Thank You to Our 2025 Donors LZF GRANTS 2018-2025
LennyZakimbelievedthatonepersoncanchangetheworld,andwebearwitnessto thattrutheverydayasweseetheworkofLZFgranteepartnersserving marginalized,under-served,orunder-resourcedcommunitiesorpopulations throughouteasternMassachusetts,wherethegreatestracial,economic,andsocial injusticesexist.
TheLennyZakimFundmaintainsanactiveportfolioof~50grassrootsnonprofit organizations,typicallywelcoming5-10newgranteepartnersintoourportfolio eachyear.Ourgranteepartnersrepresentsevenfundingareas(seechartabove)as wellasoursevencorevaluesofsocialjustice;bridgebuilding;responsiveness; learning;grassrootsleadership;diversityandbelonging;andlove.
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
Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge ($50,000+)
Anonymous
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
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
“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"
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
TheLennyZakimFundbegan2025byawarding $678,000to53grassrootsorganizations,46renewal grantsand7newgranteepartners.28challengematch grantswereawardedtoourgranteepartners.Two thirdsofthegrassrootsorganizationsareledbypeople ofcolorandnearly1/2bywomen.Theaveragegrant awardwas$11,150.Overthepast30years,LZFhas awardedover1,600grantstotalingapproximately $13.5milliontoover430organizations.
$678,000 to 53 grassroots organizations
In2025,wecontinuedofferingnotjustfinancial support,buttechnicalassistanceandcommunity buildingtoallgranteepartners.Throughouttheyear, LZFofferedeachofourgranteepartners$28,600 worthofcapacity-buildingprogramming.This included:
12virtualseminarsontopicssuchasrisk management,budgeting,andcybersecurity. TransformationalLeadershipCohort(TLC)LZF’sintensive,year-long,leadershipdevelopment programforleadersofgrassrootsorganizations.
AnnualLearningInstitute-adayoflearning centeredaroundfinancialmanagement.
WeeklyofficehourswithLZFBoardMemberand formernonprofitexecutiveDeborahSeidel
Multiplehoursofqualityconsultingmadeavailable throughourCatalyticConsultingProgram Networkingandsocialopportunitieswithpeer grassrootsorganizations
The Lenny Zakim Fund $28,600 worth of capacitybuilding programming offered to each grantee partner.
On November 17, onwhat wouldhavebeenLenny’s71st birthday,weproudlyhostedour 24thannualNoShowBall,with over125familiesandindividuals joininginthecelebration throughtheirgenerousdonations throughoutthemonth-long fundraisingcampaign.
On September 6th, our2ndAnnual LighttheNightbroughtover200 membersoftheLZFcommunitytogether toenjoydeliciousfoodanddrinks,lively dancing,andmeaningfulconnections—all insupportofourworkwithgrassroots organizationsacrossEasternMassachusetts. Thiseventwouldnothavebeenpossible withoutthe dedicationand hardworkof ourplanning andhost committees, aswellasour incredible sponsors.
LZF in the Community
In June, ExecutiveDirectorAllisonPicottwasone offiveawardeesofYWBoston’s2025Academyof WomenAchievers.
Eachyear,YWBoston honorsbold,unstoppable womenwhoaremaking asignificantimpactin theirfieldsandexemplify YWBoston’smissionto eliminateracismand empowerwomen.
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, LZFhostedaspecialdinnerfor49 currentandemeritiboardmembersandtheirgueststo celebrateTheLennyZakimFundand30yearsof buildingbridges.SinceLZF’sfoundingin1995,62 peoplehaveservedonLZF’sboard,representingcloseto 600yearsofcombinedservice.Theeveningincluded remarksfromvariousindividualswhoreflectedonLZF’s richhistory.WerecountedthefoundingofLZF,recalled keymomentsandthepeoplewhowerecriticaltoThe Fund’sevolutionandmanysuccesses,and recognizedthemany partnershipsLZFhasbeen honoredtocultivatewith nearly400grassroots organizationsoverthepast 30years.And,ofcourse,we rememberedourfounder, Lenny,throughlaughter, tears,andacelebratory shotoftequila.
LZF 30 Anniversary Board Dinner th
In July, DeputyDirectorTiffanyLauwas selectedtojoinBarrFoundation’sReimagining CapacityBuildingTable,agroupofthirteen leadersofBoston’ssocialsectorexploringways tohelpnonprofitsidentifyandaccessthe supportstheyneed,andtoensurethatproviders reflecttoday’ssector.
Leading up to September’s Light the Night, LZFwasfeaturedacrossthelocalBostonmedia, includinginMyBostonMagazine,Boston BusinessJournal,NewEnglandLifestyles,and asthefeaturedorganizationonChannel5'sFive ForGoodsegment.
On November 6th, LZFhostedFashioning StrongerCommunities:AFashionShowtobenefit
TheLennyZakimFund.Weareextremelygrateful toourwonderfulpartnersCopleyPlaceandKB FashionProductionsfordesigningthisincredible eventandtoallthemodelswhohittherunwayto raiseawarenessforandinhonorofLZF. -LZF
“I don’t just feel supported by The Lenny Zakim Fund — I feel held.”