IRS declares PSGCNJ a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
United States’ first employment community now tax exempt
The Internal Revenue Service has declared the Professional Service Group of Central New Jersey (PSGCNJ), the nation’s first employment community, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the tax-exempt organization announced today.
“Our tax-exempt status is the culmination of thousands of hours of volunteer work done by hundreds of professionals in our special community,” said PSGCNJ Executive Director Kenneth Hitchner. “Now, we turn our attention to adding jobs to the U.S. economy and establishing employer pipelines that will allow more of our talented, educated and accomplished professionals to re-enter the workforce.”
PSGCNJ is grateful to U.S. Congressman Leonard Lance and legal-services nonprofit Pro Bono Partnership for providing invaluable guidance and support during its campaign to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
As the nation’s first employment community, PSGCNJ is a place where
downsized professionals can go to 1) build meaningful, professional
relationships, 2) protect their skills by using them, and 3) learn new skills to make themselves more valuable in the marketplace.
Dating back to its roots as a N.J. Department of Labor program, PSGCNJ has helped 902 professionals return to the workforce from June 2008 through March 2014. In total, 39 percent were long-term unemployed, ranging from 27 weeks to 271 weeks.
In 2013, 152 PSGCNJ unemployed professionals went back to work, compared to 95 in 2012. Sixty-eight percent returned to permanent positions last year.
PSGCNJ ‘‘landings’’ hit double-digits in nine months last year. The typically slow summer months yielded 41 landings during the 92 days in June, July and August. The holiday season also produced high numbers, as 30 unemployed members returned to work in November and December.
PSGCNJ became an independent nonprofit on May 26, 2012, the day after it was cut from the N.J. Department of Labor budget, which had funded 11 PSG chapters throughout the Garden State. Since becoming an independent, the nonprofit has helped 227 members return to work from the summer of 2012 through March 10, 2014.
About PSGCNJ
PSGCNJ is the nation’s first employment community that helps its unemployed, professional members advance their careers by putting them back into the workforce.
The nonprofit’s education program features Accelerated Career Training (ACT) workshops, resume review and mock interview classes. New programs, such as the Marketing Plan seminar and Improv for Business Communications, have been added to the public offerings.
The organization’s innovative workforce development program also drives the nonprofit’s success rate. To gain full access to PSGCNJ’s free services, members are required to join one of six business units that operate the corporation and donate their talent to advance the PSGCNJ mission.
To learn more, please visit psgcnj.org, and to contribute, click give now or follow this link.
That is fantastic news! Congratulations to all those who worked so hard to achieve this status. It is excellent recognition for such an outstanding community that provides a very valuable service.
Congratulations on this achievement!!! It would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of the PSGCNJ volunteer members under the leadership of Executive Director Kenneth B. Hitchner who tirelessly & selflessly assist others including mentoring. Thank you Kenneth and thank you all.