Jim Bowman, Chairperson of the New Jersey Advisory Board for Think Big for Kids, recognized the need for a strong alliance to advance the organization’s mission of breaking the cycle of poverty for teens and young adults. Drawing on his long-standing commitment to the nonprofit, Bowman turned to the Association for Corporate Growth New Jersey (ACG NJ), whose members represent key leaders in the state’s business community. With shared values, strong existing ties, and mutual dedication to community impact, a formal partnership quickly took shape, also bringing in ROI-NJ to amplify the initiative’s reach.
The collaboration was inspired in part by the vision of Mark Kuehn, Founder and Chair of ACG NJ, who believed that the business sector could adopt nonprofit organizations to create powerful win-win outcomes. His idea was reinforced by Anthony Russo, President of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey and Publisher of Commerce Magazine, who helped introduce Think Big to influential business leaders. This model, uniting the business community, media, and a nonprofit, aims to provide underserved youth with greater access to career opportunities.
Through the partnership, ACG NJ has played a central role in connecting businesses with youth. Its members have supported Think Big by sponsoring workshops, mentoring students, offering scholarships, identifying internships, and contributing to fundraising. These efforts not only create career pathways for young people but also strengthen ties with organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs, expanding the program’s reach across New Jersey.
ROI-NJ, as a media partner, has further amplified the impact by promoting the collaboration and highlighting the progress made. According to CEO and Publisher Tom Hughes, the partnership serves as an example of how teamwork among businesses, media, and nonprofits can achieve meaningful change.
This formal alliance between ACG NJ, Think Big for Kids, and ROI-NJ is emerging as a pioneering model for future collaborations. It demonstrates how strategic partnerships can bridge gaps, empower youth, and provide communities with sustainable solutions to break the cycle of poverty and build brighter futures.
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