Teaneck’s Russell Berrie Foundation donates $1.82M to nonprofits fighting coronavirus
With North Jersey gripped by a historic health and economic crisis, one local philanthropy has handed out almost $2 million in grants in recent weeks to help hospitals and nonprofits counter the coronavirus.
Since the start of April, the Russell Berrie Foundation, which is based in Teaneck, has provided $1.82 million to 14 organizations to help them help others in need.
“What we’re trying to do is create a fabric of organizations that are connected that are all driven to helping out those in need,” said Ruth Salzman, the foundation’s CEO.
The philanthropy is prioritizing health care institutions on the front line, Salzman said. Englewood Health, Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck and Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus have each received $250,000 to help purchase personal protective equipment, ventilators and other emergency support.
“Holy Name is incredibly grateful” for a donation that came “as we entered one of the darkest, most challenging times of this crisis,” said Michael Maron, the hospital’s CEO. “Those funds provided critical, lifesaving personal protective equipment to our front-line staff caring for hundreds of people diagnosed with COVID-19.”
An $85,000 grant will also benefit the Bergen Volunteer Medical Initiative to create a “telemedicine” platform to reach those who have limited access to health care. The Russell Berrie Foundation has supported the Hackensack-based program, which serves uninsured and undocumented people free of charge, for several years, Salzman said.
“Right now, they can’t see patients” because of coronavirus restrictions, she said.
In addition to health care needs, the foundation is aiding nonprofits that serve those with limited access to food and money. A $150,000 grant to Rising Tide Capital of Jersey City will help provide technical assistance and support to small businesses, while a $50,000 donation to Englewood’s Northern New Jersey Community Foundation will go toward support of vulnerable community and arts organizations.
The Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey will receive $50,000 to pay for two case managers at Jewish Family and Children’s Services, a nonprofit that helps provide senior care, after-school programs and emergency financial assistance, among other programs.
“We want to be thoughtful as well as swift,” Salzman said. “This emergency is not one where we have the luxury of studying for over half a year.”
Lynne Algrant, CEO of the Bergen Volunteer Center, said a $50,000 grant from the foundation will help the group continue and enhance its services, such as assisting clients with access to groceries and helping them connect with other nonprofits, such as Meals on Wheels.
The funds helped the Bergen Volunteer Center organize an event last month where members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office packed about 1,800 40-pound emergency food kits for local food banks such as the Center for Food Action, the Community Foodbank in Hillside and the Office of Concern in Englewood.
“Kudos to them for recognizing that we are doing good work in the best of circumstances and we’re doing great work in the worst of circumstances,” Algrant said. “We want to be able to pay our people to do the great work that they do.”
The Russell Berrie Foundation was created in 1985. Its founder ran a $300 million business based in Oakland called Russ Berrie and Company, which manufactured novelty items such as “Fuzzy Wuzzies” and troll dolls.
Angelica Berrie, president of the foundation board of trustees, said she hopes the organization’s efforts will encourage people to come together to help one another.
“No one foundation can solve this crisis,” Berrie said. “We know the magnitude of this crisis will not only be for today, but going forward. Our role in philanthropy is to be able to lead, not just to give. We have to show leadership and set good, big, bold examples.”
