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Community Foundation of New Jersey

EIN 22-2281783 · Morristown, NJ

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CONNECT DONORS TO ORGANIZATIONS, ISSUES AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS IMPORTANT TO THEM OVER TIME, TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT TO DONORS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, LEADERS AND FOUNDATIONS TO ACHIEVE THE ART OF LASTING PHILANTHROPY.

Income
$211.9 million
Spending
$118.2 million
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
79.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
29
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$677,240, trustee, president/ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 79.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 44% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (philanthropy, over $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    20 of 21 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $100.6 million spent. SINCE 1979, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NEW JERSEY (CFNJ) HAS BEEN A TRUSTED PARTNER IN THE STATE WORKING WITH HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, AND FOUNDATIONS TO TURN PRIVATE RESOURCES INTO CHARITABLE FUNDS THAT BENEFIT CAUSES AND COMMUNITIES. FROM CREATIVE PROJECTS THAT TACKLE CRITICAL SOCIETAL OR POLICY ISSUES TO SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS, CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY, LEGACY FUNDS AND DONOR ADVISED FUNDS, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MANAGES NEARLY EVERY KIND OF GIVING VEHICLE AND TAILORS SOLUTIONS TO MEET CRITICAL NEEDS. CFNJ MADE 8,340 INDIVIDUAL GRANTS IN 2024 TOTALING $124 MILLION. CFNJ CURRENTLY STEWARDS MORE THAN $950 MILLION IN CHARITABLE ASSETS, MAKING GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN LINE WITH THE ADVICE OF ACTIVE FUNDHOLDERS OR PHILANTHROPIC GOALS OF THOSE WHO LEAVE BEQUESTS.
  2. $12.6 million spent. THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NEW JERSEY (CFNJ) SPONSORS SEVERAL SPECIAL PROJECTS EACH YEAR, OFTEN INITIATED TO ADDRESS AN URGENT OR REGION-SPECIFIC NEED.
  3. $3.0 million spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICE EXPENSES INCLUDING SALARIES, EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND VARIOUS OTHER EXPENSES TO CARRY OUT THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION AND PROGRAMS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1985.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.