Victoria Foundation is proud to announce that Sanaz Hojreh has joined our team as the new Strategy Officer for Promoting Youth Self-Determination. Sanaz brings more than two decades of experience helping communities, schools, foundations, and cultural organizations build systems that expand opportunity for young people. Sanaz will be pivotal in adv...
Victoria Foundation and LISC New Jersey today announced the latest round of Neighbors Helping Neighborhoods grants, awarding $45,000 to five resident-led projects in Upper Clinton Hill, Fairmount Heights, and Lower Broadway. In this unique approach to community investment, the program puts decision-making in the hands of a community review board ma...
We are proud to welcome Preeti Bhattacharji to the Victoria Foundation Board of Trustees. Preeti joins us at a pivotal moment, as we deepen our commitment to align all of our resources towards community stability, self-determination and success through the Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative. "Preeti brings expertise in a number of areas, especially ...
In May, I had the opportunity to lead a 26-person delegation from Newark that Victoria Foundation took on a learning trip to Philadelphia. Together with leaders from eight Community Development Corporations (CDCs), three intermediaries and three other Newark funders, we spent two days in Philadelphia visiting organizations doing innovative work to ...
As a Strategy Officer at Victoria Foundation, my work is rooted in Newark, a city with a rich history of resilience, activism, and community power. Newark, like Oakland, CA, is a predominantly Black and Brown city shaped by generations of leaders who have organized their communities to create real change in the face of systemic inequities. It's a p...
In March, Victoria Foundation leaders visited Selma, Alabama as part of the annual Bloody Sunday pilgrimage made by many to remember and reflect together on the civil right leaders and efforts. People make the pilgrimage annually to walk across the iconic Edmund Pettus Bridge, where on March 7, 1965, state troopers attacked civil rights activists i...
Victoria Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Monica Munn to its Board of Trustees. Ms. Munn's appointment comes at a pivotal time as we deepen our commitment to building a future shaped by the people who call Newark home, through our Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative. Ms. Munn brings a powerful combination of strategic insight and ex...
On March 5th, community partners, residents, and city and county leaders gathered together to break ground on a new $50 million holistic wellness center in the South Ward. We are so proud to support BRICK Networks, in partnership with Saint James Health, the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity, as they bring to life a resident-defined vision for Newark's S...
On November 12 we held our final meeting in the Clinton Hill community conversation series for the Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative. It was more than just a gathering, it was a powerful wrap up of months of connection and conversation with partners. The space buzzed with an excitement that spoke to the deep commitment residents have for their neig...
NEWARK, NJ – December 18, 2025 – Victoria Foundation proudly announces its 2025 annual grantmaking in Newark's communities, distributing $14.3 million through over 100 grants over the course of the year. This announcement represents the Foundation's steadfast commitment to strengthening community power and generational well-being for residents...
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 2, 2025 Newark, NJ – December 2, 2025 – Victoria Foundation announced today that Executive Officer Craig Drinkard and board member Henry Amoroso have been appointed to the Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill's transition team as part of the Interdisciplinary Advisory Task Force. This appointment brings the Foundation's de...
I have the pleasure of serving Newark communities not only as a member of the community, but as a strategy officer at the Victoria Foundation. As a new member of the team, the last month has been full of introductions, deepening relationships, and diving in to support the work happening right now to make Newark a place where its residents can thriv...
Connecting with Newark Neighbors to Build Our Future Together On September 4th, we held our culminating community meeting in our summer series kicking off the Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative, and the feeling in the room was electric. It was good to see so many people, familiar friends and new-to-me faces, from Fairmount, Upper Clin...
Victoria Foundation is proud to announce that William G. Simpson II has joined our team as the new Strengthen Community Power Strategy Officer. William is a community-rooted leader and native of Newark, NJ, with over 15 years of experience leading efforts at the intersection of community safety, criminal legal reform, and systems transformation. In...
According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a living wage is $51,500 for a single adult and $109,591 for a household (which is classified as a working adult with three dependents). The United States Census Bureau estimates that the median yearly income for households in Newark is $48,416. This means that a single adult would have to earn $28.87 ho...
Robert Clark was appointed president of Victoria Foundation's Board of Trustees during the board's annual meeting in June. The assignment follows the term completion of former president Frank Alvarez, Ph.D., who served in the role for 10 years. "It's a true honor to serve as board president of Victoria Foundation," said Clark. "Nonprofits across Ne...
According to a report by the Community Tech Network, "almost half of Americans without broadband at home are either Black or Hispanic, and large percentages of both communities – 70 percent of Blacks and 60 percent of Hispanics – report being unprepared with digital skills, affecting their employability. Moreover, as more jobs move to remote format...
An honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree will be conferred to Victoria Foundation Executive Officer Craig Drinkard, who will also deliver remarks at the Drew Theological School's and Caspersen School of Graduate Studies' graduation ceremony at the University's 157th commencement exercises on Saturday, May 17. This award recognizes his significan...
High Schools with Highest Civic Engagement from Students Will Receive Investments from Victoria The Newark Board of Education and Victoria Foundation announced an exciting partnership to empower Newark public high schools, both district and charter, to boost civic engagement among students in the upcoming school board election, in which eligib...
The Vote16 Kickoff Town Hall was held on Feb. 1 at Bethany Baptist Church in Newark. The event – presented by the City of Newark and Victoria Foundation partner New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (NJISJ), in conjunction with other partners The Gem Project, Clinton Hill Community Action, and Urban League of Essex County – provided inf...
Victoria Foundation concluded its 100-year anniversary festivities with a gala at The Newark Museum of Art on Dec. 4, 2024. Partners, funders, community leaders, and friends were in attendance to celebrate the Foundation's rich history.The Foundation also distributed $2.5 million in grants at the gala. The Centennial Impact Awards were given to sev...
Victoria Foundation's Executive Officer Craig Drinkard and Trustee Gary Wingens were named to the 2025 ROI Influencers Power List, presented by Return On Information – New Jersey (ROI-NJ). The media outlet publishes news and features about New Jersey's business community and recognizes remarkable leaders. According to ROI-NJ, Drinkard was chosen in...
MLK AWARDS CELEBRATION – Pictured from left: Sherri-Ann P. Butterfield, Ph.D., NJPAC senior vice president of social impact; Robert Clark, founder and executive director of Newark Opportunity Youth Network; Denise V. Rodgers, M.D., vice chancellor for interprofessional programs, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences; John Schreiber, NJPAC presiden...
2024 was an impactful year for Victoria Foundation as it not only celebrated its 100th anniversary, but it also awarded $12.8 million in grants to organizations aligned with the Foundation's mission of empowering Black and Brown residents and other marginalized communities in Newark. The grants support Newark-based nonprofits as part of the Thrivin...
As part of this year's Hispanic Heritage Month, which ran from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, several Victoria Foundation grantees presented "From Rebellion to Excellence: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Newark's Puerto Rican Rebellion of 1974," a month-long series of events that commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Newark Puerto Rican Re...
Newark Future Forum Brings Together Thought Leaders for an Impactful Day Hundreds gathered at the Paul Robeson Campus Center at Rutgers University – Newark on Saturday, Oct. 12, for the Newark Future Forum. Presented by Victoria Foundation, in partnership with Rutgers University – Newark, the one-day symposium featured local and national experts, r...
BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION – Pictured are Hasani Council, Chief of Staff for South Ward Councilman Patrick O. Council, Cecilia Martinez, Communications Specialist at Victoria Foundation; Maritza Arauz, Executive Director at FOCUS; and Councilman at-Large Luis A. Quintana. As part of its centennial celebration, Victoria Foundation distributed $5,000...
The Fairmount Heights Children's Village Park reopened on August 16, after a $1 million renovation project partly funded by Victoria Foundation. The park, located at South 9th Street and 12th Avenue in Newark's West Ward, was originally built in October 2012 and named KaBoom Park. However, the park fell into disarray over the years. Broken equipmen...
Victoria Foundation partner Clinton Hill Community Action (CHCA) recently celebrated five years of community impact in Newark. The South Ward staple – an organization that partners with residents to revitalize the Clinton Hill neighborhood – marked the occasion by hosting a celebratory event and launching its new logo. "A 5-year Journey of Building...
Register to Hear from Renowned Experts and Thought Leaders Victoria Foundation, in partnership with Rutgers University – Newark, will host the Newark Future Forum: Building Together on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. at the Paul Robeson Campus Center, located at 350 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Newark, New Jersey. This exciting ...
Three Newark Neighborhoods at the Heart of Effort to Strengthen Community Power and Well-being Newark, NJ – August 29, 2024 – Victoria Foundation is proud to announce the Thriving Neighborhoods Initiative, its expanded place-focused approach to strengthen the power and self-determination of communities in Newark, New Jersey. The Thriving Neighborho...
Organization Helps Newark's Latinx Population with Services, Programs. The Latinx community makes up one-third of the population in Newark and is the fastest growing ethnic group in the city, driving Newark's population gains since 2010. To help the underserved in this community, as well as other marginalized people within the Lower Broad Str...
Victoria Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of De'Shawn Wright to its Board of Trustees. He was unanimously elected as a member during the Board of Trustees' Annual Meeting in June and joins the Foundation with more than two decades of experience in a variety of roles, including leadership positions within education and the nonprofit s...
Hear from Renowned Experts and Thought Leaders on Oct. 12 at Rutgers University As part of our centennial celebration and ongoing commitment to strengthening community power, fostering economic justice, and promoting youth self-determination in Newark, New Jersey, Victoria Foundation, in partnership with Rutgers University — Newark, is thrilled to ...
In 2024, Victoria Foundation partner My Brother's Keeper Newark (MBKN) marked 10 years of service in collaborating with nonprofits across Newark with the goal of developing a safe and supportive community for boys and young men of color. The organization has been a powerful ally. MBKN's three-pronged approach – collective action, research and repor...
As part of our centennial celebration and commitment to strengthening community power, fostering economic justice, and promoting youth self-determination in Newark, New Jersey, Victoria Foundation is excited to announce the Newark Future Forum: Building Together. On Saturday, October 12, 2024, we will be convening at Rutgers University – Newar...
2024 is a landmark year for Victoria Foundation as we commemorate our 100th anniversary. As one of the oldest foundations in New Jersey and a long-standing funding partner in Newark, this moment offers a unique opportunity for us to reflect on our impact, as well as build on our rich history. While we look back, we are also looking ahead to steppin...
Victoria Foundation is excited to announce that Diana Kostas has joined our team as the new Chief Financial Officer. She will be responsible for the day-to-day strategic and managerial leadership of finance, investments, and information and technology to ensure that they align with the Foundation's mission and framework to grow self-deter...
Victoria Foundation is thrilled to announce the newest addition to the team, Cecilia Martinez, who joins us as our new Communications Specialist. In her role, Cecilia will be instrumental in shaping communications strategies that align with the Foundation's mission and framework to grow self-determination and power in communities of color across Ne...
The Victoria Foundation Board of Trustees is proud to announce Sara Peña as our newest trustee. Sara is a passionate leader and advocate who has dedicated her life to driving positive change in the Latinx community, specifically growing the leadership of boys of color and the political power of Latina women. She joins the foundation board with an i...
NextGen Grantmakers select three Newark-based nonprofits for inaugural funding round: Victoria Foundation's NextGen Grantmakers announced the organizations to receive grants in their inaugural funding cycle. The $50,000 in grants is going to three Newark-based nonprofits focusing on youth self-determination. The NextGen Grantmakers Fund is led by a...
Victoria Foundation is proud to support the important work of My Brother's Keeper in Newark, and to learn from and partner with other national MBK collaboratives across the country. We were honored to be a part of the Chicago convening and thankful for the support and investment by the Obama Foundation for this work in Newark. Click to wa...
We are honored to be recognized by Unboxed Philanthropy Advisors on its list of Top 100 people, organizations and companies making a positive impact. We are next to many other foundations and leaders that we deeply admire and that are doing amazing work. We're looking forward to continuing our new mission and framework championing bold strategies t...
We are starting the year with a mix of both determination and heavy hearts as we are ever-committed to the well-being of the Newark community, and again struck by the anger and heartbreak of losing more Black people at the hands of police - nationally and here at home. Victoria Foundation signed on to a letter with other community leaders in Newark...
Nine Newark Youth Selected in Initiative to Expand Black and Brown Youth Exposure and Decision Making in Philanthropy Newark, NJ - Today Victoria Foundation announced the inaugural cohort of Newark youth in its NextGen Grantmakers initiative. The project, a partnership with The Gem Project, is a part of the foundation's new mission to streng...
We are thrilled to announce Melanie Reyes as the Victoria Foundation's newest strategy officer. Melanie will be leading the work in our focus area of Building Community Power, one of the three priority areas in our new strategic framework. Melanie comes to Victoria Foundation with deep personal and professional connections to Newark. Melanie is a N...
"Do we have the strength to stay focused?" Craig Drinkard, executive officer of Victoria Foundation posed this question when he sat down with Inside Philanthropy about philanthropy's recent focus on racial justice. The article shared Craig's trajectory into the role of executive officer at Victoria Foundation, and the shift in strategy for the foun...
In June, one of Victoria Foundation's newest board members, Aqeela Sherrills, was featured on a panel about Newark's focus on community-based public safety, joining Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Equal Justice USA's Jamila Hodge. "Our belief is that if we train residents to stand together in conflict resolution, mediation, and de-escalation strategies...
On July 6, Craig Drinkard joined Steve Adubato on One-on-One to discuss Victoria Foundation's new framework and to examine some of Newark's most pressing issues, including affordable housing, public safety, and access to living-wage jobs. Craig shares the new vision and approach of the foundation, and what it means to him to be born and raised in N...
Amina Bey and Aqeela Sherrills bring workforce development and community safety expertise to strengthen Victoria Foundation's move to community-centered racial justice and community power mission The Victoria Foundation Board of Trustees is proud to announce two new appointments to the board of trustees, Amina Bey and Aqeela Sherrills. Both join th...
Victoria Foundation
550 Broad St
Suite 1402
Newark, NJ 07102
Ph. 973-792-9200
e-mail info@victoriafoundation.org
