Women’s Fund of Long Island
In 2011, Long Island Fund for Women & Girls changed its name to the Women's Fund of Long Island (“WFLI”). WFLI is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization. Their office is located in the historic Elias Hicks house in Jericho, New York.
WFLI was founded in 1991 by Barbara Strongin, Suzy Sonenberg and Betty Schlein. Their motto was “empowerment through philanthropy.” In WFLI's infancy, women from all over Nassau County and Suffolk County met at home gatherings, at bi-county general meetings and in work-based focus groups to identify the most pressing issues affecting women and girls in the local communities.
By 1993, WFLI had an active Steering Council and had disbursed $20,000 in grants to local not-for-profit organizations whose programs benefited women and girls. Originally a part of the Long Island Community Foundation, WFLI became a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with an independent Board of Directors in 1995.
Each year since 1995, WFLI has expanded its philanthropy through its annual "Women Achievers" breakfast. Held each October, this is the organization's major fundraising event. Exceptional women and young women leaders are honored and WFLI's annual grants are announced.
Over the past twenty years, WFLI has made 465 grants to 265 organizations impacting the lives of 120,000 Long Island women and girls. WFLI connects grassroots organizations with resources, information and training to achieve sustainability and better serve their communities. Improving the lives of women creates benefits and opportunity for their families, future generations and the Long Island community.