We asked for nominations of nonprofits we could honor on National Nonprofit Day, saying we would publish the best 25 in an effort to give them some attention —and, perhaps, some much-needed donations.
We were blown away by the response. Because so, we will honor 50 nonprofits to mark the day.
Please note, National Nonprofit Day was Sunday – but since we don’t publish on the weekends, we’re waiting for today.
Here’s a look at half of our honorees (the other half can be found here):
Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute of Seton Hall University
Location: South Orange
Description: We provide support to the students of Seton Hall University who wish to be immersed and learn about the Latino culture, heritage, and language. We provide scholarships to all, professional and academic support while providing life changing mentorship experiences with the history makers, barrier breakers and movers and shakers of the Latino community.
Leader: Lori Tarke
Website: https://www.shu.edu/latino-institute/
Junior Achievement of New Jersey
Location: Edison
Description: Junior Achievement of New Jersey equips young people with essential skills in financial literacy, career readiness, and entrepreneurship through hands-on learning and mentorship. By partnering with schools and businesses statewide, JA empowers young people to take ownership of their economic success and build a stronger, more prepared workforce for New Jersey’s future.
Leader: James Horne
Website: https://janj.ja.org/
Latín District Association
Location: Elizabeth
Description: The Latin District Association unites Latino merchants to foster vibrant communities, drive economic growth, and preserve cultural heritage. Through collaboration, entrepreneurship, and advocacy, it shapes inclusive cities, creates opportunities, and empowers Hispanic people, ensuring a stronger, more prosperous future where Latin identity and contributions are celebrated and respected in every neighborhood.
Leader: Sandra Rojas
Website: https://latindistrictassociation.com
Latina Surge
Location: NJ – Virtual
Description: Latina Surge National (LSN) 501c3, an educational and charitable nonprofit founded in NJ, supports the advancement of women and multicultural women. LSN is recognized as a Lean In Organizational Network of over 170K global leaders. For a decade, it has partnered with dozens of public, private, educational and community organizations, impactfully.
Leader: Elisa Charters
Website: https://latinasurge.org
Mercer Street Friends
Location: Trenton
Description: As the Food Bank of Mercer County and the lead agency for Trenton Community Schools, Mercer Street Friends is dedicated to nourishing minds and bodies, and empowering families and communities. Integrated food, family and education services address poverty and the trauma it creates for the community.
Leader: Bernie Flynn
Website: https://mercerstreetfriends.org/
Millhill Child and Family Development
Location: Millhill
Description: Millhill Child and Family Development transforms lives by empowering children, youth, and families through education, counseling, and social services. For over 50 years, this organization has been a trusted lifeline in Trenton, NJ, breaking cycles of poverty and trauma. Honoring Millhill means celebrating deep-rooted impact, resilience, and unwavering commitment to community transformation.
Leader: Jigna Rao
Website: https://www.millhillcenter.org/
New Concepts for Living
Location: Paramus
Description: New Concepts for Living provides comprehensive services and support for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) through compassionate care, day programs, residences, therapeutic and behavioral services. As New Jersey’s premier I/DD provider, NCFL is setting the standard with plans to expand to better serve the special needs community.
Leader: Steve Setteducati
Website: https://ncfl.net/
New Jersey Film Academy
Location: Lincroft
Description: The New Jersey Film Academy bridges education and employment in film/media by partnering with 11 educational institutions statewide to provide tailored programs preparing individuals for entry-level industry careers. We’re transforming lives by making film industry opportunities accessible across New Jersey, building a skilled workforce while empowering dreams in entertainment media.
Leader: Diane Raver
Website: https://www.njfilmacademy.org/
NJ 211
Location: Cedar Knolls
Description: NJ 211 is a trusted resource for connecting individuals and families with vital community services. As New Jersey’s comprehensive information and referral organization, it is dedicated to helping residents navigate life’s challenges, from housing and food assistance to healthcare. It has stepped up during times of disaster like Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Ida as a reliable state partner and a vital resource for vulnerable NJ residents.
Leader: Melissa Acree
Website: https://nj211.org/
NJ Sharing Network
Location: New Providence
Description: NJ Sharing Network works around the clock with local hospitals throughout the Garden State to save and enhance lives through organ and tissue donation and transplantation. NJSN compassionately supports organ and tissue donor families, honors their loved ones’ legacies, and brings hope to those awaiting the gift of life.
Leader: Carolyn Welsh
Website: https://www.njsharingnetwork.org
NJCPA Scholarship Fund
Location: Roseland
Description: The NJCPA Scholarship Fund has provided more than $7 million in scholarships to more than 2,000 New Jersey accounting and business students since 1960. Recipients have gone on to become leaders in New Jersey accounting firms and businesses, and many have been the first in their families to attend college.
Leader: A.J. Johnson
Website: https://njcpa.org/scholarship
Popcorn for the People
Location: Piscataway
Description: Popcorn for the People is a nonprofit that creates meaningful employment for individuals with autism and disabilities by hiring them to produce and sell gourmet popcorn. It empowers neurodiverse adults through job training, dignity, and independence, while offering a delicious, mission-driven snack to customers nationwide.
Leader: Steven Bier
Website: https://www.popcornforthepeople.com
Roots and Wings NJ
Location: Denville
Description: Roots & Wings helps our local youth aging out of foster care with necessary life skills to ensure they are able to gain schooling, jobs/careers, housing, and other needs that they otherwise would not have access to without the support of this organization. They focus on helping an age group of individuals that are in need of guidance to navigate the “adult” world with having little or no support from their own families or foster care parents.
Leader: Edith Villacampa Fiato
Website: https://rootsandwingsnj.org/
Saint Peter’s Family Health Center
Location: New Brunswick
Description: Saint Peter’s University Hospital demonstrates its mission of “humble service to humanity, especially the poor” at its Family Health Center. The impact of health inequities due to social determinants of health has mobilized its commitment to most at-risk residents, including opening The Market as a food by prescription program.
Leader: Les Hirsch
Website: https://saintpetershcs.com/fhc
South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race
Location: Maplewood
Description: For nearly 30 years, the Community Coalition on Race has championed intentional racial integration in South Orange and Maplewood — serving as a national model for diversity and inclusion. Its work includes advancing equity in schools, fostering dialogue and driving policy change, and promoting full participation across all areas of community life.
Leader: Nancy Gagnier
Website: https://www.communitycoalitiononrace.org/
Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey
Location: Lyndhurst
Description: SHCCNJ drives inclusive economic growth by empowering entrepreneurs and Main Street businesses through advocacy, education, connections, and access to capital, fueling $127B in impact across NJ. Honoring the SHCCNJ recognizes its vital role in building resilient communities, creating opportunity, and championing the spirit of enterprise for all.
Leaders: Carlos Medina and Luis De La Hoz
Website: https://shccnj.org
StageWorks Theatre Group, Inc.
Location: Pompton Lakes
Description: StageWorks Theatre Group, Inc. brings together established and emerging artists to present dynamic cultural arts experiences. We are committed to both entertaining and promoting community involvement with social causes. With an emphasis on arts education and arts outreach, we will help people of all ages to enrich themselves and share the joy of theatre with others.
Leader: Jo Ann Ventor
Website: https://www.stageworksnj.org
Sustainable Jersey
Location: Ewing
Description: At a time when NJ communities are suffering from extreme weather events, electricity price hikes, climate anxiety, & more, Sustainable Jersey is providing critical tools, training and advanced technical assistance to municipalities and schools in order to create more resilient and sustainable communities.
Leader: Randall Solomon
Website: https://www.sustainablejersey.com
Table to Table
Location: Saddle Brook
Description: More than 3 billion pounds of food are wasted annually in New Jersey while 1.1 million residents face food insecurity. Table to Table bridges that gap by rescuing surplus, nutritious food that would otherwise go to waste, and delivering it for free to our hungry neighbors. Since 1999, enough fresh food for more than 241 million meals has been delivered.
Leader: Heather Thompson
Website: https://www.tabletotable.org
Team Eagle Foundation
Location: Madison
Description: Team Eagle Foundation began in 2010 with its LEDR Mentoring Program for Young Adults in NJ. Covid put a premature end to LEDR, but TEF has carried on by providing Scholarships & Educational Grants. Earlier in 2025, TEF topped $1.1 million in Awards, supported by the book, 12 Simple Words.
Leader: John Kennedy
Website: https://12simplewords.com/
Team Wilderness
Location: Jersey City
Description: Team Wilderness works to close the nature gap by giving underserved youth access to the benefits of nature through hiking, camping, and outdoor adventures that build leadership, character, and confidence. In communities where kids rarely experience the outdoors, we make nature affordable, accessible, and transformative.
Leader: Steve Cunningham
Website: https://www.teamwilderness.org
Urban League of Essex County
Location: Newark
Description: The Urban League of Essex County empowers Newark-area residents through education, job training, housing assistance, and economic development. For over a century, it has championed equity and opportunity, transforming lives and communities—making it a deserving honoree for BINJE’s National Nonprofit Day recognition on August 17.
Leader: Vivian Cox Fraser
Website: https://ulec.org
Veterans Foundation of America
Location: Marlboro
Description: We focus on both the physical and & mental health of veterans. 100% of funds raised goes towards programming which includes Outdoor therapy programs such as fishing trips, and equine therapy, Resilience First Aid classes to teach veterans to become more resilient, health care fairs including cardiovascular checks and cancer screenings and so much more. Check out the website at www.thevfa.org to find out more.
Leader: Jeff Cantor
Website: https://thevfa.org
Youth Consultation Service
Location: Hackensack
Description: For over 100 years, Youth Consultation Service (YCS) has supported New Jersey’s most vulnerable children and families with complex special needs. Through 60 programs in 44 locations, YCS provides compassionate behavioral health and social services, helping nearly 3,000 individuals each year heal, grow, and reach their full potential.
Leader: Tara Augustine
Website: https://www.ycs.org
YWCA Northern New Jersey
Location: Hackensack
Description: YWCA Northern New Jersey delivers comprehensive services including workforce development, childcare, sexual violence response, veteran support, and racial trauma care. Through direct programming and advocacy, YWCANNJ addresses systemic barriers and promotes equity, creating a meaningful, lasting impact for women, families, and communities across northern New Jersey.
Leader: Helen Archontou
Website: https://ywcannj.org/
