About Us
Our Mission and How We're Helping
The Witherspoon-Jackson Development Corporation’s mission is to preserve, restore and sustain the Witherspoon-Jackson (WJ) neighborhood’s historic character, diversity, and quality of life.
The Witherspoon-Jackson Development Corporation (WJDC) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization in Princeton, NJ that offers a variety of loan and grant-making programs.
Get Involved!
The WJ neighborhood thrives when there is interaction, neighbor-to-neighbor, beyond racial, cultural and economic lines. WJDC believes that this dynamic ensures the health, security, and quality of life in the neighborhood and our community.
If you are passionate about what we're doing, let us know! We are always looking for volunteers to help us make our vision a reality. We'll help you find a way to volunteer that best suits you. We're excited to have you join the team!
Thank You
Whether you help through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, thank you. We couldn't accomplish our goal to make a difference without the help of supporters like you.
Donate Now
$20.00
Your generous gift will help us fund our mission to help those in need. Together, we can make a difference.
WJDC Programs
Overview
Witherspoon-Jackson is a neighborhood where a pervasive pattern of under employment, unique financial challenges, and for some, systemic racism has led to instability and diminishing wealth. Target beneficiaries of WJDC programs are those who have disproportionately suffered the impacts of escalating housing costs, increased property taxes, and displacement - brought on primarily by gentrification.
WJDC is concerned about and focused on assisting the long-time WJ resident, their descendants or heirs, and those with deep roots in the WJ neighborhood by addressing:
· the rising costs of property taxes, maintenance and improvements;
· the limited access to capital and prevalence of predatory lending;
· the lack of financial literacy;
· the need for supporting local business and job opportunities; and
· the vacuum of mentoring and career development.
WJDC Programs
HOUSING ASSISTANCE
· Property taxes and liens
· Down payments and mortgages
· Foreclosure
· Reverse mortgages
· Financial and Credit literacy
· Homeowners’ Association and amenity Fees
· Rental agreements
NEIGHBORHOOD RESTORATION
· Maintenance to extend property life (exterior painting, roof repair, etc.)
· Health and safety mandated system repairs (plumbing, heating, electrical)
· Renovations (to accommodate roomers, accessory dwellings)
· Capital improvements (window replacement, accessibility, energy efficiency, etc.)
· Historic Compliance
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
· Zoning and Planning
· Historic District Code Interpretation
· Land Use/ Property Development
· Infrastructure Development
· Professional and Career Mentoring
. Business Development
Forms of Assistance and Eligibility
FORMS OF ASSISTANCE
The WJDC offers financial assistance mostly in the form of no-interest loans to targeted residents, one-time grants, and through access to educational, development or professional services. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. Preference is given to households with demonstrated financial need as determined by household income, expenses, or net worth, and to those who make a commitment to stay in the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood.
ELIGIBILITY
To be considered for assistance from the Housing Assistance and Neighborhood Restoration Programs, you or your ancestors must have lived in the WJ neighborhood and been a resident of the neighborhood for at least twenty years. The benefits afforded by the Economic Development Program are available to businesses in the WJ neighborhood and a broad range of residents of or those having roots in the WJ neighborhood.
WJDC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status according to rules established by this 501(c)3 Corporation..
Application Review and How to Get Started
APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS
The WJDC adheres to strict confidentiality and conflict of interest policies, and employs privacy safeguards to ensure a secure, fair and equitable process. The WJDC review process is, to the extent practical, designed to be anonymous.
At the sole discretion of WJDC, and subject to available funds, decisions on financial assistance are either fully or partially funded, not accepted, or deferred for future consideration.
HOW TO GET STARTED
1.There is no cost to apply.
2. Complete our preliminary inquiry.
Fill out an inquiry card, tear-off from our brochure, or send us an email from this website (below) telling us how we might help you.
3. Submit a completed program application (when available) as an online uploaded attachment or by mailing it to:
WJDC
P.O. Box 1176
Princeton, NJ 08542
4. Our agent will contact you. If your application is eligible for consideration, a more detailed information will be requested and an interview scheduled.
5. Notification and explanation of application decisions will occur within two months and, dependent on the program, funding made available on an end of quarter basis.
6. Applications will be accepted at any time.
FAQs
If you have any questions, send us an email via link below.