$80K In Grants Will Empower Montclair Arts, Education Nonprofits

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of The Montclair Foundation. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

The Montclair Foundation is proud to announce the award of $80,000 in Spring 2026 grants to local nonprofit organizations advancing education and cultural arts across Montclair.

Through a thoughtful and competitive review process, the Foundation selected a diverse group of grantees whose work strengthens access to education and expands cultural opportunities.

“Our community is rich with organizations doing deeply meaningful work,” said Peggy Deehan, Chair of the Grants Committee. “This cycle reflects our commitment to supporting programs that educate, inspire, and uplift. We are proud to partner with these organizations and invest in the strength and resilience of our community.”

Investing in Education and Opportunity

The Foundation continues its strong commitment to education by supporting programs that provide access, mentorship, and academic enrichment for students of all ages. Grants were awarded to:

• Business and Entrepreneurial Learning Academy (BELA), a first-time grantee supporting student-led community research
• Good Success Academies, for its summer employment program
• IMANI, as part of a multi-year commitment to expand tutoring services
• Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence (MFEE), for a peer mentoring pilot program
• Montclair Scholarship Fund, for a college scholarship
• Neighborhood Child s Infant Care Center, supporting early childhood education
• Succeed2gether, expanding literacy tutoring programs
• Montclair YMCA, for scholarships supporting underserved families
• Yogi Berra Museum, for school field trip access

Supporting Arts and Culture

The Foundation’s cultural arts grants support organizations that bring creativity, storytelling, and shared experiences to the community. Funding this cycle includes support for:

• Jazz House Kids, for its 2026 Jazz Festival Soundcheck Series
• Montclair Film, for its Impact Film Series, engaging high school students
• Montclair Local Nonprofit News, to expand arts and culture reporting
• Pushcart Players, for educational theater in schools
• Teatro Nuovo, a first-time grantee supporting Bel Canto performance and education
• Vanguard Theater Company, for the Montclair Theater Festival

“These grants reflect the heart of our mission,” said Kay Sarlin Wright, Executive Director of The Montclair Foundation. “From classrooms to stages to community spaces, our grantees are creating opportunities that change lives. We are honored to support their work and grateful to our donors, whose generosity makes this impact possible.”

A Continued Commitment to Community

The Montclair Foundation’s grantmaking is guided by a long-standing commitment to strengthening the local nonprofit community. By investing in organizations across multiple sectors, the Foundation helps ensure that Montclair remains a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive community for all. For more information about The Montclair Foundation and its grant programs, visit www.montclairfoundation.org

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