SparkNJ

If you haven't read our new annual survey report, New Jersey Nonprofits: Trends and Outlook 2025 - A persistent gap between rising demand for services and lagging resources, and continuing workforce shortages, exacerbated by abrupt government funding interruptions and sweeping policy changes, continues to pose challenges to nonprofits in the face of continually escalating community needs. Financial uncertainty and overall anxiety about programs and people served are at levels not seen in our recent surveys.?Read the report: https://lnkd.in/gpk7VkzT

A 2024 SparkNJ grant enabled Parents Engaging Parents (PEP) to have a most?productive Q4! Some of their accomplishments included: * Launching an Advisory Council model to engage parents in 135+ hours of training and advocacy work, and foster #CivicEngagement * Hosted an Environmental Justice Info Session for 230 attendees to discuss the health impacts of #air, #water, and port #pollution and the urgent need to transition the?#PortOfNewark to zero emissions * PEP's Winter Coat Giveaway which distributed 4,000 new coats to #children in need in #AtlanticCity, #Elizabeth, and #Newark * Sponsoring and supporting?the Anti-Racist Mental Health Alliance of New Jersey (ARMHA-NJ) at their annual conference in?#NewBrunswick. The theme emphasized?the transformative direction mental health treatment is taking in #NewJersey. SparkNJ is proud?to support PEP's mission which promotes?civic awareness & proactive action based on the interests of parents & community leaders. Altorice Frazier Erica Beverett Marietta Cozzi Shelley Skinner Terrance L. Bankston Joe Lee

Thanks to a SparkNJ grant, THEACADEMY365, Inc. closed out 2024?strong.?? Project Manhood,?a?#publichealth initiative,?continued to?empower young people with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions regarding their sexual health. The initiative not only addresses critical #health issues but also contributes to a broader strategy of fostering well-being and #responsible decision-making among the #youth in their #community. And?an educational milestone was celebrated in?graduating?their largest high school class since?its?founding in 2019! Each #graduate?will complete their high school education this spring, and each of them has chosen to attend a four-year #college or #university. Their commitment to advancing their #education marks a promising start to what we hope will be long and successful #academic journeys, reinforcing the belief in the transformative power of education. Congratulations to theAcademy365's ED, RB, Ed.D.; #Champion for #BlackBoys, to their #coaches and #coordinators, and to their Board of Directors led by Oneil Madden, MPA, CSM ????.

Thanks to a SparkNJ grant, the?Greater Essex Community Uplift Foundation?"Dr. Ernest Everett Just Mentoring Program" in #EastOrange, NJ, was busy in Q4 2024! Ten?brothers from the?#OmegaPsiPhi Fraternity's #EtiPiChapter?served as #Mentors to 140 youths aged 9-15, led 500+ #Fathers in a Walk-Dad-To-School Day, and partnered with local schools, government, and community groups. The programs included:? *a "Say No To Drugs" Run with the?#EastOrangeNJ #Mayor Ted R. Green,? *music lessons offered on guitar, drums, and horn,? *a Trunk-or-Treat Festival engaging 300 families with #autistic children,? *#Basketball and #LifeSkills clinics, and *a 40-Bikes Giveaway to boys in the Program and 350 gifts given to children residing in local homeless shelters. SparkNJ values the life-long positive impact of #MenMentoringYouth. #LeadingByExample Barry Devone Eric Harrield, Ed.D-ABD Matthew Stevens Rev. TYRONE L. SINGLETARY

Thanks to a 2024 SparkNJ Grant, the Paterson Alliance: * transformed their new office at 470 Chamberlain Ave into a functional and welcoming?environment * increased Collaboration and Member Engagement opportunities? * continues raising public health awareness with "Get the Lead (Pb) Out of Paterson" Campaign? Uniting nonprofit and community partners to create a vibrant #Paterson, the Paterson Alliance is a member-led and member-engaged organization?consisting of more than 100 organizations. SparkNJ is proud to play a small role in laying the foundation for their future success. Thank you to Lauren Frary, Shanikwa Lemon, Richard C. Williams, and all at the Paterson Alliance for being that trusted and impartial partner in your community! Photo L to R: Lauren Frary, Shanikwa Lemon, and SparkNJ Nominator Barbara L. Lawrence.

Please join Lauren Frary and the Sax LLP Nonprofit team for an informative webinar on March 11 at 2 PM EST on How to Navigate the Current Nonprofit Landscape Post-Election. Joining them are guest panelists Linda Czipo, President & CEO at New Jersey Center for Nonprofits and Bob Davison from the Mental Health Association of Essex and Morris. Please see the link below to register! SparkNJ will be there. https://lnkd.in/edAAE95j

Sharing an update from SparkNJ 2024 Grant Recipient, Leaders for Life, Inc., which in this past year helped: *Graduate 67 young adults (ages 16-24) with their high school diplomas. For many of these young adults, earning a high school diploma is not just?a credential but is a turning point that opens doors to higher education, vocational training, and sustainable employment. *Provide free summer enrichment programming to 35 young people (ages 5-13) in which children could thrive socially, emotionally, and intellectually in a safe and nurturing environment. *Launch Newark's first "Youth Ambassador Program", modeled after the Baltimore Youth Commission: The Program fosters a generation of empowered, informed, and proactive leaders by equipping young leaders with advocacy skills, civic knowledge and opportunities to engage with local government. We celebrate?Dr. Altarik B. White, Executive Director and Founder, and his team for uplifting and empowering #disenfranchised #youths in #Newark #NJ.? https://lnkd.in/gPSQVc7J #YoungAdults #Youth #BuildingCommunity

Meet SparkNJ's newest Coordinating Team member; Kareemah H. Baker, MPA. Kareemah has served #NewJersey's children and families for the last 20 years. Currently a wife, mother, child welfare #administrator, community advocate, servant leader, and lifelong learner- Kareemah’s passion is helping to improve the lives of individuals and the community collectively. A graduate of Seton Hall University and of Rutgers School of Public Affairs and Administration, she is currently pursuing her second graduate degree in social work. Kareemah was previously a SparkNJ #Nominator for three years, she is?a #Donor and is a tireless #advocate of SparkNJ's mission.?We are thrilled to welcome Kareemah!! #SetonHallUniversity #Rutgers #SocialWork #ServantLeader

...Inviting you to hear the tape of “One on One with Steve Adubato,” wherein two of SparkNJ Grant Recipients and a three-time SparkNJ Nominator discussed #barriers experienced by non-profit organizations due to lack of #funding and limited resources. Kareemah H. Baker, MPA is joined by Nadine Wright-Arbubakrr, and A'Dorian Murray-Thomas. Grateful to these three #leaders! Thank you #NJPBS and The WNET Group. https://lnkd.in/eQvJXRDs

ABFE is hiring! ?? Interested in making a real impact in the philanthropic sector? We’re looking for a Program Manager for Strategic Initiatives?in implementing and managing ABFE’s strategic initiatives to sustain Black-led and people-of-color-led nonprofit organizations. Apply now:?https://lnkd.in/ezxrrscB