Grants $314,705 to Summit Area Organizations

In Fall 2025, The Summit Foundation awarded $314,705 in grants to local nonprofit programs that strengthen food and housing security, enrich arts and culture, support people with disabilities, improve healthcare services, and promote well-being for people living in the Summit area.

Programs and services supported by fall grants:

Civic & Community Resources — $152,452

Addressing hunger and housing stability, bolstering youth programs, and enhancing civic engagement through local media:

• Bridges Outreach — $36,300 for early intervention and housing stabilization services preventing homelessness in Summit.
• Family Promise Union County, GRACE, SAGE Eldercare, St. Teresa of Avila Loaves and Fishes, Summit Area YMCA, Wallace Chapel Food Pantry — $55,000 in emergency food assistance in response to the federal government shutdown and SNAP benefit delays.
• Girls on the Run NJ East — $5,000 for Every Girl Can Run, promoting accessible youth development and physical activity programs for girls.
• HomeTowne Television (HTTV) — $5,462 for a rack-mounted LU2000 video decoder to support expanded live transmission capabilities.
• New Providence Chess Club — $4,690 to host free, open-rated chess tournaments for all ages in Summit.

Health & Medical — $60,553

Strengthening critical health services:

• Caring Contact — $18,753 to support the 988 Suicide and Crisis Care hotline for New Jersey residents.
• Center for Hope Hospice — $30,000 to expand palliative care services helping Union County residents remain independent at home.
• Family Promise Union County — $11,800 for Healthy Kitchens, offering nutritious meals and health education to families transitioning to independent housing.

Arts & Culture — $24,450

Building a vibrant and inclusive arts community:

• Concord Singers — $2,500 for a full orchestra and treble choir concert in January 2026.
• New Jersey Jazz Society — $2,950 for nine JerseyJazzLIVE! performances in 2026.
• Summit Chorale — $6,000 for the Spring 2026 concert, Liberty and Justice for All.
• Summit Symphony — $3,000 for the Young Artists Competition, giving NJ youth the opportunity to perform with an orchestra.
• Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts — $10,000 for need-based tuition assistance through the Wharton Arts Scholarships program.

Children & Adults with Disabilities — $146,250

Expanding access to education, therapy, and family support services:

• Matheny School and Hospital — $8,000 for a SMART Board for middle-school classrooms serving children with disabilities.

“Every grant represents an investment in people — in their stability, creativity, health, and sense of belonging. Together with our nonprofit partners, we are building a stronger, more caring Summit community.”

• Paper Mill Playhouse — $15,000 for Theater for Everyone, providing fully adapted, autism-friendly performances and outreach.
• Second Street Youth Center — $15,000 to support early-intervention social work services for preschoolers with behavioral challenges.
• Summit Speech School — $50,000 for the Parent Infant Program, helping more than 100 deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers develop communication skills.
• The Midland School — $3,250 for three school-wide assemblies supporting students with disabilities.
• The Uncommon Thread — $17,000 for financial assistance enabling children with autism to access Applied Behavioral Analysis and family support.
• YWCA Eastern Union County — $15,000 for PALS, a creative arts therapy and counseling program for children who have witnessed domestic violence.

The Summit Foundation fosters philanthropy to address local needs and provides flexible ways to make a meaningful difference in the lives of neighbors. Through grantmaking, scholarships, and donor-directed funds, it invests in programs that uplift lives and strengthens the community for all its residents. For more information on The Summit Foundation, please visit www.summitforever.org.