The New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission is offering mini-grants to support commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his work & legacy, on or around the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on January 19, 2026.

The Commission will award mini-grants to community organizations and programs to highlight and commemorate Dr. King on or around the 2026 MLK Holiday. Funding based on the reach of the program; grants up to $1000 for local programs; $2500 for regional programs; and up to $5000 for statewide programs. NOTE: Priority will be given to events that incorporate observation or commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and/or New Jersey’s pivotal role in the founding of our country.

We are seeking applications of up to 3 pages, including a budget, that will propose events or programs that might include: Community Service or Clean-up; Presentation of archival material/film: Arts event; Civil Rights Discussion/Roundtable’ Interview vets of the Civil Rights Movement; Sports Event; etc.

** APPLICATION DEADLINE: 9:00 AM on Monday, October 6, 2025 **

APPLICATION: The three-page application should address the following
NARRATIVE: (2 page maximum)

• Description of the program or event
• Date of the program (all events must be completed by 02/17/26)*
• Location or venue
• Lead organization
• Point of contact information
• Expected audience
• Anticipated number of participants
• Anticipated outcome(s)
• List of Partners - if applicable

BUDGET: (1 page). NOTE: No direct gifts or gift cards can be purchased with this grant.

To receive funding, grantees must be either registered in NJStart or submit a completed NJ Non-procurement W9 as directed on the form. Please direct any questions about these processes to the contacts listed on the forms.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE:
Eligible agencies include public or private non-profit organizations (501C3 only), community and faith-based organizations; American or NJ Indian Tribal communities: local education agencies, charter schools and institutions of higher education; local, county or state government; labor organizations; and partnerships or consortia consisting of the aforementioned.

ABOUT APPLYING:
1. Register online at: https://forms.office.com/g/4eWgdpyu87 to apply.
2. Use the subject line: MLK26 Commemorative and email Narrative (1 – 2pgs) and Budget (use form on website) to MLKCommission@sos.nj.gov.
3. Application deadline Monday, October 6, 2025 at 9:00 AM.
4. MLK Commission will review only applications submitted by registered entities. (see #1).

ABOUT THE AWARD:
1. Awards will be announced early November 2025.
2. Funds will be made available by December 31. Pending grantee compliance with terms.
3. All events must be completed by February 17, 2026.
4. Funds must be spent by March 17, 2026.
5. A final report (minimum 1 page), expenditure report and photographs are due to the MLK Commission by March 31, 2026 by 5PM

All events will be listed on the New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission website.
The MLK Commission will provide commemorative items for the events

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDING BUDGET FORM, VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

Questions? Please email the Commission at MLKCommission@sos.nj.gov

Downloads:

• MLK26 Notice of Funding Opportunity flyer
• MLK26 Registration Form questions (must register to apply see link above)
• MLK26 Budget Form XLS
• MLk26 Budget Form PDF

In the spring, the Commission’s annual scholarship contest attracted more than 400 entries from New Jersey high school students. Essays were submitted reflecting the significance of Rosa Parks’ refusal to move to the back of the bus which ignited the 381-day Montgomery AL bus boycott that brought about the desegregation of the state of Alabama’s bus service.

Scholarship recipients were chosen by an independent panel of readers based on their essays, school transcripts, participation in community service, and letters of recommendation. Scholarships in the amount of $5000 were awarded to ten outstanding high school seniors to continue their education at institutions.

 

On Monday, January 20, 2025, Commission Chair George Guy, Jr. raised public awareness of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ideals and philosophy as he represented the Commission during the Community segment of PHL 17 in Philadelphia. Below is the brief video interview.

 

For more information on activities happening statewide to honor Dr. King, For details, download the 2025 MLK Day Commemorative Events and Celebrations list.

After reviewing submissions from almost 200 New Jersey high school seniors, the New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission is pleased to introduce the 10 winners of the 2025 NJ MLK Jr Scholarship Essay Contest.
‘Looking Back at Dr. King’s 1964 Nobel Peace Prize speech

 

“The 2024 essay contest winners shared insightful comments about the significance of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Dr. King as reflected in his remarkable speech,” said New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Tahesha Way, who oversees the MLK Jr. Commission in her capacity as Secretary of State. “I applaud these young people for their commitment to community service and furthering the legacy of Dr. King through both their words and their actions.”

A virtual awards ceremony was held in the evening of May 29 to announce the 2024 MLK Scholars who come from across the state. Hosted by NJ MLK JR Commission Chairman George Guy and members of the Commission, the ten scholars were in attendance to accept their awards.

“On behalf of the New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission, we extend our congratulations to our ten MLK Scholars who will be moving onto post-secondary education in the fall,” said Commission Chairman George Guy. “Their essays about Dr. King’s famous Nobel Prize speech and how his work continues to inspire both their academic work and community service, gives us all abundant hope for the future.”

The 2024 MLK Scholars will be awarded $5,000 scholarship for the university or college of their choice in the fall of 2024.

After reviewing submissions for almost 200 New Jersey high school seniors, the New Jersey Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission announces the 10 winners of ‘Injustice Anywhere is a Threat to Justice Everywhere’ 2023 Scholarship Essay Contest:

“Our 2023 essay contest winners demonstrated a thoughtful understanding of how Dr. King’s fight against injustice was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent resistance movement that successfully ended almost a century of British colonial rule in India. I am thrilled to congratulate these young leaders and extend our wishes for their future success,” said NJ Secretary of State Tahesha Way.

“On behalf of the New Jersey Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission, we extend our congratulations to our ten MLK Scholars who will be entering college in the fall,” Commission Chairman George Guy said. “Their essays about Dr. King’s legacy and his inspiration for their academic work and community service, has given all of us great hope for the future.”

The 2023 MLK Scholars will be awarded $5,000 scholarship for the university or college of their choice.

We, the Commissioners of the New Jersey Martin Luther King Commemorative Commission, denounce the senseless murders of George Floyd; Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and countless other African Americans who for too long have been the victims of institutionalized racial injustice in this country. In his book Why We Can’t Wait, Dr. King wrote “Three hundred years of humiliation, abuse and deprivation cannot be expected to find voice in a whisper.” We decry the effects of systemic racial discrimination, not with a whisper, but with a thunderous outcry that we will match with renewed vigilance and purposeful and powerful actions.

Each year, the Commission, the first such State Commission in the Nation, recalls historical events in the life of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement, while focusing on issues of current import. We have commemorated the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Jackie Robinson breaking the color line in baseball, and “Women Who Led” in the struggle for civil rights. This year, we have chosen the theme: “Youth, We Hear You,” recognizing the emerging voices of a new generation. We will host a Youth Town Hall in the Fall, and our annual Commemorative on January 17, 2021, which will be followed by a statewide virtual Youth Conference and Day of Service on January 18, 2021.

In the face of the recent historically deplorable events, and the extraordinary moment that they offer, the Commission plans to develop an agenda focused on key issues that provide both challenges and opportunities for progress. We believe that New Jersey can be a role model to finally recognize the fullest manifestation of democracy in this country. This vision calls for policies that guarantee equal protection under the law; that promise that race and poverty will no longer be death sentences; and an end to mass incarceration. We call for eliminating deadly force police protocols, de-militarized policing, developing a comprehensive plan to end school desegregation, and exploring ideas that are being studied related to reparative justice. We also call for appropriate funding for counseling services for students to address bullying and racial discrimination. We will make our agenda known throughout the state and will invite groups and individuals, of all ages and backgrounds, to join us in achieving these objectives. We will also highlight the ongoing work of organizations throughout New Jersey and provide a platform for them to share our mutual commitment and goals.

As we recognize Dr. King’s call to action in the “fierce urgency of now,” we call upon everyone to become involved, to join us in partnership, and to go from strength to strength together. Please join us!

 

It has been 400 years since the first arrival in English-occupied North America of enslaved people from Africa. To mark this anniversary, the Commission is highlighting resources related to the history of slavery in New Jersey.