HACKENSACK — The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) announced Jan. 13 that it awarded scholarships in 2025 to graduates of Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest and Teaneck High School, as part of nearly $30,000 in grant and scholarship awards made during the year.
Hannah Cohen, a 2025 graduate of Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, received a $1,000 scholarship through the Joanna Shyong Scholarship Fund, the foundation said.
At Teaneck High School, Tia Gadson, Class of 2025, received a $1,000 scholarship through the Jannie Smith Legacy Fund.
The grants and scholarships were recommended by fund advisors, reviewed by staff and approved by the NNJCF Board of Trustees.
“As we celebrate our 27th year of service in North Jersey, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation continues to empower local nonprofits and educational institutions through strategic grantmaking,” said Leonardo Vazquez, executive director, in a statement shared with Northern Valley Press. “Since our inception in 1998, we have distributed over $1 million in critical funding, supporting organizations that drive meaningful change and address the most pressing needs in our communities.”
Among the 2025 awards, CancerCare received a $5,000 grant to benefit Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp through the DeAnna Stark Pasciuto Memorial Fund. CancerCare provides free professional support services for individuals and families affected by cancer, including counseling, support groups, educational workshops and financial assistance, the foundation said.
The foundation also reported additional scholarships and grants to students at Leonia High School, New Milford High School, Passaic County Technical Institute, Wayne Hills High School and Wayne Valley High School, as well as two grants through the Stockton University Foundation supporting the university’s women’s soccer team and a memorial scholarship for a Doctor of Physical Therapy student.
Founded in 1998, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in Hackensack that works with local partners to strengthen community life across the region.