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Victoria Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$12.8M
Grant Range
$25K - $0.5M

Victoria Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12.8 million (2024)
  • Assets: $305 million
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $500,000
  • Median Grant: $45,000
  • Geographic Focus: Newark, NJ (with some statewide environmental grants)
  • Founded: 1924 (Celebrating 100 years in 2024)

Contact Details

Address: 550 Broad St, Suite 1402, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 973-792-9200
Email: info@victoriafoundation.org
Website: https://www.victoriafoundation.org

Overview

Founded in 1924 by Hendon Chubb, Victoria Foundation is one of the oldest private foundations in America. With assets of $305 million and annual grantmaking of approximately $12-13 million, the Foundation has distributed over $340 million in grants since focusing primarily on Newark in 1964. In 2024, the Foundation celebrated its centennial anniversary by awarding $12.8 million in grants, including $2.5 million in special Centennial Impact Awards. The Foundation's mission is to partner with Black and Brown residents and other marginalized communities in Newark and nonprofit organizations to champion bold strategies that strengthen community power, foster economic justice, promote youth self-determination, and respond to pressing needs. The Foundation has undergone significant strategic realignment in recent years, shifting from short-term, single-focus grants to a place-focused neighborhood approach through its Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative: Victoria Foundation's long-term commitment to building power and generational well-being at the neighborhood level, focusing on three specific Newark neighborhoods: Fairmount Heights, Lower Broadway, and Upper Clinton Hill. This represents a historic pivot to community-informed strategies and larger, bolder investments in deep relationship with community partners. Grants range from $300,000 to $500,000 for major organizational partners.

NextGen Grantmakers Fund: A youth-led grantmaking initiative in partnership with The Gem Project, where nine Newark youth (ages 16-17) design the criteria, application, and selection process. Distributes approximately $50,000 annually to Newark-based nonprofits that center youth in their work. The application process is managed by the youth cohort and opens periodically.

Public Schools Funding: Victoria Foundation no longer accepts direct applications from public schools or school management organizations. Starting in 2018-19, school-related grantmaking is administered through four intermediary organizations:

  • Newark Trust for Education (social/emotional learning grants)
  • Newark Arts Education Roundtable (arts education grants)
  • Newark Thrives! (STEM/STEAM grants)
  • Schools That Can Newark (college access & success grants)

Priority Areas

The Foundation focuses on three core areas:

Strengthening Community Power: Building civic and leadership capacity of community residents, particularly in the three target neighborhoods. Recent grantees include Leadership Newark ($300,000) and New Jersey Institute for Social Justice ($500,000).

Fostering Economic Justice: Supporting organizations that address economic inequality and intergenerational poverty. Recent grantees include FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development ($300,000) and Ironbound Community Corporation ($500,000).

Promoting Youth Self-Determination: Funding youth organizing, expression, and leadership development. Recent grantees include Leaders for Life, Sadie Nash, and The GEM Project (each $300,000).

Environmental Grants (Limited): While the Foundation's founding mission included protecting water resources and preserving open space statewide, recent activity focuses primarily on Newark-based programming with limited environmental grantmaking through partnerships like the New Jersey Conservation Foundation.

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct grants to public schools or school management organizations (must apply through designated intermediaries)
  • Organizations without a clear connection to Newark or serving Newark residents
  • General operating support for organizations outside the three priority focus areas

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Craig Drinkard, Executive Officer: Served as Co-Executive Officer with Irene Cooper-Basch before becoming sole Executive Officer. Has worked at Victoria Foundation for 15 years. Drinkard has stated: "Newark has a rich cultural heritage and vibrant Black and brown communities. We are looking forward to working in partnership with residents and community organizations to put Victoria Foundation's investments and voice to work with them, to see their visions for their families and communities into reality."

On the Foundation's strategic framework, Drinkard noted the framework is "nice on paper, but once we get into the streets and start working with residents, that's when our mettle will be tested."

Irene Cooper-Basch, Former Executive Officer (2006-2024): Led the Foundation through significant strategic transitions and retired after nearly two decades of leadership.

Board of Trustees

The board consists of 16 members, with five family members (Chubb family descendants) holding seats. Currently, half of the board are people of color, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to diversity and community representation.

Percy Chubb III (deceased 2016): Joined the Board in 1973, became board chair in 1982, and served as president for 30 years. He stated: "I take some pride in the notion that if we are going to invest in something we should really do it well. I wanted us to do things that would make a difference."

Sally G. Chubb: Long-serving trustee honored with the Sally G. Chubb Legacy Grants ($125,000 each to Arts Ed Newark and Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey) for her dedication to arts and girls'/women's empowerment.

Recent board appointments include Amina Bey and Aqeela Sherrills (2022) and De'Shawn Wright (2024), demonstrating the Foundation's commitment to including Newark community leaders.

Key Staff

  • Sharnita C. Johnson: Vice President of Strategy, Impact and Communications (first-ever position)
  • Diana Kostas: Chief Financial Officer
  • Stephanie Greenwood: Senior Strategy Officer for Economic Justice
  • Erin Johnstone: Grants Manager
  • Cecilia Martinez: Communications Specialist

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Victoria Foundation does not have a traditional public application process. The Foundation has shifted to a proactive, relationship-based grantmaking model rather than accepting unsolicited proposals.

Since 2020, Victoria Foundation paused accepting unsolicited applications during a strategic planning and assessment period. The Foundation now primarily identifies and invites organizations to apply based on alignment with their Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative and strategic priorities.

For Public Schools: Organizations must apply through one of the four designated intermediary organizations (Newark Trust for Education, Newark Arts Education Roundtable, Newark Thrives!, or Schools That Can Newark). Direct applications from schools are not accepted.

For NextGen Grantmakers Fund: The youth-led fund periodically opens applications to Newark-based nonprofits. Contact Brianna Suarez (bsuarez@victoriafoundation.org) or Amanda Ebokosia (amanda@thegemproject.org) for information about upcoming cycles.

For General Grantmaking: Organizations interested in Victoria Foundation funding should contact the Foundation at 973-792-9200 or info@victoriafoundation.org to discuss potential alignment with Foundation priorities.

Getting on Their Radar

Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative Focus: The Foundation is making "larger, bolder investments in deep relationship with community partners" in the three target neighborhoods (Fairmount Heights, Lower Broadway, Upper Clinton Hill). Organizations working in these neighborhoods should demonstrate:

  • Deep roots and relationships with neighborhood residents
  • Alignment with one or more of the three priority areas (community power, economic justice, youth self-determination)
  • Community-informed strategies developed in partnership with Black and Brown residents
  • Commitment to building civic and leadership capacity of residents

Newark Future Forum: Victoria Foundation and Rutgers University periodically present the Newark Future Forum, providing opportunities for community engagement and discussion around the Foundation's focus areas. Participating in these forums can increase visibility with Foundation staff and leadership.

Intermediary Partnerships: For organizations working in education, partnering with one of the Foundation's four intermediary organizations (Newark Trust, Arts Ed Roundtable, Newark Thrives!, Schools That Can) can provide a pathway to funding.

Community Leadership: The Foundation has actively appointed Newark community leaders to its Board of Trustees. Being recognized as a leader in Newark's nonprofit sector, particularly in the target neighborhoods, increases likelihood of being invited to apply.

Decision Timeline

The Foundation does not publicly disclose decision timelines. Given the relationship-based approach and focus on multi-year, substantial grants, the process likely involves extended discussion and relationship-building before formal funding decisions.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The Foundation made 157 grants in 2023 (totaling $11.5 million) and distributed over 100 grants in 2024 (totaling $12.8 million).

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed due to the invitation-based nature of grantmaking.

Application Success Factors

Given the Foundation's strategic realignment and relationship-based approach, organizations should consider:

Geographic Alignment: Priority given to organizations serving the three target neighborhoods (Fairmount Heights, Lower Broadway, Upper Clinton Hill). Executive Officer Craig Drinkard emphasized "Our commitment to these neighborhoods reflects our dedication to amplify community voices and address the historical consequences of disinvestment."

Community Partnership Model: The Foundation seeks to "co-create a future in collaboration with the people who call this city home." Successful applicants demonstrate authentic partnerships with Black and Brown residents and other marginalized communities, not just programs delivered to them.

Multi-Domain Impact: The Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative represents "a significant departure from Victoria Foundation's previous grantmaking strategies, moving away from short-term grantmaking investments that focus on a single area of community development to address multiple domains simultaneously." Organizations that address interconnected challenges across multiple priority areas may be more competitive.

Civic and Leadership Capacity: "An important feature of the TNI's comprehensive community change model places special emphasis on building the civic and leadership capacity of community residents." Programs should empower residents as leaders and decision-makers.

Long-term Commitment: The Foundation has shifted from short-term to long-term investments. The Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative involves multi-year commitments and substantial funding ($3 million invested since 2016, leveraging $18 million from partners).

Racial Justice and Equity: The Foundation explicitly centers racial justice. The framework emphasizes working with "Black and Brown residents and other marginalized communities in Newark." Organizations should demonstrate commitment to addressing systemic inequity.

Bold Strategies: The Foundation seeks to "champion bold strategies" rather than incremental approaches. Lauren G. Meehan of Arts Ed Newark noted the Foundation's support for "youth having access to the arts," indicating support for comprehensive, transformative programming.

Track Record in Newark: The Foundation has focused resources on Newark since 1964, investing over $340 million. Organizations with demonstrated impact and deep roots in Newark are prioritized.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Victoria Foundation operates through invitation-only grantmaking - there is no public application portal. Building relationships with Foundation staff and demonstrating alignment with their Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative is essential.

  • Geographic focus is paramount - Organizations must serve Newark, with strong preference for those working in Fairmount Heights, Lower Broadway, or Upper Clinton Hill neighborhoods.

  • Grant sizes are substantial - Recent grants range from $25,000 to $500,000, with median around $45,000. The Foundation prefers making larger, longer-term investments over small, short-term grants.

  • Community partnership is non-negotiable - The Foundation seeks organizations that work in "deep relationship with community partners" and co-create solutions with residents, not for them. This is not about service delivery but power-building.

  • Multi-year strategy required - The shift away from short-term grants means organizations should be prepared to articulate long-term vision and sustained impact over multiple years.

  • Board diversity reflects priorities - With half the board now people of color and recent appointments of Newark community leaders, the Foundation practices the equity it preaches. Organizations should demonstrate similar commitment to representative leadership.

  • Public school funding goes through intermediaries - Schools and education organizations must work through Newark Trust for Education, Newark Arts Education Roundtable, Newark Thrives!, or Schools That Can Newark rather than applying directly.

References

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