The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) announces M&T Charitable Foundation awarded a grant of $20,000. The grant supports key programs and projects the NNJCF undertakes. These include the Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice, Beyond the Wall, and Hackensack River Nation.
M&T Charitable Foundation awarded NNJCF a grant in a check presentation.
M&T Charitable Foundation Awards First-Time Grant
“We thank M&T Charitable Foundation for their generous support of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation and our work in the northern region of the state. As a first-time recipient from M&T Charitable Foundation, this grant supports three critical areas: green infrastructure for environmental justice, the expansion of ‘The Black Women’s Mural’ with the development of a website and also interactive digital content, and the launch and cultivation of Hackensack River Nation – an alliance working to protect the river’s watershed and ecosystems,” said Executive Director Leonardo Vazquez of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.
Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice
The Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice and Flood Mitigation program addresses flooding issues in the City of Hackensack. In the city, extensive stormwater flooding coupled with climate change increased environmental and health risks. In particular, Latinx, Black and other communities of color have been impacted. The program complements the combined sewer separation work underway by the City of Hackensack. This helps especially areas in Hackensack the most prone to flooding during significant rainfalls. These areas have greater concentrations of Black, Latinx and low- and moderate-income residents. The program also works to create a coalition of community residents from these areas striving to be stronger advocates for strategies to protect their neighborhoods from future flooding.
Beyond the Wall
The NNJCF’s ArtsBergen initiative is developing an educational, inspirational website expounding on the meaning, significance and process of the creation of ‘The Black Women’s Mural: Celebrating Black Suffragists and Black Women in Englewood’. This public artwork, painted by artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, appears on the exterior wall of the Women’s Rights Information Center’s building in the City of Englewood, New Jersey.
‘Beyond the Wall’ expands upon the installation of ‘The Black Women’s Mural’ with the development of a website and interactive digital content. Details about the histories, stories, and biographies of each of the six historic and living Black women represented in the mural will be created. The website will also serve as an educational archive and resource for viewers of the mural. For further information about the launch of this innovative website, visit the project’s online site.
Hackensack River Nation
The NNJCF is building a regional alliance – Hackensack River Nation – comprised of municipalities, nonprofits, environmental-oriented businesses and other organizations. Through this program, representatives from organizations and agencies work together. They identify strategies for better land use regulations and environmental policies. They also promote economic development supporting the natural environment. Furthermore, the alliance will inspire more people in the area to get involved and protect the river and its watershed. Ultimately, this collaboration will reduce flooding, make the Hackensack River cleaner, and enhance the area’s local economies.
For further information about the NNJCF and its programs and projects or the grant award from the M&T Charitable Foundation, contact 201-568-5608 or send an e-mail to nnjcf@nnjcf.org.
