NJ Family Has Donated $1M To Maplewood Foundation

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Maplewood Foundation. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Maplewood Foundation, a community foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life of all Maplewood residents, recently announced it received a $250,000 donation from Fred and Susan Profeta, bringing the family’s total significant giving to more than $1 million. The Profetas, who serve as president and recording secretary of the Foundation respectively, provided $500,000 in seed funding for the Foundation in 2023 and additional gifts in 2024.

Led by a diverse board of 16 trustees representing the community, the Foundation has awarded $120,000 in grants to 16 nonprofits serving Maplewood’s residents. At the organization’s annual fundraiser, Celebrate Maplewood, held earlier in January, Fred Profeta announced its goal of giving $90,000 in grants at the end of this year and $100,000 at the end of 2026.

“We achieved ambitious goals of giving away $50,000 and $70,000 in grants in our first two years and now we’re setting our sights on hitting a critical milestone of raising enough in donations to support $100,000 in grants by the end of 2026,” said Fred Profeta. “Susan and I increasing our gift to $1 million gets us much closer to that target. The community has already stepped up with an additional $800,000 and now we ask our friends and neighbors to join us in creating a sustainable and growing source of funding for our nonprofits.”

Donations to The Maplewood Foundation are invested in a fund for a longer-term and wider impact within the community. The Foundation gives approximately 5% of its holdings as Program and Seed grants through an annual grant cycle.

“The creation of The Maplewood Foundation resulted from Fred and I wanting to make a meaningful and lasting impact in the community that’s given so much to our family over the many decades we’ve lived here,” said Susan Profeta. “It gives me immeasurable joy to know the gift we’ve completed with this last significant donation will generate grants to our local nonprofits for years and years to come.”

The Foundation’s areas of grant-giving focus include climate and environmental stewardship; diversity, equity and inclusion; educational scholarships; emergency relief for residents; enhancement of public education; programs for individuals with disabilities; promotion of the arts; support for senior citizens; and youth recreation.

CHS Ultimate, the organization that runs competitive ultimate frisbee teams in Maplewood and South Orange, received a $5,000 grant in 2024. At Celebrate Maplewood, one of its board members, Catherine Martinez, spoke about the significance of the funding.

“Invented right here in Maplewood over 50 years ago, Ultimate embodies the values of creativity, teamwork, and inclusivity that define this community,” said Martinez. “With support from The Maplewood Foundation’s grant, we will ensure equitable participation and expand our middle school program so that everyone who wants to play is able to.”

“From brand new nonprofits with nascent budgets to established organizations with decades-long histories, the organizations that received funding from the Foundation collectively touch the lives of every Maplewood resident,” said Fred Profeta. “Going forward, if we achieve our vision, they will always be able to count on The Maplewood Foundation to support their critical services and programs.”

Learn more about the organization and its grantees via www.themaplewoodfoudnation.org. To make a donation to The Maplewood Foundation, visit www.themaplewoodfoundation.org/donate. The Foundation also encourages its donors to continue giving directly to local nonprofits.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here.