Bloustein School alumnus and Senior Policy Fellow Brandon McKoy MCRP ’13 has been selected as the new president of The Fund for New Jersey, a private grantmaking foundation now in its 53rd year that has awarded millions of dollars in support of nonprofit organizations and collaborations that advance social, economic, and racial justice to help improve the lives of New Jerseyans.
The Fund’s grantmaking strengthens partner organizations whose analysis, advocacy, and organizing shape an infrastructure of ideas that puts forth policy solutions and strategically promotes the discourse needed for those solutions to win acceptance. Its grants support progressive public policy and help to develop the foundations for multiracial democracy, for the benefit of New Jersey’s diverse communities.
A leader in New Jersey and nationwide on state policy analysis and advocacy advancing equitable social and economic policies, McKoy will succeed Kiki Jamieson, who announced last June her plans to step down at the end of this year.
“We are thrilled to congratulate Brandon, our 2022 Rising Star Alumni Award winner, for his appointment as the new leader of The Fund for New Jersey,” said Bloustein School Dean Stuart Shapiro. “Brandon exemplifies our ideal in educating students to apply rigorous analytical skills to the crucial tasks of improving public welfare and social justice.”
This is a homecoming of sorts for McKoy: He was a program associate at The Fund and its first philanthropy fellow in 2012-2014, shortly after earning a master’s degree from the Bloustein School. Since embarking on his professional career, McKoy has emerged as a leading policymaker and social justice advocate. He has received numerous recognitions including being named as a 40-under-40 top millennial leader as well as a top leader of color in New Jersey. He also served as Director of Mentorship, Director of Diversity, and Deputy Director of the New Leaders Council – New Jersey chapter, and in October 2022, he was one of three alumni selected as a Rising Star honoree.
McKoy completed his bachelor’s degree at The College of New Jersey. He rejoins The Fund for New Jersey after 2-plus years at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, DC, where was vice president for state partnerships and co-leader of the State Fiscal Policy Division. Before that, he was president of New Jersey Policy Perspective for nearly 3 years. McKoy spent more than 7 years at NJPP, first as a policy analyst and then as director of government and public affairs before assuming leadership of the organization.
“We’re pleased to welcome Brandon back, now in a leadership role where his energy, strategic expertise, and strength of purpose will help drive The Fund for New Jersey’s work to advance progressive public policy to improve the lives of people throughout the state,” Board Chair Richard W. Roper said.
“The Fund for New Jersey has accomplished so much over the years and recognizes the need to empower people and communities to achieve more in the future,” McKoy said. “I can’t think of a better place to be involved in that work than at The Fund for New Jersey.”
“With Brandon’s leadership, The Fund for New Jersey will be well positioned to support its nonprofit partners to take on ever more difficult challenges,” said Jamieson. “In the years I’ve known him, Brandon has been steadfast in his commitment to social, economic, and racial justice. The state of New Jersey – not just The Fund – will benefit from his dedication and drive.”