Three Greater Morristown organizations–The Trust for Public Land, The Morris Museum and Grow It Green Morristown–are among 57 nonprofits that will share nearly $2.7 million in grants from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the Foundation announced this week.
The Trust for Public Land in Morristown will receive $125,000 in general operating support “to advance greener communities in New Jersey through land conservation and urban park development.”
Another $40,000 will go to the Morris Museum in Morris Township, also for general operating support.
Grow It Green Morristown will get $20,000 in general operating support “to create sustainable farms and gardens that provide equal access to fresh, local food and educate communities through programs focused on healthy eating and environmental stewardship.”
Other area grantees include the Madison-based Writers Theatre of New Jersey, which has been awarded $20,000 “to support Writers Theatre’s National New Play Development program and statewide education programs in schools and community organizations.”
The Discovery Orchestra, which celebrates its 30th anniversary on April 30, 2017, with a Brahms program at Drew University in Madison, is receiving $20,000 for “interactive, live and media programs and curriculum materials to help develop listening skills that connect participants with classical music.”
And the Land Conservancy of New Jersey and the New Jersey Highlands Coalition, both in Boonton, are getting $40,000 and $35,000, respectively, for general operating support of their environmental work.
All the grantees are listed here.
Here’s more, from the Dodge Foundation in Morristown:
Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Announces $2.6 Million in New Grants
MORRISTOWN, NJ — At its first board meeting of the year, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Trustees approved 57 grants totaling $2,692,000 to nonprofit organizations whose work in the arts, education, environment and informed communities impact citizens throughout the state for a better New Jersey.
“While the tone and tenor of the national debate on issues and legislation of the day are still rancorous and polarized, a bright spot is how New Jersey residents are becoming more engaged with each other and with their communities,” said Chris Daggett, Dodge Foundation president and CEO.
“In these uncertain times, it is important for nonprofits and the philanthropic sector to think creatively and work together to give voice and agency to all residents in our communities, especially the most marginalized.
“Dodge remains committed to investments in New Jersey that have community impact, that deepen the connections between individuals and institutions, and that increase civic engagement.”
Highlights of grants awarded at the Trustees’ March board meeting are below. A listing of all grants awarded is here, and we invite you to explore full details about all of the grants in our online grants database.
In Arts, Dodge awarded 30 grants totaling $972,500 to advance community arts, dance, music, theater, and visual arts. Six grants totaling $220,000 are in the program’s Connecting Community and the Arts focus area.
These include a grant to ValleyArts to support its efforts to enliven the Orange and West Orange neighborhood known as “The Valley,” through affordable housing for artists, arts activities at two community venues, and entrepreneurship opportunities for artists and other.
Another grant supports The Center for Community Arts, an arts organization working to expose residents and others to Cape May’s rich African American history through educational programming, walking tours, music and visual arts.
“These organizations lead inclusive, collaborative efforts in their communities that seek to engage residents, tourists, artists, and youth in creative opportunities and the exploration of important issues,” said Sharnita C. Johnson, arts program director.
“They exemplify the ways in which arts and culture organizations can position themselves as essential community development elements that spur economic development and housing and raise the quality of life for all.”
In Environment, Dodge awarded 23 grants totaling $1,355,000 to advance watershed protection, urban greening, and food system development.
A grant to The Trust for Public Land supports land conservation in priority watershed regions like the Highlands, as well as urban park development in Newark. NY/NJ Baykeeper is among waterkeeper organizations awarded grants for work that uses science to inform citizen advocacy and advance public policy aimed at protecting our waterways.
“New Jersey’s sustainability and prosperity are linked closely with the quality of our land and water resources, yet the state’s natural resources and ecosystems are under increasing threat from development, pollution, and climate change,” said Margaret Waldock, environment program director.
“We believe that community- and watershed-scale conservation and restoration that informs and engages the public and decision-makers can influence public policy and practice to protect the environment.”
In Education, Dodge awarded a $309,500 grant to Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship for continued support of the New Jersey Teacher Fellowship Program, part of a multi-year commitment by Dodge and other funders to improve how teachers are prepared for the classroom at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, and across all subject matter areas.
Through its flagship Technical Assistance program and other initiatives, including support of organizations working in its hometown of Morristown, Dodge awarded more than $55,000 in additional grants this round.
“The Dodge Foundation’s support to organizations that provide capacity building to our grantees help the larger nonprofit community,” said Wendy Liscow, technical assistance director.
A grant to Grow It Green Morristown supports the organization’s mission to create sustainable farms and gardens that provide equal access to fresh, local food and educate communities through programs focused on healthy eating and environmental stewardship.
For more information on the Dodge Foundation and its grantmaking, visit grdodge.org.
About the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation
The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation was established in 1974 through the foresight and generosity of Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, daughter of William and Almira Rockefeller. For 43 years, Dodge has supported leadership, collaboration and innovation, with a focus on addressing the issues most pressing to New Jersey. Dodge also offers a comprehensive technical assistance program geared towards strengthening the capacity of New Jersey’s nonprofit community.
