Designated as a local chapter of the national Press Forward initiative in February 2024, Press Forward New Jersey (PFNJ) is housed within the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium (the Consortium) and the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ). 

In the spirit of collective action and collaboration, the Consortium and CFNJ extend an open invitation to partners and stakeholders in the field of journalism, media literacy, and civic engagement to join Press Forward New Jersey. Throughout the year, the Consortium and CFNJ will host a series of virtual and in-person meetings with partners and stakeholders about the work of Press Forward New Jersey.

The Consortium and CFNJ are building a coalition of aligned funders and stakeholders to deepen the work of supporting a healthy, diverse news and information ecosystem across the Garden State.

The Consortium and CFNJ are encouraging the New Jersey philanthropic community to support local news and information using the same model as the national Press Forward effort: 

  • A pooled fund housed at CFNJ, managed by the Consortium and CFNJ, and 
  • Aligned funding – funding from family, community, and corporate foundations, local, county, and state governments, and individual donors – focused on a specific geographic or topical interest area. Aligned funding awards are designed with the goal of respective grantors working in collaboration with the Consortium and CFNJ.

PFNJ LEADERSHIP

Press Forward New Jersey is administered by staff from both the Consortium and CFNJ, who share duties in leading PFNJ.

  • Chris Daggett (Interim Executive Director and Board Chair, Consortium)
  • Hans Dekker (President, CFNJ)
  • Nalune Francois (Program Officer, CFNJ)
  • Ayinde Merrill (Program Officer, Consortium)
  • Lindsay McNamara (Development Associate, Consortium/PFNJ)
  • Madi McCool (Communications and Grants Manager, Consortium)
(L-R) NJCIC staff Ayinde Merrill (Program Officer), Lindsay McNamara (Development Associate), Madison McCool (Grants and Communications Manager), Chris Daggett (Board Chair & Interim Executive Director) Photo by Glenn Clark

FOR FUNDERS

Press Forward New Jersey is a coalition of funders who are committed to supporting local news and information initiatives across the state. 

The chapter is actively seeking funding partners to contribute to the pooled fund or through aligned funding.

If you are a funder interested in joining or learning more about PFNJ, contact Lindsay McNamara at [email protected]

FOR GRANTSEEKERS

Press Forward New Jersey will begin making grants in 2025. To be notified of future grant opportunities, please join the mailing list here. 

It’s important to note Press Forward national, Press Forward New Jersey, and the Consortium are three separate pools of money to which anyone can apply — and yes, you can apply to all three. Being a grantee of one will not preclude you from being funded by another.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that funds initiatives to benefit the State’s civic life and meet the evolving information needs of New Jersey’s communities. Questions? Contact the Consortium via email at [email protected].