The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation recently awarded grants totaling $2.9 million to 62 New Jersey nonprofit organizations, bringing the total amount awarded by the foundation this year to more than $11 million.
“Dodge is committed to supporting nonprofits working to enhance the quality of life in New Jersey for all residents and visitors,” said Dodge President Chris Daggett. “Through creativity, curiosity and an inspiring commitment to their work, these organizations are leveraging their collective talents to build communities where all people are engaged in civic life, where diversity and culture are celebrated, and where cross-sector collaboration leads to thoughtful decision-making and effective solutions.”
Dodge awarded $3.4 million to nonprofits dedicated to fostering connections between people and art within their communities this year, and $2.8 million to nonprofits dedicated to promoting the transformative power of arts education through the development of public policies and education advocacy, the creation of model arts education programs, and the provision of high-level training for school leaders and teachers.
The foundation also awarded $3.5 million to nonprofits dedicated to creating healthy watersheds, green cities, local food networks and a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Four grants totaling $795,000 were awarded to organizations dedicated to providing high-quality, New Jersey-focused news and information across multiple platforms and to fostering civic participation in important issues.
December grant winner highlights:
- $75,000 to the Newark Celebration 350 Fund supporting programming for a year-long festival to celebrate the Brick City’s 350th anniversary and promote pride among residents, workers, and students.
- $85,000 to Dance New Jersey to expand and disseminate the Dance to Learn curriculum in New Jersey schools.
- $175,000 to Foundation for Educational Administration to provide creativity leadership teams with programming to design strategies for implementation of the Common Core through arts-infused instruction.
- $32,000 to El Sistema New Jersey to support the work of the El Sistema New Jersey Alliance in connecting and strengthening El Sistema-inspired programs statewide.
- A new, $15,000 grant to Arts and Education Center for scholarships for participants in the 2016 New Jersey Teen Arts Festival.
- $75,000 to American Littoral Society to protect New Jersey’s coastal environment through coordinated policy advocacy, partnerships, education, community engagement and citizen science.
- $40,000 to Natural Lands Trust to support land conservation and stewardship efforts in South Jersey.
- $80,000 to the Pinelands Preservation Alliance for advocacy, stewardship, and public outreach work in the New Jersey Pinelands.
- $20,000 to the New Jersey Tree Foundation to support community engagement in urban forestry and stewardship.
- $50,000 to NJTV to pilot “Ask Away,” a new initiative to deepen NJTV’s relationship with the community by partnering with the public in developing stories and news together.
- $30,000 to Community Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center to provide food and supportive services to the homeless and working poor in Morristown.