The New Jersey Education Association funder concentrates on strengthening public education and pro-education public policy in New Jersey, backing both classroom-focused initiatives (teacher training, university partnerships) and state-level advocacy organizations that advance equity and funding for schools. It also supports allied civic and cultural causes—arts education, civil rights groups, environmental stewardship, Holocaust education and health charities—usually through direct financial support and repeat grants to state-based nonprofits.
A defining feature of New Jersey Education Association grantmaking is its very large, repeated support for Garden State Forward, which received $6 million in 2023, $9 million in 2024, and $8,534,061 in 2025. That pattern points to a funder that makes major, sustained commitments rather than only occasional project awards. Across the recent grant list, the association backs public education advocacy, teacher development, policy work, sustainability efforts, and cultural or civic organizations tied to schools and communities. The New Jersey Education Association also gives recurring support to education-focused institutions such as the NJ Center for Teaching and Learning and the Education Law Center, each appearing in multiple years with substantial grants. Other grants connect to K–12 innovation, public-policy research, Holocaust education, environmental work, and arts education. The overall picture is of a state-centered funder using direct financial support to reinforce both classroom practice and the policy environment around public education in New Jersey. Its grantmaking touches organizations in Trenton, Newark, Mahwah, Ewing, Lawrenceville, and other New Jersey cities, with limited activity outside the state. The latest 990 year on file is 2025.
Public education advocacy is a core theme. The New Jersey Education Association gave $600,000 in 2023, $570,000 in 2024, and $585,000 in 2025 to the Education Law Center in Newark, a repeated pattern that places school-funding and education-equity work at the center of its portfolio. Teacher development and instructional support is another major thread. The NJ Center for Teaching and Learning in Mahwah received $750,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025, signaling sustained backing for educator training and classroom improvement. The foundation also funds policy and civic organizations. NJ Policy Perspective Inc in Trenton received $200,000 in 2023, $215,000 in 2024, and $210,000 in 2025. In a separate lane, Sustainable Jersey a NJ Nonprofit Corporation in Lawrenceville received $250,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025, linking the funder to school sustainability and environmental education.
Typical grants cluster in the middle range: the 25th percentile is $10,250, the median is $50,000, and the 75th percentile is $232,500. Recent activity shows a mix of very large multi-year commitments and smaller grants, with several organizations appearing across three consecutive years. The New Jersey Education Association is not a DAF or individual-giving funder, and the data describes its grantmaking as direct financial support, unrestricted cash grants, and general operating support. Active grant programs include offerings that accept unsolicited applications, such as Sustainable Jersey for Schools Grants and Hipp Foundation Grants, while others are not open to unsolicited requests.
$11.3M
$270.6M
$160.6M
$142.1M
Most grants fall between $10K and $233K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$233K
SEAN M SPILLER
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Concentrated, state-focused giving with a few very large multi-grant recipients and many repeat grants; mixes multi-hundred-thousand dollar commitments to core policy/education partners with smaller one-off gifts to allied cultural, environmental, and health organizations.
Notable grantees: Garden State Forward, NJ Center for Teaching and Learning, Education Law Center, Sustainable Jersey, NJ Policy Perspective
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in New Jersey, and 90% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The top state by grant count is also New Jersey. Recent recipients are spread across the state, including Trenton, Newark, Mahwah, Ewing, Lawrenceville, Matawan, Iselin, and New Brunswick. All recorded grants in the provided dataset went to U.S. recipients, with no non-U.S. country grants listed.
The recent grants show a strong emphasis on public education advocacy, teacher development, and school improvement. Examples include repeated support for the Education Law Center, the NJ Center for Teaching and Learning, NJ Policy Perspective Inc, and Sustainable Jersey a NJ Nonprofit Corporation, along with grants connected to arts education, Holocaust education, and environmental work.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Garden State Forward, the NJ Center for Teaching and Learning, the Education Law Center, the College of New Jersey Foundation Inc, NJ Policy Perspective Inc, and Sustainable Jersey a NJ Nonprofit Corporation. The repeated awards suggest ongoing support rather than one-time funding only.
The grant-size distribution centers at $50,000 median, with a 25th percentile of $10,250 and a 75th percentile of $232,500. The recent grants also include much larger commitments, such as multi-million-dollar awards to Garden State Forward.
Yes. Sustainable Jersey for Schools Grants accepts applications through Sustainable Jersey for Schools, and the Hipp Foundation Grants program is marked as accepting unsolicited applications. Other listed programs, including HIPP Foundation and Public Education Partnership (PEP) Grants, are not marked that way.
Giving is overwhelmingly concentrated in New Jersey. The data shows 90% of grants to recipients in NJ, and the top grant state by count is also NJ. Recent recipient cities include Trenton, Newark, Mahwah, Ewing, Lawrenceville, Matawan, and Iselin.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from New Jersey Education Association that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Eligibility determined by Sustainable Jersey for Schools (typically NJ public schools/districts; see program site for details).
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GARDEN STATE FORWARD | TRENTON, NJ | $8,534,061 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING | MAHWAH, NJ | $750,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| EDUCATION LAW CENTER | NEWARK, NJ | $585,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY FOUNDATION INC | EWING, NJ | $389,130 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| SUSTAINABLE JERSEY A NJ NONPROFIT CORPORATION | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $250,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ POLICY PERSPECTIVE INC | TRENTON, NJ | $210,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ COMMISSION ON HOLOCAUST EDUCATION | TRENTON, NJ | $175,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJEA MEMBER BENEFIT TRUST | TRENTON, NJ | $100,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| FREDERICK L HIPP FOUNDATION | TRENTON, NJ | $60,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| TEEN ARTS NEW JERSEY | MATAWAN, NJ | $50,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ HALL OF FAME | ISELIN, NJ | $50,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY OF NJ FOUNDATION INC | WAYNE, NJ | $50,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| GARDEN STATE EQUALITY EDUCATION FUND INC | ASBURY PARK, NJ | $15,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| THE NEA FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $12,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| MUDGIRLS STUDIOS A NJ NON PROFIT CORP | LINWOOD, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| INSPIRING LIFE TOGETHER | MARLTON, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| SUSAN G KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| GARDEN STATE FORWARD | TRENTON, NJ | $9,000,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING | MAHWAH, NJ | $750,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| EDUCATION LAW CENTER | NEWARK, NJ | $570,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY FOUNDATION INC | EWING, NJ | $381,087 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| SUSTAINABLE JERSEY A NJ NONPROFIT CORPORATION | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $250,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ POLICY PERSPECTIVE INC | TRENTON, NJ | $215,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ COMMISSION ON HOLOCAUST EDUCATION | TRENTON, NJ | $150,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| FREDERICK L HIPP FOUNDATION | TRENTON, NJ | $60,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ HALL OF FAME | ISELIN, NJ | $50,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| TEEN ARTS NEW JERSEY | MATAWAN, NJ | $50,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NEW JERSEY WORKING FAMILIES ALLIANCE | TRENTON, NJ | $25,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NAACP NEW JERSEY STATE CONFERENCE | BRIGANTINE, NJ | $15,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| SUSAN G KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $15,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY OF NJ FOUNDATION INC | WAYNE, NJ | $15,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| GARDEN STATE EQUALITY EDUCATION FUND INC | ASBURY PARK, NJ | $10,500 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| THE NEA FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| PUSH TO WALK | OAKLAND, NJ | $10,000 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| LEAD INC | ALLENTOWN, NJ | $7,500 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN OF NEW JERSEY | NEWARK, NJ | $6,500 | 2024 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| GARDEN STATE FORWARD | TRENTON, NJ | $6,000,000 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING | MAHWAH, NJ | $750,000 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| EDUCATION LAW CENTER | NEWARK, NJ | $600,000 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY FOUNDATION INC | EWING, NJ | $354,000 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| SUSTAINABLE JERSEY A NJ NONPROFIT CORPORATION | LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ | $250,000 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ POLICY PERSPECTIVE INC | TRENTON, NJ | $200,000 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ WORK ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL | TRENTON, NJ | $100,000 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ COMMISSION ON HOLOCAUST EDUCATION | TRENTON, NJ | $100,000 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| FREDERICK L HIPP FOUNDATION | TRENTON, NJ | $60,100 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NJ HALL OF FAME | ISELIN, NJ | $50,000 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICA'S AGENDA HEALTH CARE FOR ALL INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| MIDDLESEX COUNTY REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS | MATAWAN, NJ | $35,000 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| NEA MEMBER BEENFITS RELIEF FUND | GAITHERSBURG, MD | $20,000 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
| GARDEN STATE EQUALITY EDUCATION FUND INC | ASBURY PARK, NJ | $17,500 | 2023 | FINANCIAL SUPPORT |
GARDEN STATE FORWARD
$8,534,061FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NJ CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING
$750,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NJ COMMISSION ON HOLOCAUST EDUCATION
$175,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NJEA MEMBER BENEFIT TRUST
$100,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
FREDERICK L HIPP FOUNDATION
$60,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
TEEN ARTS NEW JERSEY
$50,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NJ HALL OF FAME
$50,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY OF NJ FOUNDATION INC
$50,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
GARDEN STATE EQUALITY EDUCATION FUND INC
$15,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
MUDGIRLS STUDIOS A NJ NON PROFIT CORP
$10,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
INSPIRING LIFE TOGETHER
$10,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
SUSAN G KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
$10,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
GARDEN STATE FORWARD
$9,000,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NJ CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING
$750,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NJ COMMISSION ON HOLOCAUST EDUCATION
$150,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
FREDERICK L HIPP FOUNDATION
$60,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NJ HALL OF FAME
$50,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
TEEN ARTS NEW JERSEY
$50,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NAACP NEW JERSEY STATE CONFERENCE
$15,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
SUSAN G KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
$15,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY OF NJ FOUNDATION INC
$15,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
GARDEN STATE EQUALITY EDUCATION FUND INC
$10,500FINANCIAL SUPPORT
PUSH TO WALK
$10,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
LEAD INC
$7,500FINANCIAL SUPPORT
ADVOCATES FOR CHILDREN OF NEW JERSEY
$6,500FINANCIAL SUPPORT
GARDEN STATE FORWARD
$6,000,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NJ CENTER FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING
$750,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NJ WORK ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL
$100,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NJ COMMISSION ON HOLOCAUST EDUCATION
$100,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
FREDERICK L HIPP FOUNDATION
$60,100FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NJ HALL OF FAME
$50,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
AMERICA'S AGENDA HEALTH CARE FOR ALL INC
$50,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
MIDDLESEX COUNTY REGIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS
$35,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
NEA MEMBER BEENFITS RELIEF FUND
$20,000FINANCIAL SUPPORT
GARDEN STATE EQUALITY EDUCATION FUND INC
$17,500FINANCIAL SUPPORT