The Hearst Foundations support high-impact programs that improve health, education, and opportunity for underserved populations. Priority areas include educating the next generation of health professionals, innovative early childhood and K–12 education models, and initiatives that expand access to high-quality healthcare for low-income communities.

Funding: Grants typically start at a minimum of $100,000.

Eligibility:
• Programs must demonstrate strong organizational capacity, measurable outcomes, and potential for long-term impact.

• Established nonprofit organizations with a proven track record of success in health, education, or healthcare access.

You can read more about the grant process – Here

The Monmouth County Department of Health & Human Services Division on Aging, Disabilities and Veteran Services provides a great resource for individuals with disabilities looking for opportunities to enjoy the summer fun at the beach with their – Accessible Beach Guide – Welcome To Monmouth County, New Jersey

In this guide, information on accessible beaches, walkways, ramps, parking, and surf chair availability, as well as beach fees, lifeguard hours, and amenities, is readily available.

The guide is organized alphabetically by town and provides municipal phone numbers and websites for updated information. Please note that information in this guide is subject to change. It is recommended to check the municipality’s website or call before you visit to verify the information.

The Ocean County Office for Individuals with Disabilities provides a great resource for individuals with disabilities looking for opportunities to enjoy the summer fun at the beach with their –Accessible Beach Guide 2026

In this guide, information on accessible beaches, walkways, ramps, parking, and surf chair availability, as well as beach fees, lifeguard hours, and amenities, is readily available.

The guide is organized alphabetically by town and provides municipal phone numbers and websites for updated information. Please note that information in this guide is subject to change. It is recommended to check the municipality’s website or call before you visit to verify the information.

If you have any questions or would like to request hard copies, you may contact Sean Wright at swright@co.ocean.nj.us

For resident veterans of any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States declared by the US Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to have a service-connected disability of any degree qualify for the free hunting and fishing licenses, permits and stamps. The New Jersey DEP Fish and Wildlife is reimbursed for the cost of these items issued to certified disabled veterans from the state’s General Fund.

Eligible veterans must initially be certified by Fish and Wildlife to receive these free licenses, permits and stamps.

For those interested in learning more can visit this link – NJDEP| Fish & Wildlife | Disabled Veteran License Information

Here is a great resource for land managers seeking to complete trail and nature site accessibility improvements. The document provides ADA accessibility tools to determine if the surface is improved to a firm and stable surface. Offering low-cost, sustainable solutions for the improvement of ADA-accessible trails, more people will have access and connectivity will increase in our community. 

This study outlines the long-term benefits of using naturally occurring, binders applied topically to unpaved trails and discusses the expected increases in firmness and stability. 

Full article – http://National Institute for Transportation and Communities – ADA Accessible Trail Improvement

In this holiday season while we all are sitting snug by the fire strategizing for next year’s projects, I wanted to share this resource produced by American Trails. Foundations of Sustainable Trails: A Trail from Start to Finish (Online Training) – American Trails. This five-part online training discusses what it means for a trail to be sustainable. It describes the lifecycle of sustainable trails and includes lessons on hydrology, structures, tools, tread and alignment. ​​ These are all important concepts if you are seeking to make trail improvements for not only sustainability but also accessibility for visitors of varying abilities.