The Lenny Zakim Fund
The Lenny Zakim Fund is a public charity based in Boston, Massachusetts, that supports grassroots organizations working to advance social, economic, and racial justice. Founded in 1995, it focuses on organizations serving communities that are historically marginalized, under-served, or under-resourced, particularly in eastern Massachusetts.
Key facts about The Lenny Zakim Fund
In short: The Lenny Zakim Fund gave $620K across 55 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), mostly in Massachusetts. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 04-3485146
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $620,171
- Grants made (2024)
- 55
- Average grant
- $11,276
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (13 of 55, 2024)
- Total assets
- $9,194,278
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to apply
- The Fund accepts unsolicited requests through its annual grant cycle. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The posted 2027 application portal is scheduled to close September 1, 2027.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$9.2M
+0.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$620K
+3.8% YoY
Grant Count
55
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
+3.8% YoY
Is The Lenny Zakim Fund open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 55 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 76% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−12%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund’s mission is to listen to people most affected by inequity and provide funding, resources, and support to help create lasting change. Its stated funding areas include access to food, housing, and economic opportunity; child and youth development and education; civil and human rights advocacy; health promotion and accessibility; support for immigrants and refugees; LGBTQIA community support; and violence prevention, criminal justice reform, and family outreach.
The Fund prioritizes small, grassroots organizations with annual operating budgets under $350,000. Examples of grantee missions illustrate the range of work represented: CodeSquad says it trains low-income adults, particularly people of color and women, for software careers; South Coast LGBTQ Network says it builds a support network for LGBTQ+ individuals and families; and City Strings United says it promotes youth development in historically excluded communities through music education and ensemble performance.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Fund made 55 grants totaling $620,171. Grants ranged from $6,000 to $20,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The Fund describes its awards as annual, unrestricted general operating grants of up to $20,000, which may be renewed for up to five years.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $20,000 to CodeSquad, $17,500 to We Are Better Together – The Warren Daniel Hairston Project, and $15,000 each to African Cultural Services, My Brother’s Keeper 617, Neighborhood Counseling & Community Services, Right to the City of Boston, Somali Parents Advocacy Center for Education, and The Upward Project. The grantees’ descriptions indicate varied work: We Are Better Together says it connects and supports women and young adults affected by homicide and incarceration, while African Cultural Services describes programming for African immigrant youth, families, and elders.
Review Cycle
The posted 2027 application portal is scheduled to close September 1, 2027. The listed cycle also includes online information sessions beginning June 24, July 14, and August 13, 2027.
How to Apply
The Fund accepts unsolicited requests through its annual grant cycle. Eligible applicants are nonprofit grassroots organizations based in eastern Massachusetts, with operating budgets under $350,000 and either IRS 501(c)(3) status or a documented 501(c)(3) fiscal agent. Applicants must attend an online informational session before applying. The Fund says applications are considered by its Community Investments Committee and that applicants advancing in the process are notified about site visits. It does not fund conferences, fundraising-event sponsorships or other one-time events, one-time film, video, or print projects, individual requests, scholarships, research and development or planning grants, or capital campaigns.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Lenny Zakim Fund
Ready to take the next step with The Lenny Zakim Fund?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund’s stated grantmaking focus is eastern Massachusetts. In its 2024 filing data, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts and 2% to recipients in New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 55 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $598K (2023) to $1.0M (2020). In 2024 it made 55 grants totaling $620K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Codesquad ($20K). Together the top 10 received $155K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
302 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 302 grants of 302 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Codesquad Somerville, MA | General Operating Support | $20,000 |
| We Are Better Together - the Warren Daniel Hairston Project Roxbury, MA | General Operating Support | $17,500 |
| African Cultural Services Waltham, MA | General Operating Support | $15,000 |
| My Brother's Keeper 617 North Easton, MA | General Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Neighborhood Counseling & Community Svcs Somerville, MA | General Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Right to the City of Boston Brooklyn, NY | General Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Somali Parents Advocacy Ctr for Education Boston, MA | General Operating Support | $15,000 |
| The Upward Project Boston, MA | General Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Cultural Exchange Through Soccer Worcester, MA | General Operating Support | $13,892 |
| South Coast LGBTQ Network New Bedford, MA | General Operating Support | $13,845 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,194,278 | $976,124 | $1,402,213 | $620,171 |
| 2023 | $9,152,375 | $1,886,150 | $1,287,401 | $597,554 |
| 2022 | $7,761,593 | $865,291 | $1,548,538 | $771,400 |
The filing lists the Fund as a public charity.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,194,278 | $9,152,375 | $7,761,593 |
| Revenue | $976,124 | $1,886,150 | $865,291 |
| Expenses | $1,402,213 | $1,287,401 | $1,548,538 |
| Net Investment Income | $367,499 | $244,782 | $314,285 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Allison E. Picott as executive director; Timothy James as chair; Michael Eckton as treasurer and vice chair; Felicia Heywood as vice chair; and Josh Zakim as clerk. It also lists Joa Ahern-Seronde, Nick Bates, Moris Castillo, Ben Echevarria, and Mark Irvings as board members.
The Lenny Zakim Fund is led by Allison E. Picott, Executive Director on every filing since 2022; 1 of 20 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Allison E. Picott
Executive Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$118K (2022) → $161K (2024)
Timothy James
Chair
Board Member & Vice President → Board Member & President, 2022
Board Member & President → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deena Zakim
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Josh Zakim
Clerk
Board Member & Secretary → Board Member & Clerk, 2021
Board Member & Clerk → Clerk, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joyce Zakim
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Loren Van Allen
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Irvings
Board Member
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Eckton
Treasurer & Vice Chair
Board Member → Board Member & Vice President, 2022
Board Member & Vice President → Treasurer & Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Sherman
Board Member
Board Member → Board Member & Treasurer, 2022
Board Member & Treasurer → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shari Zakim Yacouby
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aprylle Wallace
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Erika Rodriguez
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Felicia Heywood
Vice Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jill Snider
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ben Echevarria
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deborah Seidel
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emmanuel Owusu
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joa Ahern-Seronde
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Moris Castillo
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nick Bates
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Lisa Gordon (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Suzi Kaitz (2020–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Joe Rodio (2021–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Lilee Dethchan (2022–2023) — Board Member & Treasurer
- Former: Eric Esteves (2020–2022) — Executive Director - Former
- Former: Beth Dill (2020–2021) — Board Member & Treasurer
- Former: Miki Akimoto (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Ronald Marlow (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Yasmin Cruz Ferrine (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Asmaa Donahue (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Clementina Chery (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Gregg Croteau (2020) — Board Member
- Former: Jude Goldman (2020) — Former Executive Director
- Former: Suzanne Heilman (2020) — Interim Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $161K, to Allison E Picott (Executive Director).
Contact
Mailing address: 33 Arch Street 26Th Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1447
Phone: (617) 406-6036
Website: https://thelennyzakimfund.org
Frequently asked questions about The Lenny Zakim Fund
How much does The Lenny Zakim Fund give each year?
The Lenny Zakim Fund gave $620K across 55 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $598K across 55 grants.
What is The Lenny Zakim Fund's typical grant size?
The Lenny Zakim Fund's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $11,276, across 55 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Lenny Zakim Fund that year got $10K on average.
Where does The Lenny Zakim Fund give grants?
The Lenny Zakim Fund gives mostly in Massachusetts: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (9 grants), Worcester, MA (5 grants), Roxbury, MA (4 grants) and Hyde Park, MA (3 grants).
Does The Lenny Zakim Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Lenny Zakim Fund's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (55 of 55) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are The Lenny Zakim Fund's largest grantees?
The Lenny Zakim Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Codesquad ($20,000), We Are Better Together - the Warren Daniel Hairston Project ($17,500) and African Cultural Services ($15,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($10,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 8% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Lenny Zakim Fund?
The Lenny Zakim Fund reported $9.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $976K.
What does The Lenny Zakim Fund fund?
The Fund’s mission is to listen to people most affected by inequity and provide funding, resources, and support to help create lasting change. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Lenny Zakim Fund?
The Fund accepts unsolicited requests through its annual grant cycle. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Lenny Zakim Fund's EIN?
The Lenny Zakim Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3485146. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Lenny Zakim Fund accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Lenny Zakim Fund by hand.
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