16 Volunteers Create Group To Give Away Thousands Of Dollars To Maplewood Causes

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — A former mayor and a slew of other Maplewood community members have created a foundation to give away thousands of dollars each year to charities and causes.

They will encourage local groups to apply for funds toward the end of this year, they said, and hope to give away at least $40,000 in 2023.

“Living among those who look out for each other is one of the many reasons people fall in love with Maplewood, and find it difficult to imagine living elsewhere,” said former Mayor Fred Profeta, who has lived in town for 70 years. He's the president of the new Maplewood Foundation Board of Trustees.

Led by 16 volunteer trustees who live in town, the Foundation was conceived by Profeta and his wife Susan, according to a release from the new group.

The Profetas have already given $500,000 in seed funding to start the foundation, and it's already raised more than $100,000 from its trustees and early donors.

The Maplewood Foundation officially launched last week.

Expecting To Grow

Organizers said the group will give approximately 5 percent of its investments each year as program and seed grants through an annual grant cycle.

"The grants will support the nonprofit organizations that are working tirelessly to improve the quality of life for all Maplewood residents," they said.

Grant opportunities will be accessible to everyone, from established organizations to the aspiring nonprofits that need support to bring their new initiatives to life.

They hope to raise at least $1 million in total this year and give away more than $40,000 in grants by year end "while providing seed funding to grow into the future," they said.

Profeta said, “The Maplewood Foundation seeks to tap into the collective spirit of generosity, generating a growing source of financial support that will help us realize a better future for all our neighbors.”

Similar foundations exist in Summit, Montclair, Princeton and Westfield, noted the organizers. The Summit Foundation has approximately $24 million in assets, they said, awarding $1 million in grants each year to its nonprofit community.

Profeta said, “Everyone can give something, and we want to receive donations of all sizes from people of all ages.”

The group noted, "The Maplewood Foundation board will act as stewards of the fund and assets will be managed by CI RegentAtlantic of Morristown, New Jersey. The board’s Investment Committee will provide input on asset allocation and general oversight."

How To Apply

All organizations and emerging nonprofits, large and small, that benefit Maplewood residents will be encouraged to apply for a grant.

The Grants Committee of the Board of Trustees will review applications and select finalists. The full board will vote on and decide final grant recipients, which will be announced on Nov. 24, 2023.

Areas of focus include public education and scholarships, youth recreation, activities for individuals with special needs, racial equity and inclusion, climate change and the environment, senior services, emergency relief, and the arts.

To learn about the grant eligibility guidelines and grant timeline, please visit themaplewoodfoundation.org.

Veda Truesdale, first vice president of the Foundation, said that people can still give to their favorite charities.

“The people of Maplewood are generous both in spirit and financially, and we encourage our neighbors to continue giving directly to their favorite causes,” Truesdale said. “The Maplewood Foundation is a different kind of giving opportunity, as a donation today ensures a sustainable source of grant funding for years to come."

The founding trustees of The Maplewood Foundation’s board have, when combined, lived in Maplewood for 340 years, they said. The members are:

● Fred Profeta: president

● Veda Truesdale: first vice president, Events Committee chair

● Beth Daugherty: second vice president, Grants & Development Committees

● Jade Dean: Grants & Development Committees

● Carol Fardin: Development & Events Committees

● Rick Greenberg: Communications Committee

● Kieonna Hill: Events Committee

● Greg Lembrich: Treasurer, Investments Committee

● Frank McGehee: Development and Events Committees

● Rosemary Ostmann: Communications Committee chair

● Susan Profeta: Grants Committee

● Kristy Ranieri: Communications Committee

● Becky Scheer, Secretary; Grants Committee chair

● Erin R. Scherzer: Grants Committee

● Ed Stuart, Development & Investments Committees

● Kaitlin Wittleder: Development Committee chair

They said the organization may grow to other towns.

"The Maplewood Foundation is focusing on one town initially to earn the confidence of its donors and to demonstrate success, both in the near- and long-term," they said in a release. "Once the Foundation is established and growing, it will consider expanding to surrounding towns. Any nonprofit that serves both Maplewood and its neighbor, South Orange, is by definition now eligible for a grant from The Maplewood Foundation."

More About The Group

The Maplewood Foundation is an independent nonprofit and is unaffiliated with the town of Maplewood. It is accepting donations through the Community Foundation of New Jersey while it awaits approval of its application for 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service. To make a tax-deductible donation, visit themaplewoodfoundation.org.