Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $9.4 million
- Total Assets: $207.7 million (2024)
- Decision Time: Quarterly cycles
- Grant Range: $300 - $1,000,000
- Median Grant: $34,388
- Geographic Focus: Greater Newark, NJ and MetroWest Jewish community (Essex, Morris, Somerset, Union, and parts of Sussex counties)
Contact Details
Address: 60 East Willow Street, 2nd Floor, Millburn, NJ 07041
Phone: (973) 921-1210
Email: info@HFNJ.org
Website: https://hfnj.org
Grant Inquiries: Kevin McManemin, Grants and Community Outreach Manager (kmcmanemin@hfnj.org)
Overview
Established in 1996 as The Beth Israel Foundation following the sale of Newark Beth Israel Medical Center to the Saint Barnabas Corporation, the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey (HFNJ) is an independent, endowed grant-making organization with total assets of $207.7 million. In 2024, the foundation distributed $9.4 million in grants. HFNJ is dedicated to carrying out the Jewish imperatives of tzedaka (righteousness/charity) and tikkun olam (repairing the world), focusing on reducing healthcare disparities and improving access to quality healthcare for vulnerable populations in greater Newark and the MetroWest Jewish community of northern New Jersey. The foundation has provided over $25 million in support to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center over 25 years, including a historic $5 million grant in 2021—the largest single commitment in the hospital's 121-year history. Recent strategic priorities have emphasized youth mental health, with over $2 million awarded to behavioral health programs in 2023 alone.
Funding Priorities
Grant Programs
Standard Grants: $35,000+ for 12-month projects (quarterly deadlines, online application)
- Most common grant type supporting specific project implementation
- Eligible for renewal grants in years two and three if showing progress
Renewal Grants: Extension funding for previously awarded Standard Grants (quarterly deadlines)
- Streamlined application with fewer documentation requirements
- Demonstrates foundation's commitment to sustained impact
Special One-time Grants: Under $35,000 (rolling basis)
- Limited, fast-track process for smaller projects
- Considered throughout the year
Capital Grants: Equipment, construction, and renovation support (quarterly deadlines)
- Comprehensive documentation required
- Recent examples include $1.25 million for cardiac catheterization lab modernization
Multi-year Grants: Up to $150,000/year for up to 3 years (invitation only)
- Reserved for exceptional projects with proven track records
Priority Areas
- Vulnerable populations in greater Newark, NJ: Healthcare and wellness services for underserved Newark residents
- MetroWest Jewish community: Healthcare access and quality of life for vulnerable Jewish community members in Essex, Morris, Somerset, Union, and parts of Sussex counties
- Behavioral/Mental Health: Major focus area, especially youth mental health services
- Applied Clinical Research and Medical Education: Projects that directly impact targeted communities
- Humanism in Medicine: Initiatives promoting compassionate healthcare delivery
- Capacity Building: Strengthening organizational ability to deliver sustainable, high-quality services
What They Don't Fund
- Organizations outside defined catchment areas (greater Newark and MetroWest Jewish community)
- Programs unrelated to healthcare or wellness
- Food-related funding
- Homeless services (unless medically related)
- Legal service fees
- Rent or housing costs
- Individual healthcare needs
- Fundraising or advertising campaigns
- Lobbying and advocacy activities
- Scholarships
- Indirect or overhead costs (considered case-by-case only)
Governance and Leadership
Executive Leadership
Michael Schmidt, LCSW/M.A. - Executive Director/CEO
- Background in social work and public administration
- Strong advocate for maternal and child health, veterans' services, and youth mental health
Stefano Musolino, Jr., CPA - Chief Financial Officer
Staff
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH - Program Officer
Marcy Felsenfeld, M.P.A. - Senior Program Officer
Kevin McManemin, M.S. - Grants and Community Outreach Manager
Board of Trustees
Chair: Amy B. Schechner (Short Hills)
- Graduate of Rutgers University's Douglass College and Widener University's Delaware Law School
- Former deputy attorney general in the Human Rights Section of the NJ Attorney General's Office
- Joined HFNJ board in 2012, served as vice chair and cochair of Grant Evaluation Committee before becoming board chair
- Quote: "I have experienced hard times and good times in my life, and strongly believe that if you have the opportunity to work against social injustice and help those who need it, you must do so."
Honorary Chair: Beth Levithan
First Vice Chair: Steve Kamen
Founding Chair: The late Lester Z. Lieberman
Trustees: Jay Blumenfeld, Pam Fishman, Sharon Falkin, Michael Francis, David Gutstein, Jeffrey Kigner, Jeffrey Landau, Marion Medow, Carol Marcus, Natalie Peck, Ross Silver, Linda Sterling, and Michael Goldberg (ex officio)
Board Officers:
- Secretary: Amy Reisen Freundlich
- Assistant Treasurer: Marvin Wertheimer
Application Process & Timeline
How to Apply
CRITICAL FIRST STEP: Organizations considering applying for any grant type must first contact Kevin McManemin, Grants and Community Outreach Manager (kmcmanemin@hfnj.org), to receive approval and the application link for the coming grant cycle.
Quarterly Deadlines (Standard, Renewal, Capital, and Multi-year Grants):
- February 11, 2026 (funding starts June 2026)
- May 20, 2026 (funding starts September 2026)
- August 13, 2026 (funding starts December 2026)
Deadlines are firm at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Applicants receive email acknowledgment within 5 business days.
Rolling Deadline (Special One-time Grants under $35,000): Considered throughout the year on a rolling basis.
Application Requirements:
- Online application portal (access provided after initial contact approval)
- Logic model (Project Evaluation Chart)
- Project budget
- Organizational documents (501(c)(3) status, financials, board list)
- Technical note: "Only post plain, unformatted text" in application portal
Decision Timeline
Proposals are reviewed quarterly by staff and the board's Grant Evaluation Committee. Specific decision timelines from submission to notification are not publicly specified but follow quarterly review cycles.
Success Rates
Specific success rates are not publicly available. However, the foundation awarded 105 grants in 2023 and has a demonstrated pattern of providing multi-year support to successful projects, indicating a preference for sustained partnerships over one-time awards.
Reapplication Policy
No explicit reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is published. Organizations should contact the Grants and Community Outreach Manager for guidance on reapplication eligibility and timing.
Application Success Factors
What HFNJ Values
1. Strong Evaluation Plans: "The strength of a plan to measure and prove the impact of a project will be a key consideration." The Project Evaluation Chart (logic model) must clearly illustrate the direct relationship between program objectives, activities, data collection measures, and outcomes.
2. Innovation and Impact: "The Foundation seeks proposals that promise innovation and change or a significant enhancement of existing services." Demonstrate how the project will have measurable positive impact on underserved populations.
3. Sustainable Partnerships: "The plan for sustainable funding beyond HFNJ's support plays a critical role in the proposal review." Show long-term viability beyond initial grant support.
4. Organizational Strength: "Potential grantees should be able to demonstrate a track record of programmatic integrity and success" with "high standards of governance, accountability, and fiscal management."
5. Collaborative Approach: The foundation seeks "grantee partners that are ably led, strive to empower those they serve, and work collaboratively in their communities."
6. Values Alignment: "At all times, Foundation trustees and staff strive to be respectful, responsive, transparent and collaborative, and they look for the same in their grantees."
Direct Leadership Guidance
On Youth Mental Health (Michael Schmidt, CEO): "This year we have seen a dramatic rise in a range of behavioral health challenges, especially in our youth. To address this need, in 2023 The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey has already awarded over $2 million to a variety of programs strengthening behavioral health in our community and this will continue to be a focus of our funding."
On Long-term Impact (Michael Schmidt, CEO): "One of the ways that The Healthcare Foundation of NJ makes a long-term impact is by cultivating continuing relationships with grantees and funding projects that have proven to be successful for additional years."
On Maternal and Child Health (Michael Schmidt, CEO): "Sadly, NJ ranks among one of the lowest states in our nation in terms of maternal health care. The Nurse Family Partnership is a critical step toward enhancing the lives and health of Union Counties' children and their families."
On Jewish Community Support (Michael Schmidt, CEO): "We are proud that our initiative to strengthen behavioral health of Jewish adolescents, which stemmed from conversations with the community in 2023, continues to provide critical support at this fragile moment in our community's history."
Recent Successful Projects
Examples of recent grants that illustrate funding priorities:
- Overlook Medical Center: $1,000,000 over three years to create an HFNJ Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Center
- Trinitas Regional Medical Center: $1,250,000 commitment to modernize Cardiac Catheterization Lab
- KinderSmile: $450,000 over three years for oral health program
- Northwest Essex Community Healthcare Network: $300,000 for program helping young people with substance misuse disorders
- Main St. Counseling: $250,000 to hire clinicians and expand work in Newark public schools
- Caldwell University School of Nursing: $193,923 to modernize nursing simulation labs
- Jewish Vocational Services: $175,000 for employment training program for health professions
- Imagine a Center for Coping With Loss: $100,000 for third-year grief support program in Newark
- Integrity House: $85,000 for Creative Arts Initiative for substance use disorder clients
Strategic Tips
- Start Small: First-time applicants should consider starting with smaller requests to establish relationships before seeking larger commitments
- Geographic Precision: 95% of all grants are concentrated in New Jersey—clearly demonstrate service to greater Newark or MetroWest Jewish community
- Quantify Impact: Clearly identify target population numbers, clients served, and specific measurable outcomes both within the grant period and long-term
- Show Collaboration: Emphasize partnerships and collaborative approaches within the community
- Align with Current Priorities: Youth mental health, maternal and child health, and Jewish community behavioral health are demonstrated current priorities
Key Takeaways for Grant Writers
- Pre-contact is mandatory: You cannot apply without first receiving approval from the Grants and Community Outreach Manager—build in time for this step
- Geographic focus is strict: Must serve vulnerable populations in greater Newark or the MetroWest Jewish community; 95% of grants stay in New Jersey
- Logic models are critical: The Project Evaluation Chart is a key component—invest significant effort in demonstrating clear cause-and-effect relationships between activities and outcomes
- Think long-term partnership: The foundation strongly favors multi-year funding relationships with proven grantees; demonstrate potential for sustained collaboration
- Align with current emphases: Youth mental health is a major current priority, with over $2 million invested in 2023 alone; maternal and child health and Jewish community behavioral health are also strategic focuses
- Sustainability matters: Show concrete plans for funding beyond HFNJ support; this "plays a critical role in proposal review"
- Median grant is $34,388: While grants range from $300 to $1 million, the median suggests most awards cluster around $35,000; set realistic expectations unless seeking capital or multi-year support
References
- Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey official website: https://hfnj.org (accessed January 2026)
- Grant Guidelines: https://hfnj.org/grant-guidelines/ (accessed January 2026)
- Applications & Deadlines: https://hfnj.org/applications-deadlines/ (accessed January 2026)
- Who We Are: https://hfnj.org/who-we-are/ (accessed January 2026)
- Council of New Jersey Grantmakers - HFNJ Fourth Quarter 2024 Announcement (December 2024)
- Council of New Jersey Grantmakers - HFNJ Second Quarter 2025 Announcement (June 2025)
- HFNJ First Quarter 2025 Press Release: https://hfnj.org/in-first-quarter-2025-giving-the-healthcare-foundation-of-nj-continues-support-for-successful-projects/ (accessed January 2026)
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Healthcare Foundation Of New Jersey Inc (EIN 22-3451664), Form 990 data through 2024
- New Jersey Jewish News - "Amy Schechner new chair of Healthcare Foundation"
- ROI-NJ - "HFNJ announces $2.17M in Q1 2023 awards to strengthen local health" (March 2023)
- ROI-NJ - "HFNJ awards $470,000 to 6 New Jersey nonprofit organizations" (June 2023)
- Instrumentl 990 Report - The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey
- Grantmakers In Health - Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey profile