IMPACT
East End Empowerment Fund (EEEF)
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork is delighted to continue its funding of local non-profits, grassroots organizations, and national organizations with East End offices through its East End Empowerment Fund (EEEF), formerly known as High Impact Community Outreach (HICO). EEEF is particularly eager to fund projects and groups that empower local individuals, communities, and organizations in any of the five East End Towns (East Hampton, Southampton, Shelter Island, Riverhead, and Southold) and the Shinnecock Nation. The goal is to provide additional resources to support growth: psychological, social, cultural, and economic.
As a small granting organization, EEEF is particularly interested in assisting groups that are relatively new or that are at a critical point in their development. We are proud to note that some of our past grantees have grown significantly and are now better able to serve the community. We aspire to unite diverse people and form longer-term relationships among our grantees and our congregation.
EEEF is possible because of a bequest of a long-time member, Paul Berman, supplemented by contributions from other congregation members.
Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded, with applications due by September 1, 2026. Grants will be announced in November.
Our Shared Beliefs and Values:
Unitarian Universalism has a broad and inclusive outlook. We share a set of core values with Love at the center. Our shared values include:
- Protecting the environment and all beings from exploitation
- Affirming that every person is inherently worthy
- Dismantling racism and all forms of systematic oppression
- Advocating for the civil rights of individuals experiencing discrimination, exclusion, or unequal treatment
- Working to attain an inclusive democratic process
Grant Application Instructions
Application Deadline: September 1, 2026
Decision Communicated: November 2026
Submit the application by mail and electronically.
- Send two (2) hard copies of the completed application to:
UUCSF
Attn: EEEF
PO Box 1444
Bridgehampton, NY 11932
- Send an electronic copy of the completed application to EEEF@uusf.org.
Please Note:
- All narrative pages should be typed using a minimum of 12 pt. font, single-spaced on 8 ½ X 11 paper.
- Submit any questions or comments to EEEF@uucsf.org.
- Applicants are eligible to receive one grant in any 12-month period.
Our Mission Statement
East End Empowerment Fund (EEEF) is a program sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Bridgehampton, New York. Its mission is to provide grants to local, community-based organizations for projects whose goal is to enable people on eastern Long Island to overcome physical, social, and/or psychological challenges. EEEF hopes that grants of up to ten thousand dollars will empower the individuals served by the projects and strengthen the worthy organizations that conduct them.
Maureen’s Haven Homeless Outreach: The UUCSF assists Maureen’s Haven throughout the winter, joining with many congregations to arrange volunteers for overnight hosting of homeless men on the East End. Our team is hosted by Christ Episcopal Church in Sag Harbor, joined by Temple Adas Israel. We coordinate volunteers from Sunday afternoon through early Monday morning once a month: preparing beds, providing meals and hygiene supplies, greeting and serving our guests and sending them off with a hot breakfast and a packed lunch. Aside from the meals and beds, we share a warm, safe, hospitable space for our guests whose daily lives are filled with challenges. Volunteers are always needed and range from children to seniors and everything in between.
The UUCSF Free Pantry: The UUCSF Free Pantry is located at the entrance to the Meetinghouse and was opened in late 2019. This small pantry is open 24 hours a day and is accessed anonymously. No judgment about who needs our assistance. No limitation when people in need can visit the pantry. Volunteers from the congregation restock the pantry daily. Donations are from congregants and supplemented by a grant from our Outreach Committee. This concept has been well received and is a potential model for other institutions to help feed our local communities.
Helping Hand Fund:
The Helping Hand Fund is an integral part of the congregation’s outreach to the larger community on the East End. Funds derive from Sunday service donations, fundraising events and other contributions. The focus of funding is on groups, generally non-profits, that work with marginalized populations in our area. The Fund seeks to supplement our own activities by giving recognition and support to the valuable work being done on the East End to alleviate need and impact social change. The Helping Hand Committee is always looking for new projects that support our principles and mission.
Click here to see a listing of Past Grantees
Minister’s Discretionary Fund:
The Minister’s Discretionary Fund is used to help people in immediate need. The fund is open to members and friends of the congregation as well as members of our larger community. In the past, the Minister’s Discretionary Fund provided assistance for such things as: rent, groceries, utility and insurance bills, and bail.
