During this unparalleled time, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) is even more passionate in our mission to serve the communities in Northern New Jersey. The COVID-19 pandemic is more than a health crisis. The pandemic has direct economic impact on individuals, communities, and local organizations across Northern New Jersey. In answer to the question, ‘What can we do together, that we can’t do alone?,’ NNJCF created the COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund to pool resources from donors of all sizes to address the immediate financial impact on grassroots organizations providing services to residents throughout Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union Counties.

About the Fund

NNJCF launched the COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund to provide immediate resources to vetted small nonprofit organizations with limited budgets serving the needs of residents impacted by COVID-19 in Bergen County. In May, the fund was expanded to include Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union Counties. Many of these small local nonprofits are faced with difficult financial choices about whom to serve and how. Local residents face increased struggles because of reduced or lost income, food and housing insecurity, health expenses and childcare needs. Funding in round two prioritizes organizations promoting racial justice by addressing the disproportionate economic, social, and health impacts COVID-19 has on communities of color

Additionally, social distancing is causing increased isolation and loneliness among community members. The Fund will also support nonprofit arts organizations and those providing arts programs and services in the county to build community engagement in a time of isolation. Nonprofit arts organizations providing services to populations such as artists experiencing loss of income resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic will also be considered for support.

NNJCF made initial grants to 54 organizations in Bergen County in May 2020. Round two grants have been made to 109 organizations in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union County. Full lists of grant recipients can be viewed below.

Round One Grant Recipients

Round Two Grant Recipients