EASTERN BERGEN COUNTY—The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County marked National Philanthropy Day by awarding $115,000 in grants to 29 nonprofit agencies. These grants aim to address increased community needs in key priority areas, including health and mental health services, food insecurity, educational enhancement, and home care for seniors and the disabled.
National Philanthropy Day, observed annually on Nov. 15, celebrates the transformative power of giving and its impact on society. The Chest’s announcement highlights its continued dedication to meeting local challenges and supporting organizations serving vulnerable populations.
Grant Allocation
The 28 grants align with The Chest’s 2024-2025 priorities:
- Health and mental health services (44%)
- Food insecurity and healthy eating (20%)
- Educational enhancement and career preparation (24%)
- Home care for seniors and the disabled (12%)
Despite allocating significant funds, The Chest faced requests totaling $235,000, reflecting the region’s growing needs.
2024-2025 Grant Recipients
- Arts Horizons: Workshops focusing on girls in Englewood to promote racial healing.
- Bergen Family Center: Care management services for frail homebound seniors.
- Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC): A musical food program for children, adapted to different cultures.
- Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative: Case management services to address food insecurity.
- Bergen Volunteers: Support for the CHEER program, providing household chores for the elderly.
- Center for Food Action: Funding for the Pop-Up Emergency Fund Distribution program.
- The Center for Hope and Safety: Salary support for the full-time Director of the Children’s Program at emergency safe housing.
- Communities Promoting Reading: Career coaching for low-income parents.
- Computers for People: Purchase and distribution of laptops for low-income, college-bound seniors.
- Encounters in Black Traditions: Video production and storytelling about racial justice for youth in Englewood.
- Englewood Health: Support for The Shirvan Family Live Well Center’s nutrition program.
- Englewood Neighborhood Pantry: Hot meals, weekly pantries, and household supplies.
- Family Promise of Bergen County: Hot meals, weekly pantries, and household supplies.
- Flat Rock Brook Nature Center: Environmental education programming for students of all ages.
- Give Chances: Educational programs for low-income students.
- JCC Thurnauer School of Music: An educational curriculum on immigration for children, based on the film We Came to America.
- Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Northern New Jersey: Eastern Bergen Children’s Services Socialization Project for homebound and isolated adults.
- Office of Concern Food Pantry: Support for the Nutrition Plus programs.
- Prevention Opportunity Preparation (POP) Program: Youth life skills and enrichment programs.
- Rotary Club of Englewood: Teen for Peace Program in Englewood.
- Society for Ethical Culture: Two full-day workshops on childhood trauma.
- Spectrum for Living: In-home mental health services for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Tenafly Nature Center: Nature Fuse Program to address loneliness and create a “third space.”
- The Food Brigade: Nutritional education for clients experiencing food insecurity.
- Vantage Health System: Intergenerational community engagement and wellness program.
- West Side Infant and Teen Parent Program: Life skills and parenting support for teen parents.
- Women’s Rights Information Center: Mental health and trauma services for underserved women.
- Wonder Girls: Workshops for young women to build confidence, leadership, and business skills.
- YWCA of Northern NJ and Flat Rock Brook: Collaboration to provide therapy at Flat Rock Brook Nature Center.
These organizations serve residents from Alpine, Bergenfield, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Rockleigh, and Tenafly, reinforcing The Chest’s commitment to supporting neighbors in need.
Focus on Mental Health and Food Insecurity
“This year, our Allocations Committee focused on maximizing finite resources to address the increased demand for services in priority areas,” said Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer, executive director of The Community Chest. “Agencies providing mental health and food insecurity services were prioritized.”
A Legacy of Community Support
Founded during the Great Depression in 1933, The Community Chest has raised over $12 million for more than 100 nonprofit organizations, impacting approximately 50,000 residents annually. Its initiatives span health, hunger, arts, and environmental programming, with a mission to foster collaboration and strengthen the service network in Eastern Bergen County.
How to Support
To learn more about The Community Chest, contribute, or inquire about board membership, visit www.thecommunitychestebc.org or contact (201) 568-7474. Follow The Chest on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for updates.
About The Community Chest
The Community Chest is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting agencies that improve lives and strengthen communities in Eastern Bergen County. Through fundraising and collaboration, The Chest allocates resources to local nonprofits, ensuring vital services reach those in need.