Eastern Bergen County, NJ -- The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County announces its 2024 Request for Proposals (RFP) for grants. This year, The Community Chest's grantmaking process focuses on this set of priorities identified by our colleagues in leadership positions with local nonprofit agencies.

The priority areas are:

• Health and Mental Health Services. The Community Chest supports health and mental health services for people of all ages, with priority given to children and adolescents. In response to the United States Surgeon General’s report, priority will be given to program requests addressing the needs of those suffering from social isolation and loneliness.

• Educational Enhancement/College and Career Prep. Students of all ages, from low income families, who are academically motivated, often need support for educational and enrichment expenses. These expenses include participating in college preparation classes, attending enrichment programs, paying for tutorial services, and other expenses, such as books, meals or appropriate clothing.

• Food Insecurity and Healthy Eating. The Community Chest provides financial support and programming for local residents, who are experiencing food insecurity and support for programs teaching people about eating healthy to address health issues, such as diabetes or obesity.

• Home Care. This support includes services provided in the home for elderly or disabled people, ranging from companionship to physical care not requiring a nursing degree.

Grants will be made only to nonprofits embracing The Community Chest's core values--diversity, equity and inclusion are viewed as moral imperatives. Funded organizations must not discriminate in service delivery or organizational structure based on race, gender, age, sexual identity or other personal characteristics. Organizations that do not subscribe to these values are ineligible for funding. All grant applications must be submitted electronically by no later than Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

Application Requirements

All applicants must be designated a 501(c)(3) IRS nonprofit based in New Jersey and be in operation for more than two years. They must provide services to people residing or working in The Community Chest's service area in any of these 15 municipalities in eastern Bergen County, New Jersey: Alpine, Bergenfield, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Rockleigh or Tenafly. Applicants must comply with The Chest's Diversity Guidelines.

The complete 2024 request for proposal's guidelines, criteria, and an application are available at https://thecommunitychestebc.org/apply-for-grants. For further information, contact Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer, Executive Director of The Community Chest, at 201-568-7474 or [email protected].

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Since the organization's founding 91 years ago, The Chest has raised over $12 million and served over 100 nonprofit organizations. The Chest supports area nonprofits addressing a range of issues, including health and mental health, hunger, arts programming, the environment, and volunteerism for approximately 50,000 people annually.

About The Community Chest

Founded in 1933, The Community Chest, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, has supported local not-for-profit agencies for 91 years. The Chest leads initiatives and supports nonprofits that make our communities stronger and benefit people in need in eastern Bergen County. Each year, The Chest raises funds and allocates them to agencies demonstrating the capacity to provide services to local citizens. The organization also provides coordinating and planning services in its communities, serving as a bridge between agencies and organizations and investing in the stability and quality of the service network.

The Community Chest's Board of Managers is comprised of community leaders dedicated to improving the lives of neighbors in need. People interested in being considered for board membership may contact Executive Director Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer at (201) 568-7474.