In this Issue
- A Message from Our Executive Director
- Q1-2026 and Q2-2026 Grant Funding Surpasses $850,000
- IMPACT! Schumann Partner Response Fund Grant Program Concludes
- A Changing of the Guard – New Leadership at The Institute
- Meet Mehmet: Schumann Fund’s First H. Carl McCall Philanthropy Institute
- From Capitol Hill to National Panel: Lucy on Funder Advocacy
- Two Boards, One Goal: Strengthening Nonprofits Statewide
- Access to Benefits is a Right
A Message from Our Executive Director
It was a pleasure to see more than 75 of our partners at our annual Schumann Social in June at the Van Vleck House & Gardens in Montclair. This gathering of grantees and peer funders continues to serve as an opportunity for us to connect in our collective work and as inspiration for you to build connections with each other. We are excited to continue this tradition, and we welcome your ideas to further develop meaningful relationships that strengthen our work.
Schumann Fund is proud to highlight the investments we have made in Essex County communities and throughout New Jersey since the start of the year. Our Trustees have made funding commitments to support grassroots organizing of parents and providers who want to see affordable, accessible childcare for all in New Jersey. We are supporting our state’s immigrant youth and their families through investments in immigrant youth organizing and leadership development, immigrant family social supports, legal support, and rapid response work. We also understand the cornerstone role affordable and stable housing plays in a family’s life. We have deepened our investments in advocacy, systems planning, and coordination for children, youth, and families who are at risk of homelessness. Across these issues, a focus on systems change, capacity-building, and empowerment of youth, families, and communities is at the heart of our work.
Whether it’s through grantmaking, capacity-building or convening, we strive to be rooted in partnership with a deep commitment to equity and social change. We invite you to read more about our investments, partnerships, and support for New Jersey’s nonprofit sector in this edition of our e-news.
Q1-2026 and Q2-2026 GRANT AWARDS SURPASS $850,000
A total of $855,600 in grant funding was approved by Schumann Fund Trustees at our quarterly board meetings in March and June of 2026.
The funds will empower organizations across Essex County and New Jersey to drive justice, equity, and community development. Key initiatives include preventing homelessness and expanding affordable housing and supporting youth through education and child welfare systems. Empowering immigrant youth while expanding services to their families amid heightened enforcement actions is a complementary focus of grantmaking. Thriving, well-resourced communities will be sustained through funding essential staff, services, and outreach efforts.
Program Partner Jared Boone shared, “During this time of significant uncertainty, it is all the more important for philanthropy to stand on trust-based principles that affirm organizations’ ability to operate as experts in their field of influence. It has been a privilege to partner with the nonprofits and leaders working every day in New Jersey to ensure our communities’ ability to live freely, abundantly, and equally – while actively supporting policy formation and systems change that dismantle mechanisms that perpetuate inequity.”
Learn more about our grantees and their awards below:
Affordable Homes & Healthy Communities 
Council of New Jersey Grantmakers was awarded a $5,000 program grant — the first year of a three-year, $15,000 commitment — to support the New Jersey Philanthropy Hub. Ewing, NJ
Covenant House New Jersey received a $30,000 program grant — a two-year commitment totaling $60,000 — to support case management services at the Newark Youth Engagement Center. Newark, NJ
Fair Share Housing Center received a $40,000 general operating grant — year two of a two-year, $80,000 commitment — for advocacy to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing. Cherry Hill, NJ
Family Promise of Essex County received a $75,000 general operating grant — year two of a three-year, $225,000 commitment — with a focus on a Montclair Homelessness Liaison. Montclair, NJ
Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss received a $15,000 program grant to provide a trauma-informed peer grief support group for Newark youth. Mountainside, NJ
Monarch Housing Associates was awarded a $45,000 program grant to implement a strategic plan for New Jersey family and youth homeless prevention. Cranford, NJ
New Jersey Food Fund received a $25,000 general operating grant — the first year of a three-year, $90,000 commitment — to support statewide food security work. Morristown, NJ
New Jersey Policy Perspective received a $25,000 general operating grant with a focus on the Guaranteeing a Brighter Future Project. Trenton, NJ
Newark Community Impact Fund was awarded a $5,000 grant to a pooled fund supporting public programs, learning opportunities, and community events sponsored by Newark’s Mayor’s Office and community-based organizations. Newark, NJ
Newark Immigrant Resource Collaborative (an initiative of La Casa de Don Pedro) received a $40,000 program grant to support immigrant services in Essex County. Newark, NJ
Newark Community Street Team received a $25,000 general operating grant with an emphasis on the Community Sentinels Leadership Academy. Newark, NJ
NJ Center for Nonprofits received a $25,000 general operating grant — year two of a two-year, $50,000 commitment — with a focus on policy and communications. Mercerville, NJ
Early Childhood & Education 
Community Foundation of New Jersey received a $20,600 program grant — the first year of a two-year, $41,200 commitment — toward consultant services for Advocates for Children of NJ and the NJ Association for the Education of Young Children. Morristown, NJ
Family Connections received a $30,000 program grant to support the School-Based Youth Services Program and Pride+. East Orange, NJ
Montclair Foundation received a $15,000 program grant — year one of a two-year, $30,000 commitment — to support the Nature Connection Field Trip Program. Montclair, NJ
Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence received a $50,000 general operating grant — part of a three-year, $150,000 commitment — with an emphasis on bilingual afterschool programs and hiring a Mathlete Collective Coordinator. Montclair, NJ
New Jersey Citizen Action Education Fund was awarded a $75,000 program grant to support the Child Care for All NJ Organizing Project. Newark, NJ
Newark Nonprofit Leadership and Resiliency Fund received a $50,000 grant, the second installment of a three-year, $150,000 program grant approved in March 2025. Newark, NJ
Programs for Parents received a $50,000 general operating grant — year two of a two-year, $100,000 commitment — with a focus on a full-time Community Program Manager. Newark, NJ
Start Strong NJ was awarded a $25,000 operating grant toward a pooled fund for childcare. Morristown, NJ
Child Welfare & Youth Justice 
American Friends Service Committee – NJ Immigrant Rights Program received a $25,000 program grant to support youth immigrant rights work. Newark, NJ
Child Focus was awarded a $20,000 program grant to support the NJ Safe Babies Court Team. Wayne, NJ
First Friends of New Jersey and New York received a $25,000 rapid response general operating grant. Kearny, NJ
Latino Action Network Foundation received a $25,000 grant to support long-term organizing infrastructure. Union, NJ
New Jersey Institute for Social Justice was awarded a $40,000 general operating grant — year one of a two-year, $80,000 commitment — with an emphasis on youth justice work. Newark, NJ
Rutgers Child Advocacy Clinic of Rutgers Law School was awarded a $25,000 program grant to continue qualitative research and a policy project gathering youth perspectives on New Jersey’s child welfare system. Newark, NJ
St. Benedict’s Preparatory School received a $25,000 program grant to support the Steven M. Grossman Family Counseling Center for the 2026–2027 school year. Newark, NJ
IMPACT! SCHUMANN PARTNER RESPONSE FUND GRANT PROGRAM CONCLUDES
In November 2025, Schumann Fund launched a $250,000 rapid response fund to support our partners facing federal or state budget cuts and the uncertainty that came with them. Eligible partners could apply for grants of up to $10,000 each. We’re proud to report that $190,000 of that fund was deployed to 19 grantee partners, providing critical bridge funding that helped organizations keep their doors open, cover rent, absorb the rising cost of fringe benefits, and sustain core programmatic work during a genuinely precarious stretch for the sector.
As we shared at our annual Schumann Social, the remaining $60,000 has since been reallocated to seed a New Jersey Collective Care Fund – a pooled initiative supported by multiple funders focused on supporting the wellbeing of our nonprofit partners and the people who lead them. The idea is still in concept formation but grew directly out of conversations we had with partners last fall, many of whom described the toll that sustained financial and political uncertainty has taken on their organizations and their staff. We are living through genuinely stressful and difficult times, and we see this pooled fund as one way to invest not just in organizational survival, but in the resilience of the people doing the work. Stay tuned for more information!
A CHANGING OF THE GUARD:
New Leadership at the Institute
Authentic partnerships are not created overnight – rather, they are cultivated. They take years of effort, trust-building, collaboration, and accompaniment.
Over the last decade, Schumann Fund has been proud to stand with the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (the “Institute”) as it has sought to empower people of color by building reparative systems that create wealth, transform justice and harness democratic power – from the ground up – in New Jersey.
By any measure, the Institute’s record of success speaks for itself. From the recent signing of the John R. Lewis Voter Empowerment Act of New Jersey to the enactment of the Fair Price Protection Act, the Institute has proven itself to be a formidable force for good – and an ally to all in New Jersey who seek justice, love mercy, and walk in humble partnership with those who are too often overlooked and underserved in our society.
Part of walking in partnership is being present for change as much as triumph. After eleven years at the helm, Ryan P. Haygood transitioned from the Institute on July 31, 2026, to become President and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center. In his place, the Institute has turned to one of its own, Henal Patel, to assume the role of Interim President and CEO. Henal, formerly the Institute’s Law and Policy Director, has been with the organization for over seven years and has been particularly instrumental in fighting for a thriving democracy in our state.
Henal’s leadership represents a changing of the guard built on continuity – a leadership transition rooted in the same values, relationships, and institutional knowledge that produced the Institute’s transformative victories under Ryan Haygood’s leadership.
When asked about her predecessor’s career and her transition into the role of Interim President and CEO, Henal shared:
“Ryan built an organization where the mission is lived, every day, by every person on our team – and I couldn’t be prouder to continue that legacy. I know from my over seven years at the Institute that our team is up to the job of not only fighting the current attacks on our democracy but also building a multi-racial democracy in New Jersey where even the most marginalized people can have a voice, feel safe and afford to live. The communities of color the Institute serves are counting on us – and we will keep fighting for them. New Jersey needs the Institute at full strength right now, and I am excited to work with our exceptional team to ensure that is what it gets.”
Schumann Fund is proud to support the Institute’s continued mission in this time of transition. In June 2026, the Trustees of the Schumann Fund approved a two-year grant in the amount of $40,000 per year to the Institute in support of their youth justice work. In years past, Schumann Fund supported the Institute’s successful efforts to secure a closure announcement for two of New Jersey’s youth prisons, and its Vote 16 campaign – a historic initiative which lowered the voting age in Newark School Board Elections to age 16.
The Institute’s work aligns closely with Schumann Fund’s program priority of Child Welfare and Youth Justice and complements our strategy to invest in organizations that civically engage, organize, and empower youth, parents, and families to make changes in their communities to advance racial and economic equity.
MEET MEHMET:
Schumann Fund’s First H. Carl McCall Philanthropy Intern
(left to right): Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, Mehmet Metin
Mehmet Metin has the distinction of serving as our inaugural H. Carl McCall Philanthropy Intern. This opportunity is funded by the Rutgers Scarlet Service Internship Program and developed to prepare the next generation of public service professionals. For the summer of 2026, Mehmet joined the Schumann team to learn more about philanthropy, nonprofit work, and community-focused grantmaking. Alongside Program Partner Jared Boone, Mehmet gained firsthand experience in managing the grant cycle. Most notably, Mehmet’s examined Schumann Fund’s contributions to the food security sector and its role in the upcoming 2030 Census.
Mehmet is a senior at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, studying Economics and Political Science. Experiencing our grant process firsthand – from application to funding decision – has inspired and motivated Mehmet to explore the profession upon graduation. He shared, “There are so many incredible nonprofits doing great work throughout New Jersey. Collaborating with them to explore both short-term and long-term benefits for the people of Essex County is deeply fulfilling.” This work has not only strengthened his research, communication, and collaboration skills, but it has also reinforced the importance of empathy and compassion in our work.
Ten years after founding the Florence and John Schumann Foundation, Florence and John Schumann recognized the need for heightened executive oversight and engagement of their philanthropic work. As such, they asked H. Carl McCall to serve as Executive Director.
When we asked Mehmet about his perspective on Mr. McCall’s impact on philanthropy, he shared:
“During his time at Schumann, H. Carl McCall helped connect philanthropy with the real needs of communities in Newark and Montclair. He brought in local leaders to help further the mission because he understood that effective foundation work required more than funding, and the local leaders knew what the needs were – youth program support, scholarships, education, day care, and arts initiatives. What stood out to me most was his community-centered approach. His work proved a point to me: philanthropy can be one of the most effective ways foundations listen to residents, build strong relationships, and make long-term investments in the communities they serve.”
In addition to his academic career, Mehmet is a mentor to middle school students, guiding them through their personal and academic triumphs and challenges. He instills the confidence they need to be successful, motivated, and responsible. He also dedicates time to Embrace Relief, a nonprofit that benefits from his grant research and other work that heightens his understanding of how nonprofits identify funding opportunities, communicate their impact, and secure resources for their community.
As Mehmet winds down his internship, the staff and Trustees have enjoyed his time with us. We asked Mehmet to sum up his internship experience, and this quote feels fitting:
“Money is not the only commodity that is fun to give. We can give time, we can give our expertise, we can give our love, or simply give a smile. What does that cost? The point is none of us can ever run out of something worthwhile to give.”
– Steve Goodier
Congratulations, Mehmet! We look forward to following your career in public service. Read more about H. Carl McCall and his legacy with Schumann Fund here.
FROM CAPITOL HILL TO NATIONAL PANEL:
Lucy on Funder Advocacy
In May, Lucy Vandenberg served as a panelist on the national webinar Policy Insights & Actions following Foundations on the Hill (FOTH). Co-hosted by Exponent Philanthropy and the Council on Foundations, the webinar explored how philanthropy can use its voice alongside communities to address root causes and educate policymakers. Lucy provided insights into her experience participating in this year’s Foundations on the Hill, an annual gathering in Washington DC co-hosted and presented by United Philanthropy Forum in partnership with the Council on Foundations and Independent Sector. Lucy has been attending Foundations on the Hill for nearly a decade as part of the annual delegation organized by the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers. The webinar was facilitated by Alex McCray, Exponent Philanthropy’s Managing Director of Knowledge. Other speakers included Matthew L. Evans, Vice President of Advocacy and External Relations, United Philanthropy Forum; and Clara Acero, Executive Director, Kingdom Charitable Trust.
TWO BOARDS, ONE GOAL:
Strengthening Nonprofits Statewide
Lucy has taken on two new board leadership roles this year, both deepening her – and Schumann Fund’s – connection to the organizations and networks shaping New Jersey’s charitable landscape.
Princeton Area Community Foundation
Lucy now serves on the Board of Trustees of the Princeton Area Community Foundation (PACF), which serves Central Jersey and the wider region. PACF is a major force in local philanthropy, hosting more than 450 charitable funds, holding $279 million in assets, and distributing over $32 million in grants annually to communities across Central New Jersey (2024 Annual Report). She is currently contributing to PACF’s strategic planning process, helping shape the foundation’s direction for the years ahead.
New Jersey Center for Nonprofits
In April 2026, Lucy was elected to a two-year term on the board of trustees for the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits (NJCNP). As one of New Jersey’s leading advocacy voices, NJCNP also offers education and technical assistance to its members statewide.
This new role builds on a long-standing relationship: Lucy has worked closely with NJCNP for years through joint advocacy and policy initiatives with the Council of NJ Grantmakers. Schumann Fund is also a supporter of NJCNP, currently backing a two-year investment to build out the organization’s communications staff capacity. Lucy’s board seat offers another avenue for Schumann Fund to stay closely connected to the challenges and opportunities facing New Jersey’s nonprofit community today.
Lucy recently ended her second three-year term as a Trustee and Executive Committee Member of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, where she also served as co-chair of the Policy Committee. She is particularly proud of her work to lead adoption of CNJG’s inaugural Policy Agenda, adopted in 2023. She continues to support CNJG to organize, develop messaging, and serve as meeting captain in the annual Foundations on the Hill (FOTH) in Washington DC to meet with New Jersey’s Congressional Delegation. The delegation has expanded each year as more funders appreciate the power of advocacy. She enjoys mentoring and guiding those new to philanthropy and/or new to FOTH to make the process accessible and enjoyable!
ACCESS TO BENEFITS IS A RIGHT!
CHILD TAX CREDIT EXPANSION:
Advocacy Win!
This budget season brought welcome news for New Jersey families: state lawmakers approved a three-year 25% expansion of the Child Tax Credit for families with young children, putting an extra $250 into low-income families’ pockets, a policy change many of our partners fought hard to secure. Schumann funded advocacy partners included the NJ Cash Table, a statewide coalition that includes Schumann grantee partners NJ Policy Perspective, NJ Citizen Action Education Fund, and NJ Institute for Social Justice, among others. Working in coalition with United Ways and organizations across the state, the case was made that direct financial relief is essential for working families and ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) try to keep pace with the cost of living.
None of this happens without partnerships and coalition work. Partners, community leaders, policymakers, and everyday residents all raised their voices to explain, in plain terms, what this credit means for households across the state — and lawmakers listened. Now advocates will work to maintain and further expand these child and family friendly policies. Want to know how the expanded credit works?
SIMPLEFILE REALLY IS SIMPLE
The State of New Jersey has a new, easier way to connect lower-income families with the New Jersey Child Tax Credit. SimpleFile.NJ.gov is a new site that lets eligible New Jerseyans claim a $1,250 cash benefit for each child under age 6.
Here’s the catch: thousands of eligible residents don’t typically file taxes, so many have no idea this credit is even available to them. Getting the word out to non-filers is where New Jersey needs help — this credit can make a real difference in covering food, housing, childcare, and other everyday costs.
SimpleFile was built by the State of New Jersey in partnership with Code for America, a nonprofit focused on making government services easier to use. The result is a free, streamlined state tax filing that doesn’t feel like tax season at all:
✅ Takes 15 minutes or less
✅ Won’t affect eligibility for other benefits like SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, or TANF
✅ No tax documents required
Encourage your partners to explore this benefit.
NJ CITIZEN ACTION LAUNCHES HEALTHCARE DATABASE FOR THE UNINSURED
Devastating federal cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and the ACA are already straining New Jersey families, making healthcare affordability more urgent than ever. More than 70,000 NJ households have lost GetCoveredNJ coverage, 10,000 children have lost Cover All Kids coverage, and up to 300,000 residents are expected to lose Medicaid this coming year. To help communities navigate this crisis, New Jersey Citizen Action and the NJ For Health Care Coalition launched a new Statewide Healthcare Access Database. Residents who’ve lost coverage — or are supporting a loved one who has — can now instantly browse a statewide list of clinics and health centers serving the uninsured.
This simple tool allows them to:
● Search easily: Filter providers by county or service, or browse statewide.
● Access care: Find free and low-cost medical services near them, regardless of insurance status.
● Find resources: New providers are added regularly. Know of one that’s missing? Submit it directly.
The Coalition is fighting for a system that lowers prices, expands coverage, and simplifies care for everyone — but residents don’t have to wait for reform to get care today.
About Schumann Fund for New Jersey
Founded in 1988, Schumann Fund for New Jersey is a private foundation based in Montclair, NJ. It advances ideas and opportunities to empower low-income children, families, and communities of color to thrive. The foundation invests in non-profit organizations rooted in Essex County and statewide that work to advance racial and economic equity.