2025 Grant Recipients
Meet our 2025 grant recipients! Each organization was nominated to receive a grant by one of our 16 community-based Nominators. A Team of Selectors then reviewed all nominations. Learn more about our trust-based process here. Read on for more information about each recipient.
AngelaCARES, Inc.
$15,000
Nominated by Altorice Frazier
AngelaCARES, Inc, based in Jersey City, was founded in 2011 by Assemblywoman Angela McKnight. Its mission is to serve as an advocate and support system for senior citizens, provide a support system for senior caregivers, and mentor youth by educating and empowering them to volunteer, thus strengthening communities by enhancing quality of life across generations. Through programs like Here4Seniors (weekly grocery delivery and case management for those 50+), emPOWER Senior Caregivers workshops, youth–senior intergenerational mentoring, clothing and food pantries, and diaper/disposable products distribution, AngelaCARES serves hundreds of seniors, caregivers, and youth in Hudson County each year.
The International Girls Academy
$15,000
Nominated by Nadine Wright-Arbubakrr
The International Girls Academy is a nonprofit with a mission “to unite, uplift, and empower through the instruction and practice of the Nguzo Saba… to empower girls to understand that they don’t need a seat at the table; they can create their own.” Founded by Makeba Green in 2020, the Academy weaves the seven Nguzo Saba principles—Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work & Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith—into leadership, wellness, advocacy, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and media literacy programming for girls and young women ages 12 to 25.
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Life After 2 Losses
$15,000
Nominated by Celeste Campos
Life After 2 Losses is a Newark-based maternal child health organization. Their mission is to prevent reproductive and health injustices through the support and empowerment of women and families in the community by changing the narrative surrounding pregnancy loss; educating and raising awareness; coordinating advocacy efforts; and offering grief support. Founded in 2018 by VuAn Foster, who experienced two preventable second trimester pregnancy losses, Life After 2 Losses empowers individuals to make informed decisions throughout conception, pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and postpartum, promoting birth advocacy and birth justice.
United Passaic Organization
$15,000
Nominated by Lauren Frary and Shanikwa Lemon
United Passaic Organization (UPO) is the designated Community Action Agency serving the City of Passaic since 1981. Their mission is to provide low income families a chance at equitable rebirth by delivering restorative resources for sustainable living through active advocacy, community partnerships, and wraparound services. UPO offers a comprehensive range of programs including food and rental assistance, homelessness prevention, immigration support, income tax workshops, health and wellness seminars, financial literacy training, job readiness, and leadership development—all aimed at empowering residents toward self sufficiency and breaking the cycle of poverty.
CAMP YDP
$7,500
Nominated by Steve Kehayes
CAMP YDP (Camp Youth Development Program Corp) has been serving the community of Paterson since its founding in 1959. With the guiding belief that “demographics do not determine destiny,” their mission is to educate and equip children to become lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and productive members of society. They offer an array of services—including full-day preschool for ages 2½–5, afterschool programming with homework assistance and STEAM enrichment for ages 3–13, and a summer camp featuring STEM activities, outdoor play, field trips, and game-room fun. 
DIFFvelopment
$7,500
Nominated by Camille Estrella
DIFFvelopment, a nonprofit organization based in Montclair, was cofounded by Esi and Peter Gillo. Fueled by the belief that deeper knowledge of Black economic history and financial literacy are essential to overcoming historical wealth gaps, DIFFvelopment offers programs like its signature Consultrepreneurship summer intensive, generational wealth workshops, coaching for early-stage Black entrepreneurs, and a digital Online Resource Center.  DIFFvelopment has impacted more than 2,500 young Black visionaries across more than 26 communities, empowering them with the mindset, tools, and networks necessary to disrupt negative narratives and create lasting economic change.
STEAM URBAN
$7,500
Nominated by Joe Lee
STEAM URBAN is a Newark-based nonprofit transforming the lives of Black and Brown youth through an innovative blend of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics alongside Expressive Arts. Led by Founder/CEO Fallon Davis, their mission is to reshape urban education as a foundation for social justice and community empowerment, using a healing-centered, anti-racist, and culturally responsive framework to address Environmental Justice, Social Justice, and Educational Equity. All programming is offered free of charge and is designed to uplift students’ voices, nurture creativity, and build inclusive, collaborative spaces. A Healing Sanctuary is a transformative neighborhood food garden that serves as a living classroom rooted in land-based healing and environmental stewardship.
Mu Boulé Foundation
$6,000
Nominated by Dale Favors
The Mu Boulé Foundation of the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering New Jersey youth through mentorship, education, and community engagement. Their mission is to provide young individuals with the tools and support necessary to become leaders in their communities. By offering programs that focus on personal development, academic achievement, and civic responsibility, the foundation aims to inspire and equip the next generation of leaders.
Pearls of Wisdom Foundation
$6,000
Nominated by Darlene Winkler
Pearls of Wisdom Foundation has been dedicated to empowering youth and families across Morris County since 2004. Founded by the Pi Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, its mission is to provide educational and charitable programs to foster good citizenship, advance civic engagement, enable access to higher education, and support youth development, mental health, and environmental sustainability.  Their core initiatives include combating childhood hunger through "Power Pack" backpacks, awarding scholarships to Black students, nurturing leadership and mental health among youth, and launching environmental projects, such as community tree plantings. 
Plainfield Grassroots Community Development Corporation
$3,500
Nominated by Leah Dade
The Plainfield Grassroots Community Development Corporation (PGCDC) is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents of Plainfield, by providing comprehensive community services. Their mission is to offer high-quality programs that enrich the social, physical, educational, and spiritual lives of children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. Through initiatives like SAT tutoring, math and science clubs, and the Agape Summer Camp, which includes art, academics, music, dance, and recreational activities for children aged 6 to 13, the PGCDC fosters personal growth and community engagement. 
Soul Phamm
$3,500
Nominated by Richard Cammarieri
Soul Phamm, Inc. is dedicated to uplifting youth through a blend of sports, arts, and academic development. Serving youth, ages 8–19, the organization offers programs in basketball, cheerleading, drumline, stepping, hiphop majorette dance, sorority, STEM, mentoring, lifeskills training, and community activism to foster wellrounded scholarathletes. Their mission is “to make a positive difference in the lives of young people by providing unique academic, altruistic, artistic and athletic experiences, and to assist them in achieving the highest standards of professionalism through the development of skill, confidence, cooperation, leadership, responsibility, and character.”  
The Village Revival Project
$3,500
Nominated by Ameer Washington
The Village Revival Project, based in Newark, is led by Founder & Executive Director Alia Berry, an experienced community-based social worker and licensed clinician. Established in 2020, the organization uses art as a healing tool to bridge the divide between individuals who have caused violence and the communities that have been affected. Its mission reads: “The Village Revival Project seeks to heal the people through the people.” Through creative workshops, collaborative dialogue, and immersive programming, VRP aims to dismantle cycles of violence and rebuild collective resilience.