The Good People Fund Empowers Visionaries to Repair the World

MILLBURN, NJ — The Good People Fund (GPF), founded in Millburn in 2008, funds and mentors small grassroots programs in the United States and in Israel. Its mission is to empower visionaries to repair the world.

According to GPF Executive Director Naomi K. Eisenberger, “All the programs have an individual or a small group that has found creative ways to solve some of our most challenging issues as a society.” Eisenberger continued, “The issues can be hunger, ending hatred, LGBTQ+ issues, women’s empowerment, disabilities and more.” The organizations that GPF supports are somewhat newly formed, so Eisenberger said GPF is “sometimes considered a boutique hedge fund for nonprofit efforts.”

GPF’s board is made up of eight people from around the country, and Millburn-Short Hills board members include Mark Nelson, Steven Moehlman and former local resident Erik Lindauer—a founding board member.

In the 15 years that GPF has been operating, it’s raised over $27,000,000. In the fiscal year that has just ended it raised $3,000,000. Eisenberger explained that the organization runs on a low budget with only one full-time employee and two part-time employees. She reported, “All of our overhead is covered by donations directed specifically to that expense. Also, everyone works from their home which allows us to avoid significant overhead expenses. We do not hold typical fundraisers but rely on our annual Journal of Good which is a full review of all of our programs and their impact.”

This year GPF is working on a new initiative, planning a two-day conference for their grantees in New York City in November. Inspiring speakers and knowledgeable nonprofit consultants will address the attendees, and attendees will also learn from each other.