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June Newsletter 2026

This month’s newsletter highlights updates from The Fund, grantee news, job opportunities, and a new feature – fun facts about New Jersey.

Message from the President

For more than a decade, the mere existence of Delaney Hall has been unconscionable. The developments of the past few weeks have only further exposed its ghastly realities, leaving us both heartbroken and infuriated. In a state built and enriched by immigrants, these conditions are a direct assault on justice, liberty, and democracy. We must always strive to protect our neighbors, defend basic human rights, and demand the legal protections guaranteed to every resident. If such atrocities can occur in the shadow of the Statue of Liberty, no community is truly safe.

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.” – Ida B. Wells

Be kind. Be smart. Be safe.

Sincerely,

News from The Fund

Written by: Naeema Campbell and Beauty Ademola

The countdown is officially on – whether it’s for beautiful summer weather, a finalized State Budget, Congressional primary election results, or the excitement of the NBA Finals and FIFA World Cup, there’s something for everyone to look forward to this June.

In May, The Fund announced that Alana Vega was promoted from Program Officer to Senior Program Officer. This change recognizes Alana’s commitment to the values and principles of The Fund for New Jersey. As Senior Program Officer, Alana will continue to play a central role in shaping The Fund’s grantmaking program and contributing to The Fund’s broader learning and impact. Please join us in congratulating Alana on this well-earned milestone.  Read more…

Brandon McKoy, President of The Fund for New Jersey, was interviewed by Steve Adubato about the 2025 Crossroads NJ Report and discussed ways to improve criminal justice, safeguard public health, and increase access to affordable housing.

Improving criminal justice and safeguarding public health in New Jersey

What are we at The Fund reading and watching?

Grantee News

Policy Updates 

  • New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance (NJEJA): NJEJA released a community toolkit explaining what data centers are and outlining practical steps residents can take at the municipal and county level to respond to proposed data center development in their communities. The toolkit encourages residents to familiarize themselves with their municipality’s comprehensive master plan, which guides long-term growth and land use decisions, and to push for extra layers of protection on already zoned land. The report also recommends alternative technological tools individuals can use instead of relying on artificial Intelligence tools. Read more here…
  • New Jersey Work Environment Council (NJWEC): Earlier this month, NJWEC commended Governor Sherill for signing a bill protecting children, families and parents from being exposed to mercury, a toxic chemical element that can pose serious health risks, particularly for children. The law requires mercury free flooring to be installed in schools, community centers, and childcare centers across the state. Read more here…
  • Pinelands Alliance: A coalition of over 60 environmental, labor and community organizations including the Pinelands Alliance and American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, sent a letter to Governor Mikie Sherill urging the state to temporarily halt the approval and construction of large-scale data centers. The group raised concerns about rising electric costs, noise pollution, and the long-term environmental impacts data center development could have on communities.  Read more here…

Grantee Reports

  • American Civil Liberty Union of New Jersey (ACLU-NJ): In its report, New Jersey’s Road to Safety and Racial Justice: Reducing Non-Safety Traffic Stops,ACLU-NJ urged law enforcement officers to reduce non-safety related traffic stops and dedicate its resources to dangerous driving violations such as, speeding and drunk driving. According to the report, states like North Carolina and Connecticut who prioritized making traffic stops for high-risk driving behaviors experienced a decline in road accidents, improvement in public safety, decrease in racial disparity and fewer cases of assault on police officers. Read more here…
  • Environment New Jersey Research & Policy Center: Last month, Environment New Jersey Research & Policy Center released its State of Renewable Energy dashboard, an interactive map, that lets users track the growth of clean energy across the state. The dashboard shows that the U.S. produced nearly three times more solar, wind, and geothermal energy in 2025 than it did in 2016, reflecting an increase in clean energy generation over the past decade. Read more here…
  • New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP): NJPP published a blogpost last month, using Minnesota as an example to encourage New Jersey state legislatures to move beyond traditional tax systems that primarily tax income and instead adopt policies that also tax the gains received from accumulated wealth.  NJPP estimates that implementing a similar approach in New Jersey could raise more than $1.1 billion to help address the state’s structural budget deficit. Read more here…
  • NJPP also released a report examining how the New Jersey’s Alternative Business Calculation (ABC) tax rule has been misused by businesses. The tax rule was initially created to reduce the taxable income of certain businesses during periods of financial loss. But changes to the rule over the years have created loopholes used by businesses to secure tax deductions. Some of these changes include expanding the types of businesses that qualify and allowing businesses to carry forward losses for 20 years.  According to the report, the number of New Jersey business owners reporting alternative business losses increased by 108% in 2024, costing the state $192.6 million. Read more here…

Garden State Gems: The world’s first official drive-in theater opened on June 6, 1933, on Crescent Boulevard in Camden, New Jersey

(NJ.gov)

Events

Job Announcements 

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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.