Small grants for big community ideas in the Jersey City Heights.
Groundwork Grants was founded by Mark Bunbury Jr. and Bill O'Neil around a simple belief: some of the best ideas for strengthening a community come from the people who live there. Often, those ideas don't need a large budget: they just need a small amount of support to get started.
The inspiration for Groundwork Grants came from a friend who was trying to bring a local project to life. The idea was thoughtful, practical, and would have benefited the community, but like many grassroots efforts, it needed a modest amount of funding to move from concept to reality.
That experience reminded us how many worthwhile community projects never get off the ground, not because they lack value, but because they lack access to funding. Traditional grant programs can be difficult to navigate, particularly for residents, artists, volunteers, and local community groups that may not have the time, or resources to pursue larger funding opportunities.
We created Groundwork Grants to help fill that gap. Our goal is to provide a simple, accessible source of support for projects that make the Jersey City Heights a stronger, more connected, and more vibrant place to live.
Groundwork Grants is launching as a pilot program focused on empowering local residents and community leaders to turn good ideas into meaningful action. We are excited to support creative, community-driven projects, learn from our applicants, celebrate their successes, and explore opportunities to grow the program's impact in the years ahead.
A special shout out to the neighbors and friends who shared feedback on this project, with a special thanks to Beverly Brown-Ruggia for her early encouragement and support!