The NextGen Giving Circle of the Princeton Area Community Foundation awarded $25,000 in grants to three local nonprofits that work to break the cycle of domestic violence, help teen girls succeed and assist families in need.
The Giving Circle is comprised of mostly young philanthropists – anyone is welcome to join, but most members are Gen Z and Millennials – who make donations to the NextGen Giving Circle Fund. Then once a year, they review proposals and make grant recommendations.
The Giving Circle allows the younger donors to learn about nonprofits doing great work in our communities, while making donations on either an annual or monthly basis.
It was created in 2017, and since then, it has awarded two dozen grants totaling $182,500 to local nonprofits.
“The NextGen Giving Circle provides an opportunity for young people to become philanthropists and make a meaningful difference in our communities,” said Jeremy Perlman, founder of the Giving Circle. “Through this fund, our members have been able to support terrific nonprofits that are doing wonderful work in our region.”
The NextGen Giving Circle is a fund at the Community Foundation, an organization created in 1991 to help donors effectively give to the causes they care about most. Since its founding, the Community Foundation has awarded more than $200 million in grants, including $15.5 million last year.
This year’s NextGen Giving Circle grants were awarded to:
Womanspace, Lawrence, $10,000 for its Stopping Intergenerational Violence Through Comprehensive Children’s Services program; it provides children with therapy, tools, and resources to help ensure they do not move into adulthood with trauma that often turns the abused into the abuser. The children in the program have a parent who is a Womanspace client. Those parents also receive services to help ensure their children are less likely to experience abuse or neglect.
Dress for Success Central NJ, based in Lawrence, $10,000, for its Dress for Success Business Academy at Trenton Central High School; The job readiness program teaches 11th and 12th grade girls life skills and provides them with clothing needed for their next steps – college, vocational training or employment.
Arm In Arm, with headquarters in Hamilton, $5,000, for its Arm In Arm: All Communities Thrive program. The Trenton-based program – which grew out of the Community Foundation’s All Kids Thrive program, serves families, including recent immigrants whose needs are deep and complex. Arm In Arm provides food and housing assistance, but the organization also connects families with other critical resources to help them thrive.
To learn more or to become a member, please visit our website at www.pacf.org or contact Michael Nuno, Vice President of Philanthropic Services, at 609-219-1800.