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Burke Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$3.9M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.5M

The Burke Foundation Inc - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3,884,118 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed (invitation-only process)
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $500,000+
  • Geographic Focus: New Jersey (primarily Newark, Trenton, Camden)
  • Foundation Assets: Approximately $100 million

Contact Details

Address: 188 Nassau St Suite 2, Princeton, NJ 08542-7005

Phone: 609-251-4030

Email: lauren@burkefoundation.org

Website: www.burkefoundation.org

EIN: 52-1632596

Overview

The Burke Foundation was established in 1988 by the late Jim Burke, former Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, and his wife Diane "Didi" Burke, a painter and arts advocate. With approximately $100 million in assets and distributing nearly $4 million annually in grants (96 awards in 2023), the foundation operates as more than a traditional grantmaker—positioning itself as "a value-added partner, connector, convener, and problem solver." The foundation invests in transformative maternal and child health and early childhood initiatives to build a cycle of opportunity across generations in New Jersey. In November 2025, the foundation announced its largest commitment in history: $6.5 million in multi-year grants focused on improving maternal and infant health and early childhood development. The foundation emphasizes a place-based, community-centered approach in Camden, Newark, and Trenton, while also supporting statewide initiatives.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Burke Foundation focuses exclusively on the First 1,000 Days (pregnancy through age 2), recognizing this as "the most determinative time for a child's cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical health development."

Major Recent Grants (2024-2025):

  • HealthySteps: $1.5 million over three years to expand evidence-based pediatric care model integrating child development specialists into primary care teams
  • Start Strong NJ: $1.5 million over three years to build a statewide campaign for affordable, high-quality child care
  • Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Fund: $3 million over five years to support the NJ Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority
  • South Ward Wellness Center: $500,000 capital investment for a community health hub in Newark
  • Centering Healthcare Institute: Multi-year support to expand CenteringPregnancy and CenteringParenting to 50 sites over five years

Grant Size: Typically ranges from $10,000 to $500,000+, with multi-year commitments common

Application Method: Invitation only; however, letters of interest are accepted from organizations whose work aligns with the foundation's mission

Priority Areas

Healthy Pregnancies and Strong Beginnings

  • Improving and expanding access to consistent, high-quality prenatal and postnatal care
  • Supporting underserved communities with particular focus on reducing disparities for Black and minority women
  • Group prenatal care models (Centering)
  • Home visiting programs (Family Connects NJ serving 94,000 families annually)
  • Community-based doula programs

Healthy Futures Workforce Development

  • Promoting a perinatal workforce that reflects the communities it serves
  • Training 1,000 additional doulas over 5 years to serve approximately half of Medicaid births in NJ
  • Strengthening the midwifery profession through education and training opportunities
  • Creating a more racially and culturally diverse healthcare workforce
  • Supporting roles of doulas, midwives, and early childhood specialists

Social Determinants of Health

  • Addressing factors that "can drive as much as 80% of health outcomes"
  • Reducing maternal and infant mortality, particularly racial disparities (Black women are seven times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related complications in NJ)
  • Supporting families' basic needs and social supports
  • High-quality early care and learning programs
  • Pediatric developmental screening and support (HealthySteps)

What They Don't Fund

While the foundation does not publish a comprehensive exclusions list, their funding is clearly focused on:

  • Geographic restriction: Primarily New Jersey (though rare exceptions exist for programs aligned with overall mission)
  • Narrow focus: First 1,000 days (pregnancy through age 2) and maternal/infant health
  • Grantmaking is tied up in long-term commitments and conducted by invitation only

Organizations working outside these parameters are unlikely to receive support.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

  • James Burke - President and Chairman
  • Charles Laurence Carroll - Treasurer
  • Philip Siana - Secretary
  • Christopher Kuenne - Board Member
  • Dr. Jeanne Brooks-Gunn - Board Member
  • Dr. Renée Boynton-Jarrett - Board Member

Staff Team

  • Atiya Weiss - Executive Director
  • Renée Nogales - Director of Programs
  • Jessica Nugent - Senior Program Officer
  • Caroline Bersak - Program Officer
  • Sanjana Chandrasekharan - Program Manager
  • Kristen Gibbs - Communications Manager
  • Sandra Moskovitz - Business Manager (sandra@burkefoundation.org)

Leadership Insights

Atiya Weiss, Executive Director, brings extensive philanthropic experience, having previously served as Executive Director of JP Morgan's Philanthropy Center and managed global health grantmaking at the Pfizer Foundation. She is a Trustee of the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers and an Ascend Fellow at the Aspen Institute.

On the foundation's mission, Weiss has stated: "All families have the right to more than survival — they deserve to thrive." She emphasizes: "The work these leaders do reminds us that when we invest early, listen deeply, and collaborate boldly, we change what's possible for children."

On priorities: "The Burke Foundation is committed to strengthening the midwifery profession in New Jersey as a crucial lever for addressing the state's maternal mortality crisis."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Burke Foundation does not have a public application process. All grantmaking is conducted by invitation only, and much of it is tied up in long-term commitments.

However, the foundation does accept letters of interest from organizations whose work aligns with their mission. There is no formal process to advance from letter of interest to application—the foundation identifies and invites promising partners based on strategic fit and demonstrated impact.

Organizations should submit letters of interest to lauren@burkefoundation.org or through the contact information provided above.

Getting on Their Radar

The Burke Foundation has provided specific guidance on how organizations can come to their attention:

Demonstrate Impact in New Jersey Communities: According to the foundation, "the best way to get on its radar is simply to make an impact on New Jersey communities in a way that aligns with the foundation's mission." Burke is specifically looking for "programs with innovative approaches and a proven record of success."

Community-Centered Approach: The foundation explicitly operates by the principle: "Nothing about us, without us, is for us." They prioritize direct collaboration with parents and community leaders in initiative design and decision-making. Organizations that embed community voice in their work align with this core value.

Strategic Alignment with Place-Based Work: The foundation has adopted a place-based, community-centered approach in Trenton, Camden, and Newark. Organizations working in these communities and addressing First 1,000 Days priorities are well-positioned for consideration.

Participate in Foundation-Led Initiatives: The foundation serves as a connector and convener. Engaging with their network events, collaborative initiatives, and the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers may provide opportunities to build relationships.

The Community Champions Program: Each year, the foundation recognizes Community Champions who are transforming health and well-being for children and families. While not a grant program, being recognized or nominated could increase visibility with the foundation.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only nature and multi-year commitments, the foundation operates on its own strategic timeline rather than traditional grant cycles.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation made 96 grants in 2023, 99 in 2022, and 114 in 2021.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified. Given the invitation-only model, reapplication in the traditional sense does not apply. Organizations that have submitted letters of interest but not received invitations may continue to update the foundation on their work and impact.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Evidence-Based Approaches: The foundation explicitly seeks "programs with innovative approaches and a proven record of success." They reference being guided by "science-backed evidence" about the First 1,000 Days. Organizations should demonstrate both innovation and proven outcomes.

Addressing Racial Health Disparities: The foundation consistently emphasizes reducing disparities, particularly noting that Black women are seven times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related complications. Programs that explicitly address racial equity in maternal and infant health outcomes align closely with foundation priorities.

Community Voice and Collaboration: As stated in their leadership letter, the foundation operates by the principle: "Nothing about us, without us, is for us." They emphasize "direct collaboration with parents and community leaders in initiative design and decision-making processes." Organizations that embed community voice—not just serve communities—are strongly preferred.

Multi-Generational Impact: The foundation describes seeking to "build a cycle of opportunity across generations." They look for programs that support both parents and children, recognizing that strengthening caregiver-child bonds and addressing social determinants creates lasting change.

Systems-Level Change: The foundation positions itself as more than a grantmaker—they are "a value-added partner, connector, convener, and problem solver." They fund initiatives that can scale or influence policy and practice across New Jersey, not just serve individuals.

Funded Model Examples

Recent grants provide insight into what the foundation values:

Integration Models: HealthySteps integrates child development specialists into primary care teams—showing value for programs that bridge clinical care with developmental and social supports.

Community-Based Workforce: Multiple grants support doula programs, midwifery expansion, and community health workers—demonstrating commitment to culturally responsive, community-based care.

Group Care Models: Support for Centering (group prenatal care) shows interest in evidence-based models that build community and reduce isolation.

Policy and Systems Change: The $3 million grant to the Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Fund supporting the NJ Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority demonstrates willingness to invest in policy infrastructure and systems change.

Place-Based Investments: The $500,000 capital grant to South Ward Wellness Center in Newark reflects commitment to anchor institutions in priority communities.

What the Foundation Has Said

From the foundation's leadership letter and public statements:

On their approach: They deploy "multiple resources beyond grants, including community engagement, technical assistance, and evaluation support."

On what they look for: According to Executive Director Atiya Weiss, "At the Burke Foundation, we're proud to highlight the 2025 Community Champions, who are proving what's possible when leadership is grounded in community and guided by evidence."

On successful grantees: "Their work is transforming how New Jersey supports families — from pregnancy through the earliest years of life — and helping make sure every child has a healthy beginning and the chance to thrive."

On collaboration: Weiss emphasizes being "passionate about collaborating with leaders across sectors to tackle the social problems facing underserved children and their families" and is "interested in breaking silos and building coalitions, centered around community voices, to make systems change."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only grantmaking means traditional applications don't exist, but letters of interest are accepted. Focus first on building a strong track record and reputation in New Jersey maternal/infant health and early childhood work.

  • Demonstrate measurable impact with racial equity outcomes. The foundation explicitly prioritizes reducing disparities for Black and minority women and families. Show data on who you serve and outcomes achieved.

  • Community voice is non-negotiable. The foundation's "Nothing about us, without us, is for us" principle means involving community members in program design and decision-making, not just as service recipients.

  • Think beyond direct service. The foundation funds programs that can scale, influence policy, build workforce, or change systems. Show how your work creates ripple effects beyond individual beneficiaries.

  • Geographic focus matters. Organizations working in Newark, Trenton, and Camden have strategic advantage, though statewide initiatives receive support. Work must benefit New Jersey communities.

  • Evidence-based innovation is the sweet spot. The foundation wants proven models with innovative approaches—not experimental unproven ideas or purely traditional programming. Show your evidence base while demonstrating what makes your approach distinctive.

  • Multi-year relationships are the norm. Recent grants span 3-5 years. The foundation seeks partners, not one-time grantees. Demonstrate organizational capacity for sustained partnership and collaboration.

References

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