The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund (NJACRF) is proud to announce that it has received its 501(c)(3) status, marking a significant milestone in its journey. This designation means the Fund can now accept tax-deductible donations and grants, opening up new opportunities to support its mission and expand its impact.
The New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund was established in 2020 as a field of interest fund at the Princeton Area Community Foundation. In response to the pandemic, the Renewal Fund constructed a mission to support the resilience and recovery of the state’s arts, cultural, and historical sectors. With the support of the Community Foundation, the Fund has awarded $10 million to 220 small and mid-sized cultural organizations since its inception.
In the nearly 5 years since the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund was created the need for financial assistance in the New Jersey arts and culture sector became increasingly apparent. As a result, NJACRF and the Community Foundation recognized that the Renewal Fund would need continue its work beyond the pandemic. In 2023 NJACRF began the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status in order to build a sustainable future.
As the Fund moves forward as an independent entity, it reflects on the extraordinary partnership it shared with the Community Foundation by acknowledging the contributions that laid the foundation for its ongoing success.
“We are proud to have served as the incubator for NJACRF, which was created as a lifeline to help fund the immediate needs of arts, culture, and history organizations during the pandemic, and has now grown into a permanent way to support the field,” said Sonia Delgado, Princeton Area Community Foundation’s immediate Past Board Chair. “The arts contribute to the wellbeing of our communities in a myriad of ways, supporting mental health, fostering creativity, and helping forge connections between neighbors.”
This new chapter not only strengthens the Fund’s commitment to supporting arts and culture in New Jersey, but also enhances its ability to carry out its mission with greater impact.
The Fund’s mission as its own non-profit goes beyond grant-making. NJACRF is focused on collaboration and supporting these smaller organizations that are doing significant work for the community. The Fund is dedicated to fostering a sense of connection and learning, as much as it is to fiscal support.
NJACRF has hosted four cultural convenings across New Jersey, bringing organizations, artists, and funders together. As the Renewal Fund functions as its own entity, it maintains its goal of spreading knowledge and resources, while acting as a branch between leaders and cultural non-profits.
Sharnita Johnson, the Renewal Fund’s board president, emphasizes the importance of its impact, saying, “The NJACRF has invested $10 million into the New Jersey arts, culture and history ecosystem since its inception, $1.2 million in 2024 alone. The Renewal Fund has intentionally convened cross-sector grantee partners throughout the state that deepened connections, learning, and relationships. The combination of financial resources and network-building are a vital role the Fund plays in the state.”
NJACRF has received positive feedback from grantees and funders alike, expressing their gratitude for its understanding of the sector and dedication to community building. The Fund looks to continue connecting grantees, artists, and stakeholders through events, resource sharing, and peer-to-peer learning initiatives.
Jeremy Grunin, the Fund’s board treasurer, recognizes the influence that the Princeton Area Community Foundation’s partnership has had on the Fund’s growth and ongoing success.
“When we started the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund almost five years ago, we came together as a group of funders working to help the arts and culture sector recover from the pandemic. The Princeton Area Community Foundation played a vital role in our growth, hosting the Fund and providing us with support, guidance, and resources for us to grow into the 501c3 nonprofit organization that we are today. We are so grateful to the Community Foundation for all they have done for us, and we look forward to continuing our work in partnership with them and with the arts and culture community,” Grunin says.
“The progress and impact of the New Jersey Arts and Culture Renewal Fund is an inspiration to all involved. It is a beautiful example of collaboration for community benefit. We are excited for what the future holds,” said Lynne Toye, NJACRF Executive Director.
The Renewal Fund invites you to stay engaged with its mission. There are many ways to get involved and contribute to the vibrant cultural landscape we are building together. To learn more about upcoming events, funding opportunities, and ways to support, visit https://njartsculture.org/.
