Victoria Foundation Awards $12.8 Million in Grants During Centennial Anniversary Year

2024 was an impactful year for Victoria Foundation as it not only celebrated its 100th anniversary, but it also awarded $12.8 million in grants to organizations aligned with the Foundation's mission of empowering Black and Brown residents and other marginalized communities in Newark.

The grants support Newark-based nonprofits as part of the Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative, Victoria Foundation's long-term commitment to building power and generational well-being at the neighborhood level by focusing on the three neighborhoods of Fairmount Heights, Lower Broadway, and Upper Clinton Hill.

"These funds ensure that our grantees continue to provide quality programs and support to meet the needs of Newark families," said Victoria Foundation Executive Officer Craig Drinkard. "We look forward to 2025 and our continued partnership in all the important work."

Included in its 2024 grantmaking, Victoria awarded a total of $250,000 to two organizations to honor long-serving trustee Sally G. Chubb. These two awards, named the Sally G. Chubb Legacy Grants, of $125,000 were bestowed to Arts Ed Newark and the Girls Scouts Heart of New Jersey. Victoria Foundation selected these two organizations as they exemplify her love for the arts and dedication to girls' and women's empowerment.

"Arts Ed Newark is so honored to receive the Sally G. Chubb Legacy Grant," said Lauren G. Meehan, director at Arts Ed Newark. "Having known Mrs. Chubb in my time on staff at Victoria Foundation, I know how passionate she was about youth having access to the arts. We believe all the young people of Newark deserve a high-quality arts education in school, as mandated by New Jersey's constitution, and out of school in their communities and neighborhoods."

"Being named one of the recipients of this legacy grant in memory of Sally G. Chubb is an incredible honor for Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey," added Natasha Hemmings, the agency's CEO. "This generous support will empower even more Newark Girl Scouts to develop into strong leaders who will make a lasting impact across New Jersey. We are truly humbled by this recognition and excited to continue Sally's legacy through the girls we serve."

In December at the year-end gala to culminate its 100th anniversary celebration, the Foundation surprised seven grantees, and the 250 guests in attendance, with the awarding of $2.5 million in Centennial Impact Awards. These grants were distributed to organizations aligned with the Foundation's focus areas. For Strengthening Community Power, Leadership Newark received $300,000, and the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, $500,000. For Fostering Economic Justice, FOCUS Hispanic Center for Community Development Inc. received $300,000, and Ironbound Community Corporation, $500,000. For Promoting Youth Self-determination, Leaders for Life, Sadie Nash, and The GEM Project each received $300,000.

"These grants were distributed to several Newark organizations that provide extraordinary impact in the Foundation's dedication to its strategy areas," said Victoria Foundation Board of Trustees President Frank Alvarez. "These nonprofits were selected due to their commitment to growing the power of people of color in Newark by providing much needed services and programs that contribute to a thriving Newark, where residents are self-determining, liberated, and connected. It is the Foundation's pleasure to partner with agencies doing such important work within our communities."

To learn more about the Foundation's centennial anniversary, mission and vision, and more, visit victoriafoundaton.org.