Investing in Our Community: Northern NJ Community Foundation Announces 2025 Grant Awards

The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) joined more than 1,000 community foundations nationwide to celebrate National Community Foundation Week from November 12 to November 18, 2025. During this week, the NNJCF, a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Hackensack, New Jersey, announced nearly $30,000 in grant and scholarship awards were made in 2025. These grants and scholarships were recommended by fund advisors, reviewed by staff and approved by the NNJCF’s Board of Trustees.

"As we celebrate our 27th year of service in North Jersey, the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation continues to empower local nonprofits and educational institutions through strategic grantmaking. Since our inception in 1998, we have distributed over $1 million in critical funding, supporting organizations that drive meaningful change and address the most pressing needs in our communities," said Leonardo Vazquez, Executive Director. "The generosity of our donors and supporters makes these impactful grant and scholarship awards possible, transforming local aspirations into tangible results."

The grant and scholarship recipients include the following:

• CancerCare®. Grant of $5,000 to benefit Healing Hearts Family Bereavement Camp. CancerCare® provides free, professional support services, including case management, counseling, support groups, educational workshops, publications and financial assistance to anyone affected by cancer. The DeAnna Stark Pasciuto Memorial Fund.

• Leonia High School to Renee Kim of the Class of 2025. $2,000 scholarship. The Class of 1964 Ralph Gregg Memorial Scholarship Fund.

• Leonia High School to Evelyn Um of the Class of 2025. $3,000 scholarship. The Paul Coopersmith in Memory of Frank DeLorenzo Memorial Fund.

• New Milford High School to Benjamin Del Vecchio of the Class of 2025. $2,000 scholarship. The Darren Drake Memorial Fund.

• Northern Valley Regional High School Demarest to Hannah Cohen of the Class of 2025. $1,000 scholarship. The Joanna Shyong Scholarship Fund.

• Passaic County Technical Institute to Arrian Wynter Scholarship of the Class of 2025. $1,500 scholarship. David Vincent Rasa MD RPH Healthcare Scholarship Fund.

• Stockton University Foundation. Grant of $2,000 to benefit the Stockton University Women’s Soccer Team. The DeAnna Stark Pasciuto Memorial Fund.

• Stockton University Foundation. Grant of $2,000 to support the Stockton University ’01 Memorial Scholarship for the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program that was awarded to Amanda Pietz. The DeAnna Stark Pasciuto Memorial Fund.

• Teaneck High School to Tia Gadson of the Class of 2025. Scholarship for $1,000. The Jannie Smith Legacy Fund.

• Wayne Hills High School to Laasya Chintala of the Class of 2025. Scholarship for $1,500. David Vincent Rasa MD RPH Healthcare Scholarship Fund.

• Wayne Valley High School to Ayla Homsy of the Class of 2025. Scholarship for $1,500. David Vincent Rasa MD RPH Healthcare Scholarship Fund.

Partner with NNJCF to Pursue Your Philanthropic Goals

The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation invites anyone, who wants to support a cause or community, to establish their own charitable fund. The NNJCF partners with the donor to identify and select vetted nonprofit organizations to award funding and manages the fund’s account, enabling the donor to provide support over many years. Anyone interested in establishing a Donor Advised Fund or another type of fund should visit the NNJCF’s Philanthropic Giving webpage or contact Danielle De Laurentis, NNJCF Associate Director, at danielle@nnjcf.org or 201-568-5608, x1. Learn more about the NNJCF’s donor advised funds.

National Community Foundation Week

National Community Foundation Week was created in 1989 by former president George H.W. Bush to raise awareness about the important role philanthropic organizations like the NNJCF play in fostering local collaboration and innovating solutions to address persistent civic and economic challenges. Community foundations are independent, public entities that steward philanthropic resources from institutional and individual donors to local nonprofits, representing one of the fastest-growing forms of philanthropy. As community foundations find solutions for communities, their collective work has a profound impact.

The NNJCF collaborates with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and individuals on a range of projects and asks: What can we do together that we can't do alone? The Foundation’s work focuses on growing more creative and inspiring places, developing greener and healthier places, and establishing more places of belonging and opportunity.

Support the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation

Individuals and businesses may support the NNJCF's work with a tax-deductible donation, as permitted by law. Donations may be made online. Contributions may also be sent by check made out to 'The Northern N.J. Community Foundation' entered in the memo line. Send checks to the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, 1 University Plaza, Suite 128, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601. For further information about the NNJCF, call 201-568-5608 or send an e-mail.