This section highlights six grant recipients that are examples of innovative approaches and ideas in the Foundation’s main areas of giving – K-12 education, faith, and family. Three of the organizations are mainly involved in direct service programs and three focus on policy-related research and scholarship. While the organizations are diverse, there are common qualities that are woven into their work. All of them imagine new ways to tackle problems and spark ingenuity. All of the organizations, leaders, and scholars have a quality of courage; they do not rest content with the status quo. They hold themselves up to high standards and they regularly challenge not only others’ thinking, but also their own. We encourage visitors to look at the websites of these grantees to get a wider appreciation of their work. The Foundation is proud to support each of these path-breaking grantees.
In its direct service portfolio, the Foundation focuses primarily on two geographical areas: Jersey City and the South Bronx. To carry on the longstanding interests of Mr. Simon's family, direct service grants also are awarded for programs in Morristown, New Jersey.
Public policy grants are awarded to select institutions that have either a national or in some cases, regional, focus in the chief areas of the Foundation’s charitable work: K-12 education, faith, and family.