SOURCE:
https://libn.com/2023/05/03/mt-awards-585k-to-li-nonprofits/
By David Winzelberg - May 3, 2023
The M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank, awarded a total of $585,000 in grants to Long Island nonprofit organizations.
The grants come from the foundation’s Amplify Fund, a $25 million philanthropic investment that was part of the merger between People’s United Bank and M&T Bank.
The fund is a one-time supplemental program to provide further support in the legacy People’s United communities throughout New England and New York to benefit low- and moderate-income communities and underrepresented populations through a racial equity and justice lens, according to a foundation statement.
The grants were selected through a request-for-proposals and focused on financial empowerment, environmental justice, and community and tenant organizing on Long Island and in the New York metropolitan area.
On Long Island, the financial empowerment grants were awarded to Ascendus, Central Islip Civic Council, Organización Latino Americana (OLA), SEPA Mujer, Community Action Southold Town (CAST), La Fuerza CDC, Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk, and Urban League LI.
Grants for community organizing went to Long Island Progressive Coalition Education Project, Community Development Corporation of Long Island, Long Island Housing Partnership, La Fuerza Unida.
The Citizens Campaign Fund for the Environment received an environmental justice grant for its Wind Works Long Island project.
“Climate change is the greatest challenge of our generation. Changing the way we produce energy can change the world,” Adrienne Esposito, executive director, Citizens Campaign Fund for the Environment, said in the statement. “We are thankful for M&T Bank’s commitment to fund our educational campaign to engage and educate members of the public as we embark on a just transition to a renewable energy economy.”
Jason Lipiec, M&T Bank Long Island regional president, said M&T is proud to support Long Islanders in the grant distribution.
“We are deeply committed to investing in our local businesses and community partners that make Long Island a great place to live, work and play.”