Investing in Change | Spring 2016 Newsletter

Spring 2016 Newsletter

InvestingChange in

Making an investment for tomorrow… today.

COVER STORY

Where Philanthropy Branches Out …Working together to solve tough, local problems (continued to page 2)

Photo by: Margarita Espada

licf.org

Marie C. Smith | Three questions from the editor’s desk…

Since April 2011, Marie C. Smith has been director of donor relations and communications at LICF, providing personalized service to donors while promoting the Foundation’s mission and activities.

She assists generous Long Islanders in supporting the places, causes, and nonprofits they care about.

For more than 35 years, the Long Island Community Foundation has supported programs that enrich the lives of all Long Islanders. We look for opportunities where we can make a difference.

Join us today.

How can a donor learn about organizations that are targeting a specific issue?

LICF’s professional staff continually studies quality-of-life issues that affect our community. Many local nonprofits are working to resolve those problems, and choosing among them can be difficult.

We identify priorities, suggest charitable organizations, and help donors make informed decisions. LICF’s newsletters, annual reports, and occasional papers on special topics, expand donors’ knowledge of philanthropy. We also have annual events, usually hosted at a nonprofit, where our

donors learn about topics such as Alzheimer’s research; or tour renowned research facilities such as Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories.

What do donors request most often to help them with their giving?

Our donors want to be sure their charitable giving has the greatest impact possible, and they often ask for information on causes they care about. I help them understand the scope of a problem and its contributing factors, as well as which nonprofits are addressing those issues and what strategies are most effective. We

believe informed donors make the biggest difference.

LICF recently started an Annual Fund. Why should someone give to it?

The LICF Annual Fund supports a broad range of issues including education, environment, hunger, physical and mental health, arts and culture, and workforce development. LICF’s board and staff diligently research requests and make grants to qualifying nonprofits. Gifts to the fund are pooled to enable larger grants with more impact. Many donors recognize the value of being part of a bigger effort.

(cover story) If you want to start a fund to do the kind of work like the Greentree Foundation, contact Marie Smith, director of donor relations and communications at (631) 991-8800, ext.

223; msmith@licf.org

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Where Philanthropy Branches Out The Greentree Foundation, named after the Whitney family home in Manhasset, was established in 1982 by Betsey Cushing Whitney to support groups that want to improve education and lessen social and cultural tensions. Today, Greentree’s mission includes the advancement of peace, human rights, and cooperation among nations. It also practices sustainable land and wildlife management and supports local charities through a fund created nearly two decades ago at the Long Island Community Foundation. The collaboration is a great example of two foundations working together to solve some of our community’s toughest problems.

In 2003, Greentree joined Long Island Community Foundation’s family of funds to ensure its grants address some of the Island’s most pressing needs.

Since then, the Greentree Fund has given more than $2.2 million to a variety of causes—from afterschool programs and childcare to economic development and immigration issues.

Projects made possible, in part, by the Greentree Foundation’s generosity:

Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja An Arts Center to Revitalize Central Islip frequently faces gang violence, crime, and cultural conflicts. Its downtown commercial strips and storefronts have been neglected, and the community lacked a safe space for residents to get

Investing in Change Photo by: Margarita Espada

together. An array of Central American immigrants and African American residents bring a rich culture to the area, but they needed a place to gather. By pooling grant money, including funds from the Greentree Foundation, LICF gave $20,000 so Teatro could open an arts center in downtown Central Islip. With enthusiastic backing from the community, the arts and cultural center has helped bring diverse ethnic groups together, revitalized neglected commercial space, and spurred economic development.

Photo by: Anthony Brites

Island Harvest Feeding and Caring for Seniors More than 300,000 Long Islanders receive emergency food every year, a 21 percent increase since 2006.

Because of LI’s high cost of living, seniors on fixed incomes are among the hungry. With Greentree funding, Island Harvest operates a twice-monthly senior mobile food pantry at the Glen Cove Housing Authority. The program serves nearly 90 low-income seniors a month with fresh produce and other nutritional supplements. In addition, Island Harvest distributes non-food items, such as adult diapers and information on preventing falls, healthful living, exercise and other topics.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rockville Centre Well-being of Immigrant Children Over the past year, more than 66,000 unaccompanied children, mainly from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, were apprehended trying to enter the United States. The increase in these arrivals is mainly due to extreme violence and poverty in their home countries. About 4,000 minors came to New York, and nearly two-thirds of them arrived on Long Island. These children suffer from extreme trauma,

Photo by: Marie Smith

and mental health professionals are concerned about their well-being. In addition, anti-immigrant groups on the Island have created a hostile environment, adding to the kids’ stress and anxiety. Adhering to the Whitney tradition—the furtherance of peace, human rights, and international cooperation—a Greentree Foundation Fund grant to Catholic Charities is providing mental health services and collaborating with immigrant agencies to offer legal assistance.

“Working with the Long Island Community Foundation over the years, we’ve come to rely on its knowledge and expertise about the local region and critical issues,” said Richard Schaffer, President of the Greentree Foundation.

“We capitalize on its thorough evaluation, due diligence, measurement of project results and oversight. It’s a great partnership.”

The Foundation hosts meetings at Greentree for local and international philanthropies devoted to peace, human rights, and Professional Advisor Fall Forum on Asset Protection international featuring speaker Ray Radigan. Photo by: Marie Smith cooperation.

Greentree also has a close relationship with the United Nations and hosts meetings for the Secretary-General and numerous UN agencies.

Published by the Long Island Community Foundation 900 Walt Whitman Road, Suite 205 Melville, NY 11747 www.licf.org David M. Okorn, Executive Director (631) 991-8800 x226 or dmokorn@licf.org Marie C. Smith, Director of Donor Relations & Communications (631) 991-8800 x223 or msmith@licf.org

Is LICF in your will?

You can set up a permanent fund.

We’ll make the grants supporting the causes you care about. Forever.

Call us today.

In addition, the Foundation opens its doors for educational meetings where the LICF invites local nonprofits to discuss regional problems. And Greentree’s educational forums for professional advisors promote charitable giving; these professionals, including lawyers, accountants and financial advisors, can then talk to their clients about the best ways to give back to the community.

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They LOVE to give.

So they started a fund at the Long Island Community Foundation.

“Opening a fund at the Long Island Community Foundation was a perfect way to achieve the spirit of giving embedded in both our company and family culture.”

Being a family-owned business for over 20 years, the Lorraine Gregory Corporation knows the value of good corporate citizenship through philanthropy and always gave back to their community. By extension, their adult children and spouses learned the value of giving back. They opened the Lorraine Gregory Family Fund at the Long Island Community Foundation.

We are honored that they chose the Long Island Community Foundation to give generously and wisely now and in the future. You can do the same.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE? Set up a fund that will support your passions — forever.

Call Marie Smith at (631) 991-8800, ext. 223

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