The New Jersey Cultural Trust was created in July 2000 as a public/private partnership to help ensure a stable and healthy nonprofit cultural industry in New Jersey that is sustainable even in the toughest of economic times.
The Trust provides grants to support capital projects, endowments and institutional and financial stabilization of arts, history and humanities organizations in New Jersey. Funding for the grants comes from interest earned on the Cultural Trust Fund, which is a permanent investment fund.
In accordance with the provisions of the “Open Public Meetings Act” (P.L.1975, c.231), this notice officially advises the public of a meeting of the New Jersey Cultural Trust Board on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the War Memorial (Turning Point Conference Room), 1 Memorial Drive, Trenton, NJ.
Light refreshments will follow the business portion of the meeting. The meeting is free and open to the public.
Download the Meeting Notice and Agenda.
Parking Information: There are several paid parking options near the War Memorial in downtown Trenton. There is metered parking available on West State Street and Barrack Street; pay at the kiosks on the street. Paid garages are also available:
There is ADA accessible parking beside the War Memorial on West Lafayette Street, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The mission of the Cultural Trust is to ensure a stable and healthy cultural industry in New Jersey that is sustainable under fluctuating economic conditions through the establishment of permanent, interest-generating funds to be an additional source of revenue to nonprofit arts, history and humanities organizations.
On May 18, 2026, the New Jersey Cultural Trust Board of Trustees gathered in Trenton for a special meeting to celebrate the agency’s 25th anniversary. The program, which reflected on a quarter century of support for New Jersey’s nonprofit cultural sector, included this video highlighting the Trust’s history, mission, and impact.
Carol Cronheim, Chair
Bette C. Daniele, Vice Chair
John Paul Nicolaides, Vice Chair for Finance
Claire Knopf, Secretary
S. Nadia Hussain, Board Member
ex officio members
Shirley U. Emehelu, Acting Secretary of State
Aaron Binder, State Treasurer
Felicia Grant, Chair, NJ State Council on the Arts
Lisa Easton, Chair, NJ Historic Trust
Maxine Lurie, Chair, NJ Historical Commission
General Contact
609-292-6403
cultural.trust@sos.nj.gov
Isabel (Izzy) Kasdin, Executive Director
609-633-0522
isabel.kasdin@sos.nj.gov
Avery Wehrs, Grants and Operations Coordinator
609-777-3657
avery.wehrs@sos.nj.gov
Page Last Updated: 02/2/26
Official Site of The State of New Jersey