Back to All Updates
August 2026 Newsletter
NEWS FROM THE FUND
Written by: Naeema Campbell and Beauty Ademola
It feels like summer has just arrived, yet somehow the countdown to fall has already begun. This month’s newsletter highlights updates from The Fund, grantee news, job opportunities, and a fun fact about New Jersey.
Congratulations to The Fund’s Trustees, Amy Mansue and Lawrence (Larry) Lustberg. Along with several Fund grantees, Amy was recently recognized on the 2026 Insider NJ 100 Policy Makers List. Larry was featured earlier this year on the 2026 NJBIZ Law Power List.
What does it mean to celebrate the United States’s 250th anniversary at a time when many are questioning the strength of our democratic institutions? In this quarter’s President’s Message, Fund President Brandon McKnoy reflected on the importance of protecting our constitutional values, preparing for the 2030 Census, and shaping the future we choose for New Jersey.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Join the discussion about the future we choose for New Jersey by attending the 2026 Crossroads NJ Democracy Forum on October 13, 2026, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark.
Presented by The Fund for New Jersey, in partnership with Victoria Foundation, this day-long annual convening will bring together community leaders, policy experts, and residents to discuss key issues facing our state, including affordability, democracy, and immigration.
Building on the success of the 2025 Crossroads Conversation series, participants will hear from phenomenal speakers, including American activist and philosopher Angela Davis and The New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie, and have the opportunity to exchange ideas, explore solutions, and learn how to get involved in advocating for the New Jersey we all deserve. More information will be shared soon.
WHAT WE’RE READING
Technology – The New York Times
Politicians Are Trying to Change What Chatbots Say About Them
Housing – The New York Times
What’s in the Housing Bill That Just Became Law
Environment – Smithsonian Magazine
Google Wants to Release 32 Million Mosquitoes in California and Florida. Here’s Why
Finance – The Conversation
Should Paper Checks Be Abolished Like the Penny?
GRANTEE NEWS
POLICY UPDATES
Advocate for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ)
ACNJ released a statement commending Governor Mikie Sherrill’s FY2027 State Budget for investing in policies that provide support to children and families across New Jersey. Key budget priorities highlighted by ACNJ include a 25% increase to the New Jersey Child Tax Credit, a $581.8 million allocation for Work First New Jersey Child Care, and more than 12 billion in funding for K-12 education.
Education Law Center (ELC)
In a press release, ELC raised concern about the absence of new funding in the FY2027 State Budget to address the infrastructural needs in New Jersey’s aging schools. The organization warned that without additional investment in school modernization and construction, “many students will continue to attend school in buildings that are outdated, overcrowded, or in need of major repair while critical projects are pushed further into the future.”
New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ)
In July, Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act into law following years of advocacy by the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, NJISJ, the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, and other members of the New Jersey Voting Rights Act Now Coalition. The new law establishes preclearance requirements, mandating certain jurisdictions with a history of voter suppression to obtain approval before implementing new election procedures. It also expands language access by requiring local officials to print translated election materials in jurisdictions where at least 2% or 4,000 eligible voters have limited English proficiency or primarily speak a language other than English.
GRANTEE REPORTS
Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (HCDNNJ)
Out of Reach, a report published jointly by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) and the HCDNNJ found that a New Jersey resident would need to earn $43.89 per hour, an increase of $3.90 per hour from last year, to afford a modest, two-bedroom apartment at fair market rent in New Jersey. The report’s “Housing Wage” is an estimate of the hourly wage full-time workers must earn to afford a two-bedroom rental home at fair market rent — currently $2,282 a month for New Jersey’s rental market — without spending more than 30 percent of their incomes on housing.
New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP)
In July, NJPP released a report evaluating Governor Mikie Sherrill’s FY2027 State Budget, assessing how the spending plans align with the organization’s previously identified priorities. While NJPP recognized progress on several recommendations, including the implementation of Stay NJ guardrails, increased funding for immigration services, and the allocation of Corporate Transit Fee revenues to New Jersey Transit, the organization noted that some priorities were not addressed. These include ending the diversion of $140 million from the Clean Energy Fund and expanding cash assistance to low-income households through the WorkFirst NJ program.
New Jersey Future (NJ Future)
In its newly released report, Is New Jersey’s Housing Shortage Stifling Our Economic Growth?, NJ Future found that housing production in the state has not kept pace with demands from workers and residents. Despite ranking among the fastest-growing states in the Northeast, 44% of adults aged 18 to 34 live with their parents due to limited affordable housing options. The report also highlights that between 2020 and 2025, New Jersey ranked fourth among states in the country whose residents chose to relocate elsewhere. NJ Future warns that the ongoing shortage of affordable housing options could drive residents to seek employment and opportunities outside of New Jersey.
LEADERSHIP AND ORGANIZATIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund (NJCAEF)
NJCAEF and the NJ For Health Care Coalition launched a new Statewide Healthcare Access Database. The website is free to use and connects New Jerseyans with community health centers, free clinics, and hospital programs throughout the state that serve patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.
GARDEN STATE GEM
Founded in 1974, the Newark Black Film Festival is the longest-running Black festival in the United States. The festival was established to showcase the work of Black artists and filmmakers. While July is behind us, there is still time in August to explore the work of Black artists before the festival wraps up on August 8.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- August 6 – 2026 Summer Joint Policy Forum (CNJG and NJ Center for Nonprofits)
- August 27 – Blacks in Philanthropy Conference (Smith Family Foundation)
- September 19 – Youth Power Summit 2026 (NJ Institute for Social Justice)
- September 19 – Kids Financial Workshop (Paterson Alliance)
- September 24 – Progress Fall Panel 2026 — Sick of Red Tape: Medicaid Work Requirements in New Jersey (NJ Policy Perspective)
- October 23 – Under One Roof: The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey’s Annual Conference (HCDNNJ)
JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Adhikaar – Multiple Positions
- First Friends NJ/NY – Executive Director
- Housing & Community Development Network of New Jersey – Field Organizer
- Ironbound Community Corporation – Multiple Positions
- Make the Road New Jersey – Case Manager
- Pinelands Preservation Alliance – Part-Time Bookkeeper
We welcome your policy updates, job announcements, and staff news. Please send submissions to Naeema Campbell, ncampbell@fundfornj.org or Beauty Ademola, bademola@fundfornj.org for inclusion in our newsletter.
