Grants

The Domenica Foundation funds programs and organizations that improve the lives of low-income residents of Camden and other South Jersey communities. We operate primarily in Camden, Burlington, Atlantic, Cumberland, Salem, and Gloucester counties in New Jersey, though we occasionally fund programs in the greater Philadelphia area. Nearly all of the nonprofit organizations we support are small and locally based.

Grant Philosophy

We like to establish long-term partnerships with our grantees so they can build effective and sustainable programs. Although we may fund specific programs for a specific purpose, more often we provide general operating support to allow grantees to choose how best to invest their grant. We are open to backing capital campaigns to power an organization’s growth and sustainability.

Our support doesn’t end with funding! Using the Piperno family’s vast network of public and private organizations across southern New Jersey, the Domenica Foundation connects grantees with other grantees, other funders, potential volunteers, and anyone we know who can help grantees fulfill their missions.

Program Areas

  • Education & youth (current grantees). We are open to funding a variety of education programs for children, teens, or adults. Our portfolio of school and scholarship partners is full. We are not looking to expand in this area.
  • Hunger (current grantees). Programs that tackle food insecurity, whether by providing meals and groceries or by developing longer-term solutions, are eligible for funding.
  • Housing & homelessness (current grantees). Grants are available for organizations that develop housing, improve neighborhoods, and provide shelter and wraparound services for people without housing.
  • Community development (current grantees). This category includes not only community development corporations and similar urban redevelopment initiatives but also broad-based social service agencies that provide a range of essential services to underserved populations.