The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s The Frank DeLorenzo Memorial Scholarship Fund announces Mikoto Ozawa received its second annual scholarship award. Ozawa graduated with the Leonia High School class of 2020 in Leonia, New Jersey. She plans to study visual arts at Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in New Brunswick. The $2,000 scholarship award is given to a student, who demonstrates talent and ambition as an artist, musician, or writer and seeks to further his or her education.
Mikoto Ozawa, a graduate of the Leonia High School class of 2020, received the Frank DeLorenzo Memorial Scholarship award.
During high school, Ozawa received Scholastic’s Arts and Writing Award Gold Key and Honorable Mentions in 2019 and 2020. Among her community service activities, she also volunteered with the stage crew of SummerStage at Leonia. This nonprofit, theatrical organization produces a family-friendly musical annually for three weekends in July.
The NNJCF donor advised fund memorializes Leonia High School 1964 classmate Frank DeLorenzo. “Frank DeLorenzo was not just a good friend, growing up in Leonia in the 1950’s and early ’60’s—he was an inspiration to all who knew him. Singer, song-writer, artist, actor, comedian: Frankie could liven up any room, any group, anytime, anywhere. I deeply mourned his passing. Establishing The Frank DeLorenzo Memorial Scholarship Fund has been my way of keeping alive the memory and the spirit of a uniquely gifted human being,” said Paul Coopersmith, a classmate of DeLorenzo and the Fund’s creator and advisor.
Philanthropic Options
The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation offers the region a comprehensive menu of philanthropic opportunities. The NNJCF focuses primarily on education, public health, civic engagement, arts, philanthropy, and the environment. The Foundation also provides donors with flexible, efficient, and tax-effective ways to maximize their impact. In addition, NNJCF offers tax-saving annuities and trust options.
“The pandemic heightened awareness of the importance of personal relationships. Furthermore, it drew attention to the needs of our community and the world, as well as philanthropy’s role. The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation helps donors define and implement their philanthropic goals. Establishing a donor advised fund in honor or in memory of a loved one is gratifying personally. A fund may also be set up in a field of interest to support an issue. This results in real impacts made locally and regionally. These giving options also have tax benefits,” said Danielle De Laurentis, Associate Director, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.
For further information about the NNJCF, The Frank DeLorenzo Memorial Scholarship Fund, or to set up a charitable fund, call 201-568-5608 or contact nnjcf@nnjcf.org.
