Princeton Area Community Foundation

06/18/2026

Through a $7,500 Summer Initiative Grant, the Down Syndrome Association of Central NJ's Club DREAMS Summer Day Camp will provide youth with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities opportunities to learn, build skills, and connect with others. The program offers academic support, life and job skills training, recreational activities, enrichment opportunities, and family events.

Congratulations to Club DREAMS on this grant, and thank you for creating an inclusive environment where children and families can thrive.

Learn more about all 25 Summer Initiative grantees: https://lnkd.in/eZa9T3pF

06/16/2026

A $14,000 Summer Initiative Grant will support the Catholic Youth Organization of Mercer County's East State Street Center Trenton Summer Camp. The nine week program offers children ages 5 to 12 opportunities to participate in swimming, computer literacy, reading lessons, arts and crafts, sports, nature programs, and field trips.

Congratulations to the CYO of Mercer County on this grant award, and thank you for creating a safe, enriching summer experience for children in Trenton.

Learn more about all 25 Summer Initiative grantees: https://pacf.org/500000-in-summer-initiative-grants-awarded-to-25-local-nonprofits-serving-youth-across-greater-mercer/

06/15/2026

For many families, a visit to a food pantry is about more than groceries. It's about finding support during a difficult time.

At NJ Rise, a longtime grantee partner of the Princeton Area Community Foundation, families can access nutritious food, diapers, personal care items, and connections to additional services in a welcoming, dignity-centered environment. Since the pandemic, demand at the pantry has increased, highlighting the growing need across our region.

Read how Rise is meeting the challenge of hunger in our communities and making a difference for families in Mercer County:

Molly* works as a per-diem secretary at a local hospital, and Jerry* recently got a part-time job at a national shipping and delivery company. The same day he learned he would be hired, they lost their housing and their car broke down. So now the couple and their 8-month-old are living in a motel. O...

06/11/2026

Music, creativity, and learning come together each summer at Capital Harmony Works.

A $26,000 Summer Initiative Grant will support the organization's Free Summer Day Camp, which includes a three week orchestra camp in July and a two week chorus camp in August. Children will participate in ensemble rehearsals, small group lessons, reading circles, arts and crafts, games, field trips, and more, all while receiving breakfast and lunch each day.

Congratulations to Capital Harmony Works on this grant award, and thank you for providing children with opportunities to grow through music, learning, and community.

Learn more about all 25 Summer Initiative grantees: https://pacf.org/500000-in-summer-initiative-grants-awarded-to-25-local-nonprofits-serving-youth-across-greater-mercer/

06/09/2026

From STEM activities and swimming to career exploration and leadership development, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County is helping children and teens build skills, confidence, and connections that can last a lifetime.

A $34,000 Summer Initiative Grant from the will support the organization's Tween & Teen Talent Pipeline Development program. The 10 week tween camp serves children ages 11 to 14 through a mix of academics, recreation, and enrichment opportunities, while the Teen Drop-In program provides mentorship, meals, transportation, and a safe place for teens to learn and grow.

Learn more about all 25 Summer Initiative grantees: https://pacf.org/500000-in-summer-initiative-grants-awarded-to-25-local-nonprofits-serving-youth-across-greater-mercer/

06/09/2026

TODAY - first come, first served!

06/04/2026

This summer, more children in Trenton will have the opportunity to express their creativity through Artworks Trenton's Youth Art League, thanks in part to a $7,500 Summer Initiative Grant.

The six week camp connects participants with local working artists while providing hands on art experiences, field trips, and access to supplies such as extra clothing so that every child can fully participate.

Congratulations to Artworks Trenton on this grant award, and thank you for helping young people learn, create, and build confidence through the arts.

Learn more about all 25 Summer Initiative grantees: https://pacf.org/500000-in-summer-initiative-grants-awarded-to-25-local-nonprofits-serving-youth-across-greater-mercer/

06/02/2026

Congratulations to the Arts Council of Princeton, one of the recipients of a 2026 Summer Initiative Grant from the Princeton Area Community Foundation!

With a $7,500 grant, the Arts Council of Princeton will provide 15 scholarships through its Creative Access: Summer Studio Scholarships program, helping young people participate in high-quality arts education opportunities this summer. The program will also provide meals, ensuring participants have the support they need to learn, create, and thrive.

Thank you to the Arts Council of Princeton for expanding access to the arts and enriching the lives of young people in our community.

Read more about all 25 Summer Initiative grantees: https://pacf.org/500000-in-summer-initiative-grants-awarded-to-25-local-nonprofits-serving-youth-across-greater-mercer/

05/27/2026

What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?

As families think about estate planning and wealth transfer, many are finding ways to support both loved ones and the causes that matter most to them. Our latest insight explores how charitable giving can play a meaningful role in creating a lasting impact for future generations.

Read more:

Next time you meet with your estate planning attorney, it may be a good idea to check in on your long-term plans and ask yourself questions you might not yet have considered. Some planners, for example, report that more and more clients are reconsidering an automatic estate distribution to heirs. In...

05/21/2026

From grants awarded to some of our favorite highlights, 2025 was a year filled with impact across our region. Take a look back at some of the moments and community investments that defined our year.