The Cummings Fund's primary interest is in the piloting or expansion of new, innovative programs of organizations operating in New York City and its more urbanized surrounding areas in Northeastern New Jersey (i.e., Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union Counties) [view map]. Exceptions to the geographic restriction are granted only when a Co-Trustee or Advisory Board Member has personal knowledge of an organization outside of this region.

The Co-Trustees generally endeavor to creatively fill existing community needs in areas particularly under funded at present. The Cummings Fund has a particular interest in programs serving young people.

The Fund provides support for:

• New program development

• Staffing for new programs and program expansion

• Capacity building (technical/management assistance)

• Consulting services (e.g., to assist the Board's development of a strategic plan)

• Social Welfare, especially programs addressing issues including child welfare, parent education, youth development, juvenile delinquency, adolescent pregnancy, housing/homelessness, and employment/job training.

• Education, especially efforts to reform the public education system or programs that serve public school children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Health Care, especially institutions and programs serving economically and socially disadvantaged populations.

• Medical Research, which has been pre-screened, ranked and given high priority by an objective, national scientific advisory committee.