CPA, CFP, FABFAManaging Partner, Cerini & Associates, LLP Ken Cerini is the founder and managing partner of Cerini & Associates, LLP. Like many of the nonprofits he serves, Ken is passionate about making a difference, believing that it is important to be deeply invested in every client relationship and providing real value to each of his clients. He is one of the top accountants/consultants in the State of New York working with special education providers, is well-versed in nonprofit issues, and also is heavily involved in the healthcare industry.
This gala event was created to offer formal acknowledgment to some of Long Island's and the City's Most effective and innovative non-profit organizations.
The Imagine Award is an Award Program That was Designed for 3 reasons:
1) To shine a spotlight on those nonprofits that are truly unique those with strong leadership
2)To foster relationships having the ability for nonprofit leadership to come together and communicate
3)To provide education it’s a little bit of a cliché, but we don’t know what we don’t know.
Tune in for this sensible conversation at TalkRadio.nyc or watch the Facebook Livestream by Clicking Here.
Segment 1
On this week’s episode of Philanthropy in Phocus, Tommy D interviews Ken Cerini, the managing director of Cerini & Associates, LLP to discuss the Imagine Awards. These awards seek to recognize the efforts of unique non-profit organizations, to provide networking opportunities for those in the non-profit sector, and to educate those in the community about the efforts being made by non-profit organizations. Tommy D begins the interview by asking Ken Cerini how he made the decision to become involved in the non-profit sector. Ken responds by speaking about his desire to make a social impact within his community. Ken also highlights the need for alignment in partnerships between corporate businesses and non-profit organization; this ensures the sustainability of mutually beneficial partnerships.
Segment 2
The second segment of the interview discusses how to find the right business or non-profit organization to form a partnership with. Ken highlights how important it is for non-profit organizations to understand what it is they have to offer within a business alliance; this requires thoughtful consideration of what qualities would enable fruitful alliances. Some factors to take into consideration also include: the reputation of the businesses which a non-profit organization seeks to create partnerships with and the alignment of the visions of the business and non-profit organizations. Ken also discusses trends he has observed which affect the stability of such alliances such as changing government regulations and the need to retain quality staff and board members in non-profit organizations (which usually necessitates the need to increase wages). Finally, Ken remarks on the need for strong leadership within non-profit organizations; this enables the fulfilment of the vision and mission of these organizations.
Segment 3
In the third segment of today’s episode of Philanthropy in Phocus, Tommy and Ken continue their discussion on the sustainability of corporate and non-profit organization alliances. Ken emphasizes the importance of balancing the need to benefit the community with the need fulfil the mission of the non-profit organization. Ken and Tommy then discuss the Imagine Awards which have been going on for 10 years and which took about 10 years to actualize. Ken discusses his realization of a need for a space to recognize the impact created by the non-profit sector. He describes the Imagine Awards as a place to bring non-profit leaders together to create a stronger sector. The awards consist of 5 distinct award categories: Leadership, Arts and Culture, Innovation, Social Impact, and the Rising Award. The last two categories assess the micro and macro impact of the non-profit organization on the community.
Segment 4
In the final segment of the interview, Tommy asks Ken what he imagines the award series to become several years from now. Ken describes his hope that this award series will enhance the visibility of the non-profit sector. Ken also highlights the Fan Favorite Award and he announces that voting for this award goes live on Monday September 9th. Any 501c org providing services in and around long-island can be considered for this award. He also mentions that organizations need not have a brick and mortar establishment to be
considered for this award. Ken also mentions the Let’s Imagine Awards. He encourages organizations to attend as there will be a large presence of several non-profit leaders and this will provide a rare networking opportunity for those in the non-profit world. Finally, Tommy and Ken wrap up the show by re-emphasizing the importance of recognizing the work done within the non-profit sector.
