The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) joins community foundations nationwide to celebrate National Community Foundation Week from November 12 to November 18, 2026. During this week, the NNJCF, a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Hackensack, New Jersey, announces $68,500 in grants and donations were made in 2026 through its various funds to 10 schools and also 19 nonprofit organizations. These grants were made primarily in Bergen, Essex, and Morris, as well as Union counties. Furthermore, these grants and scholarships were recommended by fund advisors, reviewed by staff and approved by the NNJCF’s Board of Trustees.
“As we celebrate our 28th year of service in North Jersey, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation continues to empower local nonprofits, as well as educational institutions through strategic grantmaking. Since our inception in 1998, we have distributed $1.1 million in critical funding, supporting nonprofit organizations that drive meaningful change and also address the most pressing needs in our communities, said Leonardo Vazquez, Executive Director, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.
Furthermore, community foundations are built by the people who live here. This week, we want our neighbors throughout New Jersey to see what their support provides. Through our relationships with a range of donors and also supporters, we have made it easier for them to pursue their charitable goals. We thank them for making these grant and also scholarship awards possible. These awards transform local aspirations into tangible, as well as impactful results.”
Northern New Jersey Community Foundation: 2026 Grant Recipients
The grant and scholarship recipients include the following:
Education
- Dwight Morrow High School to Suri Paulino Diaz of the Class of 2026. $1,000 scholarship. The Laura Bodian and Alan Bodden Memorial Fund.
- Hackensack High School to Martin Rojas of the Class of 2026. $1,000 scholarship. The Edward Decker Memorial Fund.
- IMANI, Inc. Grant of $5,000 to provide scholarships for at least 15 students who would not be able to afford IMANI’s subsidized SAT prep courses. Montclair Bridge Fund.
- Leonia High School to Celeste Garzon of the Class of 2026. $2,000 scholarship. The Class of 1964 Ralph Gregg Memorial Scholarship Fund.
- Leonia High School to Audrey Sugiaman of the Class of 2026. $3,000 scholarship. The Paul Coopersmith in Memory of Frank DeLorenzo Memorial Fund.
- Teaneck High School to Franjey Joseph Martínez of the Class of 2026. $1,000 scholarship. The Jannie Smith Legacy Fund.
- Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence. Grant of $5,000 to support a cohort of ten to fifteen economically disadvantaged third graders that was approved by the Board. Montclair Bridge Fund.
- Northern Valley Regional High School to Cassandra Vega of the Class of 2026. $1,000 scholarship. The Joanna Shyong Scholarship Fund.
- Passaic County Technical Institute to Gianna Alloy of the Class of 2026. $1,500 scholarship. David Vincent Rasa MD RPH Healthcare Scholarship Fund.
- Wayne Hills High School to Haleemah Masri of the Class of 2026. $1,500 scholarship. David Vincent Rasa MD RPH Healthcare Scholarship Fund.
- Wayne Valley High School to Amelia Titus of the Class of 2026. $1,500 scholarship. David Vincent Rasa MD RPH Healthcare Scholarship Fund
Health
- Armenian American Health Professionals Organization. Grant of $10,000 to promote and advance the science and art of healing, to educate and improve the health services of the Armenian community in the metropolitan area, as well as the community in Armenia. Andrea Tilbian Halejian Memorial Fund.
The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation awarded a grant to CancerCare®.
- CancerCare®. Grant of $5,000 to benefit Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp. CancerCare® provides free, as well as professional support services. Moreover, these services include case management, counseling, and support groups. They also provide educational workshops, publications and financial assistance to anyone affected by cancer. The DeAnna Stark Pasciuto Memorial Fund.
Housing
- Montclair Helps. Grant of $10,000 to support local residents facing housing hardship. Montclair Bridge Fund.
Post-Secondary Education
- Stockton University Foundation. Grant of $2,000 to support the Stockton University ’01 Memorial Scholarship for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program that was awarded to Gianna LaValle-Butler. The DeAnna Stark Pasciuto Memorial Fund.
- Stockton University Foundation. Grant of $1,000 to benefit the Stockton University Women’s Soccer Team. The DeAnna Stark Pasciuto Memorial Fund.
Social Services
- Armenian Relief Society of Eastern USA, Inc. Grant of $10,000 for general operating support. Andrea Tilbian Halejian Memorial Fund.
- Eva’s Village. Grant of $5,000 to support the organization’s mission and provide for the dedication of room in Andrea Tilbian Halejian’s honor. Andrea Tilbian Halejian Memorial Fund.
Partner with Northern New Jersey Community Foundation to Pursue Your Philanthropic Goals
The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation invites anyone, who wants to support a cause or community, to establish their own charitable fund. The NNJCF partners with the donor to identify and also select vetted nonprofit organizations to award funding. Furthermore, the Foundation works with the donor to manage the fund’s account. This also enables the donor to provide support over many years. People interested in establishing a Donor Advised Fund or another type of fund should visit the NNJCF’s Philanthropic Giving webpage. Additionally, for more information, contact Danielle De Laurentis, NNJCF Associate Director, at danielle@nnjcf.org or 201-568-5608, x1. Learn more about the NNJCF’s donor advised funds.
National Community Foundation Week
National Community Foundation Week was created in 1989 by former president George H.W. Bush to raise awareness about the important role philanthropic organizations like the NNJCF play in fostering local collaboration, while also innovating solutions to address persistent civic and economic challenges. Community foundations are independent, public entities that steward philanthropic resources from institutional and also individual donors to local nonprofits. In addition, they represent one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy. As community foundations find solutions for communities, their collective work also has a profound impact.
The NNJCF collaborates with government agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations. The Foundation also works with individuals on a range of projects. The NNJCF asks: What can we do together that we can’t do alone? The Foundation’s work focuses on growing more creative, as well as inspiring places. It also moves to develop greener and healthier places. The organization also seeks to establish more places of belonging and opportunity.
Support the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation
Individuals and businesses may support the NNJCF’s work with a tax-deductible donation, as permitted by law. Donations may be made online. Contributions may also be sent by check made out to ‘The Northern N.J. Community Foundation’ entered in the memo line. Send checks to the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, 1 University Plaza, Suite 128, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601. For further information about the NNJCF, call 201-568-5608 or send an e-mail to nnjcf@nnjcf.org.
