February 2026 - LZF Community Newsletter

Dear LZF Community, 



Last week, The Lenny Zakim Fund hosted our 30th Annual Awards Ceremony, a meaningful milestone and a joyful opportunity to celebrate and uplift our new and returning grantee partners. Gathering in community is a bright spot amidst the tumultuous and challenging times we find ourselves in.

As efforts continue to limit the rights of marginalized individuals in our country, particularly those of immigrants and refugees, our grantee partners demonstrate remarkable strength, creativity, and resilience in advancing equity and social justice across eastern Massachusetts. 

As LZF’s Assistant Grants Manager, I coordinated the 2026 grant cycle and had the opportunity to review applications and conduct site visits for nearly all of our new grantee partners. Through this process, I was continually inspired by the thoughtfulness, dedication, and impact of their work. Together, they reflect the values at the heart of LZF’s mission, and I am truly excited to welcome them into our community and to begin building meaningful partnerships.

Please welcome the following grantee partners to LZF’s community:  

• Bridge Forward
• Casa Mariposa
• Do-It-Yourself Lowell
• Financial Education Associates
• Lives Are Meant to Be Changed
• Pathway to Better Health
• Potencia, Inc.

In addition to our new partners, we are proud to continue our relationships with 42 renewal grantee partners. As we look ahead to the rest of the year, I am excited to continue connecting, collaborating, and strengthening relationships across our grantee community. Building meaningful partnerships with both new and returning grantee partners is one of the greatest privileges of my role at The Lenny Zakim Fund. We are deeply grateful for your support and look forward to all that we will accomplish together in the year ahead. 

Warmly,

Madelyn Vining,

Assistant Grants Manager

Looking back on thirty years of impact is more than just looking at numbers—it’s about the people, the grassroots leaders, and the communities across Eastern Massachusetts that have been transformed by collective action.

Thank you to DJ Kerr of Eternal Visuals for creating this special video sharing what makes LZF so special. From Lenny’s original vision to the incredible work of our current grantees, thank you all for being part of this legacy.

Here’s to the next 30 years of bridging gaps and building community.

Join us in supporting Team LZF as they prepare to run the 130th Boston Marathon on April 20th, 2026. They are championing grassroots organizations that fight poverty, racism, and social injustice right here in our communities. Your donation fuels more than their steps - it fuels change!

Ready to start your legacy?

For over three decades, The Lenny Zakim Fund has partnered with grassroots leaders to advance justice and equity across Eastern Massachusetts. By including LZF in your estate plans, you help ensure that this vital work continues for generations to come.

Legacy giving is a meaningful way to extend your impact, supporting community-driven change and modeling generosity for the next generation. Your commitment today helps build a future where every voice is heard and every community can thrive.

Have questions? Contact Carla Beaudoin for a confidential conversation (781.281.8240 or cbeaudoin@thelennyzakimfund.org)

About The Lenny Zakim Fund



The Lenny Zakim Fund is a 501(c)(3) public, nonprofit organization that relies 100% on the generosity of our donors to support our annual operating budget, which includes our annual grants program. Since its founding in 1995, The Fund has awarded over $13.5 million in grants to over 430 grassroots organizations throughout eastern Massachusetts.

For more information, please visit www.thelennyzakimfund.org.