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HOLBROOK, N.Y. (Dec. 28, 2020)—American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (AP)—a privately-held, independent broker/dealer that services financial advisors nationwide—announces that it has established a four-year funding commitment to benefit The Butterfly Effect Project (BEP), a Long Island, N.Y.-based non-profit organization that helps broaden the horizons of school-aged girls by eliminating obstacles such as mobility, cultural differences and finances. AP’s new relationship with BEP bestows a $100,000 grant, made possible by the American Portfolios Foundation, Inc., to be distributed over a four-year period beginning in 2021.
“We have always been committed to serving people and places we are connected to through our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, which allow us to make positive change—not solely with words or donations, but by contributing time and resources,” states CEO Lon T. Dolber. “Our hope is that by being good corporate citizens, we help to make the world a better place for everyone.”
“The opportunity that AP has given BEP is life changing,” states Founder and Executive Director Tijuana (Tia) Fulford. “Their generous grant is more than financial aid; it represents opportunities, doors opening, growth, sustainability and, ultimately, success stories. It will allow our 400-plus girls not just to dream, but to also have the tools they need to succeed in life.”
AP’s involvement with BEP stems back to 2017, when That Motown Band (Dolber’s passion project) headlined a concert fundraiser at the historic Suffolk Theater in Riverhead, N.Y., to benefit the non-profit organization. Since that time, AP and the firm’s Employee Activity Committee regularly initiates awareness campaigns and organizes events to support the BEP cause, including food and toy drives. AP also strives to create mutual pathways between the relationships it maintains with other non-profit organizations that will directly benefit BEP members.
In early 2019, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications Melissa Grappone developed a unique and free educational opportunity for BEP members by teaching them how to write Haiku. Grappone and author Don Foxe co-wrote The Butterfly’s Guide to Haiku, a workbook designed specifically for and donated to BEP that is aimed to empower members by providing them with the confidence that comes from learning to express themselves creatively through poetry.
Grappone is an integral part of the firm’s mission to support BEP’s mission, regularly attending chapter meetings and events. During the summer of 2019, she escorted a group of BEP members on a multi-day excursion to Washington, D.C.’s famous landmarks. “It was truly wonderful to see our nation’s capital through the eyes of these bright and exuberant young girls and women,” says Grappone of the volunteer opportunity and her long-standing commitment to bringing awareness to the organization. “They learned a lot from visiting the various sites, while also having a great deal of fun. Without the hard work, dedication and donations provided to this worthy cause, BEP may not have been able to enjoy such unique and enriching opportunities.”
The firm holds itself responsible not only for its investment professionals who serve the investing public, but also to the community-at-large with its active involvement in many socially responsible endeavors involving veterans, individuals with disabilities, mentoring and education, and health and well-being. AP is proud to support and sponsor such non-profit organizations as World T.E.A.M. (WT), The Center for Discovery (TCFD), Virtual Enterprises International (VEI), Life Arts, Inc., Long Island Cares (LIC) and Honor Flight Long Island (HFLI), to name a few.
About American Portfolios
Headquartered in Holbrook, N.Y., American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc. (APFS) is a full-service, independent broker/dealer and member firm of FINRA and SIPC, offering a complete range of financial services, including personal financial and retirement planning, securities trading, mutual funds, access to investment research, long-term care planning, insurance products and tax-free investing. Fee-based asset management is offered through its sister subsidiary, American Portfolios Advisors, Inc., (APA), an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Both entities, along with technology entity American Portfolios Advisory Solutions, LLC, collectively reside under the legal entity American Portfolios Holdings, Inc. (APH). Full-service securities brokerage is available through a clearing firm relationship with Pershing, LLC, a BNY Mellon firm, the securities of which are held on a fully disclosed basis. The company currently supports 860 independent investment professionals—inclusive of registered assistants—and more than 375 non-registered associates, located in 405 branch locations throughout the nation. It was named Broker-Dealer of the Year* (Division III) by Investment Advisor magazine for six consecutive years (2015-2020); a 2019 and 2020 WealthManagement.com Industry Award Finalist in multiple categories, and the 2020 winner in the service category of B/Ds under 1,000 representatives for its Virtual Administrative Services (VAS) program**; one of the Best Companies to Work for in the state of New York for five consecutive years (2016-2020) by the New York State Society for Human Resources Management (NYS-SHRM) and the Best Companies Group (BCG); and one of the Top Long Island Workplaces for 2018, 2019 and 2020 by Newsday.
* Based on a poll of registered representatives conducted by Investment Advisor magazine. Broker/dealers rated highest by their representatives are awarded “Broker/Dealer (B/D) of the Year.”
** Wealthmanagement.com Industry Award finalists are selected by a panel of independent judges made up of subject matter experts in the industry. Award is based on support provided to AP’s affiliated people and does not reflect public customers nor their account performance.
About American Portfolios Foundation, Inc.
American Portfolios Foundation, Inc. (APF), a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that was originally created in New York in 2004 and amended in 2018 and headquartered in Holbrook, N.Y., is intended as a non-profit entity designed to advance awareness, assistance and support for charitable causes. Board members include AP CEO Lon T. Dolber, president; AP Chief Administrative Officer Dalchand Laljit, vice president; and AP Chief Financial Officer Damon Joyner, treasurer/secretary. Additionally, various roles are held by members of AP headquarters staff. The board meets on a quarterly basis to discuss its existing relationships with various charities and to determine the focus for various upcoming initiatives that will require the Foundation’s services and support.
About The Butterfly Effect Project
The Butterfly Effect Project (BEP) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, community-oriented organization started in 2014 by Tijuana Fulford. BEP’s goal is to empower young girls by giving them the tools to assist in achieving emotionally stable and self-confident futures, with the hope of bringing forth a generation of women who are strong, independent and knowledgeable. BEP aspires to ensure that every girl enrolled in the program has a fair chance to broaden their horizons by eliminating obstacles such as mobility, cultural differences and finances. Beginning with eight girls from the Riverhead and Flanders areas of Long Island, N.Y., the program has grown to more than 430 girls who live in Suffolk County. BEP believes that with the help of local communities, every child can experience diverse activities that help mold and challenge their minds while promoting academic success, hard work and self-esteem. To that end, BEP provides a safe place for young girls to be free, expressive and successful.
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