We are Long Island’s community foundation, serving Nassau and Suffolk counties. Our competitive grants are made possible primarily by funds set up by donor bequests and wills, supporting projects to improve the lives of Long Islanders.
Our competitive grants are supported by hundreds of funds. Some can be used at our discretion, while others were created for particular purposes and range from specific (mental health for veterans, protecting drinking water quality)—to broad (environment or elderly programs).
Based on our guidelines, program officers review proposals and identify the best projects to recommend to our board. We also have many living donors who suggest grants from donor-advised funds. These funds do not accept proposals.
We are home to several funder collaboratives that bring foundations and charitable individuals together to address issues such as immigration, water quality, and racial equity. These collaborative funds do not accept unsolicited proposals; instead they issue requests for proposals or solicit nonprofits to apply. Please see descriptions of the collaboratives and their RFPs (if any).
In our grantmaking decisions, we favor projects that:
Here are guidelines in our program areas:
The best way to get a good idea of what we are currently funding is to examine each program area for an overview of our funding goals and priorities. We also invite you to take a look at our 2022 grants to see what organizations and projects we have funded. Although we will occasionally make a larger grant, most grants fall into the $15,000 – $25,000 range.
Grants are made for one year at a time; proposals submitted for renewed funding are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but only after a final report on the use of the previous grant has been received and approved by LICF staff. In most instances, no more than two renewals will be considered.
Program Goal: To integrate the arts in community development, civic engagement, and social change
We fund projects that:
Program Goal: To expand quality affordable housing opportunities for all Long Islanders
We fund projects that:
Program Goal: To prepare students for success in college and the workforce
We fund projects that:
Program Goal: To protect and preserve Long Island’s natural resources, healthy ecosystems and public health
We fund projects that:
Note: LICF does not fund environmental youth education programs
Proposals in this category are reviewed ONLY in CYCLE 3
Program Goal: To improve the effectiveness, responsiveness, and equity of healthcare for marginalized and underserved communities and populations.
We fund projects that:
Program Goal: To reduce or alleviate hunger on Long Island
We fund projects that:
Program Goal: To improve the effectiveness, responsiveness, and accessibility of mental health services for youth (up to age 26) on Long Island
We fund projects that:
Social change grantmaking through the Long Island Unitarian Universalist Fund
Program Goal: To strengthen the capacity of nonprofit organizations to achieve greater community impact
We fund projects that:
Program Goal: To advance the well-being and economic self-sufficiency of at-risk youth (up to 24 years of age)
We fund projects that: