Best Grants for Charities in New Jersey

New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH)

The New Jersey Department of Health leads the state’s response to public health challenges and works to improve health outcomes for all New Jersey residents. Through its three primary branches—Public Health Services, Health Systems, and Integrated Health—the Department collaborates across programs and partners to strengthen New Jersey’s health system. Guided by its mission to protect public health, promote healthy communities, and improve the quality of health care, the Department supports initiatives that advance prevention, system integration, and equitable access to health services statewide.

NJ Statewide Family Centered Care Network (Ryan White Part D)

To provide comprehensive, culturally competent, coordinated medical care for infants, children, youth, women, and families who are infected or affected with HIV/AIDS. Referrals to appropriate ancillary medical & social services. 

The Norfolk Southern In-Kind Donation Grant supports organizations seeking physical donations of materials that align with their focus areas, including safety, sustainability, workforce development, and thriving communities. This grant is available year-round, with no application deadline. Recipients must be located within Norfolk Southern territory and are encouraged to apply for resources that will enhance their community projects and initiatives, fostering growth and resilience.

New Jersey Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance

New Jersey is responding to the crisis of violence that has emerged in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic through an innovative approach to public safety. In September 2022, through an administrative directive, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin created the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance (VIVA) within the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety (LPS). In October 2023, Acting Governor Tahesha Way signed A-4978/S-3086 into law, codifying VIVA within the Department of Law and Public Safety.

VIVA advances a unified strategy for public safety by bringing together victim services – including victims of domestic violence and sexual assault – and the Department’s violence intervention and prevention programming. Having previously been dispersed throughout the Department, VIVA centralizes under one roof services that were previously dispersed throughout LPS and provides staffing to support the programs statewide.

Competitive Community-Based Violence Intervention Program - Tertiary Prevention (Category 1A)

The purpose of the CBVI program is to support non-profit community service providers in the development and implementation of community violence intervention programming for communities impacted by higher than average rates of community violence, with a focus on gun violence. Applicants may develop new initiatives or enhance already existing programs. This public health approach to addressing violence requires working collaboratively, creatively, and by addressing various levels of community and individual engagement, Primary/Secondary and tertiary prevention each have specific benefits, and all are part of our collective public safety ecosystem. 

Category 1A would include Tertiary Prevention strategies described in Category 1 with the addition of a Violence Intervention Coordinator. A Violence Intervention Coordinator will assist the agency with capacity building efforts through implementing best practice community coordination strategies. A Violence Intervention Coordinator, in partnership with community utilizes data driven public health approaches to identify the most effective and coordinated strategies.

New Jersey Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance

New Jersey is responding to the crisis of violence that has emerged in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic through an innovative approach to public safety. In September 2022, through an administrative directive, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin created the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance (VIVA) within the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety (LPS). In October 2023, Acting Governor Tahesha Way signed A-4978/S-3086 into law, codifying VIVA within the Department of Law and Public Safety.

VIVA advances a unified strategy for public safety by bringing together victim services – including victims of domestic violence and sexual assault – and the Department’s violence intervention and prevention programming. Having previously been dispersed throughout the Department, VIVA centralizes under one roof services that were previously dispersed throughout LPS and provides staffing to support the programs statewide.

Competitive Community-Based Violence Intervention Program - Primary/Secondary Prevention (Category 2)

The purpose of the CBVI program is to support non-profit community service providers in the development and implementation of community violence intervention programming for communities impacted by higher than average rates of community violence, with a focus on gun violence. Applicants may develop new initiatives or enhance already existing programs. This public health approach to addressing violence requires working collaboratively, creatively, and by addressing various levels of community and individual engagement, Primary/Secondary and tertiary prevention each have specific benefits, and all are part of our collective public safety ecosystem. 

Primary prevention strategies typically address risk factors associated with violence in the general population. These approaches include community-wide impact and awareness efforts in communities that are disproportionality effected by gun violence, as well as individual- or group-related activities for populations at risk of gun violence. Primary prevention programs create safe spaces for all, provide pro-social activities, and help bring community together. These approaches increase crucial protective factors.

Secondary prevention strategies focus on sub-populations with risk factors for future violence either as victims or perpetrators. Potential secondary prevention strategies may include, mentorship, skill-building in areas that promote protective factors, or restorative healing circles. Subpopulation focus on a secondary prevention model are those more acutely at risk for violence or recidivism due to the presence of one or more risk factors. 

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

The Karen Colina Wilson Foundation Grant supports programs for children, youth, and women, enhancing their health and well-being through education, art, literature, and music. Established in 2006, the foundation aims to make a positive difference in their lives, particularly in Southern and Western Wayne County, Michigan. Grants typically range from $500 to $10,000, often as matching funds, fostering broader fundraising efforts by local nonprofit organizations.

The Giants Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations focused on community issues, health improvement, and youth empowerment. Established in 1993 by the New York Giants, the foundation aims to provide financial assistance to eligible organizations in the NY, NJ, and CT areas. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits and either youth organizations or those using funds for youth-related programming in health, education, fitness, or football. This grant fosters positive impacts in the community.

The Carolyn Jane Scott Charitable Trust, managed by Wells Fargo Bank, supports 501(c)(3) organizations primarily in New Jersey. It funds a variety of areas including education, health, and the arts, with grants typically ranging from $15,000 to $25,000. The Trust prioritizes requests that demonstrate community need and administrative stability, while excluding individuals and for-profit entities. Its mission embodies a commitment to charitable, scientific, literary, and educational purposes.

The Hearst Foundation's Social Service Grant focuses on tackling chronic poverty by funding direct-service organizations that implement effective solutions for economic independence and family strengthening. With a mission to support diverse nonprofits in the U.S., the Foundation allocates approximately 15% of its total funding to social services, prioritizing scalable programs that serve significant populations. The minimum grant size is $100,000, and special consideration is given to organizations addressing affordable housing, domestic violence, and youth development.

The Electric School Bus Grant Program in New Jersey aims to transition the state's school bus fleets to electric, addressing the health impacts of fossil fuel-powered buses. With a funding limit of $15 million annually for three years, the program supports individual school districts and contractors in acquiring electric buses and charging infrastructure. Eligible applicants include school districts and bus contractors, with a focus on those serving Overburdened Communities. The program also offers reimbursement options for upfront costs of new buses and chargers.

Department of Law & Public Safety

Under the direction of the Attorney General, the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Law & Public Safety are dedicated to making New Jersey safe for all its residents and visitors. Its diverse and complex responsibilities focus on protecting the lives and property of New Jersey citizens. In addition to providing statewide law enforcement and emergency response services, this Department and its approximately 7,700 employees are responsible for protecting citizens’ civil and consumer rights, promoting highway traffic safety, maintaining public confidence in the alcoholic beverage, gaming and racing industries and providing legal services and counsel to other state agencies.

SFY26 Non-Competitive Hospital Based Violence Intervention Program

Since September 2019, Governor Murphy and the Department of Law and Public Safety have invested in the development, implementation, and sustainability of hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) across New Jersey. These programs are designed to engage victims of gun and other community based violence at the time of crisis, providing immediate support and connecting them to critical services.

This funding supports programs that connect victims of crime to services, starting in hospitals or other medical settings and continuing into the community aiming to enhance support, improve outcomes, and reduce the risk of future victimization. 

This funding is limited to recipients who received SFY25 NJHVIP Continuation Funding and who have:

• Met the program’s goals and objectives,
• Submitted all required reports on time,
• Remained in compliance with all grant conditions, and
• Satisfied any additional criteria determined by the Department of Law and Public Safety.

The Therapeutic Giving program by Johnson & Johnson focuses on funding initiatives that enhance patient access to treatment and advance health equity, particularly in immunology. Eligible nonprofit organizations can apply for support aimed at improving health outcomes through innovative programs. The initiative prioritizes measurable impacts over fundraising activities, emphasizing the importance of addressing healthcare disparities and promoting disease awareness efforts for diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

The New Jersey State and Community Highway Safety Grant Project aims to enhance traffic safety by addressing issues such as impaired driving, seat belt usage, and the proper use of child passenger restraints. With approximately $15 million in funding for the upcoming federal fiscal year, this initiative will support various programs by state agencies and nonprofits to improve enforcement and safety measures for all road users, including cyclists and pedestrians.

The FJ Brotherton Charitable Trust Grant aims to support charitable organizations, focusing on arts, education, and social services primarily in the northeastern United States. Established in 2024, the Trust continues the legacy of the Fred J. Brotherton Charitable Foundation. It emphasizes funding for programs that assist the needy or disabled, while adhering to strict eligibility criteria, including a requirement for tax-exempt status under I.R.C. Section 501(c)(3).

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

The City of Water Day Grants support organizations across New York and New Jersey in hosting free community events focused on waterfront engagement and climate resilience. With funding ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, organizations can collaborate with local artists and schools to promote awareness of climate change through interactive activities. This year's theme emphasizes the interconnectedness of NY and NJ communities, aiming to foster a sustainable and vibrant waterfront experience for all.

The NHLBI Career Transition Award (K22) program supports postdoctoral fellows in transitioning their research to extramural institutions. The program includes a mentored intramural phase (up to two years) followed by an extramural phase (three years), totaling five years of support. Applications have multiple deadlines, including October 12, 2024, and February 12, 2025, among others. Successful transition depends on the awardee's progress during the mentored phase, evaluated by NHLBI.

Job Opportunities for Building Success

The purpose of Job Opportunities for Building Success is to provide services for Justice-impacted individuals whose workforce conditions have impeded their successful reentry into the community. Participants are eligible to receive career services, training, paid internships, apprenticeships, and supportive services (for example, transportation, ID obtainment, and clothing) to increase employment opportunities.

Individuals who have been impacted by the justice system often face distinct challenges when reintegrating into the workforce. They may encounter various obstacles that necessitate tailored support and personalized strategies to facilitate successful employment placement and retention. By providing these specialized services, we can help bridge the gap and strengthen the opportunities available to them.

The grant seeks to award a total of six recipients statewide. Grant funds will be awarded to selected applicants responding to this competitive Notice of Grant Opportunity (NGO). Selected applicants to this NGO will be responsible for managing the recruitment, enrollment, coaching, training, employment, and retention of program participants.

Funding Amount: $6,000,000

Start and End Date: June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2028

The CIF Capacity Builder Awards by Endeavor Health focus on enhancing community health through strategic investments. With over $38.5 million allocated to local partnerships, these awards aim to address critical areas like healthcare access, food insecurity, and workforce development. Designed for nonprofit organizations, the awards range from $100,000 to $500,000 annually for 1-2 years, fostering long-term community impact and advancing health equity in the service areas.

The Autism Clinical Research Pilot Project RFA aims to support innovative research addressing the etiology and service delivery of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in New Jersey. With funding of up to $300,000 over three years, projects focusing on health equity and community-driven questions are encouraged. The program seeks to foster collaborations that enhance the well-being of individuals with ASD and advance health equity, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

The Asia-Pacific region, home to over half the world's population, faces challenges due to its development goals, which strain natural resources, communities, and cultural heritage. These issues are exacerbated by adverse environmental changes. While research has shed light on these problems, it's clear that more challenges lie ahead. The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) is well-positioned to generate new knowledge and solutions for these evolving global change and sustainability issues by supporting collaborative research and scientific capacity development activities, particularly those aimed at training the next generation of early career professionals.

APN 2025 Call for Proposals: CRRP 

Through the competitive Collaborative Regional Research Programme (CRRP), we promote regional research that has potential to improve our understanding of global change and its implications while contributing to a sound scientific basis for policymaking in areas affected by global change. Under this pillar, APN supports collaborative research that contributes to the evolving science-policy arena, including the UNFCCC Paris Agreement, IPCC, IPBES, post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the UN Decade of Ocean Science as well as ongoing and new global change and sustainability research programmes.

Activities of interest under the CRRP Programme

APN promotes regional collaborative research that improves understanding of the physical, biological and human dimensions of change in the Earth system and advances actionable science that informs decision-making. APN accepts proposals that engage at least 3 member/approved countries in the region, and prioritise collaboratively designed, actionable research with non-academic stakeholders. Proposals must address one or more of the following activities:

• Collaborative research on global change and sustainability that particularly addresses GAPS, ANALYSIS, SYNTHESIS and ASSESSMENT work.
• Collaborative research that develops PATHWAYS and MECHANISMS to achieve sustainable development, and develop adaptation strategies.
• Collaborative PLACE-BASED INTEGRATIVE RESEARCH, particularly from developing countries.
• Collaborative research that is CO-DESIGNED to contribute to the Paris Agreeemnt, Sustainable Development Goals, Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, UN Decade of Ocean Science (2021-2030), and the accumulation of scientific knowledge at IPCC, IPBES, etc.

Statement of Purpose

The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) is announcing the availability of funds for the Fluoride Varnish, Children’s Education and Screenings (FACES) grant. The overarching goal of the FACES program is to promote good oral health practices for school aged children through application of fluoride varnish as an oral health preventive measure via a voluntary school-based program. Additionally, this grant offers the opportunity to participate in the New Jersey Department of Health Basic Screening Survey for specified populations.

The infrastructure for this initiative will support new or existing programs in building preventive oral health services, including education programs and Fluoride varnish application for school aged children to promote the importance of oral health. The FACES program will coordinate and implement activities and strategies to address oral health issues affecting children from pre-K through grade 12. These efforts will be guided by a community needs assessment that identifies children at high risk for developing dental decay and other oral health problems.

Although the primary target population for this grant is school-aged children, other vulnerable groups at higher risk for dental decay—such as elderly individuals residing in assisted living or nursing homes, or pregnant women of lower socioeconomic status—will also be eligible to receive fluoride varnish as an evidence-based preventive measure. The decision to include additional at-risk populations should be made by the State Dental Director or the Program Management Officer, at the request of the applicant.

The program will utilize the Basic Screening Survey (BSS) to better understand the existing oral health status of specific populations. The BSS is a best practice recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD).

About

Being deeply connected to the community means more than providing access to excellent healthcare. It means understanding, and investing in, the health needs of our community.

Through our Community Investment Fund (CIF), Endeavor Health has awarded more than $38.5 million to 59 local partnerships dedicated to enhancing community health and wellbeing, advancing health equity and supporting local economic growth. Together, we’re committed to helping everyone in our communities be their best.

Award categories

Through the CIF, we will make meaningful and intentional investments through impact awards and capacity builder awards. These awards are intended to meaningfully advance the health of our community over time towards three bold aspirations through investments in five areas of focus.

We aspire to a future where:

• A person’s zip code does not determine how long they will live
• Hunger and homelessness in our communities are history
• The healthcare workforce is thriving and representative of the communities we serve

To help advance these aspirations, the CIF will invest in the following areas:

• Access to healthcare
• Behavioral health
• Food insecurity
• Housing insecurity
• Workforce development for careers in healthcare

Impact awards

• Designed for 5-year initiatives where organizations come together to drive measurable impact and longer-term change in the communities we serve by improving existing systems and innovation
• Emphasize strategic cross-sector and/or intra-sector partnerships between community-based organizations
• Uplift community members of greatest need
• Directly align with CIF areas of focus and meaningfully contribute to CIF goals
• Award amount: $1 million per year, up to 5 years

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children WIC

To improve the nutrition and health status of eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age 5; encourage the utilization of each WIC participant of available health and social services ; and promote and support breastfeeding.

The Scherman Foundation's Democracy Program champions the empowerment of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. It focuses on enhancing civic engagement, safeguarding voting rights, and reforming democratic processes to ensure inclusivity and accountability. By supporting locally-rooted organizations in key states, the foundation aims to build a more equitable democracy where diverse voices are heard and political power is reclaimed by those historically marginalized. This program is pivotal for advancing racial justice and fostering systemic change.

The Caroline Thorn Kissel Summer Environmental Studies Scholarship, established in 2003, supports environmental studies for New Jersey residents and nonresidents studying in the state. Funded by Frances Starr Todd in honor of her great grandmother, it provides $3000 annually to a scholar for summer environmental study. This scholarship encourages students from various educational backgrounds to explore environmental topics in New Jersey's unique ecosystems.

New Jersey Department of Education

The New Jersey Department of Education supports schools, educators and districts to ensure all of New Jersey's 1.4 million students have equitable access to high quality education and achieve academic excellence. Its vision is focused on becoming a model organization that strengthens teaching, leading and learning in order to increase educational equity for all students.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Expansion Grants

The Bond Act provides $350 million in grants for eligible projects that expand CTE programs in CVSDs and enhance school security in all school districts. Of the $350 million, $275 million has been allocated for use by CVSDs to fund school facilities construction projects that support CTE program expansion in accordance with labor market demands and economic development goals. The grant objective is to increase district capacity to offer CTE programs to prepare students for high demand, technically skilled careers aligned with labor market demands .

Eligible Work: Renovation of existing square footage to increase the number of student seats; New construction, such as a building addition, or stand-alone building, to increase the number of student seats; Physical plant upgrades needed to support the conversion of existing space to support an eligible CTE program or a building addition that increases the number of student seats; The purchase and installation of furniture and equipment, including technology, in new, renovated, or reassigned spaces; Site improvements related to CTE program expansion; or Demolition of non-instructional buildings, or portions of buildings, to accommodate new construction that increases the number of student seats.