In Joining SI, a Community Foundation Supports Its Mission and Helps Nonprofits
The Satell Institute’s motto — “Community is every leader’s business” — comes to life through the Community Foundation of South Jersey.
“Most community foundations are driven by generous people who recognize that a place has made a difference in their lives and the success of their business — and they want to give back to that place,” says Andy Fraizer, executive director of the Community Foundation of South Jersey.
In the world of philanthropy, community foundations (of which there are 900 across the country) play a unique and critical role. These place-based organizations serve as philanthropic hubs, convening leaders, creating solutions, managing charitable assets, and awarding grants and scholarships to improve lives and local communities.
The Community Foundation of South Jersey, which recently joined the Satell Institute, is a prime example. Launched in 2007, the foundation oversees component philanthropic funds set up by individuals, businesses, and organizations in South Jersey — each focused on making a difference.
It’s a mission that perfectly aligns with that of the Satell Institute. What’s more, in becoming an SI member, CFSJ has empowered nearly 20 of the nonprofits it supports to become SI Nonprofit Affiliates.
That means those organizations get the many benefits that come from SI membership, further strengthening themselves and the broader community.
Making a Difference In South Jersey
At the heart of what CFSJ does, says Fraizer, is create giving strategies, while simplifying the responsibilities and compliance constraints that come with charitable giving — including setting up appropriate legal structures and managing investments.
“It could be a scholarship fund that makes an impact in a young person’s life,” Fraizer says. “Or a donor-advised fund where we’re working with a family or company to create a charitable giving strategy in lieu of creating a new foundation or nonprofit.” In other examples, South Jersey communities such as Downe Township and Hammonton are working with CFSJ to create permanent endowments to support neighbors and local nonprofits.
The Community Foundation of South Jersey also plays a role in distributing funds, helping donors act strategically so that their contributions have maximum impact. More broadly, CFSJ has taken on a leadership role in South Jersey, highlighting pressing needs and opportunities in the region.
Numerous South Jersey businesses have partnered with CFSJ, including global auto services dealer Holman. Food company Campbell’s has provided seed funding for the Camden Food Fund, a program — created with Camden neighbors and supported by other philanthropies and investors — that provides loans to small food businesses in Camden that are helping to build an equitable local food economy there.
Aligning with the Satell Institute
Fraizer was introduced to the Satell Institute through South Jersey business owner Will Gruccio. He quickly learned that several longtime partners of CFSJ — including SI founding member Mark Baiada and OceanFirst Foundation executive director Kathy Durante — were also active in Satell.
“It’s added value already,” Fraizer says of joining SI, citing several connections he made at an SI event in South Jersey earlier this year that have led to further conversations and activity.
And then there are the benefits for CFSJ’s Nonprofit Affiliate Members — organizations that are now able to attend Satell Institute events and get the value of networking and idea-sharing.
Going forward, Fraizer says CFSJ is focused on extending the good it does in the region — a mission supported by its membership in SI.
“Organizationally we are focused on continuing to build our capacities to help lead change in the region,” he says. “The goal is the creation of a permanent pool of assets that will be here for South Jersey forever — to be stewarded by our successor generations into the future.”
It’s the epitome of the spirit that animates the Satell Institute: Think WE, not just me.