The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation in Morristown, New Jersey, has announced grants totaling $3.8 million to nonprofit organizations working in the areas of education, media, the arts, and the environment.

Twenty environmental nonprofits received grants totaling more than $1 million to help the foundation advance its goal of creating environmentally healthy, sustainable communities in New Jersey. Grantees include Trenton-based Isles, which was awarded $70,000 for its urban agriculture and greening programs; the Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve, one of twenty-eight estuarine reserves created to promote the responsible use and management of the nation's estuaries, which received $20,000 for Project PORTS (Promoting Oyster Restoration Through Schools); and Philadelphia-based Greensgrow, which was awarded $15,000 to create a community-based fresh food hub in Camden, New Jersey.

Through its education program, the foundation awarded $710,000 to twenty-two organizations working to promote critical and creative thinking and improve primary and secondary education in underserved communities. Grant recipients include the School of the Garden State Ballet, which was awarded $20,000 for scholarships; the Institute of Music for Children in Elizabeth, which received $15,000 for afterschool, summer, and community youth arts training; and the Camden Repertory Theater, which was awarded $10,000 in support of its arts education programs and youth and community-oriented performances.

The foundation also awarded nearly $2 million to forty-five arts groups — including grants for programs in theater ($555,000), the visual arts ($440,000), dance ($225,000), music and opera ($175,000), and services that help connect "community and the arts" ($402,500) — and a total of $150,000 to five media groups.

"As we travel around the state, the resiliency and creativity of the nonprofit sector never cease to amaze us," said Dodge Foundation president and CEO Chris Daggett. "We know that the economy continues and will continue to present challenges and obstacles. Nonprofit organizations are faced with doing more with less and are emerging with new and improved strategic and long?range plans that address a range of new realities, both financial and programmatic."

For a complete list of grant recipients, visit the Dodge Foundation Web site.