Page 3 - NYC Imagine Awards Journal

Diamond Welcome

a world without hope or compassion
a world without food and shelter
a world without arts and culture
a world without innovation and impact
Imagine a world where the nonprofit sector didn’t exist
The nonprofit sector is such an integral part of New York’s tapestry. It is part of every neighborhood
and benefits every socio-economic community that makes up New York City and its surrounding
boroughs. It embodies the best of all of us; our compassion, imagination, hope, decency, selflessness,
and humanity. Nonprofit organizations do so much for all of us, touching lives in countless ways—
healing, feeding, sheltering, clothing, providing beauty, insight, research, and assistance; provoking
Celebrating your tireless thought, exploration, and tolerance; and so much more. Nonprofits don’t seek recognition or accolades,
just support (monetary, goods, and volunteers) so they can help more and do more to make New York
City and its surrounding boroughs better places to live, work, and play. The last couple of years have
COMMITMENT been very difficult for the sector, facing fiscal challenges due to macroeconomic trends, ongoing digital
transformation, talent shortages, and a growing need for services. The polarization of our country has
not helped the issue.
TO OTHERS. It is for these, and many other reasons, that the nonprofit sector needs a night like this, an event
like this—a chance for us all to honor the sector that quietly provides so much impact on a daily
basis. While we wish we could personally thank each and every one of the nearly 35,000 nonprofit
organizations that operate within the New York City metropolitan area for their unwavering dedication
to changing lives and bringing rays of hope, compassion, understanding, and even a little magic to our
lives and communities, tonight is really about our 24 amazing finalists, which represent some of the
We are pleased to support The 4th Annual NYC best that the New York City nonprofit sector has to offer.
Imagine Awards. So... welcome to the 4th Annual New York City Imagine Awards, a program established to recognize
and celebrate some of the best nonprofits New York City has to offer, to provide an avenue for
exploration and collaboration, and to allow nonprofits (and the rest of us too) to share ideas and learn
Every day, you help make our community a better place to from each other. Tonight is an opportunity for us to support and appreciate those organizations that all
year long diligently work to elevate and support all of us. This will be an amazing evening, where 24 of
live. We do our best to support you, your organization and the New York City’s top nonprofit organizations will be competing in six different categories: Leadership,
Innovation, Rising Star, Arts & Culture, Social Impact, and DEIA, for a chance to win a prestigious
people you serve. We’re always proud to help our neighbors. Imagine Award, a $5,000 check, and bragging rights for the year. Regardless of who wins, each of our
finalists will receive the video aired tonight, and thanks to Webster Bank, our Diamond Sponsor, each
of our finalists will receive $1,000.
In addition to the six award winners, there will also be a winner of the Fan Favorite Award, where people
Daniel J. Liberty voted online for one of our finalists to win an additional $3,000 prize.
Regional President & Head of Not for Profit Banking Your support of the Imagine Awards is helping to make a difference, so thank you for helping us
Commercial Banking recognize the best of the best of New York City’s nonprofit community. I would especially like to thank
One Jericho Plaza, 3rd Floor, Jericho, NY 11753 this year’s Diamond Sponsor: Webster Bank; Platinum Sponsors: Alliant Insurance Services, Inc., Cerini
& Associates, LLP, The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation, Flagstar Private Bank, JPMorgan Chase &
dliberty@websterbank.com Co., OneGroup, and Your Part-Time Controller. Consider supporting them as they support the nonprofit
sector. Lastly, I would like to thank the awards committee and the judges who were instrumental in
making tonight a reality.
Once again, congratulations to this year’s Imagine Awards finalists! Thank you for making New York
City a better place for all of us.

Thank You,

websterbank.com Kenneth Cerini, CPA, CFP, FABFA
Managing Partner, Cerini & Associates, LLP

Webster Bank, N.A., Webster, Webster Bank, the Webster Bank logo, and the W symbol are registered
trademarks of Webster Financial Corporation. © 2024 Webster Financial Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
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