New Jersey Community Foundation: COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund

About

NNJCF launched the COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund to provide immediate resources to vetted small nonprofit organizations with limited budgets serving the needs of residents impacted by COVID-19 in Bergen County. In May, the fund was expanded to include Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union Counties. Many of these small local nonprofits are faced with difficult financial choices about whom to serve and how. Local residents face increased struggles because of reduced or lost income, food and housing insecurity, health expenses and childcare needs.

The priority of the NNJCF COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund is to provide one-time small-scale financial support grants to eligible organizations working to meet the immediate needs of Northern New Jersey residents. Funding in round two prioritizes small local organizations promoting racial justice by addressing the disproportionate economic, social, and health impacts COVID-19 has on communities of color.

About the Host

The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF), a nonprofit, 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization, was founded by a group of Rotarians in 1998 before becoming its own organization, the Englewood Community Foundation. The Foundation gradually expanded its geographical reach to Bergen County and the surrounding region and in 2011 was renamed the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation. The mission of this regional resource is to improve community life through its work in education, public health, the arts, the environment, civic engagement, and philanthropy. Central to its success is fostering collaboration among local governments, school districts, businesses, non-profits, and community groups.