Authenticity is defined as being true to your values and spirit despite external pressure to do something different. My closest friends often joke that I listen to hip-hop music almost exclusively to the expense of all other genres. While that is only partially true, I am a big fan of The Foreign Exchange; a talented R&B group that spans international and sonar boundaries. Their third studio album entitled, Authenticity, is a work of art. It is both concise and precise; each song title with embedded layers of meaning and production that tickles the brain. The Lenny Zakim Fund has always strived to be authentic to our founder's vision, remainig true to his values while also recognizing the self-learning that Lenny would likely have emarked upon to stay abreast of the world's ever-changing landscape and nuances. We're proud to share this latest newsletter with content that directly reaffirms our commitment to social, racial, and economic justice. From the powerful storytelling we have in store at our upcoming Untold Stories event next month to the behind-the-scenes look into our grantmaking program to a preview of our fall slate of workshops, we hope you find this edition both informative and worthwhile.

In this moment of social unrest, when a number of the civil rights we fought so hard to secure are now under attack on various fronts, the work of The Lenny Zakim Fund and our grassroots organization partners is proven to be more crucial than ever before.

Please join The Lenny Zakim Fund at the Royal Sonesta Boston on Thursday, September 22 for Untold Stories 2022. Listen to and be inspired by personal stories of struggle and perseverance as told by Yahaira Lopez, founder and executive director of Autism Sprinter, and Ron Waddell, co-founder and executive director of Legendary Legacies, two well-known and rising leaders from the Greater Boston and Worcester communities, respectively.

Celebrate the incredible work these brave leaders are doing to advance social, economic, and racial justice in their communities. The evening will also feature an untold story and special remarks by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the beautiful music of Stephanie Vee accompanied by Jon Snell. Untold Stories will begin with a cocktail hour at 6 pm, immediately followed by a seated dinner and formal program.

As LZF’s annual fundraising event, this year’s Untold Stories seeks to raise a minimum of $275,000 to support The Fund’s annual operating budget. Event sponsorship opportunities range from $1,000 to $25,000 and individual tickets are also available for $250. Please click here for more details or contact Allison Picott, Director of Development, at apicott@thelennyzakimfund.org.

Fundraising [REGISTER]

Presenter: Dominique Calixte, Associate Director of Annual Giving and Special Events, YW Boston

Strategic Planning [REGISTER]

Presenter: Stephen Pratt, President, Impact Catalysts

Advanced Financial Management [REGISTER]

Presenter: Robin Carton, Principal, Kayak Consulting Group

Volunteer Management and Partnerships [REGISTER]

Employment Law for Non-Profits [REGISTER]

Thursday, 11/3 @ 10-11:30am

Presenter: Mark Irvings, Arbitrator-Mediator and Aprylle Wallace, Senior Vice President Human Resources, The Greater Boston Food Bank

Established in 1995 by the late civil rights leader Lenny Zakim, the Lenny Zakim Fund continues to reflect his work and ideals by providing financial support, education, technical assistance and networking opportunities to small, community-based organizations and individuals who are passionate about social, racial, and economic justice and determined to become vehicles of critical change.

The Lenny Zakim Fund knows grassroots leadership is integral to ensuring that programs are successful, culturally relevant, effective, and meet the needs of affected people. Social justice at The Lenny Zakim Fund is about more than just grantmaking – it is about coming together in partnership to support leaders and the grassroots in their work against systemic oppression and their fight for equity.