The first round of “Building Stronger Neighborhoods” grants to East End organizations has been announced by the Long Island Community Foundation and All For the East End.
The program is designed to support organizations serving Riverhead, Shelter Island, Southampton, Southold, and East Hampton.
More than 80 community organizations submitted proposals to Long Island Community Foundation, which “really validates the extent of the needs out on the island’s east end,” according to LICF executive director David Okorn.
“We are very excited about this collection of organizations and feel it addresses those diverse and important set of needs within these communities.”
With input from the AFTEE Advisory Committee which included representation from each of the five east end towns, 20 proposals were approved to support projects and programs in the fields of health and welfare, the environment, arts and culture, education, youth development, and animal welfare. The committee members are Vince Taldone, Debra Halpert, Laura Anker, Greg Blass, Ken Pysher, and Diane Radigan.
Below are the details of each $2,500 grant, listed by town.
East Hampton
• Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center – a program to help non-English speaking pre-K kids transition to kindergarten
• Family Service League of Suffolk County – an early identification program of emotional disorders for elementary school aged children
• Food Pantry Farm – provide access to organic produce for seniors & children
• Inspirational Triathlon Racing International – self-esteem and mentoring program for
young women
• Project MOST – a Healthy Snack Club program at the Springs School and teach kids how to make delicious and nutritious snacks
Riverhead
• Aid to the Developmentally Disabled – expansion of a sensory garden program for people with disabilities
• East End Arts & Humanities Council – Jump StART artist/business collaborative
• North Fork Spanish Apostolate – leadership development workshops
• Open Arms Care Center – food purchase to restock pantries
• Peconic Community Council/Maureen’s Haven – safety screeners for homeless
outreach program
Shelter Island
• Shelter Island Historical Society – oyster bed restoration education program
• Sylvester Manor Educational Farm – educational program on sustainable agriculture
Southampton
• Children’s Museum of the East End – Cantemos family literacy program
• Dominican Sisters Family Health Services – nonmedical support for seniors and
people with disabilities
• East End Hospice – training for caregivers and professionals who work with grieving
children
• Lucia’s Angels – support services for late stage cancer patients
• Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry – purchase of fresh produce
Southold
•Community Action Southold Town, Inc. – purchase of books & toys for the Parent- Child Home program
•North Fork Animal Welfare League – provide low/no cost spay and neuter surgeries
• Southold Free Library – for the purchase of replacement computers
AFTEE was founded in 2012 to help, support East End nonprofits.
“AFTEE was founded with the goal of providing financial support to the NPOs of the East End,” said AFTEE executive board member Claudia Pilato, VP and director of marketing for Bridgehampton National Bank. “The announcement of these grants fulfills the mission from our first year of hard-earned fundraising, and we are delighted to see the money going to so many worthwhile organizations. We plan to continue the AFTEE mission, and with each year increase the number of community organizations that receive support from the AFTEE fund.”
The group organized a major fundraiser last summer at Martha Clara Vineyards, where music producer Nile Rodgers staged a “dance party” Aug. 19. Rodgers will be back with a two-day music festival at the Riverhead vineyard this August, but AFTEE will not be a presenting partner or the principal beneficiary of the 2014 event. See prior story. AFTEE plans other fundraising events this year, according to board members.
