Making A Difference

People Making A Difference

Jack Tarditi
Conner Strong
CFSJ Chairperson

“The need in South Jersey for increased philanthropy has always been great, and now it is even more urgent.”

During these tough economic times, why start a Community Foundation of South Jersey now? CFSJ chairperson Jack Tarditi says, “Why wait? Despite these times”, Jack continues, “The need in South Jersey for increased philanthropy has always been great, and now it is even more urgent. There is no better time to move forward with establishing a community foundation that will do good - forever. There could be worse times ahead than today and we believe that a community foundation can help to increase the pie. We say, let’s go forward.”

Jack says the reach of CFSJ is of paramount importance. “We plan to have community advisory groups in each of the eight-counties in South Jersey to bring forward recommendations where the foundation can have impact. We will be fair, encompassing and be geographically diverse.”

While people’s resources may have shrunk, Jack strongly believes those who are philanthropic will continue to make significant gifts. The multiplier effect of many donors coming together to maximize giving through CFSJ will create the leverage we need to improve our South Jersey region for everyone. According to Jack, “We share in all the results: from Camden County to Ocean County.”

- By Brenda Jorett

Mindy Holman, President & CEO
Holman Enterprises
CFSJ Board of Trustees, Vice Chairperson

“This is a wonderful vehicle to help everyone invest in philanthropy.”

Mindy Holman says she’s stepping up to help establish the Community Foundation of South Jersey to “create more assets for the benefit of all.” Research shows the eight-county South Jersey region is receiving only a small percentage of foundation funding in the state. “Roughly 89% of foundation assets are housed in Central and North Jersey communities. This region is so diverse; urban and rural areas including Atlantic City, Vineland and Camden have the same basic needs including helping our youth and solving the problem of hunger. We’re joined by all our needs.”

Mindy continues, “The CFSJ excites me because I believe there are a lot of philanthropists in our region who may be passionate about certain causes but don’t know how to start, who to contribute to or whether their gifts are going to the most effective organizations. The Foundation makes giving easy because donations are professionally managed, effectively overseen by professionals who are knowledgeable about the needs in the region and what organizations are doing great work. We have services offered to help those who are interested in estate planning, a philanthropic giving plan, and giving with estate planning and other issues. The foundation allows donors to make substantial gifts to foster change.”

This is the first time Mindy has been part of a foundation organization building from the ground up. She comments, “We’re crafting this foundation to benefit the community as well as the donors and those who are receiving funding. We see this as growing the pie and helping families and individuals across the eight county South Jersey region. CFSJ leadership will help donors find organizations that really reach where they want their money to go. The foundation enables them to participate at their level of comfort.”

Mindy says it’s important to know that the foundation’s mission is to expand funding opportunities to non-profit organizations, not compete for donations. “Part of our job is to educate people about our mission which is to strengthen non-profit groups by raising additional funds during a time when needs are greater.”

- By Brenda Jorett

T. Christian Rollins, CFRE
Executive Director
Southern Ocean County Hospital Foundation
Member, Advisory Committee

“There are folks not taking care of themselves at all, going without things such as pre-natal care or routine diabetes treatment.”

There are people across South Jersey, and especially in rural southern Ocean County, New Jersey who feel as though they are in an economic “freefall.” They are migrant workers, small business owners, and farmers. Chris Rollins, Executive Director of the Southern Ocean County Hospital Foundation says, “The economy in southern Ocean County continues to struggle, affecting individuals, small business, and seasonal employers. They feel they are in freefall because of joblessness, business problems, and a host of issues including access to healthcare, and such basic needs as food and shelter.”

Chris’s expertise in health fundraising points to the need for an organization such as CFSJ to add to the resources needed for non-profit organizations struggling to do more with less for a growing number of individuals and families. “There are folks not taking care of themselves at all, going without things such as pre-natal care or routine diabetes treatment. There are others who are going to their local hospital emergency room for primary care, because they have no insurance or can’t afford the insurance co-pay. That, in turn, puts a strain on the hospital, which doesn’t get adequate reimbursement from government entities for charity care.”

Chris explains, “If an organization such as United Way is a checkbook for non-profit groups, the Community Foundation of South Jersey is the savings account. While the gift you make to a local charity is critical to sustain programs and meet the needs of the folks they serve every day, the Community Foundation is in a position to look at the bigger picture, anticipating and focusing on future issues, and addressing those needs through planned giving from donors.” Chris adds, “We have the ability to represent all communities across South Jersey through governance and programming, and what we elect to fund. We can lift up priorities and address them appropriately to fill gaps in funding.”

- By Brenda Jorett

Dr. Stella Horton, Executive Director
Camden Center for Youth Development
CFSJ Board of Trustees

“When I have, you have; when you have, I have. I AM my brother’s and sister’s keeper.”

Being involved in a philanthropic venture strikes Dr. Stella Horton in a very different way. “I am a southern woman whose economic status as a child would not have been considered wealthy. But I grew up with the spirit that says, ‘Assist your neighbor.’ That includes sharing food, transportation and yes, capital.”

When she was asked to participate in the Community Foundation of South Jersey, Dr. Horton said she was drawn in by the chance to tackle issues including social justice and equity through philanthropy. Working in the trenches of the community as Executive Director of the Camden Center for Youth Development, she was impressed by the Ford Foundation’s commitment to give Camden as well as other urban and rural communities across the eight-county South Jersey region the opportunity to benefit from the philanthropy.

“What is important and critical is that we look at philanthropy from a multi-pronged and non-traditional view. There are some individuals who can write that large check, but philanthropy can also be in communities where smaller weekly or monthly contributions can be made through “giving circles,” in sums of perhaps just $25.” Dr. Horton stresses, “Both prongs of the philanthropy must be established.” She explains that people living and working in some of the urban and rural areas, including Camden, can have the opportunity to have an investment in the non-profit groups they support and believe in, while their neighbors benefit from the services and programs.

Dr. Horton says, “If we have a hope of changing the culture of philanthropy, we, as a foundation, have to not only reach out to the $100,000 donors, but to those “giving circles.” She continues, “That creates diversity and advances the conversation about unification in communities.”

“Our responsibility through our ambassadors program at CFSJ gives us the opportunity to advance these conversations,” Dr. Horton says. “Whether my resources are limited in 2009 as compared to 2005, part of my being is grounded in: whatever I have, I will share it.”

Dr. Horton says, “When you begin to carry that philosophy and those thoughts, you can begin to impact the way things are traditionally done.” And in a powerful voice, Dr. Horton concludes, “When I have, you have; when you have, I have. I AM my brother’s and sister’s keeper.”

- By Brenda Jorett

Dr. Kim Ayres
Director of Planning & Community Development
City of Millville
CFSJ Board of Trustees

The Community Foundation of South Jersey creates a “new approach to tackling old and stubborn problems.” Dr. Kim Warker Ayres has spent much of her career as a city planner in Millville, Cumberland County. She says, “The flexibility of a community foundation is one of the best advantages, giving us a chance to respond to both the immediate needs of our community and those that require long term attention. Where necessary, the foundation can make grants and support projects without the restrictions that many other grantmakers apply.”

Dr. Ayres says providing foundation funding throughout the eight-county South Jersey region gives the foundation and its trustees the ability to think outside the box when it comes to reaching into urban and rural areas throughout the area. Dr. Ayres comments, “While CFSJ is a neutral convening body, the foundation will also take the lead on problems and issues and work toward solutions.”

Understanding how the community foundation works is also a key. She says, “CFSJ combines an array of philanthropic resources—large and small--of all citizens. Donors can choose to direct their contributions to their own specific interests as well as contribute to a larger pool that will have greater impact. They can do so through giving circles, through foundations housed at CFSJ, businesses or alone. Dr. Ayres continues, “Whether it’s school kids who have put together a little money through a bake sale, a large corporation whose investments can go further if pooled with others, or a medium-sized South Jersey family foundation that wants to leverage the local knowledge and expertise of the CFSJ staff, this is an effective approach to tackling problems in a way that is well established throughout the United States, but has not been tried here before.”

- By Brenda Jorett