JOIN! Grants

The JOIN! Grant, part of OceanFirst Foundation's initiative, aims to enhance civic engagement and community connections. This grant supports nonprofits that align with the foundation's funding priorities and demonstrate significant local impact in New Jersey's counties. Eligible organizations can apply for funding to further their work in building social capital, following the inspiration from the documentary "Join or Die" and the book "The Upswing". Contact the foundation for detailed guidelines.

JOIN! is focused on reinvigorating civic engagement, building social capital, and enhancing community connections.
Grant Purpose
The JOIN! Grant opportunity is an extension of our 2024 Winter CEO Event which featured Pete Davis, co-director of the documentary film “Join or Die” which is now streaming on Netflix. JOIN! is about civic engagement, building social capital, and enhancing community connections. You can learn more about the film here. Putnam with Shaylyn Romney Garrett, available by calling the Foundation office.

Eligibility

We consider requests for JOIN! Grants from nonprofits (501c3) that can demonstrate mission alignment with one or more of our funding priorities and a significant level of service and impact within OceanFirst Foundation’s footprint – Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, and Union counties in New Jersey. Applicants outside this footprint must contact the Foundation to be screened for eligibility prior to submitting a request. Additional grant eligibility requirements may be found here.

Ineligibility

Athletic teams, athletic events or sports leaguesIndividualsOrganizations not exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Exceptions may be made for volunteer fire and first aid squads with 504 (c)(4) status.Organizations that are not compliant with the State of New Jersey’s charitable registration requirementsPolitical causes, candidates, organizations or campaigns or organizations designed primarily to lobbyOrganizations with programs that are primarily religious in nature, such as faith-based indoctrination, church building campaigns, and general offerings. However, we will consider supporting such organizations provided the programs offered meet a need of the broader community, for example, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and other social service needsResearchTravel-related requests including student trips and tours