'Mega Event' Planned in Riverhead for New Non-Profit Support Group

With over 1,000 registered non-profit organizations in existence across the East End, a group of people with experience in the non-profit arena got together about a year and a half ago to create a forum for idea exchange and a more focused, united mechanism for fundraising.

The result is something called All for the East End, a new 501c3 established for the main purpose of raising awareness of the role of all East End non-profit organizations — and to hold what they are promoting as a “mega event” and concert next August on the grounds of Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead.

At a press conference this past Thursday 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 to East End non-profits next year.

The group has Nile Rogers Productions, who produces about 60 festivals a year, on board 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.

“The East End is not all glitz and glamour as some people believe,” Levine said. “It’s composed of incredibly down-to-earth and supportive people, so was trying to find a way to showcase what the East End is really like.”

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.

“The support in the creation of this has been amazing,” Levine said. “I hope we can become a model for non-profits across the country, especially during a time when it’s not easy to raise money.”

All for the East End board member Jim Durning, who is currently the managing director of digital media for the Roger Waters Wall Tour, said he will work to create a “sell-out” marketing campaign for next summer’s mega concert — the main artist for which has not yet been chosen.

“We want to have something enjoyable for everyone that day to make sure people will come back every year,” he said.

For more on All for the East End, email Claudia Pilato at cpilato@bridgenb.com.