Best History Grants in New Jersey

The Connelly Foundation Grant, established in 1955, aims to create access and opportunities for those in need, particularly in the Philadelphia area. Focused on education, human services, and cultural initiatives, it supports nonprofits that enhance Catholic education, address essential needs, and promote civic engagement. The Foundation seeks to partner with organizations demonstrating effective leadership and sustainable practices, while avoiding direct grants to individuals or funding for advocacy and charter schools.

The H. Hovnanian Family Foundation Grant supports the Armenian community in Armenia and the U.S., focusing on Monmouth and Ocean Counties, New Jersey. The Foundation prioritizes education, healthcare, arts, and youth development through grants to registered non-profits. Proposals should demonstrate sustainability and community impact, with favorable consideration given to projects that engage local stakeholders and foster collaboration. Applications are accepted year-round, with a maximum funding limit of $10,000 for operational expenses.

The Sun Club Sustainability Grant, offered by Green Mountain Energy, empowers U.S.-based nonprofits to implement sustainability initiatives. Established in 2002, this grant supports diverse projects, including clean transportation, renewable energy, and resource conservation. Organizations must demonstrate three years of tax-exempt status and a commitment to community impact. Awards range from $50,000 to $400,000, focusing on measurable environmental, social, and financial benefits. Join us in fostering a greener future through innovative solutions and community engagement.

The CFNJ: RSI Foundation Grant aims to support community-driven initiatives that address pressing needs in New Jersey. With a focus on equity and diversity, the foundation seeks proposals that demonstrate a measurable impact, are achievable, and align with their values of inclusivity. Grant amounts typically range from $2,500 to $25,000, prioritizing projects that serve historically underserved populations and improve overall community well-being.

The Discover NJ History License Plate Fund offers grants up to $5,000 to enhance heritage tourism in New Jersey. Supported by sales of the Discover NJ History license plate, this fund aims to develop visitor-ready sites. Eligible activities include visitor assessments, signage design, and website development. The program is open year-round, with specific deadlines for applications. This initiative promotes historical awareness and preservation, ensuring New Jersey's rich history is accessible to all.

The Dance Advancement Fund, supported by the Howard Gilman Foundation and Ford Foundation, aims to empower dance-making organizations in the NYC area with budgets between $25,000-$250,000. Grants range from $6,000 to $40,000 over two years, fostering artistic growth and professional development from September 2024 to August 2026. Eligible applicants must have at least three years of local dance-making experience, demonstrate a commitment to diversity, and provide proof of 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsorship.

The Shared Decision-Making Pilot Program NOFA, led by the New Jersey Department of Health, aims to enhance maternity care through the TeamBirth program. This initiative focuses on implementing shared decision-making tools in labor and delivery hospitals, improving patient education and experience, and reducing adverse outcomes. Eligible non-profit organizations with expertise in health care disparities are encouraged to apply for funding, which will support ongoing data collection and the expansion of TeamBirth across New Jersey.

The Korean American Community Foundation (KACF) offers Community Grants to support organizations in New York and New Jersey addressing economic security for low-income Korean and Asian Americans. Grants of up to $100,000 are available for projects focused on education, workforce development, and community advocacy. Organizations must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a minimum operational history of six months. KACF prioritizes comprehensive support and measurable outcomes in its funding decisions.

The Jazz Touring Network (JTN) fosters the presentation of jazz across the mid-Atlantic region, supporting both novice and experienced presenters. Through an open and competitive application process, JTN members engage in professional development and collaborate on annual jazz tours. Eligible organizations must be located in specific states and maintain a strong history of presenting touring artists. The JTN prioritizes diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that programming reflects the vibrant landscape of contemporary jazz.

The Alfred N. Sanzari Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance community welfare in Northern New Jersey by focusing on healthcare, education, and support for disadvantaged populations. This includes initiatives for patient care related to Parkinson's Disease, educational programs for children, and services for women and children in need. With grants ranging from $500 to $10,000, the foundation seeks to make a significant impact in the lives of those it serves, continuing the legacy of generosity founded by Alfred N. Sanzari.

The Astle-Alpaugh Family Foundation Grant Program aims to enhance the well-being of individuals and families in Central New Jersey. With a focus on supporting 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, the foundation prioritizes funding for educational programs in the arts, history, and health. It also champions community involvement through grants for local museums and community centers. The foundation does not support multi-year grant requests or student scholarships, ensuring that funds are directed to immediate community needs.

The Local Arts Program (LAP) Grant, administered by the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission, supports local arts development in New Jersey. This competitive grant is open to nonprofit organizations based in Somerset County, aiming to enhance public access to the arts through various projects and programs. A significant portion of the funding is allocated for re-grants to eligible local arts organizations, promoting artistic excellence and community engagement.

The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund supports smaller nonprofit arts and culture organizations in New Jersey, providing unrestricted grants to enhance resilience and stability. Established in 2020, this fund aims to ensure equitable access to cultural experiences, particularly for historically marginalized communities. By prioritizing organizations focused on arts, education, and history, it fosters engagement and representation in the arts sector, addressing systemic inequities and promoting a vibrant cultural landscape across the state.

The Community Voices Fund, established by the People’s Media Fund, supports innovative media projects that amplify marginalized voices in Greater Philadelphia. Prioritizing community-driven narratives, the Fund awards grants ranging from $10,000 to $30,000 to support storytelling efforts that challenge systemic oppression and promote social justice. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 organizations with annual budgets under $1 million, focusing on projects that enhance community organizing and movement-building efforts.

The Morris Local Arts Grants program aims to enhance community engagement through the arts in Morris County. Funded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, it supports various arts activities, reaching over 100,000 individuals annually. Grants include General Operating Support for arts organizations, Special Project Support for diverse entities, and Mini Grants for new projects. Applications are evaluated by an independent panel, fostering artistic excellence and accessibility for all community members.

The New Jersey Historical Commission's Inclusive History Grant Program aims to explore under-represented narratives in New Jersey's history. By supporting research and interpretative planning, the program seeks to foster inclusive storytelling that engages diverse communities. Grants will enhance organizational capacity at history organizations, inviting participation from all New Jerseyans and helping to understand the complexities of the past for a more informed future.

The Nissan Foundation Grants support nonprofit organizations that promote cultural diversity and heritage. Established in 1992, the foundation focuses on enhancing community quality of life where Nissan operates. Eligible organizations must have 501(c)(3) status, be active for over three years, and serve specific communities. Ineligible programs include those not aligned with the foundation's mission, such as disease advocacy and political activities. The foundation does not provide multi-year grants, but organizations can reapply for funding in subsequent cycles.

The NRA Foundation offers grants in New Jersey to support charitable initiatives that align with its mission to promote firearms safety, education, and shooting sports. Eligible organizations must have a valid IRS 501(c)(3) status or be a recognized governmental entity. The grants aim to foster public benefit and support activities that educate and engage the community in responsible firearm use. Ineligible entities include labor organizations and individuals, emphasizing the Foundation's focus on charitable purposes.

The Presser Foundation, established in 1939, offers grants between $2,500 and $50,000 to support music organizations across diverse genres. Focused on fostering music education and philanthropy, the Foundation seeks to empower non-profit, 501(c)(3) organizations within a 75-mile radius of Philadelphia. However, it does not fund theater or dance productions. Proposals are evaluated based on organizational accomplishments, community value, stability, and overall contributions to the music community.

The NJ Citizenship and Integration Program aims to enhance citizenship preparation services for lawful permanent residents. It focuses on improving English proficiency, U.S. history knowledge, and civic understanding while providing assistance for naturalization applications. With a funding limit of $80,000, the program supports initiatives that promote cultural integration, leadership development, and access to essential legal services, fostering inclusive communities throughout New Jersey.

The New Jersey Historical Commission offers Project Grants aimed at engaging diverse audiences in exploring and preserving New Jersey's rich history. These grants support high-quality projects that broaden access to historical resources and strengthen local history organizations. Eligible applicants include individuals and organizations committed to professional standards in their work. By focusing on underrepresented aspects of history, these grants ensure a more inclusive understanding of New Jersey's heritage.

The Pathway to Recovery grant, funded by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, aims to combat the opioid epidemic by providing workforce development and training services to individuals affected by opioid use. With an estimated funding of $5 million for FY25, the program seeks to enhance employability through skills training, career services, and supportive resources. This initiative is essential for fostering recovery and promoting economic stability within communities impacted by the opioid crisis.

Salem Health and Wellness Foundation

The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation was founded in 2002 for the purpose of promoting the health and wellness of Salem County, New Jersey residents. The Foundation has made over $59 million in grants, contributions and scholarships to more than 60 organizations, all with the specific requirement that the funds address health problems in our county.

Grantmaking Overview

The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation is committed to supporting projects that enhance, improve, and transform the health, safety and well-being of the County’s residents. This is done primarily through the Foundation’s grantmaking process that is simultaneously attentive to community strengths and challenges. All grant opportunities are available through public notice through our website and/or announcements by the Foundation’s Executive Director.

The Foundation’s work is guided by its Mission and Values, as well as the Social Determinants of Health and Five Protective Factors. We believe that the “determinants” should be reframed as “drivers” of health, highlighting the Foundation’s desire to build on the strengths and strong traditions of community support from Salem County’s citizen volunteers, non-profit organizations, government offices, faith and business communities and health care providers. Our grantmaking is based on our belief in possibilities.

Salem Health and Wellness Foundation’s grantmaking is also driven by available data and community narratives. This information supports our priority setting and funding decisions. We strongly encourage all grant applicants to use the valuable combination of data, and the accompanying narratives, in shaping their proposals.

Public Health Grants

The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation supports system improvement and transformation projects under the category of Public Health grants. These grants are based on the Social Determinants of Health, taking into account the physical, psychological and social well-being and safety of Salem County residents. The projects tend to be larger in scope and nature and typically address the opportunities available to improve significantly the health, safety and well-being outcomes for the County. For the vast majority of grants, our team will approach an organization directly and invite them to submit a proposal. Infrequently, we may solicit applications for a targeted project through an open call for proposals. Public Health grant proposals must be approved by the foundation’s Board of Directors.

Categories for Public Health Grants include: Care Closet Grants; and Salem Public Health Fellowship

Salem Public Health Fellowship

Introduction

The Salem Health and Wellness Foundation (SHWF) is seeking proposals for an organizationbased, one-year Fellowship. The purpose of the Fellowship is to create systemic change and/or improvement in an area of public safety, health and well-being that impacts the lives of Salem County residents. More specifically, the desired goal of the Fellowship is to alter the trajectory and outcome measurements for a health or well-being issue that has, up to this point, remained stubbornly poor.

The Fellowship, in the amount of $50,000, will be awarded to an organization for a period of one year, with a possibility of a second-year renewal. The Foundation will also provide a 10% administrative cost for the host organization. The organization will be responsible for the recruitment, hiring, training, supervision, and support of the Fellow. In addition, the organization will take a lead role in managing the systems change/improvement project, while working in collaboration with other supportive partners.

The SHWF hopes to identify, and come alongside, a grantee who will plan, define, and implement a fresh, innovative strategy that builds on past practice, current data sources and community narratives and existing promising approaches from around the country. The strategy must have a plan for scaling and sustainability, as well as evaluation. Any health, safety or wellbeing issue will be considered for the Fellowship.

The Fellowship can address any public health, safety or wellness issue in Salem County. The applicants must have a presence in Salem County and must be providing services and/or supports to Salem County citizens. Additionally, the ideal candidate should have the organizational history and capacity to manage complex projects. The Foundation is seeking applicants who will propose a project that goes beyond an individual program and provides a path towards innovation and change for the purpose of improving outcomes in a way that can be sustained and brought to scale. The organization can add to or supplement the amount committed to the Fellowship. However, all the Foundation’s grant dollars must be spent on the Fellowship. There are also funds to support some of the organization’s administrative costs for the effort.

The New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) offers General Operating Support Grants to enhance the preservation and understanding of New Jersey's history. Established in 2000, this program aims to support organizations engaged in historical research and public engagement. The grants foster innovation and excellence, promoting underrepresented aspects of New Jersey history and broadening access to historical resources for diverse communities. Through various initiatives, NJHC strives to strengthen local history organizations and ensure the state's rich heritage is preserved and appreciated.

The Newark Learning Collaborative Program, funded by the New Jersey Department of Health, aims to enhance cardiovascular health outcomes in communities disproportionately affected by diseases like hypertension and high cholesterol. It seeks a qualified organization to lead a collaborative effort focused on addressing social determinants of health, improving access to care, and fostering partnerships among local health systems, community organizations, and stakeholders. Up to $100,000 will be awarded for the 12-month project period.

The New Jersey Cultural Trust offers Institutional/Financial Stabilization Grants for Arts Organizations to support nonprofit cultural institutions in addressing financial and operational challenges. These grants aim to enhance stability and capacity, allowing organizations to manage their work effectively. Eligible activities include establishing working capital funds, debt reduction, strategic planning, technology upgrades, and professional development. No match is required, and organizations must be designated as 'qualified' to apply.

The New Jersey Cultural Trust offers Institutional and Financial Stabilization Grants for History and Humanities Organizations to strengthen the financial and operational capabilities of qualified organizations. This program aims to address challenges that threaten stability while enhancing capacity to fulfill missions. The grants support essential projects and are available to organizations designated as qualified by the Cultural Trust. Applications are reviewed following a Declaration of Intent to Apply by the specified deadlines.