The mission of The Maplewood Foundation is to provide continuing and growing financial support to the organizations, new and established, dedicated to improving the quality of life of all our residents. A donation today ensures a sustainable source of grant funding for years to come, enabling us to meet our community’s ever-changing needs.
Today, those nonprofits rely on annual giving and public funds, both of which can ebb and flow. And new ideas are difficult to launch for people who have great vision, but no access to capital or the know-how to form a nonprofit.
A donation to The Maplewood Foundation is invested into a fund for a longer-term and wider impact within the community. Through its grant-giving process, the Foundation will give away approximately 4% to 5% of its investments each year, focusing public attention on programs creating a better future for our neighbors.
To learn more about the Foundation, download “A Vision For Giving in Maplewood, New Jersey” here.
Give in 2023 and you will be forever recognized as a Founding Donor, and your gift will improve the lives of all Maplewoodians for generations to come.
The Maplewood Foundation belongs to all of us. No gift is too big or too small.
The Foundation supports charitable, educational, literary and scientific purposes that promote multiple programs benefiting the community of Maplewood, New Jersey, including:
Initially, the Foundation will award up to $45,000 annually in Program grants to established nonprofits dedicated to launching innovative and high-impact programs, or building their capacity to provide existing programs. In addition, the Foundation will grant one or two Seed grants of up to $5,000 each to organizations with new ideas that will add to the rich mix of programs available in our community. These organizations must demonstrate that they have the ability to achieve their goals, but lack sufficient capital and/or resources to gain nonprofit status and realize their vision.
If your organization does not meet the criteria to be eligible for a Program grant, the Foundation still wants to hear from you. You may be able to amend your proposal to become eligible, or find that you qualify for a Seed grant.
Applicants are strongly encouraged, but not required, to apply using the online form. They may also use our downloadable application and apply via email at themaplewoodfoundation@
Applicant’s method of application will not impact consideration.
Letters of Intent due (preferred but not required)
Notification to prospective grantees who submitted a LOI inviting them to submit a Program or Seed application
Grant applications accepted (If you did not submit a Letter of Intent, you may still submit a grant application.)
Application period closed
Grant winners announced
Award celebration
Letters of Intent due
(preferred but not required)
Notification to prospective grantees who submitted a LOI inviting them to submit a Program or Seed application
Grant applications accepted (If you did not submit a Letter of Intent, you may still submit a grant application.)
Application period closed
Grant winners announced
Award celebration
Organization will gift approximately 5% of its assets annually as grants in support of established organizations and aspiring charitable causes
The Maplewood Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to take philanthropic giving to another level locally, announced its formation today.
The Maplewood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) philanthropic community foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life of all Maplewood residents, today announced non-profit organizations interested in participating in the 2023–24 annual grant cycle can submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) on or before Apr. 17, 2023.
Celebrate Maplewood!
An evening to honor our inaugural grantees and founding donors! Buy tickets here!
If you would like to pay for the tickets by check, please send an email with the number you would like to purchase and the names of your guests to themaplewoodfoundation@gmail.com and mail a check to The Maplewood Foundation, PO Box 433, Maplewood, NJ 07040.
A community foundation raises money from the public to provide grants to nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the lives of people in a specific geographic area. It is supported by a broad base of individuals, families and organizations and provides an established administrative and grant-making structure. A private foundation is generally funded by a single source, such as an individual, family or a corporation and does not seek funds from the public. All donations to The Maplewood Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by the IRS.
The number and amount of the grants given will depend on the assets available. The Maplewood Foundation set an initial goal of raising at least $1 million in its first year, which will enable the organization to give at least $40,000 in grants in late 2023.
No, The Maplewood Foundation is an independent nonprofit awaiting approval of its application for 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service.
The percentage will depend on the amount of the Foundation’s invested assets and will decrease as the fund grows. Assuming an initial amount of $1 million, approximately 3% of this total will cover investment management and limited overhead costs, such as accounting, legal counsel and website maintenance and hosting. The remainder of the administrative work and grant-making are done by volunteer trustees. We have no paid staff or commercial rent.
The Grants Committee, comprised of trustees, reviews the applications and selects finalists. The Board of Trustees votes on and decides the final grant recipients.
The Maplewood Foundation's board of trustees chose CI RegentAtlantic of Morristown following a review of firms in the area. With more than $6 billion under management, RegentAtlantic has deep expertise in working with nonprofits to create investment strategies aligned with their missions. The Investment Committee of the board provides input on asset allocation and general oversight of fund performance.
No. Board members serve staggered three-year terms. If you’re interested in joining as either a board or committee member, email us at themaplewoodfoundation@gmail.com.
Program grants will only be given to organizations that are 501(c)(3)s or have a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3). Aspiring nonprofits are eligible for our Seed grants. See our grant eligibility requirements for more information.
Applicants for grants from The Maplewood Foundation will be required to state specific objectives and measurable goals upon which their success will be measured. The trustees will meet with grant recipients and require progress reporting mid-way through and upon completion of the two-year grant period, including an accounting of disbursements.
We strongly encourage people to continue giving directly to their favorite causes. Giving to The Maplewood Foundation is a different kind of gift. A donation today ensures a sustainable source of grant funding for years to come, enabling us to meet our community’s ever-changing needs and ensuring Maplewood remains a community that cares about its people.
General inquiries: themaplewoodfoundation@gmail.com
Media contact: rostmann@rosecomm.com
Support the community you love.
Be the first to learn how.
Join us on Saturday, December 2nd for “Celebrate Maplewood” – a festive evening in honor of our 2023 grantees and Founding Donors.
