Joins in Celebrating 10 Years of the Neighborhood Partners Program.

--The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation’s Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice and Flood Mitigation Program received support from the PSEGF Foundation to reduce future flooding in Hackensack, improve conditions in areas of the city facing the worst environmental problems, beautify neighborhoods, and enhance the natural environment.--

Hackensack, NJ -- The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) received a PSEG Foundation Neighborhood Partners Program (NPP) grant of $10,000 to support the Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice and Flood Mitigation Program. The grant will support these three projects:

-- The Hackensack River Nation Summit, a regional event expected to draw 100 environmental and community leaders and others to explore better ways to protect the Hackensack River Watershed and connect more people to the Hackensack River.

-- Pathways to the River, an effort to design accessible paths for more people in Hackensack to go to and spend time in the Hackensack River area.

-- Public environmental education programs focusing on environmental protection. 

Learn more about the Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice and Flood Mitigation Program at http://tinyurl.com/GreenInfrastructureJustice.

Commitment to Environmental Sustainability

The PSEG Foundation selected the NNJCF for its significant contributions in the area of Environmental Sustainability. The NNJCF intends to develop a green infrastructure plan and a strategy to connect better residents from the City Hackensack and the surrounding area to the Hackensack River through greenways and public art.

“The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation is honored to has received funding from the Neighborhood Partners Program for two consecutive years. The PSEG Foundation’s support of the NNJCF’s environmental programs made it possible for us to provide award-winning service to the residents of Hackensack,” said Leonardo Vazquez, Executive Director, Northern New Jersey Community Foundation. “The Green Infrastructure for Environmental Justice program is helping to reduce flooding in Hackensack and to make the city greener, cleaner and healthier. Thanks to the Neighborhood Partners Program’s support, NNJCF produced a model rain garden and environmentally focused public art, as well as built an active resident-led group to advance environmental justice.”

PSEG Foundation Sets Records

This year, NPP set new records, with an 11% increase in applications and $1.2 million in total giving—a 20% rise from last year. Founded in 2014, PSEG Foundation’s NPP provides grant funding for organizations based on demonstrated program effectiveness, depth, and overall alignment with the foundation’s strategic pillars: environmental sustainability, social justice, and equity and economic empowerment. Since its inception more than 400 nonprofit organizations, in New Jersey and Long Island, New York, have received nearly $8 million in grants

“In ten years, the Neighborhood Partners Program has not only awarded millions in grants but has stood alongside hundreds of community-led organizations to create lasting change throughout New Jersey and Long Island. NPP now serves as a role model for other funders who also seek to be catalysts for progress at the neighborhood level,” said Calvin Ledford Jr., President of the PSEG Foundation. “We are proud to support these transformative partnerships, which embody our unwavering commitment to empowering communities, tackling critical environmental and socio-economic challenges, and advancing equity—especially for those with the greatest need—so that all communities can thrive in a more sustainable and just New Jersey and Long Island.”

For information about the PSEG Foundation’s NPP, the strategic pillars, and the full list of the NPP awardees, visit the organization’s website at https://corporate.pseg.com/corporatecitizenship/psegfoundation/neighborhoodpartnersprogram. More information about the PSEG Foundation and its programs may be found on the company’s website, https://corporate.pseg.com/corporatecitizenship/psegfoundation.

To learn more about the NNJCF and its initiatives, visit the organization’s website, www.nnjcf.org. Learn more about the to get involved in the organization’s work, contact 201-568-5608 or [email protected].

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.