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 to 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 25 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.
Eric Esteves
Executive Director
A philanthropist, educator, artist, community advocate, and technologist, Executive Director Eric Esteves previously served as Director of the Social Innovation Fund at The Boston Foundation. He also served as a consultant for Root Cause, Harvard Business School’s Interpersonal Skills Development Lab, and the Boston Impact Initiative. In 2019, he co-directed LeadBoston, an experiential professional development program focused on socially responsible leadership, based at YW Boston. Eric received both his undergraduate degree in Business Administration and his graduate degree in Information Systems from Northeastern University. A resident of Roxbury, he spent the early part of his career in educational technology, including leadership roles at Lesley University and Boston Public Schools. Eric gets excited about the usual things; trivia, hip-hop, kayaking, genealogy, politics, social justice, photography, poetry, sweet potato pie, and to-do lists.
Dominique Ramos
Program and Office Administrator
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 is inspired daily by the communities that work together to promote growth, equity, and justice in their environment.
Founder
Lenny Zakim
Chair
Suzi Kaitz
Vice-Chair
Yasmin Cruz
Treasurer
Beth Dill
Secretary
Josh Zakim
Miki Akimoto
Clementina Chery
Gregg Croteau
Asmaa Donohue
Lisa Gordon
Mark Irvings
Timothy James
Joe Rodio
Robert P. Sherman
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.
Jennifer Winn Aronson
Mary Carty
Janice Ditchek
Donna Gittens
Jude Goldman, Former Executive Director
Steve Grossman
Angela Johnson
Caren Keller
Judi Krupp
Richard Krupp
Sofia Lingos-Papaliodis
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