The Bolger Foundation has announced the results of its November 1, 2021-February 1, 2022 funding cycle. Five grant recipients received a total of $322,750. The nonprofit organizations funded reflect The Bolger Foundation’s focus on capital projects benefiting those underprivileged and underserved and/or relating to education, health, or historic preservation.

Dawn Treader Christian School of Paterson, NJ, received $125,000. The money will go towards replacing the fourth floor windows of their historic building. The school is located in the former Rosen Mill, built in the late 1800s. The fourth floor houses the school’s gymnasium, which is also used by various community sports programs. Dawn Treader is committed to educating children in an intercultural setting that helps them develop their unique gifts and talents to become transformative leaders in the community.

Lincoln Cooperative Preschool in Lincoln, VT, received $40,000 to fund expansion of their existing facility. This will enable them to enroll more children, thereby helping to meet local families’ growing need for high-quality, affordable, full-day preschool. Lincoln Cooperative Preschool supports children’s healthy development by promoting curiosity, love of learning, respect, playfulness, independence, and a sense of belonging.

Push to Walk (Oakland, NJ) received $12,750 for the purchase of a PhysioGait Dynamic & Static Unweighting System. Push to Walk is dedicated to helping people with spinal cord injuries and other forms of paralysis to optimize their quality of life. The PhysioGait will allow Push to Walk’s clients to engage in walking and standing exercises regardless of their level of impairment.

A previous Bolger Foundation grantee, Ridgewood YMCA of Ridgewood, NJ, received $100,000 to invest in renovating and expanding Camp Bernie’s infrastructure. For 65 years, the Y’s Camp Bernie has provided a haven for youngsters of all backgrounds, belief systems, incomes, and orientations.
The camp currently serves more than 12,000 children each year. The YMCA’s goal is to serve 20,000 campers annually by 2024.

The fifth Bolger Foundation beneficiary is The Hermitage. A National Historic Landmark located in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ, this Dutch-American/Gothic Revival house museum encompasses 250 years of American history. Friends of the Hermitage, Inc., were given $45,000 to replace the elevator in the Rosencrantz House, which stands next to The Hermitage itself and houses educational as well as office space. Without an elevator, the property would lose its ADA-compliant status, so The Bolger Foundation’s grant meets an urgent need.

“The Bolger Foundation is excited to award our first round of grants under our new funding process,” said J.T. Bolger, president of the foundation. “The number and quality of submissions were impressive.

“It is rewarding to help so many organizations, thus enabling them to improve their communities,” he continued. “We look forward to our next funding cycle and a new group of grant requests.”

Fall 2022 grant applications will be accepted from June 1 through September 1. For more information, including Grant Guidelines, FAQs, and an online application form, go to TheBolgerFoundation.org.

About The Bolger Foundation
The Bolger Foundation was founded in 1964 by financier and philanthropist David F. Bolger. Today, his three children, Betsie, John, and JT, serve as trustees, along with several other non-family members, while his oldest grandchild, AJ, is an associate trustee. The foundation’s mission is to inspire individuals and support charitable organizations, empowering them to better serve their community and the world.