The basics:
- $6.5M awarded marks largest multiyear grants in Burke Foundation history
- Funding supports maternal, infant health across New Jersey
- Awards back initiatives such as HealthySteps, Start Strong NJ, South Ward Wellness Center
- $3M funds Maternal & Infant Health Innovation Fund to seed public-philanthropic partnerships
The Burke Foundation announced Monday $6.5 million in multiyear grants. The figure marks the largest award in its history.
The funding will strengthen maternal and infant health and early childhood development across the Garden State. The Princeton-based foundation’s investment marks a major expansion of its commitment to families during the critical first 1,000 days of life, from pregnancy through age 2.
This round of awards reflects a strategic shift for the Foundation toward fewer but larger, multi-year investments that can accelerate lasting impact.
The organization reflects the legacy of the late Jim Burke. The former Johnson & Johnson CEO and chairman established the foundation in 1989. He died in 2012. His son, James Burke, currently oversees the Burke Foundation.
“The Foundation’s work reflects what science tells us — that the more nurturing children receive in the first 1,000 days, the healthier they will be for the rest of their lives,” said Burke, president and board chair. “It pays off for society to, reducing long-term spending in such areas as special education, public assistance, health care, and even criminal justice.
“Nobel laureate economist James Heckman found that every dollar spent on high-quality early childhood programs return up to $13.”
‘A historic moment’
“Today marks a historic moment for mothers and babies across New Jersey,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy.
Murphy has made maternal, infant, and early childhood health a cornerstone of her work as first lady. That has included launching the Nurture NJ campaign, as well as leading the effort to establish the New Jersey Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Authority and also the forthcoming Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Center (MIHIC) in Trenton.
“The Burke Foundation has been a critical partner to Nurture NJ over the years, supporting strong evidence-based pilots that have led to groundbreaking legacy initiatives, such as Family Connects NJ, our universal nurse home visitation program,” said Murphy. “These investments build upon that work and will help reduce disparities in maternal health and early childhood development by expanding access to quality, equitable care.
“Through proven community partnerships, this grant will strengthen our foundation of maternal and infant health care, ensuring every family has the opportunity to thrive in New Jersey.”
The Foundation says these awards will support a mix of proven models and promising partnerships to improve lifelong health and well-being, as well as help eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in the state.
The grant awardees include:
HealthySteps — $1.5 million over three years
Expands an evidence-based pediatric care model integrating child development specialists into primary care teams to support children’s behavioral, developmental and social-emotional needs from birth.
“When families have the right support early on, babies and toddlers thrive,” said Rahil Briggs, national director of HealthySteps. “HealthySteps helps close gaps and set children up for success in school and in life … With the Burke Foundation’s leadership, HealthySteps is continuing to grow across New Jersey. When families thrive, we all thrive.”
Start Strong NJ — $1.5 million over three years
Builds a statewide campaign to make high-quality, affordable child care affordable for all New Jersey families. The initiative unites business, community, parents, educators, funders and advocacy groups. The partners aim to elevate child care as essential infrastructure for the state’s economic competitiveness.
“By expanding access to high-quality, affordable child care, we invest in the healthy development of children, the stability of families, and the enduring strength of New Jersey’s economy,” said Curt Fields, president and CEO of the Turrell Fund.
South Ward Wellness Center — $500,000 capital investment
Supports the creation of a $43.7 million community health hub in Newark’s South Ward. All under one roof, the facility will provide:
- Expanded doula care
- CenteringPregnancy, CenteringParenting and Healthy Steps initiatives
- Lactation support
- Mental health counseling
- Workforce training
“The South Ward Wellness Center is more than a building — it’s a movement to reshape health, maternal and early childhood care by centering local voices and culturally responsive services,” said Dominique Lee, CEO of BRICK Networks.
Maternal and Infant Health Innovation Fund — $3 million over five years
Seeds a novel public-philanthropic partnership supporting the NJMIHIA and its new Innovation Center in Trenton.
“By strategically investing in innovative, evidence-based, and community-driven projects and partnerships, this Fund will foster advancements in clinical care, workforce development, and data-driven models,” said NJMIHIA President and CEO Lisa Asare.
“With these multi-year investments, Burke doubles down on transformative initiatives and approaches proven to work for families and supports efforts to build strong partnerships to carry this progress into the future,” said Executive Director Atiya Weiss.
link