We are looking forward to the next Crossroads NJ Conversation on Thursday, June 5 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick’s James J. Florio Special Events Forum. This dynamic discussion on the future of New Jersey’s economy, fiscal policy, and justice reform will feature leading experts sharing innovative solutions and strategies for sustainable growth and equitable outcomes.

Space is limited, register for your free ticket: https://www.fundfornj.org/crossroadsnj

Crossroads NJ Conversations 2025, is a four-part discussion series designed to provide a platform for elevating and addressing key issues that will shape New Jersey’s future ahead of the 2025 gubernatorial election. Be part of the dialogue shaping New Jersey’s future—your voice, insights, and engagement are essential in driving meaningful change for our communities.

Good News Update: Advocacy Works! The National Council of Nonprofits announced that federal policymakers removed Section 112209 from the tax reconciliation package. The provision would have allowed the Secretary of the Treasury to unilaterally designate section 501(c)(3) nonprofits as “terrorist supporting organizations” without due process.

New Jersey’s 2025 primary election is just around the corner on June 10—get ready to make your voice heard with helpful resources like the ACLU-NJ Election Guide,  Advocates for Children of NJ’s Election Guide, AAPI-NJ Voter Guide, LWVNJ Voting Guide, NJ Monitor Voter Guide, NJ Spotlight News Election Guide, Salvation and Social Justice Black Ballot 2025 and WHYY News’ NJ primary voter guide.

Grantee News

• The Housing and Community Development Network of NJ announced that it joined the nationwide coalition that filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration challenging its attempt to dismantle AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism.
• Ironbound Community Corporation, represented by EarthJustice, filed an appeal challenging the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s permitting decision on the gas-fueled power plant at the Passaic Valley Sewage Commission’s sewage treatment plant, stating it is a violation of the state’s environmental justice law.
• The Jersey Renews coalition released their policy platform outlining a comprehensive approach to meeting New Jersey’s energy needs. The plan calls for expanding grid-supply solar on rooftops and brownfields, building on the state’s successful community solar program, and laying essential groundwork for future offshore wind development. Learn more about the policy recommendations here.  
• The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice and Vote16 mobilized and educated young voters, laying the groundwork for stronger youth turnout in the Newark. Students in the city took a historic step toward civic engagement, as 16- and 17-year-olds were allowed to vote in the 2025 school board election.

Grantee Reports

• The Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey’s 2025 Economic Impact Report found that nearly 50 community-based organizations completed 319 projects since 2019, generating a $2.45 billion economic impact and building at least 4,730 new homes across the state, significantly contributing to the fight against New Jersey’s housing affordability crisis. Read the report here.

Grantee Resources 

• The Community Foundation of New Jersey launched the NJ Strong: Emergency Fund. The Fund is designed to support nonprofit organizations across the state experiencing federal funding freezes and terminations of existing contracts. This initiative offers a financial safety net to help nonprofits navigate the crisis and continue delivering essential services to New Jersey communities. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis—learn more and apply at https://cfnj.org/grantopportunities/
• Lead-Free NJ’s Housing Committee is collecting community feedback about the successes and challenges implementing LRAP and/or the lead paint in rental housing law. Share your feedback in the survey by June 6.

We welcome grantee partner policy updates, job announcements, and staff news. Please send submissions to Naeema Campbell, ncampbell@fundfornj.org or Beauty Okunbor, bokunbor@fundfornj.org for inclusion in our newsletter.