Spotlight State: New Jersey
New Jersey, as one of the original 13 colonies, was the site of many battles during the Revolutionary War. In fact, one nickname for the state is, “Crossroads of the Revolution.” Not only was it in the ‘thick of it’ during the Revolutionary War, New Jersey continues to play a key role in high-tech industry, agriculture, and invention (Thomas Edison being part of that effort).
GrantWatch wants to help bring attention to the many accomplishments and developments that New Jersey has been the focal point for by providing a list of grants to help the people of New Jersey and enable their communities to flourish. GrantWatch offers a list of over 1,800 grants in its Community and Economic Development grants list category. There are also national and international grant listings available.
Interesting Facts About the State of New Jersey
- The Miss America Beauty Pageant is the country’s most famous pageant. It was first held in Atlantic City in 1921 as a scholarship event.
- Legendary musician Bruce Springsteen was born in 1949 in Freehold, New Jersey. He has continued to live there his entire career.
- First public demonstration of the telegraph was in Morristown, New Jersey on January 11, 1838.
- The state was nicknamed the “garden state” because of its fertile land…has more than 10,000 farms and produces more than 100 variety of fruits and vegetables…ranked nationally in the top 10 as a producer of squash, bell peppers, tomatoes, blueberries, peaches, and cranberries.
- The first official game of baseball was played in Hoboken in June,1846 between the New York Nines and the New Jersey Knickerbockers. The Nines beat the Knickerbockers 23-1 in 4 innings.
- The state is home to 26 known nesting pairs of peregrine falcons, the fastest animal on Earth. Peregrine falcons reach ‘catching’ speeds of over 200 miles per hour.
- The Holland Tunnel, which connects Jersey City and Manhattan, is the first mechanically ventilated underwater tunnel in the world. After seven years of construction, the tunnel opened in 1927. At maximum depth, the tunnel lies roughly 93 feet beneath the Hudson River. (thefactfile.org, “61 Interesting Facts About New Jersey“)
More Interesting Facts About New Jersey
- Many prolific inventions of the 20th century happened in New Jersey. Thomas Edison introduced the world to his first high resistance, incandescent electric light in Menlo Park. The world’s largest light bulb, 13 feet tall and weighing eight tons, stands near his lab. This light bulb was constructed in 1938 and is encased by 153 individual pieces of Pyrex.
- New Jersey is the most densely populated state in the United States. The state is home to the top four most densely populated municipalities in the United States and seven of the top ten.
- Gold on the New Jersey state capitol dome funded by school kids from the state through the “Dimes for the Dome” program. It’s made of 48,000 pieces of gold leaf. Each piece cost $1.
- While many believe Ellis Island and Liberty Island (named in 1956) are in New York’s waters, they’re actually in New Jersey’s waters. During the 60 years it was open, the port at Ellis Island welcomed over 12 million immigrants. It’s now a national landmark.
- Standard time devised in 1883 by William F. Allen of South Orange. In 1850s, Americans set their watches in as many as 100 local times. A standard and reliable schedule for railways was needed…in 1883 the U.S. was divided into four time zones. Allen was secretary of railroads’ General Time Convention and editor of The Traveler’s Official Guide.
- The world’s first boardwalk was built in Atlantic City in 1870. At 5.5 miles, it is the longest on Earth and the oldest in the United States. (thefactfile.org, “61 Interesting Facts About New Jersey“)
Some Wacky Facts About New Jersey
- The board game Monopoly was created and patented in 1935 and was based on the real streets and locations in Atlantic City.
- In June, 1933, New Jersey opened the world’s first drive-in theater in Pennsauken. The owner, Richard Hollingshead, showed the movies using a motion picture projector.
- The honeybee became New Jersey’s state bug in June, 1974.
- Stephen Grover Cleveland, born in Caldwell and served as the 22nd and 24th president of the United States, is the only president in American history to serve two non-consecutive terms in office (1885-1889 and 1893-1897).
- Since 1983, New Jersey has had an official state dance – the square dance!
- Salt water taffy was invented in 1883 in Atlantic City. A local candy store flooded and soaked the taffy, leading the owner to call it salt water taffy, and the name stuck.
- In October, Asbury Park becomes a spooky hit thanks to the Zombie Walk. It’s been held annually since 2008, when hundreds of people dress up like zombies and walk through town.
- Since being released in 1980, Friday the 13th has been a favorite horror film. While most movies are filmed in Hollywood, this one was filmed in New Jersey. (thefactfile.org, “61 Interesting Facts About New Jersey“)
Below is a current list of grants and other funding of potential benefit to communities and individuals in the State of New Jersey.
State of New Jersey Community and Economic Development Grants
- Grants of up to $40,000 to New Jersey nonprofit arts organizations to enhance organizational stability. Applicants will go through a qualification process before applying. Required registrations will take several days. Funding is for organizations in the fields of history, humanities, and the arts. As a result, funds must be to advance the organization’s benefit to the community by addressing operational, financial, and capacity challenges.
- There is a grant of $40,000 to an eligible New Jersey nonprofit for a program that benefits (local) residents. The project will fall into one of the following categories: environment and animals; community development; and education and research. Categories also include: veteran services, health, human services and youth development; and arts, culture, and humanities.
- In addition, grants of up to $35,000 to eligible New Jersey nonprofits and government agencies for programs to strengthen the community in the areas of history, arts, and culture. Applicants will submit a declaration of intent prior to applying.
- Grants of up to $10,000 to New Jersey nonprofits, municipalities, schools, and religious organizations for community benefit programs and capital needs. Priority areas for funding include housing, rehabilitation and community services. Also priority funding will be for economic development and neighborhood revitalization or stabilization.
- There are grants to eligible New Jersey nonprofits to enhance the quality-of-life for local residents. Funding will be for specific programs and projects related to the arts, education and cultural activities. Funding will also be for community development, historical resources, and civic, health, and human services.
Additional New Jersey Community and Economic Development Grants, and In-kind Support
- Also, grants of up to $25,000 to New Jersey nonprofits to meet the needs of residents in local communities. Funding is for programs in a wide range of focus areas. These focus areas include housing, community development, food insecurity, health, (the) environment, and the arts. Grants will be for capital improvements and other expenses arising from and/or directly tied to the programs, core activities, or mission of an organization.
- Grants of up to $50,000 and in-kind donations of software and related services to eligible New Jersey nonprofits addressing social problems in local disadvantaged communities. Funding and technology solutions will be for organizations to promote resilience, foster community, and create tech-related career paths.
- There are grants to eligible New Jersey nonprofits, government agencies, and tribes for programs to prevent/eliminate youth/young-adult homelessness. Required registrations will take several weeks to complete. Funding supports activities to achieve the goals of building national momentum, promoting equity, and supporting youth leadership. The program’s purpose supports communities in the development and implementation of a coordinated community approach to reduce existing homelessness as well as prevent future homelessness among youth up to age 24. Also included are unaccompanied youth and pregnant or parenting youth currently experiencing homelessness.
- In addition, grants of $10,000 and in-kind donations valued up to $500 to minority-owned small businesses. Funding is to promote entrepreneurship and support business owners who are women, people of color, and of low to moderate income. Grants are to support those who often struggle to secure capital and resources, as they are systematically shut out from traditional financing.
- Lastly, grants of $50,000 and in-kind donations valued at $50,000 to nonprofits to address social justice in local communities. The program goal is to promote service to underserved communities and provide solutions to challenges faced by these communities.
The Bottom Line
To conclude, we hope you’ll make time to visit New Jersey and take advantage of the unique opportunity to explore and experience all that New Jersey has to offer!
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