To help meet the needs of our nonprofit partners, our neighbors, and to target resources where they are needed most, OceanFirst Foundation will again offer General Operating/Flexible Support Grants in 2025. Be sure to review the guidelines below before proceeding to the application portal.

Who May Apply

We consider requests for General Operating/Flexible Support Grants from nonprofits (501c3) that can demonstrate mission alignment with one or more of our Funding Priorities. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate a significant level of service and impact within one or more counties in OceanFirst Foundation’s footprint – Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset, and Union. Applicants from outside this footprint, that are not prior grantees, must contact the Foundation to be screened for eligibility before submitting a request. For prior grantees, we will not consider a new request if there are outstanding OVERDUE Use of Funds Reports. To check your organization’s status, contact Lisa at 732.341.4676. Additional grant eligibility requirements may be found here.

Who Should Not Apply

Please do not apply if your nonprofit is a College/University. We have a long-standing Scholarship Program with nine New Jersey Colleges/Universities previously selected and are unable to consider additional partners at this time. Eligible schools will separately receive details on the 2025 Scholarship Program. In addition, do not apply if your organization is a public K-12 school. We periodically offer targeted grant opportunities to schools and share details when they are being offered. 

New Applicants

Inquiries to the Foundation are welcomed. First-time applicants must complete a screening call prior to submitting a request; email info@oceanfirstfdn.org to schedule. 

Grant Cycle

NEW THIS YEAR! We have moved to a single stage, 2-year grant award cycle. This means that if you want to be considered for funding in 2025 and 2026, you must apply now. We will not have a General Operating/Flexible Support Grant cycle in 2026. Applicants approved for a General Operating/Flexible Support Grant will receive their grant in two installments – one in 2025, one in 2026. 

Grant Application Deadline

Please plan ahead – the deadline to apply is April 15, 2025 (11:59 PM EST) and we will not consider requests submitted after the deadline.

Grant Awards

General Operating/Flexible Support Grants are set at $15,000 – $7,500 for 2025/$7,500 for 2026. Grants may be used to support administrative infrastructure, financial and organizational capacity, to help maintain programs and essential staff or for any other need. You have the power to decide how to meet your nonprofits unique needs!

Your organization may submit only ONE application in ONE priority area.

We expect to award grants as follows:

• Advancing Economic Stability & Mobility – 30 Grants
• Supporting Housing Solutions – 30 Grants
• Empowering the Next Generation – 20 Grants (Additional support is offered through the Summer Camp Grant Program)
• Improving Health & Wellness – 30 Grants

Funding Decisions

We consider factors including but not limited to: a request’s alignment with the Foundation’s stated priorities and geographic footprint; organizational capacity and good financial health; a track record of success in providing programs and services that have a positive impact on community needs; a solid plan for measuring impact/success; demonstrated leadership within the communities served; and a willingness to partner with OceanFirst Foundation, beyond the grant, to support our neighbors.