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$52,500 awarded to 15 local non-profits to support community-focused programs in 2025 and beyond

The Alfred N. Sanzari Family Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving communities across the Northeast, is proud to announce it has awarded 15 grants totaling $52,500 for its fall 2024 grant program. Grant recipients include City Relief, CASA of Passaic and Union Counties, Families for Families, West Bergen Mental Healthcare, Inc., YWCA of Northern NJ, Isles, Inc., Community Scholarship Fund of Teaneck, Moms Helping Moms Foundation, NJ Community Development Corp., National Council of Jewish Women – Essex Section, Life Raft Group, YMCA of Ridgewood, YWCA of Eastern Union County, Let’s Work for Good, and Northern NJ Community Foundation.

The Alfred N. Sanzari (ANS) Family Foundation was established in 2006 to carry on the legacy of Alfred N. Sanzari, the founder of Alfred Sanzari Enterprises, through the promotion and support of a wide range of causes throughout northern New Jersey. Reflecting the values of Alfred and his family, the ANS Family Foundation supports the promotion of healthcare with a special preference for patient care and Parkinson’s Disease, local education programs, and programs that assist disadvantaged populations such as shelters/housing, and services for women and children in need. Since its founding, the ANS Family Foundation has donated over $2 million to organizations throughout northern New Jersey and surrounding communities.

“We are proud to continue our support for organizations that are making a lasting impact on their communities,” said Lisa Britt, member of the Alfred N. Sanzari Family Foundation Board of Trustees. “These grants represent not only a financial commitment but also our belief in the power of these programs to improve lives and create lasting change. We look forward to watching the transformative impact of each of these programs in the year ahead.”

Headquartered in Clifton, City Relief organizes pop-up care centers for individuals experiencing homelessness across New Jersey and New York City. Their grant will help fund their Mobile Outreach Services providing immediate essentials such as food, drinks, clean clothing, and hygiene kits to residents across Essex and Passaic counties.

CASA of Passaic and Union Counties recruits, screens, trains, and supervises volunteer advocates who protect the best interests of abused and neglected children in foster care. Their grant will support volunteer training focused on understanding the impact of childhood trauma on growth and development.

Families for Families improves the lives of those in need by providing clothing, housewares, furniture, food and necessities to Bergen and Passaic County homeless shelters and those who have recently moved to more permanent housing. Their grant will help aid their “Empowering Transitions” project.

For over 50 years, West Bergen Mental Healthcare, Inc. has offered a full spectrum of critical psycho-therapeutic treatments for children, adolescents, adults and families suffering from trauma, depression, anxiety and other mental health issues, including those resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Their grant will help support over 480 Bergen County children (ages 4-21) with limited financial resources in need of mental health services.

For over a century, YWCA of Northern NJ (YWCANNJ) has been at the forefront of the fight against gender and racial discrimination. Their grant will assist with the launch of Operation Sisterhood, a program providing a platform of support and wraparound services to address the social, physical, and mental wellness needs of women returning from military service.

Isles, Inc. is a community development and environmental organization based in Trenton. Their grant will aid the clean-up and elimination of lead paint contamination for low-income residents across Trenton and Mercer County.

Created in 1957, the Community Scholarship Fund of Teaneck helps Teaneck students pursue further education and achieve success by raising funds to provide financial aid to residents graduating from accredited high schools who lack the means for further education. Their grant will support scholarship programs for high school seniors across the district.

Based in Warren, N.J., Moms Helping Moms Foundation provides underserved families in New Jersey with equitable access to the essentials they need to provide their children with a safe and healthy start. Their grant will support the Healthy Start for Babies program and allow the organization to purchase bulk quantities of diapers, diaper cream, and safety items for children.

New Jersey Community Development Corporation (NJCDC) is a private, non-profit community development and social service agency focusing on education, youth development, affordable and supportive housing, and community-building initiatives serving over 4,000 Paterson children and families. Their grant funding will provide scholarships for high school students pursuing higher education.

Inspired by Jewish values, National Council of Jewish Women – Essex Section strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Their grant will help fund the organization’s Back 2 School 2025 program that provides children in financial need with school essentials such as clothing, books and personal care.

Life Raft Group is committed to enhancing the survival and quality of life for people living with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST), and other rare diseases, through patient-powered research, education and empowerment, and global advocacy efforts. ANSFF grant funding will aid their mentorship program.

Since 1902, YMCA of Ridgewood has been dedicated to improving the well-being of individuals and families through a wide range of programs. Among these is their Parkinson’s Program, which provides vital support to those living with Parkinson’s disease. The program encourages community engagement and offers therapeutic exercises designed to slow symptom progression. The grant funding will help expand access to this program by enabling low-income individuals to participate.

YWCA of Eastern Union County offers a range of comprehensive, client-centered services, education, collaboration and advocacy that builds safe, informed and supportive communities. Their grant will support the YWCA Union County’s Emergency Shelter Program to provide a safe, comfortable environment for survivors and their children in need of immediate safety.

Let’s Work for Good is a nonprofit creating meaningful opportunities for Autistic adults and adults with other disabilities. Their grant will help purchase new equipment for their Piscataway warehouse.

Northern NJ Community Foundation (NNJCF) builds connections, pools resources, and provides leadership to enrich the quality of life across Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Union and Warren Counties. Their grant will help fund “Mind your Feelings” – a public artwork installation in Hackensack that promotes emotional awareness and stigma reduction of mental health.

The ANS Family Foundation has two grant cycles per year with grant amounts ranging from $500 to $10,000. The Foundation is currently accepting applications for its spring 2025 program. All grant applications are due by February 28, 2025. For more information on the grant application process and to apply, please visit the ANS Family Foundation at https://sanzarifoundation.com/how-to-apply.

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