By Vin Gopal

We have been hard at work to ensure that Monmouth County nonprofit organizations received their fair share in the FY2026 state budget during a very challenging budget year.

Amid the uncertainty of federal budget cuts, our team with my Legislative District 11 partners Assemblywomen Margie Donlon and Luanne Peterpaul has secured millions in aid to our nonprofit organizations right here in Monmouth County. This is in addition to all the money put into our key property tax relief programs - ANCHOR, Senior Freeze, and STAY NJ. Throughout the budget negotiations, our goals have remained the same: To make sure we deliver for the residents of Monmouth County.

In addition, we worked hard to support our law enforcement and first responders here in our Monmouth County communities, and we’re proud to announce that we were able to secure grants that support local public safety projects. The grants include $625,000 in funding for new equipment, investing in local EMS services, and providing additional support to local police departments.

Access to reliable, quality health care is fundamental to strong communities. This year, we were able to secure a number of grants that invest in our communities’ healthcare institutions. More than $3 million in the 2026 state budget investments range from grants to major hospitals like Monmouth Medical Centers to community clinics like the Parker Family Health Center, which provides healthcare services to people regardless of whether they have health insurance.

 The other LD11 hospitals and healthcare organizations receiving funds from the budget include Jersey Shore Medical Center, Centrastate Hospital, VNA Health Group and the VNA LGBTQ+ Health Center, Riverview Medical Center, and Preferred Behavioral Health.

The rising cost of living has been compounded by the uncertainty of hundreds of millions of historically reliable federal aid that is in limbo this year. We’re blessed with a robust support system of nonprofit organizations in Monmouth County that work diligently to supplement health and social services in our legislative district.

It’s gratifying to report that we secured millions of dollars in the state budget to support non-profit Legislative District 11 organizations that are dedicated to making our communities more equitable and to programs that ensure our neighbors have access to assistance. We did this in a bipartisan vote in both houses.

Some of the many recipients for the FY2026 State Budget funding include Circle of Friends, The Mercy Center, New Jersey Tutoring Corps, Project Write Now, The Historic Village at Allaire, American Legion Post 346, Asbury Park Tennis, The Axelrod Theater, The Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County, The Community Affairs Resource Center, Friends of Shrewsbury, Joan Dancy PALS, Lunch Break, Luther Mission Garden, Monmouth and Ocean County United Way, The Monmouth County SPCA, Monmouth Daycare, Monmouth Falcons Youth Football and Cheerleading, New Jersey Youth Soccer, Tinton Falls Library, Ocean Township Little League, Open Heart Yoga, Parents with a Plan, The Parker Clinic, Preferred Behavioral Health, Rising Treetops, The Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy, Senior Citizens Action Network, The ARC of Monmouth County, Trinity Church Code Blue Project, The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, The Two River Theater, The Count Basie Theater, Wesley Nursery School and many others!

We will continue to work in bipartisan efforts to make sure Monmouth County residents and property taxpayers are well represented in all state budget matters and that our communities are safe, equitable, and affordable for all residents. 

We wish everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July.

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