Since inception, The Long Island Community Foundation has operated as an affiliate of The New York Community Trust.
As part of our centennial celebrations, we are creating a single, unified organization to more powerfully advocate for our region with one voice.
We will still maintain our physical offices in Long Island with the same dedicated staff who will continue to honor and build upon our relationships with local nonprofits and communities.
You can now find us at: https://www.thenytrust.org/long-island/
The New York Community Trust. For Long Island. Forever.
The first Earth Day, in 1970, led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of landmark laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. Today, as more than 1 billion people worldwide celebrate Earth Month throughout April, the climate crisis has become one of the biggest environmental challenges we face. This Earth Month, we’re focused on investing in our planet by supporting the local communities and innovative nonprofits making life greener and more equitable, from the Bronx to Long Island. This selection of Trust grantees is engaging in community-led advocacy and action, developing a climate-smart metropolis, and protecting urban ecologies.
The communities most affected by the social, health, and economic consequences of climate change and pollution are the voices that matter most when organizing for change. The groups below are advocating for equitable environmental policies, training the next generation to lead, and organizing their neighbors to take action.
The Eastern Queens Alliance is a coalition of civic associations and neighborhood organizations that advocates for environmental justice and sustainability in Southeast Queens, a waterfront community adjacent to Jamaica Bay and JFK Airport. It organizes residents to raise awareness about pollution and sustainability issues affecting the neighborhood, provides advocacy and leadership training for community members and local students, and conducts research to identify environmental issues of most concern to residents.
Operation SPLASH is a volunteer-driven organization committed to the protection of Long Island’s South Shore bays, waterways, and aquatic ecosystems. Since 1990, SPLASH volunteers have removed more than three million pounds of debris from South Shore waters. SPLASH also organizes beach cleanups and Adopt-A-Storm-Drain programs, and it has been involved in other local environmental initiatives, such as sewage treatment plant reform and the Nassau County plastic bag ban.
The Point Community Development Corporation works with residents of Hunts Point in the South Bronx to provide environmental protection, arts, youth leadership, and economic development programs. Its community campaigns have addressed air pollution caused by diesel vehicles and lack of access to fresh affordable food, green spaces, and the waterfront. Working with the local coalition NY Renews, it helped pass the Climate Leadership Community Protection Act—one of the country’s most ambitious climate laws—in 2019.
To build a greener future, we need to develop a workforce that is trained and incentivized to tackle the challenges that come with transitioning to cleaner energy. These groups are working to improve our urban green infrastructure today, while also preparing jobseekers, professionals, and other community members for a more sustainable tomorrow.
Green City Force trains young residents of public and low-income housing to be leaders in movements for environmental, social, and economic justice, while preparing them for a wide range of sustainable careers in urban agriculture and renewable energy. Participants work on environmental and health initiatives in public housing and other frontline communities, including maintaining five urban farm sites on public housing properties throughout the city, and receive training in agriculture, recycling, and compost processing.
Solar One is a key provider of technical assistance and educational programs related to urban sustainability and clean energy. Its Green Design Lab program trains teachers to introduce students to issues like electric grid transmission, renewable energy, battery storage, stormwater management, and hydroponics. The organization also operates a training center dedicated to preparing job seekers for green workforce careers and helps affordable housing providers and residents install solar energy projects.
Urban Green Council promotes green design and construction as well as energy-efficient buildings. Because buildings generate a large percentage of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions, improving the energy efficiency of buildings can significantly reduce emissions. The group played a critical role in the development and implementation of New York’s carbon-reducing building energy code and has trained over 50,000 professionals on the latest developments and best practices for designing, constructing, and maintaining sustainable buildings.
Caring for the biodiversity of our region is critical to mitigating the effects of climate change. The groups below fight for cleaner watersheds, greener public spaces, and the protection of native flora and fauna, and help us all become more responsible stewards of the planet that we share.
Riverkeeper began in the 1960s as the Hudson River Fishermen’s Association, after local fishers banded together to fight increased pollution. Today, Riverkeeper continues to protect the Hudson River and its tributaries by engaging community volunteers to restore local riverfronts, fighting for tougher environmental laws and their enforcement, conducting scientific research, and promoting responsible stewardship of the watershed. It is a founder of the Storm Water Infrastructure Matters coalition, which is dedicated to reducing sewage pollution in the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island.
Groundwork Hudson Valley creates environmental change in neighborhoods through community-based partnerships that promote equity, youth leadership, and economic opportunity. It engages community, business, and government stakeholders in developing strategies for increasing climate resilience in the neighborhoods that are most vulnerable to the harmful effects of the climate crisis. Its Green Teams youth development program hires Yonkers public high school students for environmental jobs, including building community gardens, cleaning the Saw Mill River watershed, and removing invasive species. Participants also work alongside National Park Service rangers and explore conservation career paths.
ReWild Long Island was founded to increase biodiversity and climate resilience in public and private spaces using native plants. Through alliances and partnerships with other community organizations, it works to make conventional landscaping practices more sustainable. It educates local communities about composting, water use, and plant selection, and protects existing biodiversity in public spaces to benefit wildlife and protect the environment.
This list is not exhaustive. There are many incredible nonprofits helping to make our city a better place for all; we are highlighting a few that may not be on your radar, but please reach out to our philanthropic advising department at info@licf.org if you would like recommendations tailored to your charitable goals.
Need help or advice?
Marie C. Smith
Director of Donor Relations and Communications
(631) 991-8800, ext. 223
msmith@licf.org
Need help or advice?
Marie C. Smith
Director of Donor Relations and Communications
(631) 991-8800, ext. 223
msmith@licf.org