Johnson & Johnson pledges $1M. to New Brunswick's State Theater

Johnson & Johnson has pledged a $1 million donation to the New Brunswick-based State Theatre, another move in a long-term relationship with the theatre and surrounding city.

Johnson & Johnson is one of the State Theatre’s current partners, according to the theatre's website. Scott Fergang, board chair of State Theatre New Jersey, said that the donation represents the company’s support over the past 30 years and its commitment to Middlesex County and its residents.

“We are very grateful to all of our partners at Johnson & Johnson, helping us tremendously in our ongoing fundraising efforts, and whose dedication has been so inspiring,” Fergang said in an email. “J&J's support of State Theatre New Jersey over the past 30 years has demonstrated its stalwart commitment to the Middlesex County community."

The $1 million donation will be paid over a 5-year period, according to a report from ROI-NJ. The pledge happened at the beginning of the fourth annual Johnson & Johnson Evening at the State event, according to the report.

Genevieve Rogers, a global media relations professional at Johnson & Johnson, said the company is proud to make the donation, and called the theatre an important part of New Brunswick. 

“The New Jersey State Theatre is an integral part of the New Brunswick community, bringing world-class performances to New Jersey and providing educational opportunities to young people in our community,” Rogers said in an email.

The theatre is the second largest not-for-profit presenting hall in the state, according to its history. 

It contributes to New Jersey’s multi-million dollar performing-arts tourism industry, and attracts approximately 200,000 patrons annually. The theatre also provides educational programming for students that includes an Artist-in-Residence program, Scientists Exploring the Arts and more, according to its history.

“We are proud to be gifting $1 million to the State Theatre as part of our longstanding commitment to New Brunswick and foundational responsibility to support the communities in which we live and work,” Rogers said. “This is the latest contribution to the theater, building off of many years of partnership and we hope it will continue to support all of the theater’s important endeavors.”