Each year SparkNJ invites a team of Nominators to bring to its attention charitable, civic, and community organizations whose leadership identifies as Black. These organizations will already be fulfilling their mission, but in need of additional operating funds to continue and grow their work. Nominators are selected because they are rooted in and knowledgeable about local communities. They must attend an orientation session where they receive guidelines and criteria for their nominations. SparkNJ does not publicly reveal the names of Nominators to preserve their independence until the end of each year's process.

 

All nominations, due each year by April 30, are reviewed by a Selection Committee, which assesses each nomination, assuring that the nominee meets the SparkNJ criteria. The Selectors make their recommendations to the donors by May 31. Final selections are made in June and the Community Foundation of New Jersey, where SparkNJ funds reside, issues checks to recipients by June 30.