East End nonprofits see collaboration as tool to survive bad economy

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Richard Demato, president of The Retreat, hosted a forum for area nonprofit organizations on how they can collaborate and succeed financially.
Photos by Erin Geismar

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Another government attendee, County Legislator Jay Schneiderman, said he tries to keep an eye on nonprofit organizations applying for grants and said that his Sag Harbor office is always open for support.

“My office is happy to help any organization apply for grants, or if there is any other way we can help we’d be happy to do that,” he said.

Edna Steck, director of Human Services for East Hampton Town, supported Ms. Freeman’s idea of creating one body and cited precedent. She said that in the past, New York State has provided funding for communities that worked together to deliver services and formed referral agreements.

The organizations also agreed that referrals were a way they could help each other.

“All of our issues impact each other,” said Mr. Friedman. He said that while The Retreat offers help only for domestic violence, with those victims it also sees cases of substance abuse as well as children who need special services.

He said that the benefits of collaboration extend beyond financial gain for each organization and that by working together, East End nonprofits would also advance toward at least one common goal.

“We need to work together to improve the quality of life for those around us,” he said.