Long Island Community Foundation Grantmaking (Non-Health Proposals)

The Long Island Community Foundation (LICF) offers grants to nonprofit organizations in Nassau and Suffolk Counties for innovative projects addressing significant community issues. Prioritized funding areas include arts integration, affordable housing, education, environmental sustainability, mental health support, and hunger alleviation. LICF seeks to support initiatives that foster community development and improve the quality of life for Long Islanders, while emphasizing collaboration and effective solutions to pressing challenges.

Overview of Grantmaking at LICF
The LICF makes grants in Nassau and Suffolk Counties to nonprofits large and small, to those we've worked with over the years and those who are new to us. We are committed to sticking with significant issues that don't lend themselves to quick or easy solutions, and look for projects that take fresh approaches to long-standing issues and that tackle emerging problems and opportunities.
Funding Areas
LICF will fund projects in the following areas:

• Arts
• Program Goal: To integrate the arts in community development, civic engagement, and social change
• We fund projects that:

Revitalize and strengthen communities through economic development.Use the arts to engage residents in community problem solving and/or advocating for social change.
Community Development
Program Goal: To expand quality affordable housing opportunities for all Long Islanders
We fund projects that:
Advance local and statewide policies and practices that promote safe and decent affordable housing options and protect against displacement. Preserve and create multifamily housing for low-to moderate-income families and individuals.Build local support for affordable housing developments.Ensure public investments targeted to community development align with fair housing laws.
Education
Program Goal: To prepare students for success in college and the workforce
We fund projects that:
Build and mobilize public will for greater equity and quality in Long Island’s school districts.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.Increase accountability and transparency of school administrations to parents and students.Expand innovative strategies and partnerships for improving low performing middle and high schools.
Environment
Program Goal: To protect and preserve Long Island’s natural resources, healthy ecosystems and public health
We fund projects that:
Promote sustainable land use, land management, and transportation alternatives.Support and strengthen open space and farmland preservation efforts.Improve and protect the health of the region’s bodies of water.Protect drinking water quality.Preserve biological diversity through habitat conservation and protection.Minimize climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the development of alternative energy sources and energy conservation, research and public education.
Mental Health
Program Goal: To improve the effectiveness, responsiveness, and equity of mental health services for veterans
We fund projects that:
Address the mental health needs of veterans and their families. Raise awareness and respond to the unique needs of women veterans.Facilitate connection to social and legal services for veterans with mental health issues.
Program Goal: To reduce or alleviate hunger on Long Island
We fund projects that:
Increase food access for vulnerable populations.Facilitate connection to social services and other programs (including entitlements, etc.) and/or address root causes of hunger.Increase participation of eligible youth in free school breakfast and lunch programs.
Technical Assistance/Organizational Development
Program Goal: To strengthen the capacity of nonprofit organizations to achieve greater community impact
We fund projects that:
Increase the organizational aptitude of nonprofits.Promote sector-wide best practices and organizational efficiencies.Ensure diverse leadership in the nonprofit sector.Foster mergers or consolidations to better serve communities.
Youth Development
Program Goal: To advance the well-being and economic self-sufficiency of at risk youth (up to 24 years of age)
We fund projects that:
Expand opportunities for positive youth development and leadershipIncrease access to employment opportunitiesReduce school suspensions and incarcerationSupport adolescent mental health and addiction treatment
NOTE: Health proposals are accepted in Cycle 3 only. See separate grant page here.

Eligibility

Most of our competitive grants go to public charities, or to groups sponsored by one. While our focus is on Long Island, we support some organizations headquartered outside the region.Grantees (or fiscal agents) should have a board of directors with at least five members, and no more than one paid board member.

Ineligibility

We do not make grants to individuals, or for general operating support, capital and building campaigns, concerts or plays or other like events, endowments, equipment, deficit financing, or religious purposes.