Garden State Equality is proud to announce the hiring of Nealon Isaacs as its new Development Manager, where he will oversee the organization’s fundraising. Nealon, a veteran of LGBTQ champion Senator Raymond Lesniak’s legislative office, comes to Garden State Equality from Millennium Strategies.

“We are excited to have Nealon join our growing team here at Garden State Equality,” said Christian Fuscarino, Executive Director of Garden State Equality. “Over the last three years, we’ve built a financially solvent profile that’s allowed us to dramatically expand our community programs and triple our staff, and I’m confident with Nealon’s track record of success, he’ll continue to take Garden State Equality to new heights.”

“It’s been a point of pride throughout my career to advocate on behalf of the ‘little guy’ and give voice to the voiceless, and those values are core to the transformative work Garden State Equality is doing on behalf of New Jersey’s LGBTQ community. I’m proud to be joining this team.” said Nealon Isaacs, Development Manager of Garden State Equality.

“As my legislative director, Nealon was invaluable in helping me steer critical bills that protect marginalized communities in our state, including youth, seniors, LGBTQ people, and individuals with mental illness,” said Senator Raymond Lesniak. “I have no doubt he’ll bring the same thoughtfulness, strategic planning, and vigor to his work at Garden State Equality.”

As Grants Manager for Millennium Strategies, Nealon secured critical funding for municipal and county clients that affected urban and working class communities. Most impressively, Nealon earned $4.6 million in grant funding for the city of East Orange to perform lead remediation and abatement in low income census tracts.

Nealon’s hire follows a year of tremendous financial growth at Garden State Equality; the organization recently concluded its 10th Annual Equality Walk Weekend, where it raised over $100,000 from sponsors and small donors. Nealon joins a slew of new, talented hires at Garden State Equality, including Alisha De Lorenzo as Interim Deputy Director and Cole Callahan as Safe Schools Coordinator.