By Adina Glenn

Posted on February 13th, 2024

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The M&T Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic arm of M&T Bank, has awarded $675,000 in grants to six Long Island nonprofits. The grants are part of $8.2 million that the foundation awarded to 68 nonprofits across New England, Long Island and Rockland County.

This grants are through the foundation’s “Amplify Fund,” a $25 million philanthropic investment that was announced in 2022 and stemmed from the merger between People’s United Bank and M&T Bank. The initiative aims to work with groups that are dedicated to “addressing social issues through a racial equity and social justice lens in low- and moderate- income communities and underrepresented populations,” according to M&T Foundation.

For this second round of funding, M&T had announced a call for proposals in August of 2023. The foundation sought initiatives from nonprofits that worked to solve a specific issue with a focus on either family stability, income and wealth equity, workforce development or health equity.

On Long Island, the funding was awarded to Community Action Southold Town in Southold, Erase Racism in Syosset, EAC  in Garden City, Health and Welfare Council of Long Island in Huntington Station, Long Island FQHC in Westbury, and Northwell Health in New Hyde Park.

“At M&T, addressing the institutionalized and systemic issues preventing disadvantaged communities from accessing opportunities and achieving long-term success is key to our mission as a community-focused bank,” Dominique Goss, executive director of the M&T Charitable Foundation said in a written statement.

“We are proud to provide the Amplify Fund as a difference-making resource in the communities we serve and look forward to continuing our work to increase racial and economic equity throughout our footprint,” Gross added.

The grants ranged from $50,000 to $150,000 on Long Island.

“The Health Equity Taskforce and Northwell Health are committed to advancing health equity for vulnerable and marginalized populations throughout Long Island,” Dr. Debbie Salas-Lopez, senior vice president of Community and Population Health at Northwell Health, said in a written statement.

“This generous grant from the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation’s Amplify Fund will advance our work to strengthen the youth mental health ecosystem throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties,” Salas-Lopez said.

“With improved access to mental health services, education, and support, the Health Equity Taskforce will realize a significant and sustainable impact on the mental health of Long Island’s underrepresented youth,” Salas-Lopez said.

The M&T Foundation will offer a third round of grants, which will be announced later this year.