A Long Island nonprofit promoted a fundraiser benefiting the reelection campaign of state Assemblywoman Rebecca Kassay, with a flyer advertising a reception featuring the organization's leader and a Suffolk County lawmaker, ticket prices ranging from $50 to $500, and a direct link to donate to Kassay's campaign. Kassay, a Democrat representing Assembly District 4 in Suffolk County, is seeking a second two-year term and faces Republican Will Sussman in the November 3 general election.
Long Island Youth Development Inc., which is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, hosted the fundraiser according to a social media post, as reported by the New York Post. The outlet reports the organization posted a message on October 3 urging followers to support Kassay and care for their communities, and described its reception as celebrating Kassay's contributions to the organization and the Asian community on Long Island. The nonprofit made its fundraiser post as Kassay secured a large state grant for the organization, per the same account. An Instagram post advertising the fundraiser was removed Tuesday after the Post contacted Kassay's office, the outlet reports.
The flyer invited attendees to a reception with Yanping Yu — who heads Long Island Youth Development Inc. — and Suffolk County lawmaker Jonathan Kornreich, according to the Post's report. It also included Kassay's campaign logo, a link to donate to her campaign, and a campaign email address, though it noted donations were appreciated but not required, the station's report states.
How the State's Matching-Funds Program Works
Kassay uses New York State's campaign matching program, the Post reports, and the fundraiser flyer said in-district donations could be matched up to 12 times under the state's public financing system. Under New York Election Law, a matchable contribution is defined as one of at least $5 and no more than $250 per covered election, according to the New York State Senate. That means donations under $50 to Kassay can trigger a match of up to $600 from state coffers, per the Post's reporting.
To actually receive those public matching funds, a candidate must register a Type 1P committee, meet eligibility criteria, apply for the program, be certified by the state's Public Campaign Finance Board, and comply with all program requirements, according to the New York State Board of Elections. Nonprofits, meanwhile, are prohibited from political activity such as soliciting contributions for or on behalf of a candidate, the Post notes.
Federal Rules on Nonprofit Political Activity
Federal tax law draws a hard line here. The Internal Revenue Service states that 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in or intervening in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for elective public office. A 501(c)(3) organization that runs afoul of that rule can face revocation of its tax-exempt status or fines for violating the Internal Revenue Code, the Post reports.
Patrick Sternal told the Post that the nonprofit is participating in a campaign, which he described as prohibited activity for a 501(c)(3). The Post's reporting describes Long Island Youth Development Inc. as appearing to have violated federal laws governing tax-exempt entities.
Kassay's Events With the Nonprofit
According to Yu's social media accounts, as cited by the Post, Kassay has appeared at several events for Yu's nonprofit. The assemblywoman has recognized Yu with official proclamations and honors, named her a Women's History Month honoree, and gave her a Women of Distinction award, the outlet reports. Kassay and Yu also appeared together in Albany earlier in 2026, per the same report. Separately, Yu has donated $2,500 to Kassay's campaign since September 2025, according to the Post's reporting.
Sussman Calls for an Attorney General Inquiry
Sussman said taxpayer money should not be given in exchange for campaign donations, the Post reports. He said he looked forward to a full investigation by the state attorney general's office, which oversees nonprofits in New York, according to the same account. Sussman also said Kassay either does not know the law or believes it does not apply to her, per the Post's reporting.
Neither Kassay's office nor Long Island Youth Development Inc. responded to the Post's requests for comment, the outlet reports. New York state lawmakers are paid $142,000 a year, according to the same report.
