On Earth Day 2025, Sustainable South Jersey awarded $3,400 from its Caren Kaufman Memorial Fund to five community organizations in South Jersey. The program was created to honor Caren Kaufman, a grassroots activist who was dedicated to sustainability and health.
“We are thrilled to announce the award of five mini-grants to support innovative, community-driven sustainability projects across our region—empowering local action for a greener, more resilient South Jersey,” said Dana Patterson Grear, President, Sustainable South Jersey. “We’re deeply grateful to our generous donors—your contributions are fueling meaningful change right here in our communities.”
The 2025 winning projects ~
Ocean Township Garden Club: $900 for the purchase of native shrubs, pollinators, and hardscape for the prominent area to the southeast of the library.
“Restoring the Library Gardens/Learning Gardens has galvanized our Garden Club and connected us to our community. We plan to deepen those connections as we continue to steward the Learning Gardens. Finally, I’d like to add that the life of Caren Kaufman is an inspiration to us. From reading her obituary, we know that we are walking the same path. May her spirit endure in all the ways that Sustainable South Jersey is carrying on her work.”
Sustainable Maple Shade: $1,000 for essential greenhouse equipment to ensure optimal growing conditions and support community workshops.
“Sustainable Maple Shade is thrilled to receive the Caren Kaufman Memorial Grant. It will help us turn our new community garden greenhouse into a thriving hub for hands-on learning and sustainable food growing, empowering our neighbors to grow healthy food and reduce waste,” said Jane Moxford, Member, Sustainable Maple Shade.”
Future Leaders STEM Lab: $500 for the materials and resources needed to run the Eco-Adventures: STEM & Green Engineering Workshop series.
“We are incredibly honored to be selected for funding through the Caren Kaufman Memorial Grant Program to bring our Eco-Adventures program series to life. From building solar-powered gadgets to designing eco-friendly cities and water filters, we look forward to empowering the next generation of climate-conscious problem-solvers to innovate for a greener tomorrow,” said Rob O’Flaherty, Founder, Future Leaders STEM Lab.
UrbanPromise Camden: $500 for the purchase and planting of ~45 pollinator plants for their outdoor garden, focusing on creating habitat for the Monarch Butterfly.
“Thank you for awarding us the Caren Kaufman Memorial Grant! Thanks to the award, we were able to plant 2 trees, 50 plants, and start growing hundreds of seeds to continue providing vital habitat for the Monarch Butterfly and other pollinating species. The impact of this award will continue to offer enriching learning and leadership opportunities for our students for years to come! I have attached the report, our audited financial statements, and receipts from our purchases. I am unable to add any more files, but we have more photos ready to go if you would like them! A special thanks to Michael and Anna for coming out to our volunteer planting event.” said Saraly Gonzalez, Environmental and Experiential Learning Director, UrbanPromise Camden
Center for Environmental Transformation: $500 to purchase vital resources such as seeds and art supplies for the Eco Explorers Program.
“CFET is pleased to be a recipient of this award, which will go toward materials costs for our Eco Explorer program, an outdoor learning experience for 1st-5th graders in the City of Camden,” said Jon Compton, Executive Director, Center for Environmental Transformation.
Congratulations to all of our awardees! Sustainable South Jersey has granted over $38,000 in mini-grants to the South Jersey community since 2018. Grants are funded via individual donations, sponsorships, and event proceeds.
For those interested in donating to the Caren Kaufman Memorial Fund, click here. More on the program and 2026 application is here.