All Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber events are designed to bring professionals together to build mutually beneficial relationships. The Central NJ Nonprofit Council has a more specific purpose – to bring together professionals from the nonprofit and business communities and provide opportunities for partnerships to blossom.

What Is the Central NJ Nonprofit Council?

From the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber website:

“The Central NJ Nonprofit Council (CNJNC) fosters a vibrant community by strengthening the important connections among the arts, nonprofits, cultural and business sectors. CNJNC is uniquely positioned with businesses and regional leaders, arts, cultural and educational institutions to provide resources and facilitate collaborations that contribute to the mutual growth and success of our members.”

“The Council is all about nonprofit-business partnerships,” said Sandra Toussaint,

President and CEO of the United Way Greater Mercer County and chair of the Chamber’s CNJNC committee. “This is not a charity. The Council creates opportunities for nonprofits and businesses to network and support each other.”

What Types of Events Does the CNJNC Host?

The most recent event, a Nonprofit Wellness Breakfast with the theme, “A Healthier You: Mindfulness, Self-Care, & Letting Go,” was hosted and sponsored by NJM Insurance Group in West Trenton. The Wellness Team from Penn Medicine Princeton Health led attendees through simple exercises and mindfulness meditations.

“Businesses and nonprofits have been dealing with a lot of changes and uncertainty over the last several months,” Sandra said. “Sometimes we need to just slow down, pause, and reflect. In addition to networking, the wellness breakfast highlighted things we can do for ourselves and our employees to create a culture that helps us navigate challenging times.”

Themes from previous CNJNC events include corporate social responsibility, slash programs (programs facing cuts or elimination), employee engagement, and hiring and retaining Millennials and GenZers,

What Are the Benefits of the CNJNC to Nonprofits?

A nonprofit must function like a business to make a difference and sustain the organization and its mission. The CNJNC supports the business side of running a nonprofit, both strategically and in day-to-day operations.

“The CNJNC connects nonprofits with businesses that could be potential suppliers, vendors, and champions,” Sandra said. “Nonprofits need insurance. We need legal counsel. We need marketing. We need software. The Council helps us find these resources from Chamber members while increasing visibility for our mission in the community.”

The CNJNC also introduces nonprofits to people who are passionate about their mission and would like to get directly involved as volunteers, board members, donors, and sponsors. Nonprofits may even be able to connect with companies that offer matching gifts.

Of course, CNJNC events are unique because they attract business professionals who are actively seeking to connect with nonprofits. They may offer services specifically for the nonprofit community, or they could be looking to support an organization whose values and priorities align with theirs. These events are perfect networking opportunities for nonprofits.

What Are the Benefits of the CNJNC to Businesses?

If you offer services catering to nonprofits, or you simply prefer to work with organizations that share your values, CNJNC events are filled with nonprofit professionals who want to meet you.

They need your services. They want to partner with individuals and companies that support their mission. They want to build relationships with professionals they can trust. This is why the CNJNC exists!

Of course, research has shown that doing good is good business. For example, according to re:charity:

• 71% of employees say it’s very important to work for a company that supports giving and volunteering
• 55% of employees would choose to work for a socially responsible company, even at a lower salary.
• 88% of HR executives believe effective employee engagement programs help attract and retain employees.
• Employees who engage in corporate giving have 75% longer tenures with their company.
• 77% of Millennials say a sense of purpose is part of the reason for choosing an employer, while 88% consider their job more fulfilling when it enables them to have a positive impact on society.

If your company is looking for opportunities for employees to join a nonprofit board, or you’d like to sponsor nonprofit events and programs that support worthy causes, consider attending a CNJNC event or joining the committee.

If your employees have expressed interest in seeking ongoing volunteer opportunities or planning a day of giving, most nonprofits would be grateful for your support – and you can meet them at CNJNC events!

How Can I Get Involved with the CNJNC?

The easiest way to get involved is to attend an event. The CNJNC committee meets throughout the year to plan and share ideas, so look for announcements from the Princeton-Mercer Regional Chamber about the next event.

If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and work with fellow professionals to plan events and programs, we’re always looking for Chamber members to join the CNJNC committee.

“If you’re an active Chamber member who comes out to events, promotes the chamber, and supports other members, our committee is a great opportunity to get more value from your membership,” Sandra said. “We welcome different perspectives and skillsets that can help bring businesses and nonprofits together.”

For more information, visit the CNJNC page on the Princeton-Mercer Regional Chamber website and follow our social pages for announcements about upcoming events!