Quinn's Corner Jumpstart Grants is sponsored by Community Foundation of New Jersey. These grants offer one-time funding to organizations supporting domestic violence survivors and their pets in New Jersey. While the primary focus is domestic violence, services for individuals experiencing domestic violence often intersect with sexual assault victim services.

The grants can be used for emergency funds (e.g., pet deposits, vet bills) or for planning funds aimed at future housing solutions for pets in shelters.

Quinn’s Corner Fund | Community Foundation of New Jersey Supporting safe havens for DV survivors and their pets Karen Lindemann had a deep, abiding love for her companions. She had a 150-pound dog who was devoted to her and nursed Quinn, a rescue cat, back to health after she became ill with feline leukemia.

This love inspired Karen to connect with staff at 180 Turning Lives Around, a nonprofit in Monmouth County that provides a refuge to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors while empowering them to heal. Karen understood that survivors couldn’t fully heal if they had to choose between leaving their pet or saving themselves. She also knew that that no DV shelters had ever provided a safe house to both in New Jersey.

But Karen was undeterred. She championed the need for a sanctuary so passionately to the organization’s Board of Trustees that the board member who was most opposed to the idea became its staunchest advocate. Together, 180 Turning Lives Around and Karen created the first Safe House program for survivors and their pets in New Jersey that continues today.

Thanks to Quinn’s Corner Fund, the safe haven in Monmouth welcomed both survivors and their pets for many years. But that changed in 2024 when Quinn’s Corner evolved to include a new purpose — ensuring that at least one DV shelter, in all 21 counties, can be a sanctuary for New Jerseyans and their companions. We’re excited to partner with the New Jersey Coalition to End Domestic Violence on this statewide initiative.

Learn more: Press Release | Flyer | Blog For the first phase of grantmaking for the Quinn’s Corner Fund, CFNJ is administering Jumpstart Grants. These one-time, $5,000 grants will help organizations support survivors who are fleeing domestic violence with their pets and increase their capacity.

Emergency funds that support survivors and their pets (e.g., a pet deposit for a new apartment, temporary pet boarding, vet bills, pet food) Please note that grants in this category can only be used for direct expenses to support survivors and their pets, not for staff or administrative costs.

Planning funds to help an organization prepare for the future goal of housing pets on-site at a shelter Funding also cannot be used to support adoption costs for survivors or their families to adopt a new pet. Application process and notifications To apply, use this link to create an account in CFNJ’s online portal and fill out the application. Please email lgracey@cfnj.

org for the access code. Applications will be reviewed and approved on a rolling basis. Organizations that receive a grant will be asked to submit a brief follow-up report in six months with details and stories of how the funding was utilized.

If you know about a project or initiative that would be a good fit for this fund, or are interested in other ways to get involved and support New Jersey’s DV shelters, contact Aaron Turner at aturner@cfnj. org or Lisette Ortiz at lweiland@njcedv. org .

Since launching in September 2024, the fund has awarded more than $2 million in grants. A total of $125,000 in Jumpstart Grants has been awarded to 25 organizations serving DV survivors and their pets. These grants fund everything from vet bills to pet security deposits for apartments and rental homes.

The fund has also awarded more than $2 million for two capacity-building grants and Pet Advocate positions for four organizations. These Pet Advocates will provide trauma-informed support for survivors and their pets at shelters and assist organizations as they increase pet accessibility. Stray Kitty Rescue has provided emergency shelter, vet care, and supplies for over 15 pets with its grant.

The organization has also built stronger connections with local DV shelters and service providers. Its successes include building a reliable foster network that’s trained to handle trauma-informed care and increasing awareness about pet-safe housing options through targeted outreach.

Bright Harbor Healthcare is using its grant to cover pet deposits for rentals, pet boarding, supplies, and vet bills for survivors who are leaving abusive situations. It has also established a foster care network in its county to ensure no survivor will be forced to choose between the safety of themselves and their pet. 180 Turning Lives Around is ensuring that people and pets are safer together, and thriving together, with its grant.

Like their owners, pets have basic daily needs — including food, water, and walks — that 180 Turning Lives Around is committed to fulfilling. They can also, just like their owners, face additional mental, emotional, and physical stresses and challenges. With the Quinn’s Corner funding, 180 provided direct client assistance — from food and grooming to medication and routine vet care.