The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation received a $30,000 grant from Dimension Energy to support environmental projects in the City of Hackensack and along the Hackensack River Watershed.

Hackensack, NJ -- The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF), a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Hackensack, New Jersey, announces community solar developer, owner and operator Dimension Energy, with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia and an office in New York City, awarded a grant of $30,000. The grant supports these projects: Hackensack River Nation, Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice, and ArtsBergen’s tenth anniversary celebration -- Connect the Dots: Works on Water.

"We are honored to receive this generous gift from Dimension Energy to support our environmental program. The Foundation is delighted to work with them, both as a donor and a collaborator on projects,” said Leonardo Vazquez, Executive Director of the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation.

“Dimension is thrilled to support the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s environmental and community-building initiatives,” said Charlotte Parker, Director of Community Engagement, Dimension Energy. “Our work does not stop after we have permitted, subscribed, or energized a community solar project; we are committed to partnering with deep-rooted New Jersey organizations like NNJCF to build a more sustainable New Jersey for the long term.”

The New Jersey Community Solar Energy Program (CSEP) was introduced in 2018 to make solar savings available to renters and homeowners without upfront costs or expensive solar panels. To date, Dimension has energized three community solar projects on Northern New Jersey warehouse rooftops that now serve almost 1,200 households - over 51% of which are low-to-moderate income. Around 2,600 more households in NNJCF’s service counties will be able to access the benefits of community solar through eight more Dimension community solar projects that will come online in 2025-2026.

Three Initiatives Supported

Dimension’s grant supports these initiatives:

-- Hackensack River Nation. This regional alliance of environmental organizations, community organizations, businesses and public agencies works to help protect the natural ecosystem in the Hackensack River Watershed. For more information about this initiative, visit https://tinyurl.com/NNJCFHRN.

-- Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice. This effort seeks to reduce flooding and promote a greener, cleaner, healthier, and sustainable environment for residents, businesses, employees, and visitors in Hackensack, New Jersey. In February 2025, the NNJCF and Dimension Energy are planning a webinar on community solar benefits technology that will be announced in the future. More information about this project may be found at http://tinyurl.com/GreenInfrastructureJustice.

-- ArtsBergen’s Connect the Dots - Works on Water. During National Arts and Humanities Month in October of 2024, this NNJCF ArtsBergen workshop celebrated the initiative’s tenth anniversary. The workshop focused on how public art and performances help to connect more people emotionally to local waterways such as the Hackensack River. Participants learned more about how public art raises awareness about environmental issues, while building beauty and community. Learn more about the ArtsBergen initiative, www.nnjcf.org/artsbergen/.

NNJCF Enriches Life in Northern New Jersey

The NNJCF builds connections, pools resources, and provides leadership to enrich quality of life in these eight counties in New Jersey: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union and Warren. Through its work in northern New Jersey, the Foundation seeks to develop more creative and inspiring places, greener and healthier places, and more places of belonging and opportunity. For further information about the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, ArtsBergen, or Connect the Dots, contact [email protected] or call 201-568-5608.

Dimension Energy

Dimension Energy is a leading community solar developer, owner, and operator. Dimension has executed more than 600 megawatts (MW) of community solar since its 2018 founding. The company plans to invest over $3 billion over the next five years, will have more than 800 MW in pre-construction-to-operations by the end of 2025, and 2.8 GW under development across 13 markets. In the communities where we invest, our projects deliver clean energy, local jobs, tax revenue, and savings, alongside other benefits including workforce development and educational opportunities. Dimension is making clean energy work for everyone. Learn more at www.dimension-energy.com.

About Northern New Jersey Community Foundation

Founded in 1998, The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization based in Hackensack, New Jersey, works with local governments, school districts, businesses, non-profit organizations, and citizen groups to improve community life. Through collaborative partnerships, regional problems are identified and resolved. Opportunities are discovered and explored by talking and learning from each other and sharing ideas, best practices, services, and resources. The Foundation works to grow more creative and inspiring places, greener and healthier places, and more places of belonging and opportunity. For more information, visit www.nnjcf.org, send an email to [email protected], or call 201-568-5608.