Nonprofit · EIN 27-2903875
CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC
Tax-exempt · NEWARK, NJ 07102
Financials
| Year ended | Form | Revenue | Expenses | Net income | Total assets | Liabilities | Net assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 31, 2024 | 990 | $20,897,089 | $21,069,460 | -$172,371 | $8,239,679 | $4,561,710 | $3,677,969 |
| December 31, 2023 | 990 | $13,249,196 | $13,241,841 | $7,355 | $7,278,714 | $3,445,021 | $3,833,693 |
Financial details: 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024
Revenue
- Contributions, gifts and grants
- $20,718,853
- of which government grants
- $15,925,703
- Program service revenue
- $0
- Investment income
- $174,958
- Other revenue
- $3,278
Expenses
- Grants and similar amounts paid
- $0
- Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
- $781,503
- Other salaries and wages
- $2,360,067
- Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
- $3,603,415
- Professional fundraising fees
- $0
- Legal fees
- $4,950
- Accounting fees
- $73,716
- Occupancy
- $342,369
- Travel
- $654,184
- Depreciation
- $131,316
- Program services (functional)
- $18,582,555
- Management and general (functional)
- $1,666,921
- Fundraising (functional)
- $819,984
Balance sheet and other
- Total assets, start of year
- $7,278,714
- Total assets, end of year
- $8,239,679
- Total liabilities, end of year
- $4,561,710
- Net assets, end of year
- $3,677,969
- Land, buildings and equipment
- $651,683
- Net assets without donor restrictions
- $3,677,969
- Gross receipts
- $20,897,089
- Employees
- 27
- Volunteers
- 28
- Year formed
- 2010
- State of legal domicile
- NJ
From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.
Officers, directors and key employees
As listed on the 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024, highest compensation first.
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WESLEY MATHEWS | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 40 | $529,506 | $34,674 |
| JENNIFER LENHARDT | CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Key employee | 40 | $187,925 | $29,397 |
| WILLIAM NOONAN | CHIEF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $183,326 | $23,816 |
| CARLY WRONKO | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $155,685 | $17,090 |
| RENA SHERMAN | DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $122,651 | $36,269 |
| MARIEL KOKOTAJILO | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT Highest-paid employee | 40 | $140,285 | $4,118 |
| OMAR TODD | FINANCE MANAGER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $121,152 | $19,165 |
| BILL SMITH | MARKETING COMMITTEE CHAIR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| BRAXTON PLUMMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRIAN QUIGLEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS BOERNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ELISE ARONSON | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ENRICO DELLA CORNA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ETHAN HASBROUCK | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GEORGE HELMY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
20 more people on this return
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAKE REYNOLDS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JAMES FAKULT | FINANCE AND AUDIT CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JENNIFER SWEENEY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOAQUIN DUATO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOHN SARACENO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| JOSEPH DECOTIIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| JOSEPH GARBA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARK MANIGAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MARK MCDONOUGH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAEL NUCIFORO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| MICHAEL RENNA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MIKE REAGAN | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CHAIR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 |
| MITCH LIVINGSTON | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| MONICA SLATER-STOKES | NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| RALPH LAROSSA | CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 |
| ROBERT GARRETT | VICE CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| STEVE GARDNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| STEVE WESTHOVEN | SECRETARY / TEMP FINANCE AND AUDIT CHAIR Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 |
| TOM POLEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
| ULI DIAZ | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 |
990 for the year ended December 31, 2023: 38 people
| Name | Title | Hours / week | Compensation | Other / benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WESLEY MATHEWS | PRESIDENT AND CEO Officer | 40 | $443,937 | $71,995 |
| JENNIFER LENHARDT | CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFIC Key employee | 40 | $177,473 | $29,438 |
| WILLIAM NOONAN | CHIEF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $170,093 | $26,619 |
| CARLY WRONKO | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Highest-paid employee | 40 | $138,030 | $16,908 |
| BRADY O'CONNOR | CHIEF OF STAFF Highest-paid employee | 40 | $130,658 | $20,863 |
| RENA SHERMAN | DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS Highest-paid employee | 40 | $103,060 | $30,018 |
| RYAN FOX | SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER Highest-paid employee | 40 | $101,281 | $13,940 |
| ALAN WELAND | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BILL SMITH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| BRAXTON PLUMMER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHARLES LOWREY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| CHRIS BOERNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| DAN LYNCH | MARKETING COMMITTEE CHAIR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| DAVID HARDY | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| EDUARDO VILLA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ENRICO DELLA CORNA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| GARY ST HILAIRE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| GIOVANNI CAFORIO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAKE REYNOLDS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JAMES FAKULT | AUDIT & FINANCE COMMITTEE CHAIR Trustee or director | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| JOAQUIN DUATO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOHN SARACENO | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSEPH DECOTIIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| JOSEPH GARBA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK CLOUSE | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK MANIGAN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MARK MCDONOUGH | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHAEL RENNA | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MICHEAL REAGAN | BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| MITCHELL LIVINGSTON | TREASURER Trustee or director, Officer | 2 | $0 | $0 |
| MONICA SLATER-STOKES | NOMINATING COMMITTEE CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| PHIL GOLDFEDER | FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE CHAIR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| RALPH LAROSSA | CHAIRMAN OF CHOOSE NJ AND Trustee or director, Officer | 3 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT DAVIS | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| ROBERT GARRETT | VICE CHAIRMAN Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVE GARDNER | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| STEVEN WESTHOVEN | SECRETARY Trustee or director, Officer | 1 | $0 | $0 |
| TOM POLEN | DIRECTOR Trustee or director | 1 | $0 | $0 |
Address and contacts
- Address (IRS master file)
- ONE GATEWAY CENTER 11-43 RAYMOND PL, NEWARK, NJ 07102-5310
- In care of
- % DENNIS M BONE
- Principal officer (990 for 2024)
- WESLEY MATHEWS, ONE GATEWAY CENTER SUITE 1420, NEWARK, NJ 07102
- Signed the 990
- JENNIFER LENHARDT, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
- Phone
- (609) 297-2200
- Return prepared by
- COHNREZNICK ADVISORY LLC
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 accomplishments
- 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.Expenses $2,765,266
- 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.Expenses $2,010,000
- 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.Expenses $3,773,288
- ISRAEL GRANTExpenses $120,669
- NJEDA GRANTExpenses $8,264,050
- U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY PASSED THROUGH THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF STATE BUSINESS ACTION CENTER COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDSExpenses $1,649,282
What it must file and when
IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in December, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.
| Tax year | Year ended | Due | IRS public records |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | December 31, 2025 | May 15, 2026 | Not on file |
| 2024 | December 31, 2024 | May 15, 2025 | 990 on file |
| 2023 | December 31, 2023 | May 15, 2024 | 990 on file |
IRS record
- EIN
- 27-2903875
- Tax-exempt status
- 501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
- Foundation status
- Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
- Donations deductible (Pub 78)
- Public charity, 50% deduction limit
- Exempt since
- 2011
- Accounting year ends
- December
- Files
- Form 990 or 990-EZ
- Category (NTEE)
- Community improvement and capacity building (S30)
- Assets (IRS master file)
- $8,239,679
- Income (IRS master file)
- $20,897,089
Filing history
| Form | Year ended | Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990 | December 2024 | $20,897,089 | $21,069,460 | $8,239,679 | XML |
| 990 | December 2023 | $13,249,196 | $13,241,841 | $7,278,714 | XML |
| 990 | December 2022 | $8,239,156 | $7,436,499 | $10,648,307 | IRS |
| 990 | December 2021 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2020 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2018 | – | – | – | IRS |
| 990 | December 2017 | – | – | – | IRS |
990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 27-2903875).
Questions about CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC
- What is the EIN of CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC?
- The employer identification number (EIN) of CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC is 27-2903875.
- Is CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC tax-exempt?
- Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2011.
- Are donations to CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC tax-deductible?
- Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
- Which annual return does CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC file?
- Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
- When is the next return of CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC due?
- The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending December 31, 2025) is due May 15, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
- When did CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC last file with the IRS?
- The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended December 2024.
- Who is the principal officer of CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 names WESLEY MATHEWS.
- Who are the officers and directors of CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC?
- The 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 lists 35 people; 7 received compensation from the organization, the highest $529,506 (WESLEY MATHEWS, PRESIDENT AND CEO).
- How much revenue does CHOOSE NEW JERSEY INC have?
- On its 990 for the year ended December 31, 2024 it reported revenue of $20,897,089, expenses of $21,069,460 and total assets of $8,239,679 at year end.
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