Long Island’s Community Foundation Announces New Grant Program For East End Charities

March 10, 2014 | By compass

March 10, 2014, Melville, NY – East End charities will have an opportunity to receive $2,500 in funding, thanks to the All For The East End Fund at the Long Island Community Foundation (LICF). Proceeds of $50,000 from the AFTEE Presents Nile Rodgers Dance Party that was held this past summer on August 19, 2013 at the Martha Clara Vineyard in Riverhead, were presented to the Foundation and applications are now being accepted for the current grant cycle.

The Building Stronger Neighborhoods Program, as it’s named, will support nonprofit organizations serving Long Island’s East End communities of Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, Southold, and East Hampton. Proposals will be accepted to support projects and programs in the fields of health and welfare, the environment, arts and culture, education, and youth. The application deadline is April 25, 2014 and application instructions and guidelines can be found here.

An advisory committee consisting of one representative from each of the five East End towns will help guide LICF in determining the projects to be funded. They include,Ken Pysher – Shelter Island; Greg Blass – Southold; Vince Taldone – Riverhead; Debra Halpert – Southampton; and Laura Anker – East Hampton.

“As a community foundation, we believe in the power and potential of individuals and organizations to change communities and we play a variety of roles,” said David Okorn, the Foundation’s executive director. “But our key goal is to be the connecting point for philanthropy and various community groups working together toward the common vision of a healthier, stronger Long Island.”

“The AFTEE Executive Committee and Board worked diligently this past year to raise its first $50,000 which is now in the capable hands of the Long Island Community Foundation,” affirmed Bob Edelman, Executive Board Member and CEO of Dan’s Papers. “The Advisory Committee representing all five East End towns was the next stage in our evolution and puts in place the process by which the funds raised by AFTEE will be distributed to the East End nonprofit community. Having played a key role on the Executive Committee and the Board of AFTEE,Dan’s Papers has been involved and committed from the beginning, and I look forward to continuing our participation and support of AFTEE in 2014.”

“We are very proud of our community and its support of AFTEE, and even more excited to begin the grant process that will move important funds raised through our inaugural Concert into the hands of the organizations that can put them to good use.” Claudia Pilato, Executive Board Member and VP, Director of Marketing of BNB.

The All For The East End Fund is a field-of-interest fund established within the Long Island Community Foundation (LICF) in 2013 by All For The East End (AFTEE),which is an independent 501(C)(3) organization whose mission is to raise funds and awareness for East End needs.

The Long Island Community Foundation (LICF) is the Island’s community foundation, making grants to improve our region and helping donors with their philanthropy since 1978. We identify current and future community needs, strengthen the Island’s nonprofit sector, encourage philanthropy, and, with our generous donors, build a permanent endowment to address these needs. We have made more than $145 million in grants from hundreds of funds established by individuals, families, and businesses. LICF is a division of The New York Community Trust, one of the country’s oldest and largest community foundations. To learn more about the Long Island Community Foundation, visit our website at www.licf.org. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @LICommunityFndt.