LZF Community Newsletter | March 2026

Dear Friends,

I’m so excited to invite you to one of my favorite nights of the year—The Zakim Light, The Lenny Zakim Fund’s annual celebration—on Saturday, September 19, at The Grand Boston in the Seaport.

From 7:00–10:00 PM, we’ll gather for an evening filled with great food and drink, music, dancing, and meaningful connection. The Zakim Light is a joyful celebration of community—and a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we come together to support small nonprofit organizations doing vital work across our region.

Your participation in this event helps fuel LZF’s mission to strengthen grassroots nonprofits through leadership guidance, professional connections, shared learning, and financial support. We look forward to you joining us for The Zakim Light, our reimagined annual event. Your presence in the LZF community and continued support of LZF's mission truly makes a difference.

I hope you’ll save the date, purchase tickets, or explore sponsorship opportunities and plan to join us for this festive and inspiring evening.

I can’t wait to celebrate with you and shine a light on the incredible impact you make possible.

Warmly,

Carla Beaudoin

Director of Development

The Lenny Zakim Fund

On April 3rd, LZF will say goodbye to Madelyn Vining, LZF's Assistant Grants Manager. Maddy joined the LZF staff in June 2024, shortly after graduating from St. Lawrence University. In the nearly two years she's been with The Fund, Maddy has "made significant contributions to LZF's annual grants program making it a better, more efficient program that puts our grantee partners first," in the words of Executive Director Allison Picott.

She has built close relationships with many of LZF's current and former grantee partners, offering not just technical aid, but true connection and support. Reflecting on her time with The Lenny Zakim Fund, Maddy said, "Being part of LZF’s community and working alongside our grantee partners has been the highlight of my time at LZF. Their impact and commitment to the communities they serve continues to inspire me, and I’m deeply grateful to have been part of this work."

LZF Board Chair Felicia Heywood shared, "Maddy shows a deep commitment to the values we hold dear and lives them out in everything she does on behalf of LZF. There will be simply no replacing the way she connects with our grantee partners and others within our larger community."

Maddy will be missed dearly by the LZF staff and board who had the pleasure of working alongside her, as well as by our grantee partners. The LZF team wishes her all the best at her new role and are grateful for the time she was with The Fund.

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!

Last week, Executive Director Allison Picott stopped by Worcester's Unity Radio 97.9FM and met with Ernie Floyd, host of Unity in the Community and leader of LZF Grantee Partner Pride Productions. Pride Productions fosters creative expression, education, and growth, working to amplify voices and make a lasting impact in Worcester.

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 June 18, 2026, 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

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.