Board of Trustees Nominations
We hope you had a wonderful summer, and found time for relaxation, rejuvenation, time with family and friends, and fun!
As we transition to autumn, this is the time of year when we seek nominations for the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers’ Board of Trustees. If you are interested in serving on the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers’ Board of Trustees, or know someone who would make a good trustee, please complete this one page application form, which includes a brief biography, and submit no later than Friday, September 18, 2026.
You have the ability to self-nominate or nominate another member. If you have any questions, please contact Board Liaison/Office Manager Dana Schwartz.
CNJG Trustees serve three-year terms (renewable once). Only one representative per member organization can serve on the board at a time. When considering candidates, the Governance Committee looks for individuals who can fulfill the time commitment, (the board meets four times a year plus additional committee work), work collaboratively, provide needed skills, and solicit new members. It is also hoped that board members will make a personal donation (of an amount that is personally meaningful) to CNJG each year.
Ideal candidates are members who have participated in at least one CNJG committee or task group, and/or have served as co-chair of a CNJG affinity group. Leadership of affinity groups and serving on committees or task groups demonstrates an expressed commitment to CNJG, as well as offering opportunities for members to develop their skills and experience with CNJG.
The Governance Committee will also consider candidates that have helped plan or coordinate a program or event, served as a speaker or moderator at a program or event, regularly attends Foundations on the Hill or another meeting on behalf of CNJG, or engaged in another activity that supports CNJG.
To advance the mission and strategic plan of CNJG, the Governance Committee seeks candidates with a strong commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the philanthropic community and have a track record of building relationships and power sharing with communities.
CNJG is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we welcome and encourage a diverse pool of candidates to apply. As we work to ensure balance on the board, we are particularly seeking candidates who:
- Represent the diversity of New Jersey’s ethnic and cultural backgrounds
- Represent foundations in southern New Jersey and/or fund in rural areas of the state
- Have experience in advocacy and systems change
- Have developed cross-sector collaborations
- Have experience in law, finance and/or human resources
- Have experience in communications/marketing/public relations
- Have an interest or experience in participatory philanthropy
- Represent community foundations, donor-advised funds, giving circles, and government grantmaking programs
The Governance Committee will meet to review the candidate pool with the ultimate goal of recommending a Board of Trustees slate that is balanced and representative of the overall CNJG membership.
The Governance Committee will present a recommendation to the CNJG Board of Trustees at the October Trustees’ meeting, and the Board will present a slate of candidates to CNJG members at the Meeting of Members on December 9, 2026.
Please share this request with others in your organization.
In the meantime, we hope to see you at an upcoming CNJG program.
Sincerely,
Kate Barrett and Maisha Simmons
CNJG Governance Committee Co-Chairs