CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC

EIN: 272903875 501(c)(3) Community Improvement

NEWARK, NJ

Total Revenue
$20,897,089
Total Expenses
$21,069,460
Total Assets
$8,239,679
Net Assets
$3,677,969
🔒

Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

4 risk indicators measuring financial stability and operational resilience

Sign in with your work email to view Tuckman-Chang indicators

Sign In — Free (10 views/day)

Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2010
Legal Domicile
NJ
Principal Officer
WESLEY MATHEWS
Phone
6092972200
Tax Period
2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31

CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC, founded in 2010, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Community Improvement sector that reported $20.9M in total revenue in fiscal year 2024. Revenue surged 58% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum.

Mission

CHOOSE NEW JERSEY IS A PRIVATELY FUNDED 501 C(3) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO STIMULATE JOB CREATION AND ATTRACT CAPITAL INVESTMENT TO NEW JERSEY. CHOOSE NEW JERSEY MARKETS NEW JERSEY BOTH DOMESTICALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AS THE BEST PLACE TO GROW A BUSINESS IN THE UNITED STATES. KNOWLEDGEABLE, EXPERIENCED STAFF, SUPPORTED BY A NETWORK OF STATE AGENCIES AND PRIVATE PARTNERS, PROVIDE FREE, CONFIDENTIAL ASSITSANCE TO GUIDE COMPANIES IN ESTABLISHING OPERATIONS IN NEW JERSEY. BY HARNESSING THE POWER OF BUSINESS,LABOR, ACADEMIC, AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS, CHOOSE NEW JERSEY ENABLES GROWTH ACROSS ALL SECTORS OF THE STATE'S ECONOMY, ASPIRING TO BUILD A STRONGER AND MORE PROSPEROUS NEW JERSEY FOR ALL.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $2,765,266

BUSINESS ATTRACTION AND RETENTION EFFORTS - CHOOSE NEW JERSEY IS KEENLY FOCUSED ON NURTURING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NEW JERSEY BY STIMULATING JOB CREATION AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT. WORKING WITH...

Read more

BUSINESS ATTRACTION AND RETENTION EFFORTS - CHOOSE NEW JERSEY IS KEENLY FOCUSED ON NURTURING ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NEW JERSEY BY STIMULATING JOB CREATION AND CAPITAL INVESTMENT. WORKING WITH GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, CHOOSE NEW JERSEY DESIGNS AND EXECUTES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AIMED AT SPECIFIC COMPANIES, WITH A FOCUS ON SEVERAL KEY SECTORS, INCLUDING: INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY; LIFE SCIENCES; CLEAN ENERGY; ADVANCED MANUFACTURING; LOGISTICS; FOOD & AGRICULTURE; ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI); AND FILM. WORKING JOINTLY WITH NEW JERSEY'S BUSINESS LEADERS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS, CHOOSE NEW JERSEY ENGAGES DIRECTLY WITH BUSINESS DECISION MAKERS TO COMMUNICATE THE UNIQUE VALUE PROPOSITION FOR DOING BUSINESS IN THE GARDEN STATE. THESE EFFORTS INCLUDE DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MISSIONS, AND NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE SHOWS.

Program 2
Expenses: $2,010,000

INTEGRATED MARKETING AND MEDIA RELATIONS - CHOOSE NEW JERSEY SUCCESSFULLY AND WIDELY PROMOTES THE BENEFITS OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO BUSINESSES AND CORPORATE LEADERS IN...

Read more

INTEGRATED MARKETING AND MEDIA RELATIONS - CHOOSE NEW JERSEY SUCCESSFULLY AND WIDELY PROMOTES THE BENEFITS OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TO BUSINESSES AND CORPORATE LEADERS IN OTHER STATES AND OTHER COUNTRIES. MARKETING ACTIVITIES INCLUDE PAID ADVERTISING IN BOTH PRINT AND DIGITAL PUBLICATIONS; EVENT PLANNING AND SPONSORSHIPS, INCLUDING PROPRIETARY POLICY SYMPOSIA, NETWORKING EVENTS AND PUBLIC FORUMS; AND WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIES. MEDIA RELATION ACTIVITIES INCLUDE INTERACTION WITH BRIEFINGS WITH NEWS MEDIA, INTERVIEWS, PRESS RELEASE DISTRIBUTION, AND COORDINATION OF PRESS CONFERENCES TO PROMOTE INITIATIVES, MARKET DEVELOPMENTS AND TRADE MISSIONS.

Program 3
Expenses: $3,773,288

CHOOSE NEW JERSEY WAS AWARDED A $5 MILLION BUSINESS MARKETING GRANT FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF STATE. THIS INITIATIVE WILL HIGHLIGHT THE BENEFITS OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY...

Read more

CHOOSE NEW JERSEY WAS AWARDED A $5 MILLION BUSINESS MARKETING GRANT FROM THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF STATE. THIS INITIATIVE WILL HIGHLIGHT THE BENEFITS OF DOING BUSINESS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY AND TO ENCOURAGE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS ENTITES TO RELOCATE AND EXPAND IN THE STATE. THE PRELIMINARY WORK ON THE CAPAIGN, ENTITLED, ""THIS IS NJ,"" INCLUDES DEVELOPMENT OF CAMPAIGN STRATEGY, DESIGN AND PRODUCTION OF CREATIVE ASSETS, CREATING A NEW BRAND IDENTITY, AND IDENTIFICATION OF TARGET AUDIENCES WITHIN THE COHORTS OF BUSINESS DECISION MAKERS, SITE SELECTORS AND, ENTREPRENEURS AND STARTUPS; IDENTIFICATION OF GEOGRAPHIC TARGET MARKETS AND ASSESSMENT OF THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE TO IDENTIFY APPROPRIATE AD PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THIS PERIOD ALSO SAW THE CREATION OF THE LANDING PAGE NJINNOVATION.COM; THE DEVLOPMENT OF LANDING PAGES FOR EACH SECTOR AND KEY SUBSECTORS; AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ASSETS AND CUSTOM CONTENT TO PUSH OUT ON GOOGLE ADS, LINKEDIN, YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK/INSTAGRAM; AND, THE CREATION OF THE FIRST VIDEO MARKETING THE STATE FOR BUSINESS ATTRACTION.

🔒

Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

Sign in to view Trantor Score and financial metrics

Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

Sign In — Free (10 views/day)

Financial Overview (2024)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $20,718,853
Program Service Revenue $0
Investment Income $174,958
Other Revenue $3,278
TOTAL REVENUE $20,897,089

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $0
Salaries & Benefits $3,603,415
Fundraising Expenses $819,984
Program Expenses $18,582,555
Other Expenses $17,466,045
TOTAL EXPENSES $21,069,460

Year-over-Year Comparison

2024 2023 Change
Revenue $20,897,089 $13,249,196 +0.6%
Expenses $21,069,460 $13,241,841 +0.6%
Net Income $-172,371 $7,355 -24.4%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
🔒

Financial Health Indicators

Comprehensive financial analysis: Altman Z-Score, liquidity, solvency, sustainability, efficiency, and growth metrics

Financial Distress Indicator

Liquidity & Cash Position

Sign in to view all financial metrics

Altman Z-Score • Liquidity Ratios • Solvency Analysis • Growth Indicators • Efficiency Metrics

Sign In

Governance

Voting Members
28
Independent Members
28
Employees
27
Volunteers
28

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
5
$564,180
Total Directors
28
$0
Key Employees
1
$217,322
Highest Compensated
5
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
BILL SMITH MARKETING COMMITTEE CHAIR 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
BRAXTON PLUMMER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
BRIAN QUIGLEY DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHRIS BOERNER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ELISE ARONSON DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ENRICO DELLA CORNA DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ETHAN HASBROUCK DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
GEORGE HELMY DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JAKE REYNOLDS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JAMES FAKULT FINANCE AND AUDIT CHAIR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JENNIFER SWEENEY DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOAQUIN DUATO DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOHN SARACENO DIRECTOR 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOSEPH DECOTIIS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOSEPH GARBA DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARK MANIGAN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARK MCDONOUGH DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL NUCIFORO DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL RENNA DIRECTOR 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MIKE REAGAN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CHAIR 2.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MITCH LIVINGSTON TREASURER 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
MONICA SLATER-STOKES NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHAIR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RALPH LAROSSA CHAIRMAN 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
ROBERT GARRETT VICE CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
STEVE GARDNER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
STEVE WESTHOVEN SECRETARY / TEMP FINANCE AND AUDIT CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
TOM POLEN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ULI DIAZ DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
WESLEY MATHEWS PRESIDENT AND CEO 40.00
Officer
$529,506 $34,674 $564,180
JENNIFER LENHARDT CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER 40.00
Key Emp
$187,925 $29,397 $217,322
CARLY WRONKO DIRECTOR OF MARKETING 40.00
Highest
$155,685 $17,090 $172,775
MARIEL KOKOTAJILO DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT 40.00
Highest
$140,285 $4,118 $144,403
OMAR TODD FINANCE MANAGER 40.00
Highest
$121,152 $19,165 $140,317
RENA SHERMAN DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS 40.00
Highest
$122,651 $36,269 $158,920
WILLIAM NOONAN CHIEF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER 40.00
Highest
$183,326 $23,816 $207,142
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2024 $20,897,089 $21,069,460 $8,239,679 $-172,371
2023 $13,249,196 $13,241,841 $7,278,714 $7,355
2022 $8,239,156 $7,436,499 $10,648,307 $802,657
2021 $9,053,939 $8,147,422 $7,145,867 $906,517
2020 $6,726,262 $6,169,088 $5,448,006 $557,174
2019 $4,534,727 $4,888,366 $3,094,127 $-353,639
2018 $3,479,588 $3,875,988 $2,229,476 $-396,400
Explore More Nonprofits
Top 100 Nonprofits in New Jersey Largest U.S. Nonprofits Best Rated Nonprofits Most Efficient Nonprofits

Compare CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC with other nonprofits in New Jersey and across the country.