The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium (NJCIC) is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Montclair, New Jersey. Established in 2018, it is a first-of-its-kind initiative created by the State of New Jersey to support and revitalize local news and information across the state. The organization reimagines how public funding can address news deserts and misinformation while supporting more informed communities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.1M
+2.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.5M
+2.0% YoY
Grant Count
44
+22.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$79K
-16.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Consortium provides financial resources to support and grow trustworthy, community-based news and information sources throughout New Jersey.
Vision: A future in which every person in New Jersey has access to thriving, representative local news and information that enhances their lives and communities.
Core Values: The organization believes everyone deserves trustworthy, representative sources of news and information; that trusted, accurate, and representative news is critical to a multi-racial democracy; that collaboration, transparency, and sustained funding build thriving news outlets; and that equity, accessibility, and justice are essential to effective grantmaking.
Grant Focus Areas:
- Improve the quantity and quality of civic information in New Jersey communities
- Give residents enhanced access to useful government data and public information through innovative applications, platforms, and technologies
- Train students, professionals, and community members in community storytelling, journalism, and media production
- Nurture better civic engagement and dialogue inside and between New Jersey communities
- Better meet the information needs of low-income communities and racial and ethnic communities underserved by the media
- Invest in research and practices that help media outlets become more closely connected to their audiences and more sustainable
- Support nonprofit newsrooms, community-based media organizations, investigative outlets, and journalism training programs
Grantmaking
Grant Types
Ready to take the next step with New Jersey Civic Information Consortium?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Consortium funds projects throughout New Jersey, with investment reaching over 90% of New Jersey counties. The organization launched an interactive grantee map to visualize the geographic diversity and statewide reach of its grantmaking.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $6,087,351
- Total Revenues: $4,759,622
- Total Expenses: $4,628,026
- Total Giving: $3,502,755
Staffing: 3 employees
Cumulative Impact: Over $12 million invested in civic information across New Jersey to date.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,087,351 | $5,929,518 | $4,657,221 |
| Revenue | $4,759,622 | $4,888,782 | $6,243,420 |
| Expenses | $4,628,026 | $4,090,853 | $2,116,428 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $160,236 | $4,120 | $1,886 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
123 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from New Jersey Civic Information Consortium
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Hopeloft Inc ($205,490), Education & Training Institute Inc ($205,000), Montclair State University ($166,979).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HOPELOFT INC BRIDGETON, NJ | CIVIC ENGAGEMENT IN NJ COMMUNITIES | $205,490 |
| EDUCATION & TRAINING INSTITUTE INC NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | CIVIC NEWS AND INFORMATION REPORTING | $205,000 |
| MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY MONTCLAIR, NJ | CIVIC NEWS AND INFORMATION REPORTING | $166,979 |
| PUBLIC SQUARE AMPLIFIED NEWARK, NJ | CIVIC NEWS AND INFORMATION REPORTING | $135,000 |
| THE JERSEY VINDICATOR PRINCETON, NJ | CIVIC NEWS AND INFORMATION REPORTING | $135,000 |
| COLAB ARTS NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | DOCUMENTORS | $130,431 |
| THE RIDGE VIEW ECHO BLAIRSTOWN, NJ | CIVIC NEWS AND INFORMATION REPORTING | $130,000 |
| NJ COUNCIL FOR THE HUMANITIES AND JOURNALISM DESIGN CAMDEN, NJ | JOURNALISM PIPELINE | $120,000 |
| SAINT PETER'S UNIVERSITY JERSEY CITY, NJ | CIVIC NEWS AND INFORMATION REPORTING | $120,000 |
| TRENTON JOURNAL TRENTON, NJ | CIVIC NEWS AND INFORMATION REPORTING | $120,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Lisa Sahulka: Executive Director
- Chris Daggett: Board Chair and Interim Executive Director (as of March 2025)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER J DAGGETT | CHAIR/INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 30 | $120,105 |
| THERISE EDWARDS | VICE CHAIRPERSON | 1.5 | — |
| JOHN RD CELOCK | SECRETARY | 1.5 | — |
| MOLLY DE AGUIAR | TREASURER | 1.5 | — |
| KEVIN BELFIELD | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| CARL HAUSMAN | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| DENA MOTTOLA JABORSKA | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| AUDREY KELLY | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MARIA LOPEZ-NUNEZ | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| KIM PEARSON | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MARISOL MENDEZ PERON | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| CHARLES W POWERS | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL RISPOLI | TRUSTEE | 1.5 | — |
| KEVIN J ROONEY | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| MATTHEW WEBER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| ROBIN WILSON-GLOVER | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Consortium has demonstrated significant growth and impact in recent years:
**December 2025:** Surpassed $12 million in total statewide investment with announcement of $1,274,046 in new grants. Launched an interactive grantee map to showcase the geographic reach of funding.
**2025:** Continued robust grantmaking with multiple funding rounds supporting local news organizations and journalism training programs across the state.
**Public Media Ecosystem Report:** Released a comprehensive report on New Jersey's public media ecosystem, welcoming feedback to shape the future of public media in the state.
New Jersey Civic Information Consortium secures $3M in public fundingThe organization has established itself as a leader in using public funding to support local journalism and civic information infrastructure, with particular emphasis on serving underserved communities and addressing information gaps across New Jersey.
New Jersey Civic Information Consortium Awards $1,096,050 in Renewal GrantsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does New Jersey Civic Information Consortium fund?
**Mission:** The Consortium provides financial resources to support and grow trustworthy, community-based news and information sources throughout New Jersey. **Vision:** A future in which every person in New Jersey has access to thriving, representative local news and information that enhances their lives and communities. **Core Values:** The organization believes everyone deserves trustworthy, representative sources of news and information; that trusted, accurate, and representative news is cr…
How do I apply for a grant from New Jersey Civic Information Consortium?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $10,000 to $339,000. **Recent Grant Activity:** • **December 2025:** Announced $1,274,046 in grants, bringing total statewide investment to over $12 million. This round included renewal grants, new grants, and supplemental "bump-up" awards. • **June 2025:** Awarded $1,096,050 in renewal grants to 12 news projects. • **March 2025:** Awarded $463,856 in grants across six projects, including two renewals and four new grants. Notable recipients included:…
Where does New Jersey Civic Information Consortium make grants?
The Consortium funds projects throughout New Jersey, with investment reaching over 90% of New Jersey counties. The organization launched an interactive grantee map to visualize the geographic diversity and statewide reach of its grantmaking.
What size grants does New Jersey Civic Information Consortium award?
In 2024, New Jersey Civic Information Consortium awarded 44 grants totaling $3.5M — an average of about $79K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is New Jersey Civic Information Consortium's EIN?
New Jersey Civic Information Consortium's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-3522347. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in New Jersey Civic Information Consortium's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Laborers Intl Union of 472 Hcl
NEWARK, NJ
Assets
$61.5M
Grants
1
Total Given
$179K
The Community Chest of Englewood
ENGLEWOOD, NJ
Assets
$491K
Grants
5
Total Given
$38K
Margaret a Darrin Charitable Trust
FLORHAM PARK, NJ
Assets
$111.3M
Grants
61
Total Given
$6.9M
Anplr Religious Education Inc
PASSAIC, NJ
Assets
$19K
Grants
0
Total Given
—
The William & Phyllis Mack Family
FORT LEE, NJ
Assets
$5.9M
Grants
53
Total Given
$3.2M
New Digital Trade Coalition Ndtc
NORTH BERGEN, NJ
Assets
$300
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with New Jersey Civic Information Consortium on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching New Jersey Civic Information Consortium to a real strategy.