East End Non-Profits Get a Boost from LICF and AFTEE

All For The East End (AFTEE) announced on Tuesday, December 4, that it received a grant award of $15,000 from the Long Island Community Foundation to help create and manage the organization’s first large-scale fundraiser. Scheduled for August 19, the fundraiser will be an all-day music festival at Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead. Proceeds from the event will start a new fund to financially aid, strengthen and support the not-for-profit community in the five East End towns.

“Ths is wonderful news,” said Myron Levine, president and cofounder of AFTEE. “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,” Levine said, explaining that it would be easier for local not-for-profits to concentrate on their own important missions, knowing AFTEE has their backs.

Managing Director and Board President for WPPB, Peconic Public Broadcasting, Wally Smith, also said he is pleased with the news. “WPPB’s board envisioned this unifying effort from our work as a community resource that serves all of our East End non-profits”, Smith said. WPPB, based in Southampton, is AFTEE’s founding partner and leads the effort to assemble the non-profit community.

Long Island Community Foundation’s Executive Director David OKorn said his organization is proud and excited to collaborate with AFTEE on the initiative. He said it would provide much needed awareness and funding to non-profits on the East End. “The non-profit sector is not only a vital part of the Island’s economy, but also acts to enrich the health, well being and overall quality of life for all of our residents,” OKorn added. “It is truly refreshing to see such a collaborative effort that brings together the non-profit and business communities for such a great cause.”

Levine said AFTEE would begin seeking community assistance from area businesses and professionals, small and large, by asking that they become part of this effort to support local not-for-profits. “We already have some wonderful support from Bridgehampton National Bank, as our founding sponsor, Peconic Public Broadcasting, Dan’s Papers LLC, Tanger Outlets, Southampton Hospital, Weber & Grahn, Peconic Bay Medical Center, Pure Insurance, Emil Norsic & Sons, Bates + Masi Architects, the honorable [NY State Assemblyman] Fred Thiele and our founding partners, Nile Rogers Productions, Martha Clara Vineyards and Hamptons Event Management.”

Bridgehampton National Bank‘s president and CEO Kevin O’Connor said he didn’t hesitate when asked to come onboard as the founding sponsor for AFTEE. He said he was inspired by the commitment and energy of Levine and the various supporters, as well as the fact that AFTEE had the full support of the not-for-profit community. “AFTEE is an opportunity for Bridgehampton National Bank to continue its mission of community support that began over 100 years ago. It is a true community collaboration for the benefit of the organizations that make the East End such a special place to live and work.”

“We all share an interest in protecting the singular quality of life and community that makes our five East End towns unlike any other place in the world,” AFTEE Executive Director Mary Morgan said. “The excitement is growing as we approach businesses and individuals who want to participate in this new community effort.”

AFTEE sponsors, depending on the level of support, will receive VIP and general admission event tickets as well as tremendous public acknowledgement of that support. Morgan said early sponsors would also be included in an “exciting one-of-a-kind raffle.”

To make a donation or support AFTEE, email Mary Morgan at Mary@AFTEE.org or call 631-599-9297.