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Dear Friends,
Have you ever stopped to think about your legacy? No, not the wealth or things you hope to pass on to your family, but rather a legacy you live every day - inspired by 'deep purpose and goals greater than yourself' - that result in a positive impact and makes the world a better place. That is the question posed in "What Is My Legacy", a book co-authored by Martin Luther King, III.
As I read What Is My Legacy, I found myself thinking about my personal beliefs and values, the social issues I most care about, and the resources and skill sets I'm able to leverage to achieve positive impact in the communities that are most important to me. While this is of course central to my work as LZF's executive director, What Is My Legacy invited me to give serious consideration to my own living legacy. Not only am I now being more intentional about incorporating this practice into my daily life, but finding ways to encourage my husband to do the same and then work collaboratively.
In the monthly Grantee Partner Spotlights, which appear in our e-newsletters and are also found on our website and social media pages, you can read about our grassroots partners and their leaders who are living their legacies, desirous for a more just and equitable world for the members of their communities and themselves. I find inspiration in reading these stories and hope you do as well. I also hope you will consider picking up a copy of What Is My Legacy and look to The Lenny Zakim Fund as a partner in helping you to carry out your living legacy. Just imagine the tremendous positive impact we could have together.
With hope and inspiration,
Allison E. Picott
Executive Director
| | Annual Learning Institute - Wrap Up | | |
LZF’s annual learning and convening day, Institute, was held on Thursday, June 12. This year’s theme was financial management, and we programmed a day of discussions, presentations, and workshops on topics from the board’s fiduciary responsibility to making the most of your banking relationship.
LZF was thrilled to convene 76 attendees at the Institute, including board, staff, and leaders from 38 current and former grantee partners. Despite all that is going on within our grantee partners’ communities, attendees were pleased to be a part of a day of learning and community building!
Images courtesy of Urban Powerhouse and Vòng Tay Cha Mẹ Việt.
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Help LZF to Light the Night and
Be a Part of the Celebration!
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Thank you to all who joined us in June to kick off Light The Night with a special preview cocktail event! We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, September 6th at our second annual Light the Night, hosted in recognition of our 30 years supporting grassroots organizations throughout Eastern Massachusetts.
We invite you to partner with us as a sponsor of this fun and festive event that celebrates our community impact and raises critical funds. Through your generous contribution, you’ll receive valuable visibility among our community of local leaders, philanthropists, and activists. Tickets are available for purchase as well.
For more information click the button above or contact Director of Development Carla Beaudoin at cbeaudoin@thelennyzakimfund.org.
| | Turn Your DAF Into Action - And a Match | |
Are you a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) holder? Join the #HalfMyDAF movement and help move charitable dollars off the sidelines and into the communities that need them.
If you commit to spending down half of your DAF by September 26, 2025, your donation to The Lenny Zakim Fund may be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar match up to $5,000, and we could even receive a $25,000 bonus match.
It's easy: make a grant to LZF, save your grant confirmation, and submit your pledge at halfmydaf.com. Grants over $250 qualify, and the more donors who participate, the better our chances.
Let's put philanthropy into action - your impact could be doubled.
| | LZF 2026 Grant Cycle now open! | | |
Massachusetts-based non-profit organizations with an IRS 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsor are welcome to submit a proposal. Prospective new applicants MUST attend a virtual information session prior to submitting an application. LZF will offer a virtual information session for prospective applicants to be held on Wednesday, August 13th @ 2:00pm [Register Here]
Proposals are due by 11:59pm on Monday, September 1st, 2025, via Foundant only. You will receive access to the Foundant portal after attending an information session. We will not accept physical submissions, nor submissions by fax or email.
We recommend reviewing the 2026 Grant Cycle Information before beginning an application. For any questions, or if you need assistance, please visit our website or contact Madelyn Vining, LZF Grants Administrator, at mvining@thelennyzakimfund.org.
| | Broader Recognition for LZF Grantee Partners | | |
We are so proud to be a part of a larger community of funders in Eastern Massachusetts who uplift the incredible work of grassroots organizations. This past June, Cummings Foundation and The Boston Foundation's Equality Fund and Asian Community Fund announced their 2025 Grant recipients. Congratulations to all of this year's recipients!
- Cummings recognized 150 organizations this year, including three current LZF grantees and ten former grantees.
- The Equality Fund recognized 50 organizations this year, including three current LZF grantees and nine former grantees.
- The Asian Community Fund recognized 60 organizations this year, including two current LZF grantees and six former grantees
| | Grantee Spotlight: P&O Behavioral Health Initiative | | |
“We were very intentional about providing services in the immigrant community and for people of color because they need more guidance and reassurance — to understand how to access resources, how insurance coverage can help, and that counseling sessions are safe and HIPAA-protected."
"Despite Priscilla’s background as a lawyer, we don’t give legal advice, but we have answers to most people’s immediate questions and can steer them in the right direction. We always say that if we can’t help you, we’ll find someone who can.”
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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 million in grants to nearly 400 grassroots organizations throughout eastern Massachusetts.
For more information about The Lenny Zakim Fund, visit www.thelennyzakimfund.org.
| | | Follow LZF on Social Media! | | | | |
