OVERVIEW: The Victoria Foundation supports children and families in Newark, New Jersey and the environment throughout the state of New Jersey.
IP TAKE: Ever since the Victoria Foundation’s strategic restructuring in 2022, it has paused new grantmaking while existing grant partners have been given three-year transitional grants. Further information on nonprofits that will continue to receive support, or require new applications, is under development, so grantseekers should check this funder’s site often for changes. This funder conducts grantmaking through an equity lens, something to consider if approaching this funder.
In the past, the Victoria Foundation has been a transparent funder. At times, the scope and range of funded organizations can be a little hard to gauge outside of 990s. This foundation often supports returning grantees for additional years, so this is a good funder to get involved with in Newark though it will be more challenging for new organizations to secure funding here. Keep a close eye on new announcements regarding grantmaking strategy.
PROFILE: Established in 1924, The Victoria Foundation, based in Newark, New Jersey, is one of the oldest private foundation’s in the United States and recently celebrated its 100th Anniversary. Founded by insurance magnate Hendon Chubb and named after his mother, the Victoria Foundation has always sought to address the needs of children and families in Newark. In 2022, the foundation’s mission evolved to “partner with Black and Brown residents and other marginalized communities in Newark and nonprofit organizations to champion bold strategies that strengthen community power, foster economic justice, promote youth self-determination, and respond to pressing needs.” The foundation previously had a bifurcated grantmaking structure that prioritized Newark and statewide land conservation projects, but this approach was expanded to include a BIPOC community-led approach
Grants for Community and Economic Development, Civic Engagement and Racial Equity
In recent years, the Victoria Foundation has been working to prioritize racial and economic justice in all areas of its grantmaking, especially involving voter engagement, immigration policy and housing justice.
- Economic and racial justice funding is typically distributed through the Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative, “a place-focused approach designed to support community power and long-term well-being” currently at work in the Newark, NJ neighborhoods of Fairmount Heights, Lower Broadway and Upper Clinton Hill.
- Recent grantmaking partnerships include NAACP Newark, Newark Stays 2.0, and New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice.
Grants for Youth, K-12 Education, and Family Services
The Victoria Foundation supports K-12 education, as well as broad support for local children, representing nearly half of the organization’s total funding in recent years.
- It broadly funds public and private K-12 schools, New Jersey universities, daycares, STEM and arts education for underserved children and emergency services for families.
- Recent grantees include Newark Arts, Chalkbeat Newark and Newark Public Library. To see more grantees, check out this recent annual report.
Grants for the Environment and Clean Energy
The Victoria Foundation gives to environmental groups working in green energy and jobs, environmental justice, biodiversity, urban agriculture and other broad areas of environmental action relevant to Newark and the surrounding area.
- While environmental causes and conservation are no longer formally recognized as key pillars of the funder’s giving strategy, conservation still plays a major role in yearly giving.
- Recent grantees include the Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy and Clean Water Fund.
Important Grant Details:
Grants range from $5,000 to $500,000. In recent years, the Victoria Foundation has given over $10 million in total grants, annually.
- Review information about past grants in the funder’s annual reports.
- Grantmaking is typically restricted to groups that serve New Jersey and the Newark Area, especially the neighborhoods of Fairmount Heights, Lower Broadway and Upper Clinton Hill.
- The foundation uses an online grants management system and no longer accepts paper proposals as it once did. It welcomes unsolicited grant inquiries and has accepted the New York/New Jersey Common Application.
- However, it should be noted that new applications are on hold until the Victoria Foundation releases new information about its grantmaking strategy after a new strategic framework was developed in 2022.
- Grantseekers may contact this funder by calling the staff at (973) 792-9200 or emailing the executive officer, Irene Cooper-Basch, at info@victoriafoundation.org.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
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