS THAT PRIORITIZES THE NEEDS OF NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS. | $125,000 |
| ACLU OF NJ FOUNDATION Newark, NJ | TO REDUCE INCARCERATION AND TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY, HOUSING EQUITY, WORKERS' RIGHTS, AND OTHER POLICY INITIATIVES. | $100,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE Newark, NJ | TO EDUCATE, ORGANIZE, AND MOBILIZE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES TO ADVANCE FAIR AND HUMANE IMMIGRANT POLICIES. | $100,000 |
| EDUCATION LAW CENTER Newark, NJ | TO ADVANCE WELL-FUNDED, EQUITABLE PUBLIC EDUCATION IN NEW JERSEY | $100,000 |
| FAIR SHARE HOUSING CENTER Cherry Hill, NJ | TO DEFEND NEW JERSEY RESIDENTS RIGHT TO EQUITABLE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING. | $100,000 |
| LATINO ACTION NETWORK FOUNDATION Freehold, NJ | TO ADVANCE THE RIGHTS, INTERESTS, AND INFLUENCE OF NEW JERSEYS LATINO RESIDENTS THROUGH GRASSROOTS ORGANIZING AND POLICY ADVOCACY | $100,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $59,801,819 | $2,393,857 | $3,935,324 | $3,276,111 (55 grants) |
| 2023 | $57,859,965 | $2,114,474 | $6,796,294 | $5,584,068 (61 grants) |
| 2022 | $57,790,093 | $4,811,812 | $5,638,697 | $3,356,375 (62 grants) |
The listed filing type is 990T.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $59,801,819 | $57,859,965 | $57,790,093 |
| Revenue | $2,393,857 | $2,114,474 | $4,811,812 |
| Expenses | $3,935,324 | $6,796,294 | $5,638,697 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,305,279 | $6,450,583 | $5,004,345 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,953,219 | $1,767,761 | $2,838,822 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,922,637 | $2,821,810 | $2,917,010 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Brandon McKoy as president; Richard W. Roper as chair; Feather Houstoun as vice chair; Dr. John W. Cornwall as treasurer; and Dr. Henry A. Coleman, Hon. Jon Corzine, Michellene Davis, John Farmer, Anjum Gupta, and Sadaf Jaffer as trustees.
Fund for New Jersey is led by Brandon McKoy, President on the 2024 filing; 1 of 17 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Brandon McKoy
President
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$255K (2024)
Richard W. Roper
Chair
Trustee → Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Mansue
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Henry A. Coleman
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Farmer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jon Corzine
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence S. Lustberg
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michellene Davis
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard L. Wright
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Velez
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Van Buren
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alexander Shalom
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anastasia Mann
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anjum Gupta
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sadaf Jaffer
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Feather Houstoun
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John W. Cornwall
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Beth K. Jamieson (2020–2023) — President
- Former: Edward Lloyd (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Grizel Ubarry (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Deborah T. Poritz (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: James Florio (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Lisa Garcia (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Brendan T. Byrne Jr. (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Candace M. Ashmun (2020) — Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
Contact
Mailing address: One Palmer Square East 303, Princeton, NJ 08542
Phone: (609) 356-0421
Website: https://fundfornj.org
Frequently asked questions about Fund for New Jersey
How much does Fund for New Jersey give each year?
Fund for New Jersey gave $3.3M across 55 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.6M across 61 grants.
What is Fund for New Jersey's typical grant size?
Fund for New Jersey's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $59,566, across 55 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fund for New Jersey that year got $54K on average.
Where does Fund for New Jersey give grants?
Fund for New Jersey gives mostly in New Jersey: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Newark, NJ (15 grants), Trenton, NJ (9 grants), New Brunswick, NJ (7 grants) and Freehold, NJ (2 grants).
Does Fund for New Jersey give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 55 grants with a stated purpose on Fund for New Jersey's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Fund for New Jersey's largest grantees?
Fund for New Jersey's largest 2024 grantees include Eastern Environmental Law Center ($175,000), Aclu of NJ Foundation ($170,000 across 2 grants) and Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey ($125,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fund for New Jersey?
Fund for New Jersey reported $59.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Fund for New Jersey fund?
The Fund says that improving quality of life requires addressing injustice and inequity. Its stated areas of work include civil rights, education, and the environment; its website also describes equity as a focus. Its grants support policy advocacy and related work on issues including housing, immigration, democracy, education, environmental protection, and economic and racial justice. Examples illustrate the work of organizations it supports: New Jersey Policy Perspective describes itself as a…
How do I apply for a grant from Fund for New Jersey?
In 2024, the Fund reported 55 grants totaling $3,276,111. Grant amounts ranged from $1,111 to $175,000, with a median of $50,000. Among the largest awards were $175,000 to Eastern Environmental Law Center; $125,000 each to the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey, the NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice, New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, and New Jersey Policy Perspective; and $100,000 each to ACLU of NJ Foundation, American Friends Service Committee, Education Law Center…
What is Fund for New Jersey's EIN?
Fund for New Jersey's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-1895028. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Fund for New Jersey accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Fund for New Jersey by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fund for New Jersey's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Community Foundation of New Jersey
Morristown, NJ
The Community Foundation of New Jersey supports nonprofits and projects across arts, education, environment, health and human services, and social welfare. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of about $19,800, though awards varied widely; funding went to organizations in multiple states, with 32% of itemized grant dollars going to New Jersey. It accepts applications for specific opportunities, and its FAQ encourages eligible New Jersey 501(c)(3) nonprofits to apply; requirements vary by opportunity.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,321
Total Given
$93.8M
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Princeton, NJ
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds work to improve health and health equity in the United States, including health policy, community health, prevention, and social justice. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to recipients across multiple states. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.4B
Grants
3,093
Total Given
$622.6M
Geraldine R Dodge Foundation Inc
Newark, NJ
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation primarily supports work advancing economic equity and closing New Jersey’s racial wealth gap, including housing choice, homeownership, and economic security; its grants also span arts, education, the environment, and local journalism. Most funding goes to New Jersey organizations, with a typical grant of about $25,000 (2024 median). It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$349.2M
Grants
193
Total Given
$10.6M
United States Energy Foundation
San Francisco, CA
United States Energy Foundation funds education and analysis advancing clean, equitable energy policy, including work on power, transportation, buildings, and industry, across the United States. In 2024, grants ranged from $10,000 to $21 million, with a median of $135,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; grantseekers must be invited to submit a proposal.
Assets
$215.7M
Grants
597
Total Given
$166.3M
Victoria Foundation Inc
Newark, NJ
Victoria Foundation supports Newark community-led organizing and advocacy, economic security and community wealth, youth self-determination, and temporary responses to urgent needs. In 2024, grants ranged from $2,000 to $500,000, with a median of $57,500; its focus is Newark, though it also funded organizations in New York. Whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$334.7M
Grants
148
Total Given
$12.8M
Princeton Area Community Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
Princeton Area Community Foundation funds nonprofits working in education, basic needs, health, housing, arts, the environment, and nonprofit capacity, with priorities including poverty and the needs of children, families, and communities. Its 2024 median grant was $15,000, and its discretionary programs focus on Greater Mercer County and central New Jersey, though donor-recommended grants may support nonprofits elsewhere. Eligible regional nonprofits may apply through competitive programs such as the Community Impact Grants.
Assets
$279.6M
Grants
515
Total Given
$31.3M
Tides Foundation
San Francisco, CA
Tides Foundation funds community-led organizations advancing equity and justice, including work on health, climate, gender equity, democracy, and immigrant communities. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000, though amounts varied widely, and it funds eligible organizations in the U.S. and abroad, with the most grant dollars going to California, New York, and Washington, D.C. Some programs are open or invitation-only; the Advancing Girls Fund is listed as open, but the profile does not state a general policy on unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$534.5M
Grants
2,110
Total Given
$382.1M
New Venture Fund
Washington, DC
New Venture Fund supports fiscally sponsored charitable projects and grantmaking in areas including conservation, education, health, civil rights, climate, international development, and the arts, with grants across multiple U.S. states and some global programs. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $101,000, though amounts varied widely; unsolicited requests are not addressed in the information provided.
Assets
$624.9M
Grants
854
Total Given
$359.6M
Verizon Foundation
Basking Ridge, NJ
The Verizon Foundation funds digital inclusion, climate protection, human prosperity, K–12 literacy and STEM, and domestic violence education and prevention, with an emphasis on underserved and diverse communities. It gives nationally, with priority in California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia, and also supports work in India and Israel; 2024 grants ranged from $25 to $1 million, with a $500 median. It does not accept unsolicited requests; applications are by invitation only.
Assets
$23.8M
Grants
5,464
Total Given
$7.0M
Crane Fund for Widows and Children
Englewood Cliffs, NJ
The Crane Fund for Widows and Children supports local charities, agencies, and schools addressing needs such as food insecurity, housing, education, health, environmental protection, and animal welfare in communities where Crane Company operates or its associates have connections. In 2024, grants ranged from $2,000 to $45,000, with a median of $4,500; it funds organizations in multiple states. The fund contributes only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
—
Grants
985
Total Given
$4.5M
The Hyde and Watson Foundation
Warren Township, NJ
The Hyde and Watson Foundation funds one-time capital needs—such as construction, renovations, equipment, and furnishings—for eligible nonprofits working in human services, education, health, arts and culture, and the environment. Most grants are $5,000–$20,000, and it primarily serves New York City and Essex, Morris, and Union counties in New Jersey; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$88.2M
Grants
611
Total Given
$6.1M
Oceanfirst Foundation
Toms River, NJ
OceanFirst Foundation funds nonprofits working in economic stability, youth development, health and wellness, housing, education, and community quality of life, including scholarships, summer camps, and flexible support. It serves communities in OceanFirst Bank’s New Jersey footprint; 2025 grants ranged from $50 to $55,000, with a median of $2,200. It accepts unsolicited requests, and deadlines vary by program.
Assets
$6.1M
Grants
425
Total Given
$1.6M
More Funders in New Jersey
Fund for New Jersey down — hundreds of funders to go?