The Together North Jersey Forum on Funding will provide Together North Jersey (TNJ) stakeholders and partners with information about the potential sources for grants aligned with advancing strategies from the Together North Jersey Regional Plan. The workshop will update participants on the local projects and initiatives being funded by Together North Jersey, and describe future opportunities for communities.  The morning will also feature an overview of the private funding landscape and information on how to find the right grant opportunities for projects and prepare stronger proposals that increase success in getting grants. At the conclusion of the workshop the four Together North Jersey Task Forces will convene to discuss the status of each Task Force’s initiatives and upcoming priorities.Participation in the Task Force meetings is open to anyone who would like to participate, but not required.

AGENDA:

9:00 to 9:30 – Registration
9:30 to 9:45 – Welcome – Zenobia Fields, NJTPA

9:45 to 10:15 – TNJ 2.0 Update on Current Activities and Local Projects. Jon Carnegie, Project Director for Together North Jersey and Executive Director of the Voorhees Transportation Center, Rutgers University.

Technical Assistance Projects

• City of Passaic Technical Assistance, Joseph S. Buga, Passaic Enterprise Zone Development Corporation
• Middlesex Greenway Technical Assistance, Robert Takash, Edison Greenway Group

Updates from the Task Force Chairs

• Livable Co-chair, Annie Hindenlang
• Efficient Chair, Courtenay Mercer
• Competitive Co-chair, Michael Kerwin
• Resilient Co-chair, Tim Van Epp

10:15 to 10:30 – Break

10:30 to 11:00 – Understanding the Philanthropic Landscape – Craig Weinrich, Director of Member Services, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers

11:00 to 12:30 – Funders Panel and Interactive Discussion

Attendees will hear directly from representatives of the funding community about their organization and mission, including some general information about what makes for a competitive grant proposal. The moderator will then lead panelists and participants in an interactive discussion and activity on “everything you ever wanted to know about funding but were afraid to ask!”

• Moderator – Tom Schulze, FAICP
• Funding Panelists:
  • Crystal Dundas, Wells Fargo Regional Foundation
  • Jerry Flach, Valley National Bank
  • Filomena Machleder,  Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield

12:30 to 1:00   Lunch (boxed lunch will be provided)

1:00 to 3:00 TNJ 2.0 Task Force Meetings (room location TBD)

• Competitive
• Efficient
• Livable
• Resilient