The winners of the 13th Annual Long Island Imagine Awards were announced live to nearly 500 attendees and hundreds of live-stream viewers at the hybrid event on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at the Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, NY. The Imagine Awards were created to shine a light on some of Long Island’s most effective and innovative nonprofit organizations. The Long Island Imagine Awards, now in its 13th year, was founded by Ken Cerini, CPA, Cerini & Associates LLP, as a way to showcase the nonprofit sector and all the good work that it does, as well as provide opportunities for deeper collaboration within the sector. More than 150 applications were submitted to win a $5,000 grant in each of six categories – Arts & Culture, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA), Innovation, Leadership Excellence, Rising Star, and Social Impact. The 24 finalists, 4 in each category, received a professionally produced video that was showcased the night of the event and two free tickets to attend. In addition, each finalist was awarded $1,000 courtesy of Diamond Sponsor SterlingRisk Insurance. In addition, the LGBT Network was inducted into the prestigious Imagine Awards Hall of Fame, sponsored by Jovia Financial Credit Union, in light of their continued impact on Long Island and their past success at the Imagine Awards.
Watch the 2025 Awards here
“The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation is pleased to support the Arts & Culture Category in homage to Claire’s deep appreciation for all things artistic, said foundation President Peter J. Klein.” It’s been our pleasure to highlight the important work of Long Island’s arts organizations, who are facing more challenges than ever. ” Watch the Arts and Culture finalist videos here
2025 LONG ISLAND IMAGINE AWARDS WINNERS
Claire Friedlander Family Foundation Arts & Culture Award: Dancing Classrooms Long Island
Cerini & Associates, LLP Social Impact Award: Stony Brook Children’s Hospital
Certilman Balin Leadership Excellence Award: Linda Beigel Schulman, Executive Director – Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) Award Sponsored by Chase for Business: The Heckscher Museum of Art
Jovia Financial Credit Union Hall of Fame: The LGBT Network
Flagstar Private Bank Innovation Award: Gurwin Healthcare System
Nerds That Care Fan Favorite Award: We Connect the Dots
Vanguard Benefits Rising Star Award: SIBSPlace, Inc.
For more information visit https://www.imagineawardsli.org/
2025 Claire Friedlander Family Foundation Award Arts and Culture Winner (L-R) Peter J. Klein, President, The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation, Jessica Heins, Dancing Classrooms Long Island, Ken Cerini, CPA, Cerini & Associates, Imagine Awards Founder.