This work grew out of a moment of real need and discovery. During a time when I was struggling financially, I learned about unused and unclaimed funds that I didn’t even know existed. Those funds ended up keeping me above water for about two months. I also shared the information with a few friends who were unaware of it as well, and they were able to recover even more than I did.

For full transparency, I personally received approximately $4,000 from an insurance situation where I had unknowingly overpaid. The timing was exactly what I needed.

That experience pushed me to do deeper research and homework. While learning CS50 (currently focusing on HTML) through Harvard’s free online curriculum, I became inspired to test the limits of my AI capabilities as I continue to explore and build systems designed to help people.

I hope this can spark meaningful conversation. I would truly love to be part of something like this—because while this began as one exploration, it’s clear there is a real and ongoing need.

You can find the downloadable exploration here. You can listen to the Citizen Leader - NJ Assets (IP) 1.0s versions here.

Project Connect: A Strategic Plan to Bridge New Jersey's Middle-Income Information Gap

Compiled by Dwayne L. Sheppard

1.0 The Strategic Imperative: Closing the Information Gap for Middle-Income New Jerseyans

The primary barrier preventing New Jersey's middle-income residents from accessing meaningful financial support is not a scarcity of available resources, but a significant and persistent information asymmetry. While substantial state and federal programs exist, a deep disconnect between available aid and public awareness prevents these funds from reaching their intended recipients. This strategic plan provides an actionable framework for a non-profit organization or government agency to connect this vital demographic—specifically those earning between $60,000 and $80,000 annually—with over $50 million in annually available funds. Successfully bridging this information gap will not only enhance the financial stability of thousands of households but also measurably increase their capacity for civic engagement and community leadership.

The fundamental disconnect in New Jersey's support landscape stems from its funding architecture. The state’s institutional model for civic engagement, exemplified by the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium and the Fund for New Jersey, allocates substantial grants to nonprofit organizations and universities. However, there is no corresponding financial entitlement for individual citizen-leaders who are the bedrock of community action. Our core thesis is that New Jersey's portfolio of underutilized general assistance programs constitutes a de facto, yet untapped, fund for subsidizing civic leadership. By strategically connecting citizens with funds they are already owed or eligible for, we can subsidize the time, energy, and resources required for robust civic participation.

This document moves from this high-level problem statement to a detailed analysis of the target demographic's specific challenges and the portfolio of resources available to address them.

2.0 Situational Analysis: The Middle-Income Assistance Blind Spot

To effectively design an outreach strategy, it is critical to first understand why middle-income residents are consistently underserved. This demographic exists in an assistance blind spot, caught between programs designed for low-income households and a financial reality that still leaves them vulnerable to economic pressures. This section provides a deep dive into the systemic and perceptual barriers that prevent access to available resources.

A primary obstacle is the well-documented "benefits cliff." Traditional assistance programs are architected to serve low-income households, creating a widespread and often incorrect perception among middle-income earners that they are categorically ineligible for all forms of government aid. This assumption is a key driver of the low claim rates observed in programs with eligibility thresholds that extend well into the $60,000 to $80,000 annual income bracket.

This perceptual barrier is compounded by several practical factors that result in lower claim rates among this demographic:

• Assumption of Non-Eligibility: The belief that their income is too high to qualify for any assistance.
• Infrequent Agency Contact: Unlike lower-income cohorts who may have regular contact with state social service agencies, middle-income residents interact with these systems far less often, reducing their exposure to information about available programs.
• Time Constraints: The pressures of work and family life create significant time constraints, making the process of researching and applying for benefits seem prohibitively complex and time-consuming.

This gap in individual support stands in sharp contrast to the state's well-developed institutional funding model.

Table: Civic Funding Architecture: Institutional vs. Individual

Institutional Funding (Current Model)

Individual Funding (Current Gap)

NJ Civic Information Consortium: Funds nonprofits and university partners with grants in the 50,000-100,000 range.

No state-level program provides direct stipends to individuals for civic leadership activities.

Fund for New Jersey: Distributes grants of 50,000-100,000 exclusively to nonprofit organizations.

Policy assumption is that civic engagement should be a volunteer-driven activity, not a compensated public service.

Having analyzed the systemic barriers, the following section details the specific, tangible financial resources that form the foundation of our outreach strategy.

3.0 Portfolio of Underutilized Financial Resources

This section serves as a catalog of tangible opportunities for middle-income New Jerseyans. The following programs are high-value, have eligibility criteria that extend well into middle-income brackets, and represent the core assets for any outreach campaign. They demonstrate that substantial financial support is available, waiting only to be claimed.

3.1 The Primary Opportunity: Unclaimed Property Administration (NJUPA)

The New Jersey Unclaimed Property Administration (NJUPA) represents the single most direct and significant financial "entitlement" available to residents. These are not benefit programs but funds already belonging to individuals that have been lost or forgotten. With an estimated $3 to $5 billion in total unclaimed assets and a claim rate below 30%, the scale of this opportunity is immense.

The process for claiming these funds is straightforward and, critically, free of charge through the official state portal.

• Search the Database: Use the official website at unclaimedfunds.nj.gov.
• File a Claim: Submit the claim online or by mail.
• Provide Documentation: Required documents typically include a Photo ID, proof of Social Security Number, and proof of connection to the reported address.
• Receive Funds: Processing for straightforward claims typically takes 30 to 90 days.

A core pillar of our outreach campaign must be the message that the official state process is free. This distinguishes it from private "finder" companies that often contact potential claimants and charge significant contingency fees for the same service.

Common Types of Unclaimed Assets

• Inactive bank accounts (dormant for 3+ years)
• Uncashed payroll checks and money orders
• Utility deposits and insurance refunds
• Stock certificates and dividends
• Contents of safe deposit boxes

3.2 Alleviating Housing Cost Burden: Property and Homebuyer Relief

Housing stability is a direct correlate to civic participation. When households are less burdened by housing costs, they have greater financial and cognitive resources to dedicate to community engagement. The following programs can free up significant household funds.

ANCHOR Program

• Benefit: Provides a direct payment of up to $1,500 for eligible homeowners.
• Income Limit: Available to homeowners with incomes up to $150,000.
• Utilization Gap: State estimates indicate that a staggering 20-30% of eligible residents fail to apply each year, leaving millions of dollars unclaimed.

Stay NJ and Senior Freeze Programs The Stay NJ program, designed to provide seniors with property tax relief up to $6,500, and the Senior Freeze program, which reimburses seniors for property tax increases, are invaluable resources. For citizen-leaders who are approaching or in retirement, these programs can free up substantial resources, enabling sustained community engagement.

First-Time Homebuyer Assistance This represents a strategic investment in long-term community stability. The state offers robust assistance that makes homeownership more accessible for middle-income residents.

• Potential Benefit: A combination of the standard $15,000 down payment assistance loan and the 7,000 First-Generation Boost can provide a total of **22,000** in aid.
• Income Limits: Eligibility extends up to 120% of the Area Median Income, making it accessible to many households in the target demographic.

3.3 Easing Daily Expenses: Utility, Energy, and Transportation Assistance

Utility, energy, and transportation costs can significantly constrain the disposable income available for civic activities. Several state programs offer relief to middle-income households who often incorrectly assume they are ineligible.

Program Name

Eligibility Highlights

Benefit

NJ Lifeline Program

Age 65+ or receiving Social Security Disability; Income up to $60,690 (married).

$225 annual credit on gas/electric bills.

NJ SHARES

Households experiencing a temporary financial crisis; flexible income criteria.

Up to 700 for heating** and **500 for electric.

LIHEAP

Based on household size and income (Family of 4 up to $52,700).

Average of 360 toward heating** and **300 toward cooling.

NJ ZIP (Zero-Emission Incentive Program) This program has a unique strategic application for a citizen-leader who operates a small business, consulting practice, or community organization.

• Benefit: Provides vouchers ranging from $15,000 to $175,000 for the purchase of a zero-emission vehicle.
• Bonus Criteria: The program offers increased voucher amounts for businesses that are woman, minority, or veteran-owned, directly supporting a diverse new generation of community leaders.

3.4 Pathways to Civic Engagement Funding

While direct stipends for individual civic work are rare, several programs and organizations offer indirect financial support, training, or stipends for specific roles.

New Jersey Citizen Action This organization operates the most direct "citizen leadership" support infrastructure in the state. While it does not provide direct financial stipends to the general public, its free services—including community organizing training and advocacy skill development—are invaluable. Critically, its Civic Leaders Program serves as a conduit, connecting engaged citizens to paid fellowship opportunities and grant-funded projects.

AmeriCorps The AmeriCorps program functions as a form of "civic leadership stipend," providing direct compensation for service.

• Living Allowance: $17,600 to $33,004 annually for full-time service.
• Segal Education Award: An additional award to be used for college tuition or student loan repayment.
• Critical Gap: It is important to note that these are competitive, project-based employment positions, not a general entitlement available to any resident seeking to engage in their community.

Civic Information Consortium Partnership Model For citizen-leaders with well-defined projects, the Consortium's mandatory university partnership requirement presents a strategic pathway to institutional funding. By co-developing a grant proposal with a faculty member at a partner university (e.g., Rutgers, Montclair State), an individual can access grant funds to subsidize their community journalism or civic information project.

Having identified this robust portfolio of resources, the next step is to develop a set of concrete strategies to promote them effectively to the target audience.

4.0 Strategic Outreach Initiatives

A multi-pronged outreach strategy is required to systematically dismantle the information barriers identified in the situational analysis. The following initiatives are practical, scalable, and tailored to the specific needs and habits of New Jersey's middle-income demographic.

4.1 Initiative 1: The "NJ Financial Bridge" Centralized Information Campaign

Initiative 1 is the launch of the "NJ Financial Bridge," a centralized digital campaign and information hub. Its sole purpose is to serve as a one-stop resource that demystifies eligibility for the programs detailed in Section 3.0. The campaign's messaging must be clear, user-friendly, and laser-focused on the $60,000 to $80,000 income bracket, explicitly countering the misconception that assistance is only for low-income households.

4.2 Initiative 2: "Check Your Name NJ" Unclaimed Property Drive

The strategy requires a targeted marketing campaign focused exclusively on increasing the unclaimed property claim rate. Using simple, direct, and actionable messaging like, "1 in 7 New Jersey residents is owed money. Search the free state database today at unclaimedfunds.nj.gov," the campaign will drive significant traffic to the state's portal. This initiative leverages the actionable intelligence that a mere 15-20% increase in the claim rate among this demographic could transfer an additional $30 to $60 million directly into their hands annually.

4.3 Initiative 3: Community and Employer Partnership Program

To overcome the challenge of infrequent contact with state agencies, we will execute a partnership-based outreach model. By collaborating with large employers, community centers, public libraries, and faith-based organizations, information about these underutilized resources can be disseminated through trusted, existing channels. Employers can include information in benefits packages, and community hubs can host workshops, reaching residents where they live and work.

These strategic initiatives require a clear implementation plan and measurable goals to ensure success, setting the stage for the final policy innovations.

5.0 Proposed Policy Innovations and Vision for the Future

This final section outlines a forward-looking vision for civic support in New Jersey. While the immediate strategy focuses on maximizing the use of existing resources, long-term success requires policy innovation to create direct, sustainable support for individual civic leadership. The following models offer a roadmap for building a more robust and equitable civic infrastructure.

1. Citizen Leadership Microgrants Program: A program providing small grants (2,500-7,500) directly to individuals for specific civic projects.
2. Civic Engagement Tax Credit: A state tax credit (500-1,000) for residents who document significant hours of community service.
3. Unclaimed Property Civic Dividend: A model that dedicates a portion of interest earned on unclaimed assets to fund citizen-leader stipends.

Ultimately, bridging the information gap for middle-income families is about more than just distributing funds. It is a direct investment in a more engaged, stable, and empowered citizenry. By ensuring residents can access the resources they are entitled to, we strengthen not only individual households but the civic fabric of the entire state of New Jersey.