NPDCSNJ did not hesitate to offer advice and even agreed to an in-person meeting to discuss structure and offer further helpful suggestions and contacts.

The program was terrific! [ . . . ] Having never worked in a non-profit organization gave me the background needed to successfully pursue the founding and operation of an NPO.

Our company, and I personally, have supported NPDCSNJ for many years and for many reasons, not the least of which is that it is the ONLY organization in South Jersey created and successfully functioning to serve other NPOs. You and I know this as “capacity building” and while it is not as visible or as compelling as feeding the hungry or sheltering the homeless, it is no less vital to our community. That’s why NPDCSNJ’s commitment to bring together our region’s NPO leaders in a collaborative effort to “make South Jersey the most NPO-friendly region in the nation by 2030” is a mission that Holman can wholeheartedly support.

The Volunteer Center of South Jersey has actively partnered with NPDCSNJ for more than a decade…on everything from workshops to awards…as it works to build NPO capacity across our eight-county region. NPDCSNJ has embarked on a 10-year mission to establish South Jersey as “the most NPO friendly region in the nation by 2030.” And all of us at VCSJ are happy to be working with them to achieve that goal.

The Food Bank of South Jersey has been actively involved with NPDCSNJ since the inaugural region-wide Non-Profit Organization (NPO) Summit held at Rowan University in 2022. Throughout this collaboration, we have worked together to bring together NPO leaders across the region to address critical issues. To address these challenges, NPDCSNJ has committed to facilitating collaboration among regional NPO leaders. The Food Bank of South Jersey fully supports this objective, and I am personally honored to serve as a subject matter expert for one of NPDCSNJ’s 17 ongoing Needs Assessment discussions, specifically on the topic of "Food Access and Security.

Non-profit organizations provide critical services in our communities, and NPDCSNJ’s purpose is to help build a better region by supporting them. Following the most recent 2024 summit, NPDCSNJ embarked on a Needs Assessment endeavor to convene regional nonprofit organizations and other stakeholders to further discuss these issues and develop solutions. Transportation access was of chief concern for the nonprofit organizations themselves and the people and families they serve. WRI has collaborated successfully with NPDCSNJ on these convenings, resulting in a set of actionable ideas on transforming the transportation landscape for communities across the South Jersey region.

As Founder and Executive Director of BookSmiles, I give my wholehearted endorsement to the Non Profit Development Center of Southern New Jersey and its mission to build and support non-profits in the region, to do it “better.” The powerful connections provided by the NPDC helped BookSmiles scale, to the point where we’ve grown into the largest book bank of our kind in the nation. This organization gave BookSmiles visibility and validation. Receiving their recognition as nonprofit of the year in 2022 helped fuel our growth. Last year we upcycled and distributed 1.1 million books from our new 4,300 square foot book bank in Pennsauken.

I have dedicated over 30 years to PreK 12 education, serving in teacher to central office administrator roles. I have observed the positive transformations within organizations that have benefited from NPDCSNJ's support. NPDCSNJ provides a critical resource for non-profits in Southern New Jersey. Their comprehensive range of services empowers non-profit leaders and staff with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of the sector, enhance their operational efficiency, and ultimately, better serve their beneficiaries. I have consistently been impressed by the dedication, expertise, and the significant impact NPDCSNJ has on the organizations they serve.