Northern NJ Community Foundation Announces on National Philanthropy Day the Creation of The Joanna Shyong Scholarship Fund to Support Education

(November 18, 2024; Hackensack, New Jersey) – The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation (NNJCF) announced on National Philanthropy Day (NPD) on November 15, 2024 the creation of The Joanna Shyong Scholarship Fund.  NPD recognizes the contribution philanthropy makes to our society and to honor individuals, businesses, and support organizations that are active in the philanthropic community.

Joanna Shyong’s children established the donor advised fund -- The Joanna Shyong Scholarship Fund -- at the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation to memorialize her commitment to teaching.  Shyong, a resident of Demarest and later Norwood, New Jersey, spent more than 20 years of her life teaching at St. Mary’s School and Demarest Middle School.  According to her family, Shyong truly enjoyed working with her students.  She admired those who put forth a strong effort in the classroom and valued those who strived to learn.  For her, it was never just about the path the get to the grade. 

“Our mother, Joanna Shyong, dedicated her life to teaching.  This extended beyond the classroom and her students and included her commitment to teaching her children and grandchildren.  Our family knew that the best way to honor her life would be to establish this donor advised fund at NNJCF in her name.  She would be so proud to know that even after her passing she is able to continue to give back to her students and the community,” said Eileen Trokhan.

Continue Joanna Shyong’s Legacy

Through the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation's Joanna Shyong Scholarship Fund, annual scholarship awards will be made based on high academic achievement to a college-bound high school senior attending Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest in Demarest, New Jersey.  Donations to this fund help continue Joanna’s legacy of giving back.  Contributions are tax-deductible, as permitted by law, and may be made online at  https://www.nnjcf.org/cause-posts/the-joanna-shyong-scholarship-fund/.  Donations may also be sent by check made out to 'The Northern N.J. Community Foundation' with ‘Joanna Shyong Scholarship Fund’ entered in the memo line.  Send checks to the Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, 1 University Plaza, Suite 102, Hackensack, New Jersey 07601. 

National Philanthropy Day

           NPD is a special day set aside to recognize the contribution philanthropy makes to our society and to honor individuals and businesses, as well as to support organizations that are active in the philanthropic community.  In 1986, then President Ronald Reagan proclaimed November 15 as National Philanthropy Day.  Communities throughout the United States and globally continue this observance to honor the spirit of giving in their area.

Partner with NNJCF to Pursue Your Philanthropic Goals

The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation invites anyone, who wants to support a cause or community, to establish their own charitable fund.  The NNJCF partners with the donor to identify and select vetted nonprofit organizations to award funding and manages the fund’s accounts, enabling the donor to provide support over many years.  Anyone interested in creating a donor advised fund should visit the NNJCF’s Philanthropic Giving webpage at https://www.nnjcf.org/donor-services/philanthropic-giving/ or contact Danielle De Laurentis, NNJCF Associate Director, at danielle@nnjcf.org or 201-568-5608, x1.  For more information about the NNJCF’s donor advised funds, visit https://www.nnjcf.org/donor-services/philanthropic-giving/ .

About Northern New Jersey Community Foundation

Founded in 1998, The Northern New Jersey Community Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 organization based in Hackensack, New Jersey, works with local governments, school districts, businesses, non-profit organizations, and citizen groups to improve community life. Through collaborative partnerships, regional problems are identified and resolved.  Opportunities are discovered and explored by talking and learning from each other and sharing ideas, best practices, services, and resources.  The Foundation works to grow more creative and inspiring places, greener and healthier places, and more places of belonging and opportunity.  For more information, visit www.nnjcf.org, send an email to nnjcf@nnjcf.org, or call 201-568-5608.