Environmental Endowment for New Jersey, Inc.
List of grants made in 2025:
American Littoral Society, Highlands, New Jersey – $14,000
The American Littoral Society will work with residents and local government to implement policies that will improve water quality and promote resiliency of stormwater infrastructure.
Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions - $14,000
The Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions will develop a toolkit that will provide specific actions to advocate for the successful reduction of water pollution through the adoption and implementation of a variety of policy and stewardship actions to be carried out by Environmental Commission members.
Center for Environmental Transformation (CFET) - $18,000
CFET will use funds to further their goal of reducing pollution in the Delaware river from the operations of a large scrap metal facility in Camden. The facility operations release toxins from metal scrapping, lithium batteries and other processes that both leach into the watershed and release particulate pollution that ultimately is deposited into the River.
Clean Ocean Action, Long Branch, New Jersey – $16,000
Clean Ocean Action (COA) seeks to improve water quality by reducing or eliminating sources of plastic waste and pollution into the tide-influenced Delaware River Basin region in New Jersey. The project will include beach cleanup, public education, and advocacy for enforcement and strengthening of laws to keep plastics out of the River.
Clean Water Fund, Long Branch, New Jersey – $18,000
Clean Water Fund will use EENJ funds to continue to advance efforts to keep toxic products out of the watershed. CWF’s initiative will seek the adoption of policies and practices and replicable models that reduce the introduction of PFAS and other toxins to the rivershed. CWF will also work to reduce the impervious cover and street litter that are known to exacerbate the release of untreated sewage, flooding and stormwater overflow all of which impact the water quality and overall health of the Delaware Watershed.
Delaware Riverkeeper Network, Bristol, Pennsylvania – $20,000
Delaware Riverkeeper Network will investigate and address impacts from proposed deepening of the Delaware River. The specific threats to water quality and the watershed include impacts to wildlife and aquatic resources, such as the endangered Atlantic Sturgeon, oysters, horseshoe crabs, and freshwater marshes as well as the economic impacts on nature-based tourism. Deepening also implicates water salinity, the movement of the Delaware River salt front, and risks to drinking water. The EENJ funds will allow DRN to research, engage experts and the community about these potential impacts from the deepening and related dredging, storage, treatment and containment of materials.
Eastern Environmental Law Center, Newark, New Jersey - $20,000
EELC will use funds to continue using litigation to challenge government approvals for developmental projects that threaten water quality in the Delaware, Passaic and Raritan watersheds, and continue providing legal support to NJ nonprofit organizations in their efforts to advocate for law and policy changes that protect and improve water quality in these watersheds.
Environment New Jersey Research & Policy Center - $20,000
Environment New Jersey Research & Policy Center will leverage new gubernatorial administration to advocate for stringent NJDEP protection from waterway toxins, including forever chemicals, and increased waterway protections for drinking water supplies. The project will also focus on strengthening the DRBC Climate Resilience Plan and implementing stronger CCMUA CSO permits on the lower Delaware.
Food and Water Watch - $18,000
Food and Water Watch will continue its work to ensure that proposed development advances the state’s energy goals and protects the air and water quality in the Delaware River Basin. Among other things, it will work to ensure that the proposed dredging of the Delaware River adjacent to a toxic former manufacturing site does not reintroduce PCBs into the watershed or otherwise put the Delaware River Basin at risk.
Friends of the Musconetcong - $7,000
Funds will be used in efforts to ensure that a local government’s affordable housing plan does not include development that would introduce sewage and other pollutants to Musconetcong Wild and Scenic River – a tributary of the Delaware River.
Future City Inc., Elizabeth, New Jersey - $7,000
Future City’s Clean Water Science Advocates (CWSA) will continue to educate and raise multilingual residents’ awareness for personal actions regarding clean water issues helping them make the connection between polluted water and their behaviors, the environment, and its impact on their quality of life. This includes utilizing CWSA’s withing the Arthur Kill Blueway to conduct an intensive, culturally relevant clean water public advocacy and education campaign inclusive of the Elizabeth area.
Ironbound Community Corporation - $12,000
ICC will continue to advance its environmental justice efforts in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood, focusing on improving air and water quality, addressing legacy contamination, and mitigating climate risks like flooding and stormwater pollution. Key initiatives include opposing the construction of a fourth fossil fuel power plant, advocating for the cleanup of the Passaic River Superfund site, and pushing for stronger environmental regulations to protect against industrial pollution.
Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership (LRWP), New Brunswick, New Jersey - $7,000
Funds will be used to support LRWP engagement in the Middlesex County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), LRWP capacity building around Community Right to Know (CRTK) reporting for climate related increases in hazards risk, and capacity building around conducting climate vulnerability assessments at Superfund sites in the Lower Raritan.
Musconetcong Watershed Association, Asbury, New Jersey – $14,000
The Musconetcong Watershed Association proposes to use EENJ funds to advocate for proper septic management in the Musconetcong Watershed. Outdated septic systems, posing significant threats to water quality if not properly inspected, operated, and maintained. Failures can lead to the release of pollutants such as nitrates, E. coli, viruses, and other contaminants endangering the watershed's delicate aquatic ecosystems. Addressing these potential issues is crucial to preserving the water quality and overall health of the Musconetcong and thus the Delaware Watershed.
Newark DIG (Doing Infrastructure Green), Newark, New Jersey - $16,000
Funds will be used to inform and educate municipal decision-makers and the general public about managing stormwater. They will expand their Green Infrastructure (GI) Reformers Program by expanding community outreach and centering community voices in decision-making.
Plastic Free Delaware, Wilmington, Delaware – $10,500
Plastic Free Delaware will use its EENJ funds to support its Delaware Youth Environmental Summit that informs and engages youth to be leaders in environmental protection. It will identify the ecosystem and aquatic impacts of single use plastic and other waste on the Delaware River and offer training around waste reduction and water protection.
Raritan Baykeeper (d/b/a NY/NJ Baykeeper), Hazlet, New Jersey - $18,000
The purpose of the Baykeeper’s Clean Water Campaign is significant water quality improvements throughout New Jersey and enhanced access to these waterways. The grant will support initiatives that enhance the availability of clean, safe water through the elimination of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), the remediation of the Passaic River Superfund site, and the protection of public access to waterways that are cleaner, healthier and more sustainable.
Sierra Club – New Jersey Chapter - $16,000
Sierra Club – NJ Chapter will carry out a grassroots campaign focused on preventing harmful development in New Jersey that would majorly impact drinking water sources. They will build opposition to and provide greener alternatives to land use projects such as artificial turf development, sprawl, and warehouse development at the local and state levels.
Work Environment Council of New Jersey (WEC), Trenton, New Jersey - $20,000
WEC will use funding to continue and expand their Preventing Toxic Catastrophes project including training, educational materials, advocacy, organizing and coalition-building and litigation.
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