Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart Donate To Fund Hosted In Princeton

PRINCETON, NJ — Late night host Stephen Colbert and ex-Daily Show host Jon Stewart have come forward to help artists in their home state by pledging a generous gift to an arts and culture fund hosted by a Princeton group.

The New Jersey Arts and Culture Recovery Fund (NJACRF) is a newly-launched initiative, established to support arts and culture groups across the state, who have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fund is hosted by the Princeton Area Community Foundation (PACF).

Read More Here: Princeton Group To Host Fund For State Arts And Culture Industry

Recently, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation made a $500,000 grant and partnered with Colbert, Stewart and their spouses to raise more money for NJACRF.

“We’re firmly committed to supporting New Jersey’s artistic community, and to alleviating the financial devastation experienced by too many of the state’s arts and culture organizations,” said Foundation President Elizabeth Alexander. “We’re proud to join in partnership with the Colberts and Stewarts in leading the effort to expand this critical Fund,” she said.

Colbert and wife Evelyn, along with Stewart and wife Tracey pledged a combined gift of $100,000 that will go towards meeting the $1 million challenge posed by the NJ Pandemic Relief Fund. The value of the gift doubled with NJACRF matching the contribution dollar-for-dollar.

“We’re watching hundreds of organizations and thousands of artists suffer, while many of them are still creating content for free to help us get through this strange time of isolation and uncertainty,” said Colbert.

His wife, Evelyn who serves on Governor Murphy’s Restart and Recovery Commission, said, “Stephen and I know the value of a creative outlet – for ourselves, for our families, and for our community – and we can’t take for granted that this industry will survive without our help. Every contribution makes a difference.”

The NJACRF recently raised more than $2 million to help the state’s art and culture industry survive.

“This generous support is a great example of Jersey for Jersey in action. We’re a small but mighty state, home to so many artistic and creative leaders. One thing we all have in common is our unshakeable belief that this industry is worth saving,” said Sharnita C. Johnson, Arts Program Director at the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation and Co-Chair of NJACRF.

PACF is responsible for holding and distributing funds to applicants. Cultural groups and artists from the state can apply.

Artists and cultural groups can learn more about the fund by visiting https://pacf.org/njartsculture/ or contacting Michael Nuno at mnuno@pacf.org.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com

Get breaking news alerts on your phone with our app. Download here. Sign up to get Patch emails so you don't miss out on local and statewide news.