At the Grunin Foundation, the welfare of our community is always our top priority. Due to the rapidly developing situation with COVID-19, we know that our nonprofits and community members face unprecedented challenges and concerns. We want you to know that we are in this together with you. With that, we want to share the actions we are taking as a Foundation. We understand this will be an evolving process, as things are changing minute by minute. We don’t have all the answers. However, we are working to stay up to date on activities, not only here in New Jersey, but across the country.
Foundation-related Events
The Catapult Institute Booster scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2020 at 8:30AM at the American Red Cross is postponed. We will hold the Booster at a later date once the direction from the CDC and other health experts becomes clearer on social distancing and gatherings.
The Catapult Institute Workshop (Social Entrepreneurship 101) scheduled for Friday, April 24th has been rescheduled to Friday, November 13, 2020. If you have already registered, your spot will automatically be reserved for the new date. However, if you are unable to attend on the new date, please email jaclyn@gruninfoundation.org and we will coordinate with the Support Center for your full refund.
Like most of you, we are disappointed that many community events will not continue as planned. However, we look forward to working collaboratively online in the weeks to come and at in-person events once this health threat has passed.
Previous Grants and Sponsorships
Previously awarded grants and sponsorships will not be revoked if a program, conference or event is cancelled or postponed. Many of you have understandable concerns about meeting fundraising goals; however, you put the health of your staff and community first and we commend you. We support you in your decisions on how to best manage your organization’s activities and events.
Monitoring the Situation with Our Peers and the Community
We are in close communication with partners like the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, Center for Nonprofits, Council on Foundations, and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations, and will continue to monitor the situation locally and regionally for philanthropic responses to emerging community needs. In addition, we have been talking to you about your current and future challenges. We will continue these conversations so we can keep up to date with the state of our community.
Local Community Support
The Grunin Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all members of our community by using philanthropy to drive economic excellence at the Central Jersey Shore. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its incredible impact on our community, it’s more important than ever for us to support quality of life and the economy. After much research, and with the guidance of organizations and philanthropic institutions across the country, the Grunin Foundation has determined that we will be proactively making contributions to local nonprofits that are providing direct services that support basic human needs. These organizations will be called upon to serve the growing needs of our most vulnerable individuals feeling the financial effects of social distancing. As with our general grantmaking processes, and in order to move resources quickly, we are not hosting a formal application process. As the situation evolves, and as we learn more about the community’s needs, we will monitor our strategy and make adjustments, as necessary.
Zoom Technology Offering
Recognizing not everyone has robust teleconferencing options, we are working to ensure all of our Central Jersey Shore nonprofits have access to a paid Zoom account free of charge for the next three months (if needed). We understand that many offices may be working remotely, and we would like to accommodate this process. Should you need access to a Zoom account, please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GruninZoom to fill out a very quick intake form.
We have overcome much adversity over the years at the Central Jersey Shore and have no doubt that we will continue to thrive. We now need to come together as a community while we navigate this challenging time. Thank you for all the work that you do each and every day to make this a safe and healthy place to live, work and play.
Sincerely,
Your partners at the Grunin Foundation