Our Mission & Values
“We have the power to change things. It doesn’t take much to start a revolution of thought and spirit. It takes one person and then another. When it works, it’s a work of art.”
– Lenny Zakim, Founder
The Lenny Zakim Fund works to develop deep relationships and builds bridges among people and communities to advance social, economic, and racial justice. Our mission is to listen those most impacted by inequity and provide the funding, essential resources, and support they need to create lasting change.
Values Statements
The work of the Lenny Zakim Fund is guided by the following principles
Social Justice: All that we do is based in our deeply held belief that social justice is equity and that the fundamental rights, well-being and dignity of all people must be recognized, upheld, and celebrated.
Grassroots leadership: LZF is inspired by and respects the power and ability of those most impacted by injustice to bring about change.
Diversity and belonging: We embrace a culture of inclusion and belonging, one that seeks out and welcomes the voices of those with diverse life experiences and intersectional identities.
Learning: We firmly believe that continuous, active and reciprocal learning is critical to promoting awareness and creating a solid foundation for change.
Bridge Building: We are committed to bridging real and perceived difference, and to creating strong and lasting relationships that are fundamental to progress.
Responsiveness: Emerging challenges that impact those we serve require an acceptance of risk and an ability to adapt and respond as rapidly as possible.
Love: Love is at the heart of philanthropy. Love and compassion motivate and sustain the spirit of those who partner with LZF and remain dedicated to justice for all.
Celebrating 23 Years of Growing the Grassroots
We honor his memory, not by this beautiful bridge… but by continuing on in his fight for social justice.
Bruce Springsteen
Inspired by his courage
and determination
Leonard P. Zakim (1953-1999)
Lenny Zakim believed that one person can change the world. As exemplified by the iconic bridge that bears his name, his dedication to building connections and coalitions between people of different faiths, ethnicities, and socio-economic backgrounds continues to have impact today, around Greater Boston and far beyond. For twenty years, as a civil rights leader, Lenny fought tirelessly to put an end to racism, anti-Semitism, civil rights violations, and hatred of all kinds.
The Lenny Zakim Fund is only one example of Lenny’s profound ability to promote change.
In 1995, shortly after being diagnosed with a rare cancer, Lenny worked with friends and other generous donors to establish The Lenny Fund ™. With a deep personal belief that extraordinary social change could be created at the grassroots level by advocating personal empowerment and community partnership, the mission was clear: They have the will. They have the creativity, but they lack the means. We give them the means. Today, The Lenny Zakim Fund continues to symbolize the work of an exceptional man who dedicated his life toward shaping a better society, one in which justice prevails and human differences are celebrated.
The Lenny Zakim Fund was launched by Lenny, not as a family foundation, but as a 501c3 public charity. With a highly efficient and talented three-person staff, LZF receives pro bono office space, accounting and audit, administrative and IT support, as well as donated services for communications, design, and printing. Grant allocation, management assistance, fundraising, and more are accomplished through the active, hands-on engagement of a volunteer Board of Directors.
Allison Picott
Executive Director
A seasoned nonprofit professional, Allison comes to the Lenny Zakim Fund from the Social Innovation Forum where she served as Director of Development. Her work experience includes positions as a frontline fundraiser for Phillips Academy Andover, the Walnut Hill School and Boston College Law School, a development consultant with the Wayland Group, and founder and principal of Advancement Advisers. A graduate of Phillips Academy Andover, Trinity College, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, Allison began as a law clerk with the Massachusetts Superior Court and a lawyer with Nixon Peabody and Prince Lobel Tye. Allison currently serves as a director of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, a member of Phillips Academy’s Board of Trustees, and vice president of the Empire Loan Charitable Foundation. She has the proud distinction of being the youngest recipient of Andover’s Distinguish Service Award and the first African American alumna to serve on Andover’s Board of Trustees. A long-time resident of Boston’s South End, Allison enjoys walks with her dogs, cooking, traveling, and boxing.
Dominique Ramos
Program Officer
Dominique Cortes-Ramos joined the Lenny Zakim Fund in 2019, inspired by LZF’s grassroots-oriented mission. Born in Texas to immigrant parents, Dominique has called Boston and Western Mass. home since the age of 5. Dominique holds an MA in Sustainable International Development and an MS in Global Health Policy and Management from the Heller School at Brandeis University, in addition to completing a fellowship with the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. Dominique can be found playing horror video games, taking long meditative walks, or hopping from pastry shop to pastry shop.
Sofia Cassim
Program and Development Intern
Sophia Cassim, a current second year Public Health student with a minor in Law and Public Policy, has come to join The Lenny Zakim Fund as its first Northeastern co-op Program and Development Intern. Born in Georgia and raised in Brookline where she attended Brookline High School, Sophia has long called Boston her home. Sophia has had various experiences working within the social justice and advocacy setting as she brings her unique perspective to the table. As an individual passionate about achieving healthcare equity and providing a voice for those who have been mistreated by the system through the power of education and policy, LZF is the perfect opportunity for Sophia to embrace her passion. Sophia enjoys reading, going to the gym, and hanging out with friends/family.
Founder
Lenny Zakim
Chair
Tim James
Vice-Chair
Michael Eckton
Treasurer
Rob Sherman
Secretary
Josh Zakim
Lilee Dethchan
Lisa Gordon
Felicia Heywood
Mark Irvings
Suzi Kaitz
Joe Rodio
Erika Rodriguez
Jill Snider
Loren Van Allen
Aprylle Wallace
Shari Zakim-Yacouby
Deena Zakim
Joyce Zakim
The Bridge Builders honors and recognizes contributions from our most exemplary, superstar supporters because of their long-term commitment to The Lenny Zakim Fund
Mahesh Aditya
Richard Caturano
Alan Chebot
Elizabeth DeLima
Michael Eckton
Cheryl Forte
Josie Greene
Kal Heller
Barbara Howard
Drew Hyman
Carol Kanin
In memoriam: Richard Balzer, Gill Fishman, Christina Caturano Ryan, and Jonathan Samen
Douglas Krupp
Bobby Sager
Bob Weinberg
Amy Shulman Weinberg
Jerry Wishnow
Board members emeritus honors those who have shown outstanding leadership, commitment, and generosity while serving on the Lenny Zakim Fund board.
Miki Akimoto
Jennifer Winn Aronson
Mary Carty
Clementina Chery
Gregg Croteau
Yasmin Cruz-Ferrine
Beth Dill
Janice Ditchek
Asmaa Donahue
Eric Esteves, Former Executive Director
Donna Gittens
Jude Goldman, Former Executive Director
Steve Grossman
Angela Johnson
Caren Keller
Judi Krupp
Richard Krupp
Sofia Lingos-Papaliodis
Ron Marlow
Amy Belkin Mofenson
Charlayne Murrell-Smith
Kevin O’Malley
Celeste Reid-Lee
Gabriela Romanow
Glenn Rothman
Susan Rothman
Elaine Sager
Harold Schwartz
Sam Slater
Mark Sokoll
Ellie Starr