Investing in the Organizations That Invest in Newark
The Newark Nonprofit Leadership Resilience Fund (NNLRF or Fund) is a bold, equity-centered philanthropic initiative grounded in trust-based and community-centric principles.
NNLRF is designed to bolster nonprofit leadership, invest in organizational capacity, and strengthen the nonprofit ecosystem efforts in Newark, NJ.
As a collaborative of committed funders and nonprofit leaders, NNLRF is working to shift power, elevate community voice, and reimagine how philanthropy partners engage with the sector for long-term, transformative change.
Rather than focusing on the short-term or isolated needs of individual organizations, NNLRF supports the collective health, adaptability, and innovation of Newark’s entire nonprofit ecosystem.
Essential Work Needs Strong Foundations
Nonprofit organizations are part of Newark's civic life. Sustaining their work requires more than support for individual programs. It also takes effective boards, capable leadership, practical systems, and room to plan.
NNLRF exists to bring attention and resources to those organizational foundations, with the needs and experience of Newark nonprofit leaders informing the work.
Listen to Local Leaders
Ground priorities in the experience of nonprofit leaders and the communities their organizations serve.
Connect Learning and Practice
Combine peer learning with individualized consulting so organizations can apply what they learn to their own challenges.
Invest in Follow-through
Pair capacity building with catalytic investment to help organizations act on their plans.
Fund Leadership & Administration
Willow Bees Group leads the Fund's day-to-day strategy, administration, and implementation, working with the Governance Committee and program partners to advance NNLRF's priorities.
Nicole K.F. Butler
Fund Lead
Kareem Willis, PhD
Project Manager
Jointly Governed
Five nonprofit leaders and four philanthropic representatives serve on the Governance Committee. Nonprofit leaders hold the majority of seats, and committee members share responsibility for the Fund’s direction and decisions.
Meet the Governance Committee →Founding Funders
We thank our founding funders for their investment in NNLRF and their shared commitment to strengthening Newark’s nonprofit leadership, governance, and organizational resilience.
