Dear Friends,

Community. That is a word most used by people when asked to describe what makes The Lenny Zakim Fund so special as a nonprofit organization.

For our grantee partners – whether they be a former grantee partner from The Fund’s early years or a current grantee partner who joined our grant portfolio only a few months ago – being a part of LZF’s community means as much, if not more, as the grant funding and capacity-building supports LZF provides. For our donors, volunteers, and friends, the LZF community is a place where they can invest their time, talent, and treasure to support The Fund and our grantee partners in our collective efforts to effectuate positive social change in communities throughout eastern Massachusetts.

As a practitioner of trust-based philanthropy, we recognize the power dynamics that exist in the LZF community between us as a funder (and by extension our donors, volunteers, and friends) and our grantee partners and are committed to continuously finding ways to minimize them whenever possible. In this month's e-newsletter you will read examples of various efforts to foster a welcoming and thriving LZF community for all members, from our new grantee partner summer socials, to our growing grantee partner events calendar, to our 2nd Annual Light the Night on Saturday, September 6th. In the latest grantee partner spotlight, you will read about the creative way in which 2Gether We Eat is addressing food insecurity and nutrition in Worcester and the surrounding communities through hydroponic farming.

Just as the word “community” cannot be spelled without the letters y, o, and u, The Lenny Zakim Fund cannot have a healthy, thriving community without YOU as a member. Thank you for being a part of the LZF community and helping to make our vision for a more just and equitable world more of a reality with each passing day.

In partnership and community,

Allison E. Picott

Executive Director

Light the Night with LZF on September 6!

There are less than three weeks left until our second annual Light the Night celebration! We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, September 6th to celebrate our 30 years supporting grassroots organizations throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

What to Expect That Night:

One-of-a-kind Silent Auction with exclusive packages, experiences, and items.
Entertainment from premiere Boston DJ Mike Amado and a special live performance
Themed cocktails and curated dinner bites from an award-winning Boston restaurant
Access to Glamorous Glambot Videography
A view of the iconic Zakim Bridge from Alcove's patio

Click here for LTN Sponsorships and Tickets!

Buying two tickets? Consider a Firefly Sponsorship!

For the same price as two standard tickets, you can join a list of incredible Light the Night sponsors and be recognized publicly for your support among our community of local leaders, philanthropists, and activists.

For more information on the event or potential sponsorships contact Director of Development Carla Beaudoin at cbeaudoin@thelennyzakimfund.org.

Program Spotlight: Grantee Summer Socials

This summer, the LZF staff has been hosting a series of socials for our current and former grantee partners. Not only is this an opportunity for us to connect with the organizations that LZF has funded over the years, but for our grantee partners to connect with each other and find partnership potential, learning opportunities, and support and solidarity amongst their peers.

Thank you to all who joined us in Somerville and East Boston for our Youth and Education and our Movement Builders gatherings. The LZF team is looking forward to rounding our summer with three more wonderful socials!

Grantee Spotlight: 2Gether We Eat

Read the full spotlight here!

"Now, 2Gether We Eat is running programs in eight locations... With approximately 125 participants, the youngest farmers are four years old, and the oldest are in their 90s. Charles has recently been able to purchase hydroponic systems for all the participants to take home so that they can grow green, leafy vegetables right on their countertop.

'One out of seven kids go to bed hungry,' he comments. 'But if they can grow their own vegetables and find a little protein, they can take care of themselves. At Vernon Hill, we’re adding a pantry, so a kid can grab some canned tuna and some plants and make a meal.'"

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.

#HALFMYDAF

Save The Date:

Fashioning Stronger Communities

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, please visit www.thelennyzakimfund.org.

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