Nonprofits Get $325K From Princeton Area Community Foundation

Princeton NJ

12 November, 2021

10:47 AM

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PRINCETON, NJ — Seven local nonprofit organizations were awarded a record $325,000 in grants from the Princeton Area Community Foundation's Fund for Women and Girls. This funding is the largest amount awarded in any cycle of the Fund's over 20-year history, the organization said. It includes a first-time award for the Liz Gray Erickson Memorial Grant, a 3-year grant given in memory of the Princeton resident who served as the chair of the Fund from 2012 to 2014. "Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our Fund for Women and Girls members, we've awarded more than $1 million in grants to more than three dozen nonprofits in the last five years," Jenifer Morack, Fund Co-Chair said in a statement. Fund members pool their donations, then recommend grants to be awarded annually to local nonprofits. Isabel Zisk, Fund Co-Chair, said the funding greatly benefits nonprofits working to impact the well-being of women, girls, and communities in the region. "We do what no individual donor has the expertise, time or access to do," she said. "Because of some very generous gifts, this year, we have the honor of awarding the Liz Gray Erickson Memorial Grant. With her visionary leadership, Liz planted the seeds of our grantmaking focus." HomeWorks Trenton, which was honored with this grant, reflects Erickson's values of service, respect, inclusion, and leadership, she said. "We are honored and grateful to receive the inaugural Liz Gray Erickson Memorial Grant this year," said Natalie Tung, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of HomeWorks Trenton. "We are so excited to work hand in hand with you over the next three years to continue building a space where our scholars will achieve academic and social-emotional growth and gain more confidence in who they are, and are becoming, as young women leaders of our community." The grant recipients were announced at the Fund's Annual Grantmaking Celebration. This year's virtual event included a panel discussion featuring panelists Leslie Koppel, Executive Director of RISE in Hightstown, and Michelle Thompkins, Director of Youth Engagement at Millhill Child & Family Development in Trenton. Here are the grants that were awarded: $25,000, 1-year grants: Children's Home Society in Trenton to expand its bilingual doula program by training local women to become doulas and providing care to more than 60 new mothers. LifeTies in Ewing for its Transitional/Rapid Rehousing project, which provides housing and support for young Mercer County women who are parents, pregnant, unaccompanied, or experiencing homelessness. Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Burlington and Mercer Counties in Ewing to train and supervise community volunteers appointed by the Family Court to serve Mercer County foster children who have been removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect. Princeton Nursery School in Princeton to renovate its two children's bathrooms, which serve 45 children. The school provides high‐quality childcare to low‐income families. $50,000 2-year grant: KinderSmile in Trenton for its Perinatal Health Program, which offers dental work to pregnant/postpartum mothers and helps create a cycle of consistent dental care for their families. $75,000 3-year grant: Arm in Arm in Trenton for its "Still Standing" program, which addresses the basic needs of single mothers and their families, teaching them the skills needed to create long‐term stability and economic mobility. Liz Gray Erickson Memorial Grant: $75,000, 3-year grant: Homeworks Trenton in Trenton to support its community‐based, after-school residential program where Black and Brown high school girls living with adverse systemic issues can receive evidence‐based programming that leads to academic success.