The New Jersey Cultural Trust (NJCT), a division of the New Jersey Department of State, said that effective April 11, Isabel (Izzy) Kasdin has been named executive director of the NJCT. Kasdin will be responsible for promoting responsible stewardship of NJCT’s invested assets as well as defining a long-term strategy on how NJCT grantmaking can best impact the state’s cultural sector.

The NJCT offers grants to support capital projects, endowments, and institutional and financial stabilization for arts, history, and humanities organizations in New Jersey. Funding for the grants comes from interest earned on the Cultural Trust Fund, which is a permanent investment fund.

Kasdin served as Executive Director of the Princeton Historical Society from May 2016 to early 2022. In this capacity, she helped HSP increase its visibility and awareness in the local and regional community, develop a new interpretive strategy and of programming after a head office move, completed a major fundraising campaign and renovation project at the HSP head office site, and increased HSP’s individual fundraising and grant revenue.

“Ms. Kasdin is recognized for her visionary cultural leadership and ability to work collaboratively with partners and stakeholders,” said NJCT Board Chair Bette Daniele. “The NJCT Board is Glad she took on this role.”

“I am honored to have been chosen as the next leader of the New Jersey Cultural Trust,” Kasdin said. “As someone who led a cultural nonprofit in NJ during the COVID19 crisis, I know firsthand the unique challenges facing cultural institutions in our state. A vibrant arts and culture sector is one of New Jersey’s greatest assets, and I look forward to working with partners across the state to ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability.