-- Doing Good in New Jersey
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See also Charities * Overview * Cardiac/Cancer/Diabetes * Physical Disabilities * Developmental Disabilities/Mental Health * Disability Support * Special Needs Recreation * AIDS/HIV * Addiction * First Response/Law * Homeless/Food Banks * Adoption/Family Services * Wildlife/Animal Welfare 
- Doing Good
New Jerseyans have a wide range of opportunities to help others or pursue worthwhile causes. Most often, these efforts are done through donating or volunteering to support traditional charities or through their own churches, synagogues, or other faith-based institutions. Other nonprofit groups or organizations located in New Jersey, typically legally organized under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code in order for donations to be deductible from income taxes, must register with the New Jersey Department of Law & Public Safety, Division of Consumer Affairs. Registration is also required for any nonprofit or their agents located outside New Jersey—including traditional national charitable organizations like the Red Cross or Habitat for Humanity, educational or policy organizations--intending to solicit in New Jersey. The online directory and database maintained by the Division of Consumer Affairs allows users to review the charity’s most recent annual reports of the amount of donations and operating expenses. In addition to reviewing the state directory posted by the Division of Consumer Affairs to determine whether charities are compliant with state regulations, various private resources identify and profile the activities of charitable organizations (see, e.g., CharityNavigator.org; GuideStar.org; CharityWatch.org; GuideStar; GreatNonprofits.org; and GiveWell.org) Some of these sources, such as New Jersey-based CharityNavigator.org, also evaluate the performance of selected charities on the basis of such criteria as the percentage of revenue allocated to administrative expenses rather than to direct support of the relevant cause and the organization's transparency in publishing financial and management information. In general, those services evaluating charities give their highest grades to those using at least 75% of revenues for the causes outlined in the mission statement and limiting fundraising costs to less than 25% of the money raised from contributors. Apart from supporting organized charities or nonprofits, individuals also may choose to reach out more personally to aid others, with these efforts often channeled through local churches or other religious or nonprofit institutions to identify individuals or families in need. Again, online "crowdfunding" resources provided by such sites like GoFundMe, Fundly and Booster have evolved to enable solicitation of contributions for diverse individuals and causes. Although some charities have also used these platforms to expand the reach of their solicitations, many causes and individuals seeking funds on "crowdfunding" sites are not qualified as charities under federal tax law authorizing deductible contributions and also may not be subject to federal and state laws requiring financial reports and disclosure of how contributions are spent. Philanthropic foundations also are a major source of charitable support. New Jersey hosts some of the largest foundations, led by the The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation located near Princeton ranked as the fourth largest in the nation with over $10 billion in assets, but there are a wide variety of others usually established by wealthy families, individuals or corporations which may provide more consistent longer-term charitable funding than contributions derived from individuals or through annual fundraising campaigns. The Community Foundation of New Jersey currently manages some $800 million in assets entrusted directly to it for investment or on an advisory basis for contributions by its affiliate foundations and In 2021 granted more than $100 million to New Jersey nonprofits. There also are regional or local foundations organized along similar lines to pool assets or coordinate contribution programs (eg Community Foundation of South Jersey; Princeton Area Community Foundation; Westfield Foundation etc.) According to a study published by the Tax Foundation, New Jersey federal tax returns filed for the 2016 tax year (the most recent data available as of 2022), the Internal Revenue Service reported a total of just under $6.7 billion in itemized charitable contributions deducted on New Jersey federal returns with the average deduction of $4,325.77—an amount ranked 47th lowest of the 50 states (higher only than Hawaii $4,111.80, Maine $3,642.64, and Rhode Island $3,354). In its annual ranking of The Most Charitable States published in 2022, the web site WalletHub ranked New Jersey as #18 of all states in ‘charitable giving’; #30 in ‘volunteering and service’; and #27 in contributions as a percentage of total personal income. * Statistics of Income, Internal Revenue Service * Most Charitable States for 2023, WalletHub.com * Charitable Deductions by State 2016, Tax Foundation * Charitable Giving Statistics, National Philanthropic Trust * National Center for Charitable Statistics, Urban Institute * Giving USA Foundation, The Giving Institute * Forbes Top 100 Charities * CharityNavigator.org * CharityWatch.org * GuideStar.org * GreatNonprofits.org; * GiveWell.org * Best Charities for 2023, WalletHub.com * Before Giving to a Charity, Federal Trade Commission * Fundraisers Calling on Behalf of Police and Firefighters, Federal Trade Commission * Charity Scams, Federal Trade Commission * Charitable giving: How to maximize your donations, Bankrate.com * Best and Worst Charities for Your Donations, Consumer Reports * Crowdfunding Popularity Continues to Soar Despite Risks to Donors, CharityWatch.org, 1/20/2017 The nonprofit organizations below are a highly selective sample, with an emphasis on those based in the state or focused on New Jersey causes offering opportunities for volunteer efforts in addition to soliciting cash contributions. - The Community FoodBank of New Jersey (Hillside)
Largest anti-hunger and anti-poverty organization in New Jersey, member of national Feeding America® foodbank network, commenced distributing food 45 years ago in Newark from back of founder’s station wagon, current facilities in Hillside and Egg Harbor Township, also posts online tool to locate local food programs. Over 200 employees, community volunteers make nearly 27,000 site visits annually collecting and distributing food for over 85 million meals through more than 800 community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens, mobile pantries, and child and senior feeding programs. Also sponsors nutrition education classes and aids applications for government food aid. 
- The Seeing Eye (Morristown)
Well-known national program for training, providing service dogs for blind and visually impaired. Founded 1929 in Nashville by Morris Frank, a blind person seeking greater independence who worked with dog for aid in walking, crossing streets and household tasks. Relocated to New Jersey in 1931 for more favorable training climate, in 1965 built current Morristown campus, trained over 17,000 dogs. Seeks volunteer puppy raisers, who work with puppies from 8 weeks old to teach basic obedience and socialization, at about one-year-old, dog returns to The Seeing Eye® for four-month course of training with a sighted instructor, then matched with a blind person to train together, under supervision of a sighted instructor. Some dogs not becoming Seeing Eye® Dogs made available for adoption. - Covenant House New Jersey (Newark)
Serves youth between 18 to 21 years old, typically from homeless, abusive or other traumatic situations. Operates shelters in Atlantic City and Newark, support includes housing, food, clothing, counseling, skills training, and referrals for more long-term shelter. Specialized care for pregnant and/or young mothers; youth with mental health issues. On-site staff consists of service managers, youth advisors, behavioral health specialists, lawyers and medical professionals, also recruits volunteers to work directly with young people and mothers on enhancing skills and teaching on-site, education, employment, financial literacy, physical and mental well being. Volunteers also lead workshops on activities such as yoga, meditation, music, art, fitness, computer technology, job readiness, parenting, etc. - DAWN Center for Independent Living (Denville) Incorporated 1997, one of 11 Centers for Independent Living in NJ emerging from federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to promote independent living of those with all types of disabilities. Serves over 3,000 people annually in Morris, Sussex and Warren counties. Main office in Denville, other locations in Sparta and Hackettstown. Works with disabled to advance their independence to address entire lifespan needs, facilitates transition of individuals with significant disabilities from nursing homes and other institutions to home and community‐based residences, assists individuals with significant disabilities who are at risk of entering institutions to remain in community.
- St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center (Madison) Founded 1939, operates animal shelters through northern New Jersey. The Shelter provides several community services, including pet adoption, humane education, a pet food pantry, low-cost spay/neuter of community cats, a pet helpline, and a professional educational series, also advocates for animal welfare legislation. Volunteers may work on-site in walking, feeding and socializing with animals, also foster care programs for those who can provide temporary care and housing to young, stressed, or ill animals. - Centurion (Princeton) National non-profit organization founded 1983 by James McCloskey, who as ministry student attending Princeton Theological Seminary and serving as a student chaplain at Trenton State Prison, met inmate serving life sentence for murder, successfully worked to reverse conviction and free him from prison, McCloskey subsequently established Centurion to aid other inmates to challenge wrongful convictions. Now works throughout US to vindicate wrongly convicted, has freed 67 men and women in US who were serving life or death sentences for crimes. Annually evaluates over 1,100 new claims of innocence, generally takes on 1-2 new cases every year and handles some 25 ongoing cases by re-investigating the crime, uncovering lost and new evidence and witnesses, overturning false confessions. Board of directors includes best-selling author John Grisham; retired NJ Supreme Court Justice Mary Catherine Cuff; founder James McCloskey.
- New Jersey Audubon (Bernardsville) Founded 1897, one of oldest independent Audubon societies, not affiliated with National Audubon Society. Maintains stewardship of 34 centers and sanctuaries and conducts programs including summer camps, workshops through seven staffed facilities. Various volunteer opportunities include working to maintain trails, monitor bird feeders. gather water and soil samples, lead walks and hikes, as well as administrative support for offices, libraries, and policy advocacy. - Jersey Battered Women’s Service (Morristown)
Works with paid staff and volunteers to prevent domestic abuse through protection and empowerment of victims, rehabilitation of family members, advocacy of social reform to prevent partner violence, and educate public about domestic violence and its consequences. Founded 1976 by small group of women who began helpline to aid victims of domestic abuse, later evolved to include a confidential shelter. Services include a 24-hour hotline; counseling; safe house; transitional living; children's services; life skills education; vocational counseling; batterer's intervention; teen dating violence services; professional training, education and youth prevention programs; and Morris Family Justice Center with legal advocates available to assist with protection. - Special Strides Therapeutic Riding Center (Monroe) Located at Congress Hill Farm and equestrian training center for those with special needs. 200 acres of training areas with 15 horses, (outdoor and indoor arenas) and wooded trails with variety of sensory equipment such as trampolines, swings, adventure course with balance beams and variety of playground equipment including trampoline. Individuals can explore farm during therapy, picking vegetables in gardens and visiting other farm animals such as a rabbit, cats, goats, sheep, chickens and alpaca. Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists incorporate hippotherapy into individual plan of care with assistance of volunteers. - Bridge of Books Foundation (Rumson) Facilitated distribution of over half million books to underserved children across NJ, both directly and through partner agencies. Originally founded 2003 in San Francisco, which ceased operations in 2004, NJ chapter now sole operation, primarily all-volunteer organization. Collects books through book drives, individual donations, publisher overstocks and corporate donors, also purchases books for special programs run throughout New Jersey and to supplement distributions with genres not typically part of collections, distributes books through various agencies, community events, schools and other venues. - Great Swamp Watershed Association (Morristown) Founded 1981 by advocates who previously had successfully opposed development of Great Swamp as site for proposed major jetport of Port Authority of NY & NJ. Subsequently broadened focus to protect Great Swamp from increased development around watershed through environmentally friendly land use and development and in 2016, became official Waterkeeper Alliance Affiliate for the Passaic River to protects and improve health of Passaic River, from Great Swap headwaters to Newark Bay through science, education, land preservation and stewardship, and advocacy. - The Arc of New Jersey (North Brunswick) State's largest organization advocating for and serving citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Affiliated chapter of national nonprofit The Arc, also operates through network of Local County Chapters. Project HIRE program assists disabled adults in finding and maintaining competitive employment and assists middle and high school students in transition to employment; Criminal Justice Advocacy Program provides alternatives to incarceration for those with developmental disabilities facing criminal charges. - Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge (Medford) Wildlife Hospital and Nature Center located in Pinelands annually admits more than 6,300 wildlife native to New Jersey including eagles. owls, hawks, vultures, raccoons, beaver, snakes, turtles, deer, but not farm or domestic animals. Woodford Nature Center with nearly 60 native residents open for visitors with hands-on exhibits along with live snakes and turtles in Reptile Room and trail around Cedar Run Lake to visit Wildlife Housing Area. Educational programs for some 20,000 students annually through on-site and outreach to schools. Volunteers accepted upon allocation and processing fee to assist in Wildlife Hospital; helping with educational programs; repairing wildlife enclosures and grounds maintenance; and office and fundraising. - Allies, Inc. (Hamilton Township) Founded 1999, provides support services for children and adults with special physical, emotional or mental needs in locating housing and aiding independent living through employment and social and educational services. Works one-on-one with families to design comprehensive assistance plan meeting specific individual needs and goals. Grown from two volunteers at founding to over 1,100 employees Programs also include.recreational activities, day trips and cultural programs. - Marine Mammal Stranding Center (Brigantine)
Founded 1978 by Robert Schoelkopf and Sheila Dean, has responded to nearly 6,000 strandings, average year ranges 100-200 marine animals and sea turtles, including seals dolphins, whales, and occasional wayward manatee, maintains on-site treatment and recovery facility until animals determined to be sufficiently healthy for release to waterways. Covers all 1,800 miles of tidal coastline and waterways in New Jersey. Volunteers to assist in strandings are added to a call list where stranding technicians may seek assistance for stranding in area; other volunteers may serve at Center assisting with animal feedings, medications, and cleanings of pens; and others may serve in education and outreach roles assisting with fairs, festivals, farmers markets, and giving tours in museum when open to public. - Enable (Princeton) Founded 1989, helps individuals with with cognitive and/or physical disabilities live full and independent lives in communities. Services, resources and support for adults and children with disabilities and seniors throughout NJ. Programs include community group housing; in home support services; range of outside programs; variety of services for seniors to ensure ability to age in place, including meal preparation and feeding, grooming assistance, errands and bill paying with support from some 1,000 volunteers including groups, retirees, families, high school and college students, faith-based groups and businesses. . 
- Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) (Trenton)
Founded 1982 by small group of individuals from local churches and service organizations to feed needy of Trenton, now provides through 1,000 volunteers more than 4,000 free meals per week, also outreach programs such as adult education, computer training, health care counseling, screening and referrals, social services, children's activities, and arts and crafts. Recipient of highest 4-star rating from CharityNavigator.org
See also Charities * Overview * Cardiac/Cancer/Diabetes * Physical Disabilities * Developmental Disabilities/Mental Health * Disability Support * Special Needs Recreation * AIDS/HIV * Addiction * First Response/Law * Homeless/Food Banks * Adoption/Family Services * Wildlife/Animal Welfare |
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