Prudential Financial’s Community Grants Program, launched in March 2023, is set to provide $500,000 in funding to support neighborhood-based solutions and enhance community vitality by offering grants to residents and organizations in Newark. With applications for the second annual Community Grants Program opening on February 29 and closing on April 5, the initiative aims to foster inclusive and equitable growth in the city.
Sarah Keh, Vice President of Inclusive Solutions at Prudential Financial, expressed excitement about the program’s impact, stating, “Local nonprofits play a critical role in uplifting our communities, and often are the ones poised to provide the best solutions to improving the lives of residents. We’re thrilled to see the direct and meaningful impact the grantees and their efforts have had on the Newark community.”
In 2023, the program supported 53 community-based projects, addressing local challenges and bringing positive changes across the city. Notably, small organizations, often overlooked, are a focus of the Prudential Community Grants Program.
Allison James-Frison, Founder and CEO of the nonprofit Girls Live, Love, Laugh, shared her joy at being chosen as a grant recipient, emphasizing the significance of the Back-to-School event for the families they serve. The organization, providing mentorship and support to children and families in Newark, had faced challenges in funding such events due to a reduction in available grants.
“When I received that email saying we were chosen, I literally shouted with joy,” recalled James-Frison, who appreciates the Prudential Community Grants Program’s focus on small organizations. “We are often overlooked, but we have big visions that are making a huge impact on the lives of the families we work with. This grant allows us to keep our Back-to-School program alive and to bring resources and hope to families, so they know organizations like Girls Live, Love, Laugh care about their well-being.”
Several organizations, including Urban Agriculture Cooperative and the Weequahic Park Environmental Authority, were selected for grants in the previous year, highlighting the diverse range of projects supported by Prudential’s initiative.
“I applaud The Prudential Foundation for committing to a second year of its Community Grants Program. I had the opportunity to attend last year’s grant celebration, and saw firsthand more than 50 organizations, spread across our wards, receive funds that they could immediately put to work supporting their communities,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka. “This is how sustainable change happens, resourcing local leaders to grow their capacity to empower people and make change in their neighborhood. It is a key component to ensuring that Newark is a truly equitable city for all of its residents.”
The Prudential Community Grants Program partners with intermediary organizations in each ward to facilitate the program’s implementation. These intermediaries, including Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District, Ironbound Community Corporation, La Casa de Don Pedro, Southward Promise Neighborhood, and Unified Vailsburg Services Organization, will receive a $15,000 grant to provide application assistance, program marketing support, and collaborate with Prudential to reach and support residents and organizations in each neighborhood.
