Lenny Zakim Fund Grant

The Lenny Zakim Fund Grant aims to empower grassroots organizations throughout eastern Massachusetts by providing unrestricted funding up to $20,000 to those with annual budgets under $350,000. The Fund prioritizes historically marginalized communities and supports initiatives focused on social, economic, and racial justice. With core values rooted in love, diversity, and grassroots leadership, the Fund seeks to foster relationships and create lasting change in the community. This commitment to equity and inclusion is essential for building a more just society.

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.
Core Values
The work of the Lenny Zakim Fund is guided by the following principles:
Grassroots Leadership: LZF is inspired by and respects the power and ability of those most impacted by injustice to bring about change.
Responsiveness: Emerging challenges often impact those we serve, and we knowingly accept the risk required 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.
LZF Grants Growing the Grassroots
From the beginning, LZF has prioritized historically marginalized, under-served, or under-resourced communities or populations throughout eastern Massachusetts, where the greatest racial, economic, and social injustices exist.
The Fund intentionally focuses on small, grassroots organizations with annual operating budgets under $350,000, that are “below the radar,” often in the nascent stage of their development, and thus not visible to other individual or institutional funders. An LZF grant is often the first step taken by those who seek to turn a vision into a sustainable reality. The Fund provides annual general operating (unrestricted) grants up to $20,000. Grants may be renewed for up to five years.
Funding Areas
The Lenny Zakim Fund’s primary funding areas are:

• Access to Food, Housing, and Economic Opportunity
• Child and Youth Development and Education
• Civil and Human Rights Advocacy and Support
• Health Promotion and Accessibility for All
• Organizing and Support for Immigrants and Refugees
• LGBTQIA Community Support and Organizing
• Violence Prevention, Criminal Justice Reform and Family Outreach

Eligibility

Non-profit organizations based in Massachusetts that have an IRS 501(c)(3) status or a documented fiscal agent that has 501(c)(3) status are welcome to submit a proposal.The Lenny Zakim Fund supports organizations delivering programs in Eastern Massachusetts.

Ineligibility

LZF does NOT support conferences, sponsorships for fundraising events or other one-time events; one-time film, video, or print projects; requests from individuals; scholarships, research and development or planning grants; or capital campaigns.