Together in Health: HFNJ’s September 2026 E-newsletter
September 29, 2026In this Issue:
- Letter from the Board Chair and CEO (below)
- Third Quarter Grant Awards
- 30th Anniversary Piece: Jewish Community
- Welcoming New Trustees
- Healthy Aging Convening
- Grants in Action: fpYouthOutcry
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Steady Hands, Shared Purpose
At a time when so much in our sector feels uncertain, we want to share some good news: The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey is steady, and we intend to stay that way.
This summer, Amy Schechner completed her term as Board Chair and passed the gavel to Steve Kamen. Transitions like this can be a moment of uncertainty for any organization, but this one was smooth — and that didn’t happen by accident.
It’s the result of years of quiet groundwork by Amy and by former Chair Beth Levithan before her, who each worked to leave the Foundation financially sound, operationally strong, and led by a deeply committed board. Because of this strong base, our grantees and community partners can count on us to remain a constant presence, even as the faces around our board table change. Steve shares that same commitment to the community, and we’re grateful for his leadership as we move forward together.
We were also glad to welcome five new trustees to our board this summer. They bring decades of experience in medicine, finance, philanthropy, and community service — expertise that will help sharpen our thinking as we work alongside all of you to improve health and well-being in Newark and the Jewish community of Greater MetroWest. You can read more about our new trustees here.
So what should you expect from us in the months ahead? Mostly, more of what you already know: continuity, paired with careful growth.
As federal and state funding has tightened this year, we’ve leaned into core support grants to help selected grantees weather that instability, and we plan to continue that approach into 2027. We’ll keep offering capacity-building training for staff at our partner organizations, and our regular quarterly grant cycle will continue without interruption.
We’re also preparing to launch something new. Our Board has approved $1 million for an initiative focused on healthy aging in Newark and the Jewish community of Greater MetroWest, set to launch in 2027. Our staff spent months reviewing research and speaking with more than 50 people on the ground, and what we heard consistently was that older adults in our community are contending with social isolation, the challenges of aging in place, and gaps in care coordination. In September, we brought together community partners, hospitals, government representatives, and subject matter experts for two convenings that gave stakeholders a chance to connect, compare notes, and shape what comes next. An RFP will follow in the coming months.
As with all of HFNJ’s initiatives, the healthy aging initiative will be a team effort with the partners who share their expertise, and the community members who trusted us enough to tell us what they need. We’re grateful for the chance to continue exploring ways HFNJ’s funding can be used to meet urgent community needs.
Here’s to steady hands, shared purpose, and the work still ahead.
In good health,
Steve Kamen, Board Chair
Michael Schmidt, Executive Director/CEO