NJ State Senator Timberlake’s Budget
Emphasizing the plight of many organizations facing financial uncertainty resulting from federal and local political decisions, NJ State Senator Britnee N. Timberlake (D-Essex) recently announced her 2027 budget, saying, “I chose to put people, policy, and principles over politics. I made it a priority to direct critical funding to the grassroots nonprofits and community-based news organizations that hold our neighborhoods together.”
During New Jersey’s FY 2027 budget cycle, State Sen. Timberlake secured funding for nonprofit organizations, municipalities, schools, and community initiatives serving residents throughout the 34th Legislative District and across the state. The funding addresses a broad range of priorities, including historic preservation, affordable housing, food insecurity, workers’ rights, public transit, independent journalism, maternal health, gun-violence prevention, youth development, senior services, autism awareness, literacy, and humanitarian relief.
Among those organizations receiving funding is the historic and educational Whitesboro Historic Preservation Project’s Legal Defense Fund. The $200,000 they will receive will help the work they are doing to protect the historic community from eminent domain threats. Founded in 1901 by Congressman Charles White with assistance from Booker T. Washington, Whitesboro is one of New Jersey’s most significant African American settlements. The Jersey Explorer Children’s Museum will receive $50,000 for literacy programming and building improvements.
Five independent news organizations—TAPinto Nutley, The Jersey Bee, Local Talk, Essex News Daily and The Positive Community (Thank you, Sen. Timberlake!)—will share $100,000 in Local News Sustainability Grants supporting ethical, community-focused journalism.
To boost labor rights and advocacy, the New Jersey Domestic Workers Coalition will receive $200,000; $400,000 for Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters for pro bono construction services; and $50,000 each for Make the Road New Jersey, Moms Demand Action’s New Jersey chapters, and the NAACP Oranges and Maplewood Branch. To combat hunger, the CARE Center of New Jersey’s Food for Hope Program will receive $200,000, while Bloomfield Presbyterian Church on the Green’s food pantry will receive $20,000.
Housing and neighborhood investments include $250,000 each for LISC New Jersey’s minority-developer training initiative and New Ephesus Community Services Corporation’s planned family shelter. HANDS, New Light Community Development Corporation, and The HUUB will also receive funding for affordable housing, youth education, and community empowerment programs.
Additional support will benefit the East Orange Senior Volunteer Corps, East Orange YMCA, Precious Little Ladies, Nassan’s Place, Nutley Family Service Bureau, the New Jersey Black Maternal Health Task Force, and AAngelsNJ. Cultural and humanitarian grants will support Embrace Relief, Peace Islands Institute New Jersey, and the Guyana American Heritage Foundation.
Senator Timberlake also joined Assemblymembers Carmen Morales and Michael Venezia in securing municipal and educational funding of $1.2 million for Bloomfield, $423,000 for Belleville, $200,000 for East Orange, and $100,000 each for the East Orange and Bloomfield school districts.
“These investments support the people who move our state forward. I am proud to have had the opportunity to help,” said Sen. Timberlake.
—TPC Staff
