Long Island is populated with some of the wealthiest Americans who are attracted to the unmatched landscape this island provides, with its vast beaches and proximity to New York City. But not all who occupy the 1% give back in equal measure. Long Islanders voted and decided who is the best philanthropist on Long Island, giving back to make this island and the people on it better for having shared it with this one special person working hard to make a difference!
2024: Long Island Voted Long Island Community Foundation Best Philanthropist!
Long Island Community Foundation
50 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Suite #2, Commack
(631) 991-8800 thenytrust.org/long-island
There are many people in need all over the world and many nonprofit organizations exist to find ways to improve the quality of life for the less fortunate. The Long Island Community Foundation, a division of The New York Community Trust, is one such organization. A public charity, the Long Island Community Foundation (LICF) is a grantmaking foundation that is dedicated to improving the lives of residents of Long Island. The organization brings together individuals, families, foundations, and businesses to build a better community and support nonprofits that make a difference. By applying knowledge, creativity, and resources, the charity strives to better even the most challenging issues in an effort to ensure meaningful opportunities and a better quality of life for all Long Islanders, today and tomorrow.
2023: Long Islanders Voted Long Island Community Foundation Best Philanthropist!
Long Island Community Foundation
900 Walt Whitman Rd., Suite 205, Melville
(631) 991-8800 – licf.org
There are many people in need all over the world and many nonprofit organizations exist to find ways to improve the quality of life for the less fortunate. The Long Island Community Foundation, a division of The New York Community Trust, is one such organization. A public charity, the Long Island Community Foundation (LICF) is a grantmaking foundation that is dedicated to improving the lives of residents of Long Island. The organization brings together individuals, families, foundations, and businesses to build a better community and support nonprofits that make a difference. By applying knowledge, creativity, and resources, the charity strives to better even the most challenging issues in an effort to ensure meaningful opportunities and a better quality of life for all Long Islanders, today and tomorrow.
2022: Long Islanders Voted Craig Pinto Best Philanthropist!
Craig Pinto
(516) 376-0999 – fcali.org
Craig Pinto has had a lifelong passion for giving back. While at NYU, he was awarded the Bart Lawson Award for Public Service for his work and dedication to the community. He is a four-time Guinness World Record holder, all achieved while raising money for different nonprofit organizations. He currently serves as the Vice President for Strategic Advancement and Chief Development Officer of Family and Children’s Association in Garden City, recently creating the Rise Up campaign, partnering with the cast of Hamilton in a campaign to raise money for FCA’s Runaway and Homeless Youth programs!
2021: Long Islanders Voted Terrie Magro – The Michael Magro Foundation Best Philanthropist!
Terrie Magro – The Michael Magro Foundation
12 Julian St, Hicksville
(516) 935-4510 – michaelmagrofoundation.com
Terrie Magro first started the Michael Magro Foundation after her son passed away from leukemia. Officially founded in 2005, the foundation aims to honor Michael’s life by bettering the lives of children with cancer, pediatric cancer survivors, and their families, as well as other chronic pediatric illnesses. Terrie and her team have worked tirelessly to implement programs and running fundraising efforts to help those in need pay for medical expenses, utility bills and so much more to make their lives easier. Be sure to check out the Michael Magro Foundation website to see how you can help fellow Long Islanders who are dealing with pediatric cancer.
2020: Long Islanders Voted Craig Pinto Consulting, LLC Best Philanthropist!
Craig Pinto Consulting, LLC
(516) 376-0999 – craigpinto.com
Craig Pinto has had a lifelong passion for giving back. While at NYU, he was given the prestigious NYU Bart Lawson Award for Public Service for his work and dedication to the community. He is a three-time Guinness World Record holder, all achieved while raising money for different nonprofit organizations. He went on to form his own nonprofit organization, Kicking 4 Celiac Foundation, and along with his work in the celiac disease community, he has raised money for various nonprofit organizations with different focuses. Most recently he started the “Water Bottle Project” which to date, has delivered over 100,000 bottles of clean water to areas in need.
2019: Long Islanders Voted Michele A McDonald, The Bohemian Beauty Queen Best Philanthropist!
Michele A McDonald, The Bohemian Beauty Queen, LLC
(917) 602-6912
No Long Islander gives back to the counties quite like Michele A. McDonald, creator of The Bohemian Beauty Queen. She’s an Inspirational Lifestyle Life Coach Service with the focus on “Living Your Best Life” by making the choice to Choose Happy and Planning is the Pathway of getting there and staying there. Accountability is key and a goal with a deadline helps turn a dream into reality. The Bohemian Beauty Queen Blog is more of a lifestyle guide for those looking to establish their own sense of style, wellness, tips on decorating their home, and entertaining with a focus on the balance between the casual comforts of costal living and the glitz and glam of city life.
2018: Long Islanders Voted The Michael Magro Foundation Best Philanthropist on Long Island
The Michael Magro Foundation
12 Julian St., Hicksville
516-935-4510. Michaelmagrofoundation.com
Paul and Terrie Magro started the Michael Magro Foundation in 2005 to honor the life of their son, Michael, who died at the age of 13 following a battle with leukemia. Since then, the foundation has worked to assist pediatric cancer patients at NYU Winthrop-University Hospital’s Cancer Center for Kids. The foundation also has a scholarship funds and awards two scholarships every year for students graduating from Hicksville High School, including one for a student entering a culinary school. The foundation’s efforts keep alive the memory of a bright, young man beloved by his family and friends — while also helping Long Island families and young cancer patients fight the illness.
2017: Long Islanders Voted Peter Klein / The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation Best Philanthropist on Long Island
Peter Klein / The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation
cffamilyfoundation.org
There are so many extraordinary reasons why Long Islanders voted Peter Klein, Managing Director/Partner of Klein Wealth Management at High Tower Advisors, the Best Philanthropist on Long Island! Among these: He’s recognized for being very active in the community. He’s recognized for advising private foundations professionally. He’s also recognized for volunteering on various boards. Klein serves as President of The Claire Friendlander Family Foundation and Chairman of the Tilles Center for Performing Arts Council of Overseers. He also sits on the boards of The Holocaust & Tolerance Center of Nassau County, The Long Island Community Foundation, Splashes of Hope, Life’s WORC/Family Center for Autism, The Dante Foundation, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Association, Bronx High School of Science Alumni Association and Endowment Committee. All of that, and he’s also a published author! Klein is generous, selfless, and strives to help as many people as possible. For the aforementioned, and so much more, Long Islanders declare him the best!
2016: Long Islanders Voted Sal Ferro Best Philanthropist on Long Island!
Sal Ferro – Alure Home Improvements
1999 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow. 877-442-5873. alure.com
Sal Ferro has put Long Island’s generous giving spirit on the map through his many charitable endeavors, most notably, Extreme Home Makeover, where he and his company, Alure Home Improvements, consistently donate their valuable time and efforts! His willingness to get in the boxing ring and fight for Long Island charities are the stuff of legends. Always there to lend a helping hand to more charities than we can possibly list here, helping the community in so many ways, Sal Ferro is Long Island’s resident philanthropist, and so many residents in both Nassau and Suffolk recognize him as a true pillar of the community and a trusted and valued friend to all!
2015: Long Islanders Voted Sal Ferro of Alure Home Improvements Best Philanthropist on Long Island!
Sal Ferro, Alure Home Improvements
1999 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow. 877-442-5873. alure.com
Long Islanders know that of all the generous community supporters (of which there are plenty) Sal Ferro stands out as one who is willing to get his hands dirty. You might recognize him from the boxing ring, where he has volunteered to fight to raise money. Or maybe his face looks familiar to you from the small screen, where his company Alure Home Improvements volunteered their valuable time and expertise on several seasons of ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover. Helping out more charities than we can list, being involved in the community in innumerable ways, Sal Ferro is a philanthropist that Long Islanders recognize as a true pillar of society who gives and then gives some more. Thanks Sal, you’re The Best!
