LI Foundation Awards $15K to Non-Profit ‘Mega Event’ Organizers

a new 501c3 established for the main purpose of raising awareness of the role of all East End non-profit organizations, announced this week that the Long Island Community Foundation awarded them a $15,000 grant to support organizational infrastructure and management of its first large-scale fundraiser planned for next Aug. 19 on the grounds of Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead.

Proceeds of the fundraiser, an all-day multi-talent music festival, will help start a new fund to financially aid, strengthen and support the not-for-profit community of the five East End towns.

At a press conference in early October at Martha Clara, organizers of All for the East End said they were confident that they would reach their initial goal of a $500,000 budget that will be dispersed through grant applications next year to East End non-profits — of which there are over 1,000 registered in the region.

Nile Rogers Productions, who produces about 60 festivals a year, is on board with All for the East End to ensure the success of the August mega fest, which is modeled after the “All for the Sea” concerts that took place on Long Island about 10 years ago to raise money for Southampton College, according to All for the East End president Myron Levine.

"This is wonderful news," Levine said of the grant. “We are tremendously gratified that the Long Island Community Foundation believes in our mission, and that we will become a significant new and creative source for funding and organizational support for all the East End not-for-profits, making it easier for them to concentrate on their own important missions knowing we have their backs."

David O’Korn, executive director of the Long Island Community Foundation, said that the non-profit sector is not only a vital part of the Long Island’s economy, but it “also acts to enrich the health, well-being and overall quality of life for all of our residents. It is truly refreshing to see such a collaborative effort that brings together the non-profit and business communities for such a great cause,” he said.

Founding organizers and advisors of All for the East End include Peconic Public Broadcasting, Peconic Land Trust, Southampton Hospital, Bay Street Theater and the East End Arts Council. Bridgehampton National Bank, Dan’s Papers and Tanger Outlets are a few corporate sponsors of the new non-profit group.

Levine said that he and members of All for the East End will lobby other businesses to request that they become part of this community effort to support all local non-profits.

Mary Morgan, executive director of All for the East End, said that sponsors of the group, depending on their level of support, will receive VIP and general admission event tickets as well as public acknowledgement of their support.

“And we have a special exciting one-of-a-kind raffle planned for early sponsors, so stay tuned" said she said.

For more information, email Mary@AFTEE.org or call 631-599-9297.