EIN 45-3848336

Sustainable Jersey

IRS 501(c) type
501(c)(3)
Num. employees
8
City
Year formed
2011
Most recent tax filings
2022-06-01
Description
Sustainable Jersey empowers New Jersey communities to pursue critical environmental, social, and economic initiatives with tools, training, and financial incentives. It began in 2009 as a free municipal certification program identifying actions for sustainable development. The organization also offers a grants program committed to helping municipalities and schools address local sustainability challenges, having distributed $6.7 million since its inception.
Total revenues
$3,226,325
2022
Total expenses
$2,544,677
2022
Total assets
$2,977,335
2022
Num. employees
8
2022

Program areas at Sustainable Jersey

Municipal certification program: Sustainable Jersey began in 2009 as a free municipal certification program for Sustainable development that identifies specific actions communities can take to go green, save money, and sustain their quality of life over the long term. Municipalities can implement the actions and document their progress to receive points toward certification. The standards are accompanied by a robust program of training and support, and a suite of financial incentives provided by both public and private sources. By the end of cy2022, 461 new Jersey municipalities (81% of the state) were registered to participate in the program and were working to implement sustainability measures with 225 certified. Collectively, certified communities have documented 14,000 actions addressing the most pressing issues such as climate change, unsustainable land use, declining local economies, exposure to environmental hazards, natural resource protection, diversity and equity, population health, and many others. In addition, these communities have formed hundreds of green teams or sustainability commissions that are formal bodies of local government charged with implementing Sustainable Jersey actions. Sustainable Jersey actions are researched and developed by issue-based task forces comprised of representatives from academia, the non-profit sector, the business community, and federal, state, county, and local governments. Sustainable Jersey leads these groups as they research and disseminate best practices, translate global and state imperatives into local actions, test sustainability planning models and develop community resources for the program. Municipal certification program: Sustainable Jersey began in 2009 as a free municipal certification program for Sustainable development that identifies specific actions communities can take to go green, save money, and sustain their quality of life over the long term. Municipalities can implement the actions and document their progress to receive points toward certification. The standards are accompanied by a robust program of training and support, and a suite of financial incentives provided by both public and private sources. By the end of cy2022, 465 new Jersey municipalities (82% of the state) were registered to participate in the program and were working to implement sustainability measures with 221 certified. To encourage certified towns to achieve higher levels of performance in key dimensions of sustainability. Gold stars are awarded one dimension of sustainability at a time. Municipalities can currently earn gold stars in energy, water and health. Collectively, certified communities have documented over 15,600 actions addressing the most pressing issues such as climate change, unsustainable land use, declining local economies, exposure to environmental hazards, natural resource protection, diversity and equity, population health, and many others. In addition, these communities have formed hundreds of green teams or sustainability commissions that are formal bodies of local government charged with implementing Sustainable Jersey actions. Sustainable Jersey actions are researched and developed by issue-based task forces comprised of representatives from academia, the non-profit sector, the business community, and federal, state, county, and local governments. Sustainable Jersey leads these groups as they research and disseminate best practices, translate global and state imperatives into local actions, test sustainability planning models and develop community resources for the program. School certification program: in 2014, Sustainable Jersey and leading new Jersey school-focused organizations such as the new Jersey school boards association and the new Jersey education association launched Sustainable Jersey for schools. Modeled off the Sustainable Jersey municipal program, Sustainable Jersey for schools is a free, voluntary certification program for new Jersey pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade public schools. The program provides guidance, support, and recognition to schools that implement steps to be more Sustainable in their operations and proactive in preparing students for the challenges they will face in the future. Issues such as water scarcity, climate change, racism and environmental degradation require broad-based sustainability literacy to ensure that young people are equipped to recognize and respond to critical issues now and in their chosen careers. Sustainable Jersey participating schools serve as learning labs for these issues and the certification program supports educators by identifying authentic learning opportunities for students and staff. As of the end of cy2022, over 64% on new Jersey public school district are participating in Sustainable Jersey for schools, 354 schools are currently certified, and 43 schools received digital schools star recognition. Collectively, these schools have successfully documented over 7,860 actions from our list of best practices.
Other programs: Sustainable Jersey also collaborates with state agencies, non-profits, and foundations to support their initiatives and provide more focused technical support to municipalities and schools. In fy'22 was funded to develop guidance for municipalities on how to incorporate climate resilience, environmental justice, and environmental sustainability into their master plans; provide technical assistance to municipalities on complete streets implementation and to municipalities and schools on energy management; and administer the new Jersey student climate challenge to inspire youth action to address climate change and support teachers as they work to integrate climate change education across the curriculum.
Sustainable Jersey grants program: Sustainable Jersey is committed to identifying resources to help municipalities and schools successfully address local sustainability challenges. A cornerstone of this effort is the grants program. Since 2009, 6.7 million in grants have been awarded to program participants to pursue local initiatives. Recognizing depth and breathe of Sustainable Jersey's relationships with new Jersey municipalities and school districts, the grants are funded by corporations, foundations, and other non-profit organizations. Sustainable Jersey completed five grant cycles. Sustainable Jersey staff systematically manage the grants administration process through the initial solicitation, an independent selection committee process, and approval of a recipient's final technical and financial report. Nearly 60% of Sustainable Jersey participating municipalities and 40% of participating schools have received at least one Sustainable Jersey grant ranging in size from $2,000 to $35,000.

Who funds Sustainable Jersey

Grants from foundations and other nonprofits
GrantmakerDescriptionAmount
New Jersey Education Association (NJEA)Financial Support$250,000
Russell Berrie FoundationTo Further Donees Exempt Purpose$30,000
Partners for HealthNJ Healthy Communities Network Backbone Support$11,250
...and 3 more grants received

Personnel at Sustainable Jersey

NameTitleCompensation
Randall SolomonExecutive Director$0
Joe GrilloDevelopment Director
Lauren SkowronskiProgram Director for Community Engagement
Heather McCallDirector, SJ for Schools
Nancy QuirkEnergy Program Manager
...and 10 more key personnel

Financials for Sustainable Jersey

RevenuesFYE 06/2022
Total grants, contributions, etc.$3,205,018
Program services$52,633
Investment income and dividends$3,157
Tax-exempt bond proceeds$0
Royalty revenue$0
Net rental income$0
Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets$0
Net income from fundraising events$-48,509
Net income from gaming activities$0
Net income from sales of inventory$0
Miscellaneous revenues$14,026
Total revenues$3,226,325

Form 990s for Sustainable Jersey

Fiscal year endingDate received by IRSFormPDF link
2022-062023-03-24990View PDF
2021-062022-03-07990View PDF
2020-062021-04-14990View PDF
2019-062020-10-05990View PDF
2018-062019-06-19990View PDF
...and 6 more Form 990s

Organizations like Sustainable Jersey

OrganizationLocationRevenue
Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK)Queensbury, NY$4,843,206
Groundwork USAYonkers, NY$8,472,861
NatureBridgeSausalito, CA$7,780,069
Faith in PlaceChicago, IL$2,861,204
New Mexico Wilderness AllianceAlbuquerque, NM$2,264,316
Land Stewardship ProjectMinneapolis, MN$3,400,549
IslandWoodBainbridge Island, WA$9,580,029
The MountaineersSeattle, WA$6,430,077
Ecology Action of Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA$12,033,900
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES)Aspen, CO$6,676,243
Data update history
June 14, 2023
Updated personnel
Identified 7 new personnel
June 10, 2023
Used new vendors
Identified 1 new vendor, including
May 7, 2023
Received grants
Identified 1 new grant, including a grant for $3,000 from Duke Farms Foundation
September 11, 2022
Posted financials
Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2021
August 3, 2022
Received grants
Identified 2 new grant, including a grant for $425,000 from PSEG Foundation
Nonprofit Types
Social advocacy organizationsEnvironmental organizationsHeadquarter / parent organizationsCharities
Issues
EducationEnvironment
Characteristics
Political advocacyLobbyingFundraising eventsReceives government fundingTax deductible donations
General information
Address
PO Box 7718
Ewing, NJ 08628
Metro area
Trenton-Princeton, NJ
County
Mercer County, NJ
Website URL
sustainablejersey.com/ 
Phone
(609) 771-2938
IRS details
EIN
45-3848336
Fiscal year end
June
Taxreturn type
Form 990
Year formed
2011
Eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions (Pub 78)
Yes
Categorization
NTEE code, primary
C60: Environmental Education
NAICS code, primary
813312: Environment, Conservation, and Wildlife Organizations
Parent/child status
Central organization
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