The Cross River Community Foundation (CRCF), also known as the Foundation at Cross River, is a New Jersey-based organization that supports educational and pro-Israel policies and causes in New Jersey and Israel. It is the philanthropic arm of Cross River Bank. ^{1  2  3}

The CRCF has previously funded educational initiatives, financial literacy programs, and health-care programs. The group has also partnered with AISH Global to promote United Against Antisemitism, an online platform for members of the Jewish community.  ^{2  4}

Activities

According to its website, Cross River Community Foundation (CRCF) has four main campaigns: Education for the Future, Health and Human Services, Economic Development for the Future, and Advancement through Technology. Within these categories, CRCF has several initiatives. CRCF has partnerships with the New Jersey Institute of Technology and the Azrieli College of Engineering in Jerusalem where the organization provides merit-based scholarships to qualified students. CRCF also supports several educational initiatives to help young adults finish their graduate-equivalency degrees and to promote financial literacy. ²

CRCF has partnered with Sharsheret, a cancer awareness and support group for women who have suffered from ovarian and breast cancer. The foundation also partners with Our Place, a rehabilitation and therapy facility for men and women fighting addiction. CRCF also maintains several mentorship and job training programs for students. ²

CRCF also supports a number of pro-Israel causes, such as the AISH Global initiative and United Against Antisemitism (UAA), an initiative of AISH Global that provides an online shared-space platform for members of the Jewish community. ^{2  4} In 2022, CRCF celebrated the renaming of the Cross River Sinai School at RYNJ at a ribbon-cutting and celebratory breakfast held by Cross River and Sinai Schools at the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey. The school was renamed to reflect Cross River’s partnership with the school to support Jewish education in New Jersey. ⁵

In October 2024, CRCF donated $50,000 to the Greater Zion Church Family of Compton to support the expansion of the church’s Young Visionaries program, providing financial literacy training to youth in the Compton area. ⁶

Leadership

Gilles Gade is the Founder and CEO of Cross River Bank and the President and Director of the Cross River Community Foundation (CRCF). ^{7  8} Previously, he was CFO at First Meridian Mortgage and, co-founder and managing director at Chela Technology Partners, and worked at Citicorp Venture Capital, Bear Stearns, and Barclays Capital.  ⁹

Finances

In 2023, the Cross River Community Foundation (CRCF) reported $3,721,310 in total revenue, $4,418,231 in total expenses, and $914,733 in total assets. ⁸

1. “Foundation@ Cross River.” Cross River Bank. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.crossriver.com/foundation
2. “2024 Impact Report.” Foundation @ Cross River. January 2025. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66fe64ba69170883a51d5fd5/687f927b2c2a7856695ee3bd_bebcc22a51a0fe8cb7511435a02cdf0c_CRImpactReport2024.pdf
3. “Cross River continues to lead industry in impact, delivers to underserved communities.” ROI-NJ. April 19, 2024. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.roi-nj.com/2024/04/19/finance/cross-river-continues-to-lead-industry-in-impact-delivers-to-underserved-communities/
4. “New Online Community ‘Safe Space’ to Aid North American College Students in Uniting Against Antisemitism.” Jewish Link. February 6, 2025. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://jewishlink.news/new-online-community-safe-space-to-aid-north-american-college-students-in-uniting-against-antisemitism/
5. “Ribbon-cutting celebrates renaming of Cross River Sinai School at RYNJ.” Jewish Standard. September 14, 2022. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/ribbon-cutting-celebrates-renaming-of-cross-river-sinai-school-at-rynj/
6. “Cross River Supports Greater Zion’s ‘Young Visionaries’ Program with $50,000.” Los Angeles Sentinel. October 2, 2024. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://lasentinel.net/cross-river-supports-greater-zions-young-visionaries-program-with-50000.html
7. Gade, Gilles. “Year-End Message from Gilles.” Cross River Bank. January 2, 2025. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://www.crossriver.com/newsroom/year-end-message-from-gilles
8. “Cross River Community Foundation – 2023 Federal Form 990.” ProPublica. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/881435891/202423199349102492/full
9. “Speakers – Gilles Gade.” Money 20/20 US. Accessed November 17, 2025. https://us.money2020.com/agenda/speakers/gilles-gade-s103-101982