Celebrating hardworking nonprofits for their creativity, sustainability and resilience is one of the many reasons The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation supports the Long Island Imagine Awards, with the Claire Friedlander Family Foundation Arts and Culture Award. Now in its 14th year, the Imagine Awards 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.
“We proudly sponsor the Imagine Awards Arts & Culture category in honor of our founder’s legacy. Claire Friedlander, a Holocaust survivor, had a deep appreciation of the arts and a keen understanding of the positive effect arts and culture has on a community,” said foundation President Peter J. Klein.
The gala event, scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 6-10pm at the Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, NY, provides unlimited networking and connection opportunities for the corporate and nonprofit sectors while highlighting the exceptional work of the finalist organizations. The 24 finalists, 4 in each category, receive a professionally produced video that is showcased the night of the event and two free tickets to attend. In addition, each finalist will receive $1,000 courtesy of Diamond Sponsor SterlingRisk Insurance and one winner in each category will be announced LIVE at the event. For more information ImagineAwardsLI.com.
Long Island-based nonprofits apply to win a $5,000 grant in six categories – Arts & Culture, Innovation, Leadership Excellence, Rising Star, Social Impact and a NEW category for 2026 – Sustainability and Environmental Award. This award honors a Long Island-based 501(c)(3) organization or program committed to environmental sustainability and environmental initiatives within their programs or services. Nearly 200 applications were submitted this year. The 2026 Long Island Imagine Awards finalists are:
