The F. M. Kirby Foundation has announced the recipients of its inaugural Innovation Engine Grant Program, awarding three organizations $300,000 each, to be distributed over the course of three years. In sum, the Foundation is committing $900,000 to these pioneering new approaches. The recipients — Adirondack Community Foundation, Braver Angels, and Prevention is Key — were selected from a competitive…
By Dave Cucchiara Communications & Program Associate Federal legislation passed this summer significantly restructured the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, with changes taking effect in recent months that have reduced or eliminated benefits for many recipients. Additionally, the ongoing federal government shutdown disrupted SNAP payments in November, leaving approximately 42 million Americans without expected food assistance. These circumstances have created unprecedented…
The F. M. Kirby Foundation is proud to support Summit Speech School, a half-a-century-old institution based in New Providence empowering children with hearing loss to become more confident, effective communicators through listening and spoken language. Founded in the 1960s as one of the country’s first auditory/oral speech schools, Summit Speech combines cutting-edge methodologies, technology, and expert teaching to help every…
The F. M. Kirby Foundation is honored to celebrate 20 years of partnership with the Conservation Trust for North Carolina, a nonprofit dedicated to conserving land in ways that build resilient communities across North Carolina. Since its founding in 1991, CTNC has protected over 35,000 acres along the Blue Ridge Parkway, working with landowners, public agencies, and land trusts to…
By David Cucchiara Communications & Program Associate When Mark Hoebee joined Paper Mill Playhouse in 2000 as a choreographer and director, the historic Millburn theater was already a regional institution. Twenty-five years later, as Producing Artistic Director, he has transformed it into something more: a creative incubator where 27 new musicals have premiered since 2010, with shows like Newsies and…
By David Cucchiara Communications & Program Associate When Brian Crowe arrived at what was then the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival in the summer of 1996, he intended to stay for just eleven weeks. Three decades later, he leads one of America’s most respected classical theaters as Artistic Director — a testament to the enduring value of institutions that grow their…
By Justin Kiczek President In July 1776, with British troops amassing in New York and his fellow patriots poised to declare independence, George Washington acknowledged the very real and fatal possibility of failure: “The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army … We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or…
The F. M. Kirby Foundation is proud to celebrate more than 25 years of partnership with the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers (CNJG), a leading resource and network for New Jersey’s philanthropic community. CNJG serves over 130 grantmaking organizations — family, private, community, independent, and corporate foundations — by providing shared learning, collaborative opportunities, and leadership development. Through its programs, CNJG strengthens…
By Dave Cucchiara Communications & Program Associate David Tamaki’s relationship with New Jersey Ballet began in 1987 when he was just five years old, auditioning for a role in The Nutcracker at what was then called the John Harms Theater in Englewood, NJ. Nearly four decades later, he leads the organization as Executive Director — a remarkable journey that exemplifies…
By Dave Cucchiara Communications & Program Associate The F. M. Kirby Foundation has announced the promotion of Gina Beviglia to Program Officer, effective October 1, 2025. In her new role, Ms. Beviglia will continue leading the Foundation’s Arts, Culture & Humanities; Health; and Education portfolios. Ms. Beviglia has more than three years of full-time experience with the F. M. Kirby…