LZF GRANTS 2018-2025
Thank You to Our 2025 Donors All donors of $100 or more are recognized in the LZF Annual Awards Ceremony program book.
Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge ($50,000+) Anonymous Barr Foundation Judith and Douglas Krupp Scarlet Feather Fund The Klarman Family Foundation Cantilever Bridge ($25,000-$49,999) Suzi Kaitz & Jonathan Katz Joseph Savage Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation Temple B'Nai Israel Arthur Winn Bowstring Bridge ($10,000-$24,999) Michael and Manisha Eckton Frieze Family Foundation Jamie Golden Mark and Susan Irvings Jackson and Irene Golden 1989 Charitable Trust Alexander and Lianne Leventhal John and Sonia Lingos Family Foundation Tim Mackey & Carol Lee Rawn Glenn and Susan Rothman The Slater Foundation
Lenny Zakim believed that one person can change the world, and we bear witness to that truth every day as we see the work of LZF grantee partners serving marginalized, under-served, or under-resourced communities or populations throughout eastern Massachusetts, where the greatest racial, economic, and social injustices exist. The Lenny Zakim Fund maintains an active portfolio of ~50 grassroots nonprofit organizations, typically welcoming 5-10 new grantee partners into our portfolio each year. Our grantee partners represent seven funding areas (see chart above) as well as our seven core values of social justice; bridge building; responsiveness; learning; grassroots leadership; diversity and belonging; and love.
The Lenny Zakim Fund is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization under the IRS. EIN 04-3485146 33 Arch Street, 26th Fl. Boston, MA 02110 (617) 406-5945 | office@thelennyzakimfund.org thelennyzakimfund.org
Cable Bridge ($5,000-$9,999) Eastern Bank Foundation Goldberg Family Multigenerational Meads Bay Hotel Group Mr. Owl Foundation Rob Sherman & Joan Lenington Ellie Starr The Elevate Leadership Group Tao Jones Charitable Foundation, Joseph Deitch Amy Shulman Weinberg & Robert Weinberg Joyce Zakim & Peter Greenspan Arch Bridge ($2,500-$4,999) Anonymous Ed Belove & Laura Roberts BLINK Boston SMB Law Associates Jay and Christy Cashman Eversource Energy Foundation, Inc. Focus Financial Partners Heidi Price Design Ellen and Kalman Heller Thomas Hemnes Meghan and Michael Houle Carol Knox & Phillipe Paul Scot and Lorraine Miller Premier Dermatology Miguel Rosales & John David Corey Nick and Elizabeth Rossi Janet Spillane Larry Stifler & Mary McFadden Maarten and TT Wensveen Josh and Grace Zakim
Double Decker Bridge ($1,000-$2,499) Christine and Ernie Adams Bob and Helen Alkon Jason and Lucy Amello Anonymous Arco, LLC Martha Bacigalupo Maureen Barrett Impact Community Giving & Carla Beaudoin Joan and Steve Belkin Ellen Bruce Daniel Caine & Claire Socolovsky Caine Moris Castillo & Haide Bolanos Beth Dill & Eric Enge Kate Dineen & Alex Lawton Janice Ditchek & Glenn Rosenbloom Betsy Feldman Lisa Flores Laura and Richard Flynn Chad Freitas Todd Fryatt Julia Gittleman & Tom Mendelsohn Ronald Halterman Jessica Hennessy & AJ Marini Sharon Hennessy Sandy and Roz Hollander Emily Hunnewell Ralph and Janice James Howard Jones Deborah Kay Lori and Eric Lander Celeste and David Lee Max Levine Michael Loconto Melissa McCarthy William McPherson Microsoft Employee Match Program Robert and Leslie Ogan Allen Palmer & Nancy Feingold-Palmer Raymond James Charitable Renaissance Charitable Foundation Bob and Gabriela Romanow Jacob Rosenberg Deborah Seidel Marc and Margie Seligman Risa Shames & Neil Silverston Steven Shulman & Debra S. Yanofsky David Stein & Elizabeth March Trust 1 Services, LLC Andrea Wheeler Michael Whouley & Sally Kerans Eric Wolkoff
“LZF was one of our very first funders. Not only getting their support but getting that seal of approval. That someone else believed in what we were beginning to start" -Gregg Croteau, Former LZF Grantee Partner & Board Emeritus
2025
ANNUAL REPORT
The Lenny Zakim Fund began 2025 by awarding $678,000 to 53 grassroots organizations, 46 renewal grants and 7 new grantee partners. 28 challenge match grants were awarded to our grantee partners. Two thirds of the grassroots organizations are led by people of color and nearly 1/2 by women. The average grant award was $11,150. Over the past 30 years, LZF has awarded over 1,600 grants totaling approximately $13.5 million to over 430 organizations.
Dear Friends, This is a moment that calls for reflection. Across our communities, nonprofit leaders are navigating extraordinary complexity—shifting political realities, rising needs, and persistent inequities that demand both urgency and care. At The Lenny Zakim Fund, we have been thinking deeply about what it truly means to stand with our grantee partners in this moment. Through conversations, surveys, and learning efforts over the past year, one sentiment rose to the surface again and again. As one partner described it, “I don’t just feel supported by LZF—I feel held.” That sense of being “held” is at the heart of our work. To be held is to know that someone is walking alongside you—not only when things are going well, but when the work is hard, uncertain, and evolving. It means being seen for the full scope of your mission and the realities you face. Our grantee partners have told us that what distinguishes LZF is the depth of our relationships—that we take the time to truly understand their work, their communities, and their long-term vision. Thank you for standing with The Lenny Zakim Fund and with the grassroots leaders who are shaping a more just and equitable future. We look forward to continuing this work together. With gratitude, Allison E. Picott Executive Director The Lenny Zakim Fund
$678,000 to 53 grassroots organizations In 2025, we continued offering not just financial support, but technical assistance and community building to all grantee partners. Throughout the year, LZF offered each of our grantee partners $28,600 worth of capacity-building programming. This included: 12 virtual seminars on topics such as risk management, budgeting, and cybersecurity. Transformational Leadership Cohort (TLC) LZF’s intensive, year-long, leadership development program for leaders of grassroots organizations. Annual Learning Institute - a day of learning centered around financial management. Weekly office hours with LZF Board Member and former nonprofit executive Deborah Seidel Multiple hours of quality consulting made available through our Catalytic Consulting Program Networking and social opportunities with peer grassroots organizations
2025 TLC Cohort in December 2025
$28,600 worth of capacitybuilding programming offered to each grantee partner.
LTN Chair Jessica Hennessy and featured grantee partner Circus Up
On November 17, on what would have been Lenny’s 71st birthday, we proudly hosted our 24th annual No Show Ball, with over 125 families and individuals joining in the celebration through their generous donations throughout the month-long fundraising campaign.
On September 6th, our 2nd Annual Light the Night brought over 200 members of the LZF community together to enjoy delicious food and drinks, lively dancing, and meaningful connections—all in support of our work with grassroots organizations across Eastern Massachusetts. This event would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our planning and host committees, as well as our incredible sponsors.
LTN Planning Committee and Guests
Save the Date: The Zakim Light: LZF’s Annual Festive Fundraiser
September 19, 2026 at The Grand Seaport.
30 Years of The Lenny Zakim Fund On September 29th, LZF hosted a special dinner for 49 current and emeriti board members and their guests to celebrate The Lenny Zakim Fund and 30 years of building bridges. Since LZF’s founding in 1995, 62 people have served on LZF’s board, representing close to 600 years of combined service. The evening included remarks from various individuals who reflected on LZF’s rich history. We recounted the founding of LZF, recalled key moments and the people who were critical to The Fund’s evolution and many successes, and recognized the many partnerships LZF has been honored to cultivate with nearly 400 grassroots organizations over the past 30 years. And, of course, we remembered our founder, Lenny, through laughter, tears, and a celebratory shot of tequila. th
LZF 30 Anniversary Board Dinner
600 years of combined service from 62 Board Members
LZF in the Community In June, Executive Director Allison Picott was one of five awardees of YW Boston’s 2025 Academy of Women Achievers. Each year, YW Boston honors bold, unstoppable women who are making a significant impact in their fields and exemplify YW Boston’s mission to Allison Picott amidst other 2025 eliminate racism and YW Boston honorees empower women. In July, Deputy Director Tiffany Lau was selected to join Barr Foundation’s Reimagining Capacity Building Table, a group of thirteen leaders of Boston’s social sector exploring ways to help nonprofits identify and access the supports they need, and to ensure that providers reflect today’s sector. Leading up to September’s Light the Night, LZF was featured across the local Boston media, including in MyBoston Magazine, Boston Business Journal, New England Lifestyles, and as the featured organization on Channel 5's Five For Good segment.
On November 6th, LZF hosted Fashioning Stronger Communities: A Fashion Show to benefit The Lenny Zakim Fund. We are extremely grateful to our wonderful partners Copley Place and KB Fashion Productions for designing this incredible event and to all the models who hit the runway to raise awareness for and in honor of LZF.
Host Glenn Jones with LZF Supporters and Volunteer Models Dr. Melissa Burnett and Renata Coker
2025 Board of Directors Founder Lenny Zakim Chair Felicia Heywood Secretary Josh Zakim
Vice Chair Mo Castillo Treasurer Michael Eckton
Board Members Joa Ahern-Seronde Nick Bates Ben Echevarria Gaby Goldstein Mark Irvings Alex Leventhal Emmanuel Owusu Deborah Seidel Rob Sherman Loren Van Allen Aprylle Wallace Deena Zakim Joyce Zakim Shari Zakim-Yacouby
2025 Staff
Executive Director Allison Picott Deputy Director Tiffany Lau Director of Development Carla Beaudoin Assistant Grants Manager Madelyn Vining Program and Development Administrator Claire Molinich
“I don’t just feel supported by The Lenny Zakim Fund — I feel held.” -LZF Grantee Partner, 2025