(Englewood, New Jersey) -- The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) and its President, Michael Shannon, were honored with the Flat Rock Brook Nature Association's Trustee Award at the nature preserve's 2017 Recognition Dinner on May 16 at the Rockleigh Country Club. The NNJCF, the only community foundation focusing on this region, and Shannon were recognized for their contributions and vital support of the nature center's work.

"Flat Rock Brook Nature Association was pleased to present our Trustee Award to Michael Shannon and the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation at our Recognition Dinner. Michael is a force in the community working through the foundation he leads to solve complicated regional problems. Additionally, he is an effective Trustee for Flat Rock Brook, bringing a unique perspective regarding the environmental concerns we share an interest in protecting," said Stephen Wiessner, Executive Director, Flat Rock Brook.

Shannon received a New Jersey joint legislative resolution from the Senate and General Assembly in recognition of his contributions to the community and the NNJCF's work in the region.

"We were extremely pleased to have the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation and its work recognized by the New Jersey legislature and Flat Rock Brook Nature Association, a nonprofit pillar in our region and one with which we share two major interests, education and the environment. This event strengthens our relationship and paves the way to improve life in the region through additional collaborative projects with a growing number of other nonprofits and for profit organizations in the area," said Michael Shannon, President, NNJCF.

Making a Difference

Founded in 1998, the NNJCF improves community life through its work in education, public health, civic engagement, the arts, philanthropy, and the environment. Central to the organization's success is fostering collaboration among all community sectors and joining with civic partners to answer, "What can we do together that we can't alone?"

Key to its work is creative placemaking, the practice of integrating arts and culture into the fabric of a region, town, or city block. Since 2013, the NNJCF’s ArtsBergen initiative has been an ongoing partner with the City of Hackensack and the Hackensack Main Street Alliance, assisting to develop and implement a creative placemaking plan that is using arts and culture to help the city enhance its quality of life, grow civic and business revenues, and make the community a more exciting, attractive place to visit, live, and work.

ArtsBergen worked with the Hackensack Main Street Business Alliance to establish Creative Hackensack to use arts and culture for revitalizing downtown business. Some of its joint projects include the Main Gateway Mural, a 160 foot mural celebrating the city’s creative history and future, outdoor art exhibitions, and the public art installation, “Art on a Stick: Raccoons”, a series of anthropomorphic raccoons, animating and transforming spaces along Main Street, at the Johnson Public Library.

Philanthropy

The NNJCF offers a comprehensive menu of philanthropic opportunities in the areas of donor-advised funds, tax-saving annuities, and trust options that provide donors with flexible, efficient, and tax-effective ways to ensure their charitable giving has maximum impact. NNJCF’s donor services program offers easy ways for people to contribute to the community on an ongoing basis. The Foundation perpetuates the important causes individuals and their loved ones care about in several areas, including education, health, the arts, social services, and other areas.

About NNJCF

The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF), a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization based in Englewood, New Jersey, focuses primarily on civic engagement, education, public health, the arts, and the environment. NNJCF works with local governments, school districts, businesses, non-profit organizations, and citizen groups in Northern New Jersey to improve community life. The Foundation's partners identify and resolve regional problems and opportunities by talking and learning from each other, by sharing ideas, best practices, services, and resources.

For more information, visit www.nnjcf.org, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call (201) 568-5608. Follow the NNJCF on Facebook at Northern NJ Community Foundation/ArtsBergen and Twitter @NNJCF.