Butterfly Fund

The Butterfly Fund was established in 2020 after the death of a local NJ mother named Jenayah Nellums.

The Butterfly Fund gives $2000 in monetary support to Black families in New Jersey after the loss of a mother due to a pregnancy/birth-related complication or a child before reaching their first birthday child. Funding is used to help cover bills, burial expenses, baby necessities, or other family needs. To date, the fund has supported 5 families.

In New Jersey, a Black mother is 7-8 times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related complication than white women.

Black infants are 3-4 times more likely to die before reaching their first birthday than white infants. Unfortunately in New Jersey, this fund was a necessity.

Benefits of the program:

  • Unrestricted gift of $2000 to help the family transition after a loss
  • Assistance with additional fundraising to support family and child
  • Resources for grief counseling
  • Connection of resources for fathers to assist with grief management
  • Collection of breastmilk for infant (as requested)
  • Advocacy and support to seek justice in cases of medical neglect (as requested)

If you are a family in need of support after a loss or want to make a financial contribution to support the fund

Please select the appropriate link below.

PLEDGE SUPPORT NOW APPLY TO RECEIVE SUPPORT