New Brunswick, NJ (January 17, 2017) – New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC), through its THRIVE South Jersey initiative, will be granting up to $100,000 in 2017 to support targeted community revitalization projects that will help enhance the impact of community-based organizations in achieving their community development missions.
THRIVE South Jersey works to expand local and regional capacity to generate economic growth in the targeted region of Southern New Jersey that includes Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem and Western Atlantic counties. Through a combination of strategic funding and capacity building, THRIVE South Jersey seeks to support organizations fostering community revitalization activities that will generate jobs and sustain low-income families in the four county region.
NJCC will award grants to projects fulfilling one of two purposes: community revitalization, or employment and workforce linkages. Grant applications will be accepted beginning January 17, 2017 and continue on a rolling basis throughout the year until the full amount has been awarded.
In 2016, NJCC awarded seven grants through the THRIVE South Jersey Special Grant Program. The winners included: the Volunteer Center of South Jersey, Glasstown Arts District, Millville Neighborhood Alliance, Stand Up for Salem, Bridgeton Man Street, Main Street Woodbury, and Main Street Hammonton.
“Millville’s Glasstown Arts District benefited greatly from the THRIVE South Jersey Special Grant Program in 2016. Thirteen façades on buildings received improvement grants from the $20,000 fund, created from the THRIVE SJ grant,” said arts district director, Marianne Lods. “Paint, new doors and windows, awnings and signs gave these buildings a fresh and bright new look. The owners contributed a match of 25 percent and the total investment topped $30,000,” Lods concluded.
“NJCC’s THRIVE Grant Program provided the Volunteer Center of South Jersey with the funding needed to launch the SJWorks program. This program offers a new approach to helping the unemployed population in our region,” said Michele Epifani, executive director of the Volunteer Center of South Jersey. “By using volunteerism as a path to employment, individuals have a 27% better chance of finding employment. Since its launch in September, SJWorks has assisted over 20 individuals through networking, employment, volunteering workshops.”
Eligible applicants include New Jersey-based nonprofit housing, community development, or community development support organizations that have been in existence for at least one year and operate in a municipality within the THRIVE South Jersey target region. To submit an application, please complete the form available at www.newjerseycommunitycapital.org/initiatives/thrive-south-jersey and return to Laura Wallick at lwallick@njclf.com.
About New Jersey Community Capital (NJCC)
NJCC is a nonprofit community development financial institution (CDFI) that transforms at-risk communities through strategic investments of capital and knowledge. NJCC invests in affordable housing, community facilities, and economic development ventures that strengthen neighborhoods, improve education, and increase jobs, ultimately providing greater opportunities for low-income populations. Since inception, NJCC has facilitated the investment of over $500 million into 800 high-impact projects across the state, supporting the creation and preservation of 12,900 education seats, 8,200 housing units, 6,100 early care slots, and 6,100 jobs. For more information, please visit www.newjerseycommunitycapital.org.