The Princeton Area Community Foundation announced Friday that it has awarded more than $1.3 million in Community Impact Grants to 40 regional nonprofits. The funding, totaling $1,309,614, is aimed at bolstering local efforts to combat hunger and homelessness, while expanding access to mental health services, education, and workforce development.
The grants were made possible through a collaborative effort of individual donors, families, and corporate partners, including Johnson & Johnson and the Burke Foundation.
“We are grateful to be part of such a generous community,” Mathieu Nelessen, president & CEO of the Community Foundation said. “Our Community Impact Grants program allows us to support a wide range of nonprofits doing incredible work in our region… we are thrilled to help support these programs.”
This year’s grant cycle also served as a tribute to three longtime trustees who passed away in 2025: Dr. William P. Burks, Allen Porter, and John D. “Jack” Wallace. Specific grants were dedicated in their memory to organizations that aligned with their personal missions of service:
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Jewish Family & Children’s Service received $50,000 in memory of Allen Porter.
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Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK) received $50,000 in memory of Jack Wallace.
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Arm In Arm received $50,000 in memory of Dr. William P. Burks.
The $1.3 million distribution addresses several critical needs within Mercer County and the surrounding areas:
Food Security & Basic Needs: A significant portion of the funding targets rising food insecurity. Grants were awarded to organizations like America’s Grow-a-Row ($10,000) for fresh produce initiatives and Meals on Wheels of Mercer County ($25,000) to support homebound seniors. Additionally, Share My Meals received $12,500 to expand its surplus food recovery program into Trenton.
Housing and Homelessness: To address the housing crisis, the Foundation awarded HomeFront a two-year, $50,000 grant to help acquire a five-unit property for family shelter expansion. Anchor House also received $50,000 to maintain its vital services for at-risk youth and young adults.
Education and Workforce Development: The Foundation made several multi-year commitments to ensure long-term stability for educational programs. The Children’s Home Society of NJ and UrbanPromise Trenton both received two-year, $100,000 grants for their respective social-emotional learning and tutoring initiatives. Other innovative awards include $6,250 for the Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County to implement Virtual Reality (VR) teen workforce training.
Community and Mental Health: Mental health support remained a priority, with PEI Kids receiving $26,000 for specialized counseling for child victims of abuse. The Hamilton Area YMCA was granted $60,000 over two years to expand its “Community Sports for All” program, which links physical activity with mental health and leadership skills.
Since its inception in 1991, the Princeton Area Community Foundation has granted more than $241 million to the region. With over 440 charitable funds under its management, the organization continues to act as a primary engine for philanthropy in central New Jersey.
