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On May 3, 2016, Newark Celebration 350 will join nonprofit organizations and community foundations across the country for Give Local America – a 24-hour nationwide crowd-funding event that provides a platform to invest in and support the work of local nonprofit organizations. Newark will take part in its first Giving Day to raise funds for the City’s legacy gifts in honor of Newark’s 350th anniversary of its founding which include:
Planting 350 Trees: The New Jersey Tree Foundation aims to make Newark a greener city with the planting of 350 more trees citywide. According to studies, Newark has a tree canopy of just 15% while healthy cities are estimated to have at least 30%. In addition to the potential positive impact on the city’s environment, this initiative will also build community among neighbors in the beautification of their streets.
Restoring and Re-installing Gutzon Borglum’s 1916 Landing Monument: The Mount Rushmore famed sculptor Gutzon Borglum’s masterpiece currently resides under a tarp in a garage belonging to the City’s Department of Engineering and Traffic Signals. Newark Landmarks and Preservation Committee will spearhead the restoration with plans to place it on the grounds of New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Initiating a Newark College Student Success Fund: In partnership with the Newark City of Learning Collaborative, this program will provide mini grants for Newark residents attending undergraduate programs at colleges and universities in Newark to aid them on the path of college retention and success. These emergency and inspiration grants of up to $500 will be made available to students to support books, transportation, childcare, medical expenses and more.
Commission a Newark 350 Music Composition: In honor of Newark’s 350th Anniversary, Jazz artist Stefon Harris and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will create a musical work that will be performed at a Newark Celebration 350 event in fall 2016. The composition is intended to reach multi-generational audiences and may include the accompaniment of a guest hip hop/rap artist.
“Happy 350th Birthday Newark:” Donors may choose to donate any amount they wish to go towards supporting a project or service that addresses a compelling community need as determined by the Newark Celebration 350 Committee, which may include support for the NC 350 Legacy Gifts.
The legacy gifts were conceived by a community-based committee lead by Mary Sue Sweeney Price, the legacy gift committee chair. She is Director Emerita of the Newark Museum and the widow to Newark Celebration 350’s visionary and nationally revered historian and civic advocate, the late Dr. Clement A. Price, whose life and legacy was dedicated to public service and charting a bright future for Newark.
“Newark Celebration 350 aims to inspire and unite all citizens, corporations and civic leaders by inspiring them to come together on Giving Day and join in the collective conscience that will improve the long-term outlook and promise of our community, through the funding of these legacy gifts,” said Mrs. Price. “It is our hope that the City’s first giving day will also create a sustainable culture of crowd-funded philanthropy that will last beyond this celebratory year of Newark’s 350th anniversary as one of America’s great cities. Newark deserves our wholehearted support this year and in the future.”
“Newark Celebration 350 is proud to be part of Giving Day which supports our mission by building bridges and making Newark an even stronger and more vibrant community for the next generations to come,” said NC 350 Chair Junius Williams. “We hope everyone will join hands with us on May 3 and celebrate Newark’s spirit of generosity and support of our citizens and the local non-profit organizations doing the good work in our community.”
Starting this week, pledges can be made in advance and for 24 hours on national Giving Day May 3rd, donations will be accepted on Newark350gives.org. Minimum donation is $10 with the goal of reaching $350,000 in honor of Newark’s 350th anniversary of its founding.
Visit newark350gives.org and #newarkgives for more information and how to pledge.
