Long Island Progressive Coalition is one of twelve nonprofits to receive LEAP funding

In perhaps the first-ever program of such regional scope, five of the biggest names in Long Island philanthropy and one anonymous donor are providing nearly half a million dollars to help 12 grassroots, community-based nonprofits in Nassau and Suffolk Counties significantly improve the quality of life on Long Island.

The Long Island Progressive Coalition was one of the 12.

The initiative, called LEAP, for Leadership, Effectiveness, Action & Partnership, will be run by the Community Training and Assistance Center (CTAC), a renowned Boston based provider of technical assistance to grassroots groups serving struggling communities. CTAC will help small and medium-sized nonprofits to become more effective change agents in communities that have not shared Long Island's overall prosperity. Twelve grassroots groups have been selected for the inaugural year of what is projected to be a three-year initiative serving as many as 36 nonprofits.

The funders are: Long Island Community Foundation, Horace Hagedorn Foundation, Rauch Foundation, JPMorgan Chase Foundation, Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock and an anonymous donor.

"At a time when nonprofits are being scrutinized by local government, media and Congress, this initiative is designed to bring a new level of operational effectiveness and program impact, particularly to organizations based in communities of color, communities that traditionally have the fewest resources," said Suzy Sonenberg, executive director of the Long Island Community Foundation, which is coordinating the initiative in communities and the region," she said.

Shown in the photo are David Sprintzen, Long Island Progressive Coalition board secretary, left, with CTAC Executive Director Bill Slotnik, center, and Deputy Executive Director Elliott Lee.

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