What We Fund

We are committed to keeping New Jersey healthy by promoting health equity and cultural awareness in the diverse communities we serve. We work alongside our partners to improve our neighbors’ well-being and address health disparities. Our goal is for everyone in New Jersey has the opportunity to live a healthy, more fulfilling life.

  • Caring and Connecting grants range from $10,000 to $50,000.
  • Creating grants are by invitation only and range from $5,000 to $15,000.

While every program is unique and may address different goals, having the ability to demonstrate the Foundation’s collective impact across our grants portfolio is important. Organizations that receive grant awards must track their data and report on the measurement indicators within their respective priority area.

  • A nurse speaking to a patient

    Support for evidence-based preventive programs that promote a healthy lifestyle for vulnerable and underserved individuals, families and communities.

    Obesity

    Programs that reduce obesity and related chronic conditions through increased education and preventive activities with a focus on:

    • Healthy Food Accessibility
    • Nutrition Education
    • Physical Activity
    • Public Spaces

    Measurement Indicators

    Percent of participants who reported:

    1. Decreased consumption of sugar, sweetened beverages and candy.
    2. Increased consumption of milk, fruit, vegetables and water regularly.
    3. Increased physical activity to a minimum of 30 minutes daily.
    4. Increased health education and nutritional knowledge.
    5. Number of participants who received a health screening. For example: a A1C diabetes test, weight/BMI or other risk assessments.

    If your program addresses healthy food accessibility, you must also report on the percent of participants who were referred to places and programs where they could access healthy foods.

    If your program addresses public spaces, you must also report on the percent of residents who reported they used the public space and the percent of residents who reported they feel safe using the public space.

    Opioid

    Programs that reduce opioid dependence and misuse through increased awareness, education, and community engagement and peer support with a focus on:

    • Mental Health Support
    • Recovery
    • Stigma

    Measurement Indicators

    Percent of participants who reported:

    1. Increased awareness of community resources to help someone access treatment for opioid use disorder.
    2. They have a better understanding of how prescribed opioid medications may lead to an addiction.
    3. They are aware that fentanyl is a prescribed synthetic opioid that is sometimes added to heroin and can lead to a higher risk for overdose and death.
    4. They learned where to safely dispose of expired, unused or unwanted prescription medication.
    5. Increased understanding of the stigma associated with opioid use disorder.

    Mental Health

    Preventive programs that increase awareness, education and community engagement, and reduce stigma, especially among youth and adolescents, on mental health issues, with a focus on:

    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Suicide Prevention

    Other considerations will be made for programs that also address trauma (Adverse Childhood Experiences) as a secondary focus.

    Measurement Indicators

    Percent of participants who reported:

    1. Increased awareness of community prevention and support resources to address mental health disorders.
    2. Increased understanding of the stigma associated with mental health disorders.
    3. They received information about social supports that helped increase coping and life skills for people with mental health disorders.
    4. They experienced an overall improvement in their quality of life.

  • Two school children talking to each other

    Support for evidence-based programs that address Social Determinants of Health. These are programs coordinated by a health care professional to help individuals overcome barriers to care and basic needs by addressing:

    • Access to health care
    • Education
    • Employment
    • Food insecurity
    • Homelessness
    • Mental health services
    • Transportation

    Health professionals may include:

    • Community Health Workers
    • Nurses
    • Case Managers
    • Patient Navigators
    • Certified Peer Specialists
    • Social Workers

    Measurement Indicators

    Percent of participants who reported:

    1. Improved quality of life due to the services provided.
    2. They received accessible referrals or services for social needs.
    3. Increased ability to better self-manage their health care and social needs.
    4. Improvement in their physical and mental health. For example: weight loss, increased physical activity, medication adherence, engagement with a life coach, completion of a mental health screen, etc.
    5. Decreased inappropriate/excess inpatient utilization, emergency room visits and/or hospital readmissions.

  • High school students in a museum.

    General operating or programmatic support for arts and cultural organizations to improve the quality of life for residents and communities throughout New Jersey. Support is by invitation only and is limited to organizations located and providing services in Burlington, Camden, Essex, Mercer and Monmouth counties.