Grant Details

The Long Island Community Foundation (LICF) is a nonprofit, charitable organization that connects donors with the full spectrum of charitable organizations within the community. LICF has granted nearly $170 million to nonprofit organizations across the state from hundreds of funds established by individuals, families, and businesses. 

LICF funds projects in the following areas: 

• Arts - To integrate the arts in community development, civic engagement, and social change. Funded projects: (1) Revitalize and strengthen communities through economic development, or (2) Use the arts to engage residents in community problem solving and/or advocating for social change.
• Community Development - To expand quality affordable housing opportunities for all Long Islanders. Funded projects: (1) Advance local and statewide policies and practices that promote safe and decent affordable housing options and protect against displacement, (2) Preserve and create multifamily housing for low-to moderate-income families and individuals, (3) Build local support for affordable housing developments, or (4) Ensure public investments targeted to community development align with fair housing laws.
• Education - To prepare students for success in college and the workforce. Funded projects: (1) Build and mobilize public will for greater equity and quality in Long Island's school districts, (2) Introduce effective in-school and out of school programs known to improve student performance including academic enrichment (especially in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math); college and career readiness; social and emotional learning; and training for educators, (3) Increase accountability and transparency of school administrations to parents and students, or (4) Expand innovative strategies and partnerships for improving low performing middle and high schools. 
• Environment - To protect and preserve Long Island's natural resources, healthy ecosystems and public health. Funded projects: (1) Promote sustainable land use, land management, and transportation alternatives, (2) Support and strengthen open space and farmland preservation efforts, (3) Improve and protect the health of the region's bodies of water, (4) Protect drinking water quality, (5) Preserve biological diversity through habitat conservation and protection, or (6) Minimize climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the development of alternative energy sources and energy conservation, research and public education.
• Health - To improve the effectiveness, responsiveness, and equity of healthcare for marginalized and underserved communities and populations. Funded projects address existing health disparities and improve access to quality healthcare.
• Mental Health - To improve the effectiveness, responsiveness,and equity of mental health services for veterans.  Funded projects: (1) Address the mental health needs of veterans and their families, (2) Raise awareness and respond to the unique needs of women veterans, or (3) Facilitate connection to social and legal services for veterans with mental health issues.
• Technical Assistance - To strengthen the capacity of nonprofit organizations to achieve greater community impact.  Funded projects: (1) Increase the organizational aptitude of nonprofits, (2) Promote sector-wide best practices and organizational efficiencies, (3) Ensure diverse leadership in the nonprofit sector; or (4) Foster mergers or consolidations to better serve communities.
• Hunger - To reduce or alleviate hunger on Long Island.  Funded projects: (1) Increase food access for vulnerable populations, (2) Facilitate connection to social services and other programs (including entitlements, etc.) and/or address root causes of hunger, or (3) Increase participation of eligible youth in free school breakfast and lunch programs.
• Youth Development - To advance the well-being and economic self-sufficiency of at risk youth (up to 24 years of age). Funded projects: (1) Expand opportunities for positive youth development and leadership; (2) Increase access to employment opportunities; (3) Reduce school suspensions and incarceration, or (4) Support adolescent mental health and addiction treatment.