We maximize our community impact through strategic grantmaking, prudent management of donor contributions, and facilitation of solution-oriented collaboration among local organizations. In the past 10 years, we have invested over $10 million in the community through strategic grants, scholarships, donor-advised distributions, and special purpose funds.
Mabie Playground Transformation
Summit is revitalizing Mabie Playground on the Village Green, marking the playground’s first renovation in nearly three decades. Upon completion, Mabie Playground will stand as the city’s first fully ADA-accessible playground, incorporating sensory-friendly play structures that will engage children of all abilities. The Summit Foundation contributed $85,000 in foundation-directed and donor-advised grants to this exciting project — building an inclusive and intergenerational park that reflects the welcoming spirit of the city.
Partnership for Community Health
To address healthcare disparities, The Summit Foundation partnered with Overlook to launch a three-year pilot program. The initiative involved hiring a dedicated Community Health Associate at Overlook Family Medicine to identify and assist local residents who lacked access to preventive healthcare services. As an outcome of our $80,000 grant, over 340 un/underinsured people received essential healthcare and social services, meaningfully addressing social determinants of health within a vulnerable population. The initiative’s success was significant and led to Overlook Medical Center retaining the program permanently. This community health model continues to amplify the impact of team-based, local, outpatient care.
Nature for All: An Accessibility Initiative
Reeves-Reed Arboretum (RRA) is where nature intertwines with history, encompassing 13.5 acres of gardens and an historic estate in Summit. Open to the public every day of the year, RRA is dedicated to educating and enhancing the quality of life for all visitors through the celebration and stewardship of nature. In 2024, we awarded a lead grant of $40,000 to launch a critical phase in their accessibility initiative. This project aims to ensure that all individuals, including those with developmental, cognitive, or physical disabilities, can safely and directly access all major gardens and the external amphitheater. RRA is a place to grow, for everyone.
Fighting Food Insecurity
Over the last few years, The Summit Foundation has granted over $200,000 to Community FoodBank of NJ (CFBNJ) to combat hunger in Summit. Our grants help CFBNJ procure and distribute 700,000+ pounds of fresh produce, nonperishable food, and baby products every year through local partners GRACE, Summit Area YMCA, Family Pack, St. Teresa Loaves and Fishes, Christ Child’s Area Baby Center, SAGE and SHIP. A partnership between Summit Area YMCA and the Summit school district, Family Pack provides food-insecure, school-age children and household members with supplemental food to sustain them over the weekend when federally funded, weekday meals are not available.
Every Child Can Play and Learn
Children need spaces that encourage social interaction, enable development, and optimize opportunities to grow. The Learning Circle YMCA (TLC) offers high quality daycare, preschool, kindergarten, and summer camp for 180 young children, 20% of whom receive financial assistance. In recent years, we provided TLC with $100,000+ in new classroom equipment, furniture, books, and turf for outside education. The Connection provides safe and supervised learning environments for children of all abilities. Recent grants of $130,000+ contributed to the installation of two new sensory-friendly and accessible playgrounds as well as after-school programs for youth with special needs.
Commitment to End Homelessness
Since 2020, we have granted $200,000 to organizations working to reduce homelessness and its effects. Efforts of Bridges, Family Promise, Summit Interfaith Council, GRACE, St. Andrew’s Haven, and Elizabeth Coalition’s Bernice’s Place include case management, social services, temporary housing for people working to get back on their feet, and after-school programs for the most vulnerable – children. Collaborating across networks remains a persistent effort to assist our community members.
Answering the Call to Save Lives
Summit Volunteer First Aid Squad provides pre-hospital emergency medical care and transportation. Entirely staffed by volunteers, Emergency Medical Services are provided at no charge, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to Summit area residents. Recent grants of $67,000 contributed to a new ambulance and first responder vehicle for fire, hazardous materials, and mass casualty incidents. In a small city like Summit, having a dedicated, all-volunteer squad is a remarkable testament to community service.
Building Belonging
Our $25,000 grant to enhance the Vito A. Gallo Building, which offers affordable housing for senior citizens in Summit, will provide new furniture for the lobby and residential common areas, creating more welcoming and functional spaces for residents to rest, gather, and connect. Recent grants of $30,000 to Our House Foundation help furnish and enhance security in a local group home, fostering a safe and supportive setting for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These investments reflect our commitment to helping individuals lead fulfilling lives while building strong neighborhood ties.
Specialized Care for Older Adults
The Summit Foundation believes that communities thrive when all members are supported. Over the past few years, we’ve awarded $125,000 to SAGE Eldercare’s Spend-A-Day medical day care program for older adults. This vital program offers specialized support for older adults who wish to continue living in their own homes but require specific assistance due to cognitive decline, strokes, cardiac illness, diabetes or other conditions. Enhancing the independence and well-being of older people remains a priority of The Summit Foundation.
Reinventing Green Spaces
Summit Park Line is transforming the abandoned Rahway Valley rail corridor into a 1.2-mile linear park offering a safe and scenic walking and biking path across our city. The Summit Foundation was one of the earliest supporters of the project and contributed an initial $35,000 grant in 2017 toward phase one of Summit Park Line’s design and engineering, Summit Public Art installations, plantings, and benches. Our subsequent $83,000 in grants to fortify bridges, paths, and access on this rails-to-trails park underscore our commitment to creating and preserving green spaces that everyone can enjoy.
Youth Career Development and Building Nonprofit Capacity
Elevate to Even Plus (Eleven +) is dedicated to advancing the professional growth of students from underserved backgrounds. Students gain access to paid internships at nonprofits, facilitating their professional development. We granted $40,000 to support internships in the Summit NJ area over recent years. This initiative not only benefits the young adults involved by equipping them with valuable skills and mentorship, but also enhances the capacity of local organizations. Discovery Orchestra, Family Promise, GRACE, HTTV, Reeves-Reed Arboretum, Summit Area YMCA, Summit Housing Authority, and Vivid Stage are some local organizations that have partnered in the program. The community thrives as nonprofits strengthen and youth engage meaningfully in employment.
Transformative Power of Art
The Visual Arts Center of NJ is the leading contemporary art museum in NJ and located in Summit. It sought our support to expand its reach to people restricted by financial, physical, or other barriers. Recent grants supported weekly classes for older adults in SAGE Eldercare’s Spend-a-Day program. We also funded programs for Summit PEP, Art Therapy for Teens, Language and Literacy in Art with Empowering Kids Organization and class enrollment for Summit students with demonstrated financial needs.
Summit Public Art (SPA) brings contemporary art to public areas in Summit and contributes to the cultural, social, and economic fabric of the city. In its 20 years, SPA has installed 100 pieces of temporary art and 4 permanent pieces; SPA does not receive city funding. Recent grants of $20,000 supporting installations and outreach emphasize our commitment to fostering creativity and engagement.
Equipping Students
Empowering Kids Organization (EKO) provides after-school language, math, and critical thinking classes for Special Education and English language learners at Summit High School. The initiative establishes a supportive learning environment and equips students with tools to succeed. Started in 2019, the program has proven to improve academic performance, motivation, and confidence while involving students’ families to ensure commitment. Our recent grant supports our goal of empowering students to actively engage in learning.
Care for Young Survivors of Severe Trauma
We awarded a $20,000 grant to the Trinitas Foundation to strengthen behavioral health services for children and adolescents who have experienced severe trauma, including physical and sexual abuse. The program at Trinitas Regional Medical Center provides integrated, continuous care to help stabilize young patients—regardless of their financial circumstances. Our support enhances staff training, expands therapeutic resources, and improves inpatient and outpatient environments, ensuring that vulnerable children and teens in Union County receive the specialized care they need to begin healing.
Honoring Veterans
The Village Green Monument area offers tribute to the enduring legacy and bravery of those who serve our nation. We granted funds to American Legion Post 322 to help update and revitalize the monument area within Summit Village Green. This dedicated area of significance invites the public to contemplate and honor the local men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Specialized Pediatric Healthcare
Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) treats more than 450 children and adolescents facing special health challenges — from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and spinal cord injuries, to developmental and behavioral challenges like autism and mental health issues. Recent grants funded sensory equipment at the newly renovated pediatric long-term-care unit at CSH Mountainside. CSH Mountainside is home to many children whose circumstances no longer allow for them to be cared for in their family home or other group settings.
Captivating Audiences
Summit Playhouse is NJ’s oldest continuously operating community theater (founded in 1918 and designated on the National Register of Historic Buildings). The theater offers 34 live performances annually; all cast members and associates are volunteers.
Recent grants have helped fund facility upgrades and technology improvements, including a new microphone system for better voice projection, updated lighting controls, and enhanced sound equipment. The Playhouse brings neighbors together through shared stories, curiosity, and a love of the performing arts.
Enriching Lives, One Note at a Time
“It changed my life,” shared one participant. SeniorsSing! Music & Wellness, offered by Continuo Arts Foundation, promotes well-being and engagement through weekly rehearsals, sing-alongs, and performances. Many participants come early and stay late, deepening their social connections. Our recent grant supports artist fees and tuition-free access for older adults. New Jersey Intergenerational Orchestra offers free, inclusive classical concerts with an audition-free model. Our support helps fund its Summit holiday concert with interactive elements that invite all ages to explore instruments and experience the joy of music.
Early Intervention for Children with Hearing Impairment
Summit Speech School empowers children with hearing impairment to become effective communicators using listening and spoken language. The Summit Foundation granted $90,000 over the last two years to support the school’s immersive Parent Infant Program that uses highly skilled teachers to work with parents and children from infancy to three years of age. This early intervention is critical to language acquisition and yet is underfunded by the state.
Opening Access with Telehealth Digital Therapeutics
Crossroads4Hope (CR4H) delivers individualized psychosocial telehealth cancer care directly to under-resourced populations. They partner with established public health organizations and offer MyGo2Support, at no charge, delivered when and where patients need it most. It is the first psychosocial oncology platform designed to plug into workflows of cancer centers, oncology practices, and health plans. It delivers content based on the specific needs and circumstances of the patient. Our first-time grant helps bring people requisite tools to manage their care.
Grief Support
Grants from The Summit Foundation have expanded grief support programs at Good Grief and Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss. These programs help children and teens facing the emotional and academic challenges of losing a loved one. Good Grief’s Nights of Support offers creative activities and peer support to reduce isolation and build resilience. Imagine has extended services to Spanish-speaking families, ensuring greater access to grief support. New Jersey has incorporated grief education into public school curricula, and these programs provide additional support to help young people build resilience as they navigate and cope with loss.
Student Support Through ScholarshipS
The Summit Foundation distributes more than $175,000 in scholarships to local high school students and helps dozens of students afford a college education each year. The scholarships are awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis to support students who have demonstrated specific qualities and fulfilled certain criteria. We consider each applicant with input from high school guidance offices. Learn more about our scholarships, such as The Summit Foundation Scholarship Award for Perseverance for students with financial need who have overcome obstacles and shown significant academic improvement during high school.