3 Atlantic County-Based Nonprofits Net Statewide Grants

ATLANTIC COUNTY, NJ — Three Atlantic County-based nonprofits were awarded statewide grants from the New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund (NJACRF).

About $1.3 million in grants were provided by NJACRF to support arts, culture and historical nonprofits that were shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state's nonprofit arts industry reported pandemic-related losses of more than $100 million as of December, according to the NJACRF.

Eagle Theatre in Hammonton, South Jersey Cultural Alliance in Hammonton and MudGirls Studios in Linwood received grants from the NJACRF.

In response to the needs of the arts community, NJACRF was established last year with a gift from the Grunin Foundation in Toms River.

Merck recently became a leadership donor, and the 1772 Foundation and Turrell Fund became major donors to the fund, which has raised a total of over $4.5 million.

"COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted the health and economic wellbeing of many communities in New Jersey," said Carmen Villar, vice president, Social Business Innovation, Merck. "We are proud to support the NJACRF's work to ensure equitable recovery of the vibrant arts and cultural sectors for all communities in our state."

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