The Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ) and its partners announced on February 4, 2026, the first round of grant award recipients from the South Jersey Resiliency Fund (SJRF), a pooled initiative designed to strengthen the operational capacity of the region’s nonprofit sector. In this initial cycle, grants were awarded to organizations across all eight southern New Jersey counties—Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem.
The Community Foundation of South Jersey and its partners today announced the launch of the South Jersey Resiliency Fund (SJRF), a new pooled funding initiative dedicated to strengthening the operational capacity of nonprofit organizations serving South Jersey communities.
This collaborative effort was designed to provide critical, unrestricted and flexible funding in response to recent shifts in the nonprofit landscape where demand for services and the costs to deliver them continue to increase, outpacing available funding. The SJRF allows local organizations to choose how best to address wide-ranging organizational needs, such as investing in programs, technology, and system upgrades, scenario planning, and other emergent needs that ensure long-term stability and effectiveness.
“We are excited to launch this new partnership with some of the Community Foundation’s longstanding philanthropic partners,” said Andy Fraizer, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of South Jersey. “When the funding community works together, the impact is immediately amplified. This initiative is a testament to a shared belief that the most effective way to strengthen South Jersey is by ensuring the incredible leaders and staff of the nonprofit sector have the resources necessary to thrive, not just survive.”
The South Jersey Resiliency Fund was made possible by a coalition of philanthropic and business partners with initial gifts and contributions from The Campbell’s Foundation, Community Foundation of South Jersey, Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, Holman, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and the Regional Foundation.
The fund will rapidly deploy unrestricted financial resources to nonprofit organizations in New Jersey’s Southern eight counties – Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem – and support local nonprofit agencies as they adapt internally and programmatically to assist neighbors and continue to deliver on their nonprofit missions.
“South Jersey’s nonprofit organizations are innovative problem-solvers on the front lines of community challenges,” said Kate Barrett, President of The Campbell’s Foundation. “Through the South Jersey Resiliency Fund, we are investing directly in the sustainability of these organizations to help ensure their critical work continues.”
South Jersey’s nonprofit organizations are the backbone of essential community services. This grant program underscores the funding partners’ commitment to recognizing and sustaining this vital work at a time when nonprofits’ missions are more crucial than ever.
“Given the urgent and unpredictable challenges facing the social sector, we prioritized a rapid response that trusts our nonprofit partners to use these resources where they are needed most in the community,” said Kevin Dow, Executive Director of the Regional Foundation. “Our sincere thanks go out to our partners for their immediate and necessary collaboration in bringing this effort to life.”
Andy Fraizer, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of South Jersey, added, “I am grateful for donations from CFSJ’s longtime supporters. On behalf of those in need and the nonprofits serving them, I ask private foundations, corporations, individuals, and philanthropists of any ability to join us as we collaborate to support the nonprofit community on the frontlines of serving South Jersey neighbors.”
To date, more than 150 grant applications have been submitted to the Community Foundation of South Jersey, totaling more than $2,135,000 in funding requests. The first deadline for nonprofit organizations to apply for grant funding from the South Jersey Resiliency Fund is Friday, November 21, 2025. A second round of funding will be made available in early 2026, followed by subsequent funding rounds dependent on fundraising success.
For more details on donating, funding priorities, and how to apply, please visit www.sjresiliencyfund.org.
The Community Foundation of South Jersey (CFSJ) welcomes three new members to its Governing Board: James E. Andreacci, Jane M. Kerr, and Jessica L. González Martínez.
“I am grateful for these three individuals volunteering to support and exercise leadership on behalf of the Community Foundation,” shared Executive Director Andy Fraizer. “With impressive professional experience and passion for community development and philanthropy, they are fantastic additions to the board of directors.”
James Andreacci has more than twenty years of executive experience in the financial industry, currently serving as the Southern New Jersey Market President of Ocean First Bank. James previously worked at Truist and PNC Bank among other financial institutions and is an active board member and committee chair in many South Jersey organizations.
“South Jersey is a special place to me, and I prioritize my civic involvement to the organizations with the greatest potential for regional impact,” Mr. Andreacci said. “CFSJ is one such organization creating impact by inspiring generosity with families and businesses in the region.”
Jane Kerr began her career with J.P. Morgan in 1997 and today is an Executive Director and Senior Fiduciary Officer at J.P. Morgan Private Bank. Prior to joining the Bank, Jane worked for the U.S. Trust Company and the firm of Miller, Dunham and Doering in Philadelphia. Ms. Kerr’s professional experience includes personal trust management, client service and assisting high net worth families preserve their legacies and manage their multi-generational needs. She is a member of the Philadelphia Estate Planning Council.
“I am honored to join the CFSJ Board and look forward to working with this amazing group of people,” said Ms. Kerr. “My professional work is helping families manage a legacy. Community Foundations like CFSJ are important civic infrastructure to connect family legacy with community impact. Board service at CFSJ is a great way to utilize my philanthropic experience in a way that positively impacts South Jersey and beyond.”
Jessica L. González Martínez joins the board with extensive experience in community development and economic growth, having spent more than a decade implementing cross-sector partnerships that create impact. From grassroots organizations to government entities, Ms. Martinez has managed multiple grantmaking initiatives, worked with diverse stakeholders, and led initiatives that focus on providing resources to historically under-represented communities.
“As someone with roots in Cumberland and Atlantic Counties, I am passionate about giving back to the region, ensuring that local economic and social initiatives empower residents to thrive and build generational wealth,” said Martinez. “CFSJ board leadership is an opportunity to contribute my skills to strengthen the Foundation’s efforts in inclusive growth and social impact.”
