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Impact in the Face of Adversity: See What Your Support Has Made Possible in 2025
2025 has been a challenging year for the nonprofit community. Federal funding freezes and cuts, economic uncertainty, and increasing demand for services have created a real strain on mental health and social services.
With your support, Nutley Family Service Bureau (NFSB) has persevered and continued to provide much-needed services through our Mental Health, Food Pantry, and Case Management Services. We see the impact every day in the data we collect and, more importantly, in the positive outcomes of our NFSB clients.
At the same time, our annual appeal has never been more important as 2025 winds down. Did you know that about 10% of annual charitable donations occur during the final three days of the year?
We cannot overstate how much NFSB depends on year-end fundraising for everything we do as a charitable organization, and the impact of your generosity has been truly humbling. Let’s take a look at what has been accomplished this year.
NFSB Impact by the Numbers in 2025
Mental Health Services
Demand for affordable mental health counseling and psychiatric services, both in person and via telehealth, continues to grow among all populations, from adults and seniors to children. NFSB has responded by expanding the Mental Health Program in 2025 with:
- 6,690 counseling sessions.
- More than 600 psychiatric sessions, an increase of 45%.
- More than 5,000 individuals served across 12 counties.
“You need a team of highly qualified, compassionate professionals to provide mental health counseling and psychiatric services, our team has our client’s well-being first,” said Katherine Carmichael, Executive Director of NFSB. “With 15 licensed mental health clinicians and a licensed Psychiatric Mental Health Advanced Practice Nurse, we have the resources to support our community, including Spanish-speaking clients.”
The Food Pantry
Whether people in our community are facing long-term challenges or going through a temporary rough patch, the NFSB Food Pantry is always there to make sure their most basic needs are met. Consider what we’ve been able to provide with your support:
- Over 200,000 pounds of food distributed.
- 20,280 bags of healthy groceries provided to neighbors in need, an increase of 3%.
- 27,540 food items collected by Nutley Scouts through the Scouting for Food Drive.
- More than 6,800 total hours of Food Pantry services.
- 1,225 visits to the NFSB Pet Pantry.
- 310 Thanksgiving meals distributed, an increase of 10%.
Case Management
Clients of the NFSB Mental Health Program and Food Pantry often face challenges in other areas of their lives. Our case management team identifies social services that can help, connect clients with valuable resources and assistance programs, and walks them through the application process.
In 2025, we provided more than 800 hours of case management sessions, an increase of 23%.
How Is This Impact Possible?
Your generosity makes a difference in people’s lives through your donations, volunteering, sponsorships, or by simply spreading the word about NFSB in conversations and on social media.
“I’m constantly meeting people who tell me how NFSB was there to support them during a difficult time, and they’re now giving back as donors or volunteers,” Katherine said. “It’s very gratifying to know that people think of NFSB when they need help of any kind. We want everyone to know that we’ve been here for the community since 1913 and we’re always here for them.”
The incredible support of individuals, families, and the business community is reflected in the growth of our fundraising and volunteering in 2025.
Projected Total Fundraising Approaches Half Million
Total fundraising for 2025, including everything from individual donations to events and sponsorships, is projected to reach $492,000. That’s a 44% increase from 2024. While the number of donors across the larger nonprofit community has decreased in recent years, the number of NFSB donors actually increased in 2025.
Given recent difficulty securing grants, NFSB has been exploring new ways to generate revenue. The most obvious example is the opening of the second location of the Thrift Shop, which has enabled us to more than double our inventory. All Thrift Shop sales benefit NFSB programs.
We’ve also implemented more sophisticated systems that allow us to track and measure our revenue streams more closely and provide a clearer picture of NFSB’s financial health.
Event Fundraising Exceeds $130,000
The total amount raised in 2025 through the Harvesting Hope Gala, the Garden Party, Rock Hunger, Casino Night, and the Winter Harmonies Holiday Concert is $131,000.
“Events are absolutely essential to funding our Mental Health Program, the Food Pantry, and case management,” said Katherine Carmichael, Executive Director of NFSB. “These services would not exist without fundraising. The staff and board at NFSB work hard to plan events that bring people together and create a sense of community, which is why they’ve been so successful.”
In addition to fundraising events, more than 780 people attended eleven free events hosted by the NFSB Community Advisory Board in 2025, including Mental Health Awareness Night, four Summer Concerts, five Community Coffee Houses, and our Family Trunk or Treat.
Volunteer Participation and Hours Grow
Adding and expanding programs and services, introducing new events, and opening a new Thrift Shop location would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteer family, which grew significantly in 2025.
In November, NFSB relied on 160 weekly volunteers, an increase of 33% since January! Our volunteers provided NFSB with more than 23,700 hours of service in 2025, an increase of 20% from the previous year. We could not be more grateful for the tireless efforts of our volunteers.
Supportive Business Community
The Nutley Chamber of Commerce and the entire business community have been wonderful partners and ambassadors for NFSB. Local businesses continue to offer their time, talent, and resources, while sponsorships are responsible for a significant portion of our fundraising.
The Impact Has Been Enormous, But There’s More Work to Be Done
NFSB will build on the success of existing programs and events and explore opportunities to add services to meet the needs of our community. But it takes a village.
“There’s a place for everyone who wants to get involved,” Katherine said. “Whether you want to make a monetary donation, drop off clothing or food at the Thrift Shop or Food Pantry, volunteer, attend an event, or plan a day of service, we’re truly thankful for your support.”
If you would like to support our annual appeal with a donation, please visit the NFSB website for giving options. We thank you for your generosity and wish you all the best in 2026!
