LIA Foundation

Mission

The LIA Foundation is a separate 501 c(3) that supports its parent organization, the Long Island Association Inc., a 501 c(6).

The mission of the Long Island Association Foundation is to support the well-being of all Long Island communities, businesses, and their employees which will help our region to thrive and prosper.

Goals

The LIA Foundation aims to implement programs, hold events, and conduct research that focus on areas critical to Long Island's economic development, including:

Fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive economy
Supporting small businesses
Protecting Long Island's most vulnerable residents in need
Encouraging workforce training to support employers and their employees
Cultivating innovation

LOCAL Small Business Grants

On April 11, 2024, the LIA Foundation announced a $300,000 grant award from Optimum Business, which will directly fund 50 Long Island businesses (25 in Nassau County and 25 in Suffolk County) with funding to help them expand and contribute to the prosperity in the community where they operate.

The LIA Foundation is partnering with the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce on promoting this program to small businesses with 10 or fewer employees.

Click here to read the full press release

Official Rules Link

Enlace de Reglas Oficiales

Application Link

Enlace de Aplicación

Eligibility Guidelines (for full eligibility information, read the Official Rules):

The business must have a brick and mortar location in Nassau County or Suffolk County.
The business must have 10 or fewer employees.
Through an application, the business must demonstrate that the grant will both support the expansion and growth of their company and contribute positively to the community where they operate.

Examples of Successful Applications:

New signage that promotes your business and beautifies the surrounding community.
A marketing plan or website that helps your business acquire new customers and increase patronage at your store.
New landscaping outside your location or remodeling inside that improves the customer experience.
A consultant that helps you organize your business (such as an accountant or marketing agency) that will help enable future success on Long Island.

Process:

Businesses should submit grant applications by May 1, 2024 through the online portal.
Please email questions to foundation@longislandassociation.org.
All businesses must read the Official Rules before submitting an application.
Awards are anticipated to be announced in summer 2024.

Supporting Small Businesses

In 2023, the Long Island Association Foundation was awarded a $42,000 grant from the Long Island Community Foundation in partnership with the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce and Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to develop a plan for inclusive economic growth in our region.

This will build upon the LIA's Small Business Support Program launched in June 2022 and the collaboration among the LIA, LIAACC, and LIHCC to support and advocate for Long Island's diverse small business community. The organizations are engaging with their members in quarterly joint membership meetings, roundtable discussions, and individual meetings to receive feedback and input on best practices for regional collaboration, marketing and outreach, and navigating challenges facing small businesses.

Pictured left to right: Luis Vazquez, President of the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Matt Cohen, President & CEO of the Long Island Association, Phil Andrews, President of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce.