We’re pleased to present the names and details of the six organizations our Community Heroes Grant Review Committee has put forth for members to cast their votes. The three organizations that receive the highest number of votes will be announced at our June 10th Annual Meeting and awarded $10,000 grants.
The Community Heroes Grant voting is open only to 2026 Impact100 South Jersey members. Please select the three organizations you’d like to see receive this year’s Community Heroes Grants.To aid in your decision, scroll down for information about each organization and their plan for using our funding.
You must include your unique member number on the ballot which was included in email inviting you to vote. If you did not receive that email, please contact us at info@impact100sj.org.
Community Heroes Grant Voting Deadline:
Sunday, May 31st
2026 Community Heroes Grant Finalists
Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation
Service Area: Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland Counties | Website: victoriousfoundation.org
Founded after Alicia Rose DiNatale’s cancer journey revealed a critical “psychosocial gap” for adolescents in hospitals, the organization provides “age-appropriate programs and activities” that promote dignity, connection, and emotional support. The organization’s proposal focused on improving the “patient experience” for children and teens facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Grant funding would help expand Teen ‘Welcome’ Kits, Teen Lounges, Sensory Spaces, and Alicia’s Art Carts, delivering “medicine for the soul” through distraction therapy, healing environments, and bedside resources for pediatric patients nationwide.
ATAP Foundation
Service Area: Burlington County | Website: ATAPFoundation.org
ATAP Foundation promotes academic achievement, social-emotional growth, and a “safe and supportive environment” for students. Their proposal focused on supporting the Literacy Enhanced Afterschool Program (LEAP), a 10-month initiative addressing the literacy crisis in Willingboro, where “only 21% of students… are reading at or above grade level.” LEAP will provide “intensive and intentional reading strategies” through small-group and one-on-one instruction. Grant funds will be used to hire literacy coaches, purchase “leveled reading materials,” and secure subscriptions to the iXL online reading platform.
The Free Books Project
Service Area: Camden County | Website: thefreebooksproject.org
Founded in Camden in 2017, the organization now distributes approximately “120,000 books annually” through Pop-Up Libraries, Book Arks, and Free Book Shelves across South Jersey. Their proposal focused on improving “access to literacy and connection for everyone—especially members of our community in marginalized or vulnerable areas.” Grant funding would support free book distribution, youth literacy enrichment, author and artist programming, multilingual literacy access, and neighborhood-based reading initiatives that promote “opportunity, community and joy through books” while strengthening literacy, belonging, and community wellbeing.
Pride Ventures, Inc. (aka Pride Paws)
Service Area: Burlington County | Website: prideventuresinc.org
Pride Ventures (aka Pride Paws) provides job training and transitional employment experiences to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through hands-on experiences that include making dog treats and toys, operating a cash register, and providing customer service. The Pride Ventures/Pride Paws proposal focused on “Empowering Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Through Vocational Training.” Grant funds would help “sustain and expand” the program, provide “a paycheck for participants during training,” purchase materials and equipment, and “enhance outreach and placement services” to increase gainful employment, confidence, and quality of life for participants.
South Jersey Dream Center
Service Area: Camden, Gloucester, Cumberland Counties | Website: southjerseydreamcenter.org
Founded from the Joseph’s Storehouse Food Pantry in 2010, the South Jersey Dream Center was inspired by the Los Angeles Dream Center model of providing food, clothing, necessities, and life support services to vulnerable communities. The organization’s proposal focused on addressing food insecurity and helping families “break the vicious cycle of poverty…from the inside out.” Since 2011, the organization has “served over 50,000 people” and distributed “over 1.1 million pounds of resources.” Grant funding would support expanded food assistance, essential resources, and programs helping individuals discover purpose, stability, and hope.
Trinity First Hope Center
Service Area: Cumberland County | Website: firstumcmillville.org/trinity-first-hope-center
Trinity First Hope was formed during the COVID-19 Pandemic, when the organization began by providing “to-go meals” because local establishments closed. The organization has since evolved into a “hub of services” helping individuals “survive” and improve their “quality of life.” Their proposal focused on supporting Millville’s homeless and vulnerable populations. Grant funding would support daily hot meals, emergency clothing, laundry and shower facilities, Code Blue and Code Red shelter services, counseling and addiction support, and assistance obtaining identification documents needed for employment, housing, and social services while preserving dignity and strengthening community connection.