News and Stories

News and Stories

Grantee Spotlight: Grow It Green Morristown

Grantee Spotlight: Grow It Green Morristown

The F. M. Kirby Foundation is proud to recognize its partnership with Grow It Green Morristown, a community-focused nonprofit dedicated to creating sustainable, equitable access to fresh food and environmental education. Since its founding, Grow It Green has played a key role in strengthening the local food system and encouraging community involvement through hands-on learning and urban agriculture.  Through its…

Read more

The First Story Matters: Nonprofits Supporting a Lifelong Love of Reading

The First Story Matters: Nonprofits Supporting a Lifelong Love of Reading

By Dave Cucchiara Communications & Program Associate Parents reading aloud to children is more than a treasured tradition or childhood ritual. It’s a critical tool for early brain development, building language skills, and developing emotional connection. Recent studies in neuroscience confirm what parents, pediatricians, and educators have long known: a parent’s voice, paired with the rhythm and vocabulary of a…

Read more

Grantee Spotlight: Court Appointed Special Advocates of Morris & Sussex Counties

Grantee Spotlight: Court Appointed Special Advocates of Morris & Sussex Counties

The F. M. Kirby Foundation is proud to support Court Appointed Special Advocates of Morris and Sussex Counties (CASA), a nonprofit organization committed to advocating for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment. By training and supervising dedicated volunteers, CASA ensures that these children have a consistent, caring adult to speak on their behalf throughout…

Read more

Grantee Spotlight: WUNC

Grantee Spotlight: WUNC

The F. M. Kirby Foundation is proud to support WUNC, a leading public radio station serving communities across North Carolina with trusted news, thoughtful storytelling, and cultural programming. As an NPR affiliate with studios in Durham and Chapel Hill, WUNC plays a vital role in informing the public, fostering civic dialogue, and strengthening community connection through high-quality journalism.  WUNC’s work…

Read more

F. M. Kirby Foundation Announces $8.9 Million in Grants in Early 2025

F. M. Kirby Foundation Announces $8.9 Million in Grants in Early 2025

By Dave Cucchiara Communications & Program Associate The F. M. Kirby Foundation Board of Directors approved 116 grants totaling $8,937,600 in the first half of 2025 to support nonprofit organizations dedicated to strengthening and enriching our communities. This total reflects grants awarded in 2025 and multi-year commitments. In all, 67 grants included general operating support and 59 grants were made…

Read more

Grantee Spotlight: The Museum of Life and Science

Grantee Spotlight: The Museum of Life and Science

The Museum of Life and Science in Durham, N.C., is a nonprofit institution built on sparking curiosity and fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among visitors of all ages. With over 84 acres of interactive exhibits and outdoor spaces, the museum engages the community through hands-on learning experiences in natural science, local wildlife, and environmental sustainability.…

Read more

Foundation Welcomes New Grants Administrator

Foundation Welcomes New Grants Administrator

By David Cucchiara Communications & Program Associate The F. M. Kirby Foundation is pleased to welcome Sarah DeMartazzi as its new Grants Administrator, effective June 23, 2025. Sarah brings a wealth of experience in grants management and nonprofit operations, which will further strengthen the Foundation’s administrative capacity and support its philanthropic mission. “We are thrilled to have Sarah join our…

Read more

Modeling a Cure: How Dr. Michael Brehm’s Research is Shaping Type 1 Diabetes Treatment

Modeling a Cure: How Dr. Michael Brehm’s Research is Shaping Type 1 Diabetes Treatment

By Dave Cucchiara Communications & Program Associate In the pursuit of groundbreaking scientific breakthroughs, few researchers have as personal a stake in their work as those living with the disease they aim to cure. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) during graduate school, Dr. Michael Brehm, PhD, has spent his career unraveling the mystery behind a disease that affects him…

Read more

Grantee Spotlight: Kennedy Krieger Institute

Grantee Spotlight: Kennedy Krieger Institute

The F. M. Kirby Foundation is proud to celebrate nearly 30 years of partnership with  Kennedy Krieger Institute. This world-renowned institution, based in the heart of Baltimore, is dedicated to improving the lives of children and adolescents with neurological, developmental, and behavioral disorders. With a mission to provide comprehensive care, conduct innovative research, and deliver educational services, the Institute is…

Read more