Today we’d like to introduce you to Jude Goldman.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
On July 1st I began my 13th year as the Executive Director of The Lenny Zakim Fund, LZF. LZF is the legacy of Boston’s revered civil and human rights leader and it is my honor to carry that legacy forward. I grew up in Wakefield, MA. As a kid, I was always a writer and at 10 years of age had an amazing writing tutor, Haywood Burns. Burns, a Harvard student at the time, went on to serve as general counsel to Martin Luther King Jr.’s Poor People’s Campaign. He was also one of the founders of the National Conference of Black Lawyers and, after the Attica uprising, he represented Angela Davis and the prisoners. He inspired in me a lifelong passion for social justice.
That was elementary school, after graduating high school, I irresponsibly hitchhiked around the US and I am lucky to be alive. I settled down and received a BA from Emerson College and a Certificate in Offset and Letterpress Printing from Boston Evening Trade School. That education led me to a long and successful career in printing and publishing. My last private sector position was as a Vice President for a division of Times Mirror. Now I am a corporate refugee.
After leaving publishing, I served as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts School-Age Coalition. In 2006, started my dream job at The Lenny Zakim Fund. I am a longtime resident of Roslindale where I raised my son, Chicago-based photographer, Max Braverman, live with my husband, photographer and humorist Ed Braverman, Miss Penny the Dog, and Rocket J. Cat. In my so-called spare time, I am an enthusiastic Franklin Park Zoo volunteer (ask me about giraffes!) and enjoy Grub Street writing classes. But my heart, my passion and commitment are with the grassroots heroes served by The Lenny Zakim Fund.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Life – every life – comes with struggles. Early on, I had a lot of fun and learned a tremendous amount by starting and running a small letterpress printing shop. It went belly up after five years so I started life all over again. After a year or two of cleaning houses, I landed a publishing job. So began a successful 24-year career that always surprised and rewarded me, right up until the day the company laid me off. And that was the best thing that ever happened to me, professionally. I have always been outraged by injustice and my heart has always, always, been with those who strive to create justice and equity for everyone. That layoff provided me the opportunity to bring my passion to my work at The Lenny Zakim Fund. All things considered, I have lived a life of privilege. Any barriers or obstacles that have come my way absolutely pale in comparison to the challenges faced and overcome by LZF grantees and the people and communities they serve.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with The Lenny Zakim Fund – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Deeply committed to social justice and to the fundamental rights and dignity of all people, The Lenny Zakim Fund changes the course of people’s lives. The Fund’s commitment to promoting grassroots social justice organizations through funding and capacity building is unique; LZF’s active belief in experiential philanthropy meaningfully connects donors and grantees to each other. The Lenny Zakim Fund’s impact across eastern Massachusetts, through the work of its grantees and the commitment of its donors, has grown impressively.
LZF provides resources and guidance to help visionaries grow programs that serve the following mission areas:
• Child and Youth Development and Education
• Access to Food, Housing and Economic Opportunities
• Health Promotion and Accessibility to all
• Organizing and Support for Immigrants and Refugees
• Violence Prevention, Criminal Justice Reform and Family Outreach
• LGBTQ Community Support and Organizing
• Civil and Human Rights, Advocacy and Support
An LZF grant is often the first step – a chance to turn a vision into a sustainable reality. Awards are made to small, non-profit organizations with limited ability to raise other funds.
Grassroots organizations need more than money. Grants are just the beginning of LZF’s holistic support for the community. Grantees attend two full day Institutes each year. Experts in fundraising, strategic planning, evaluation and other content areas provide a day of training and networking. All grantees are invited to approximately 30 morning seminars annually on a wide variety of management and marketing topics. All training is accessible and free of charge. The Executive and Deputy Directors are always available to provide counseling, coaching, and referrals. Every current and former grant recipient receives access to pro bono legal services from DLA Piper.
The Lenny Zakim Fund is not a family foundation but, rather, depends on donations from individuals and grants from generous donors – individuals, foundations, and corporations, for its grantmaking, technical assistance, and operating expenses. The Fund serves as a bridge between donors and the causes they care about. Every donor, whether their gift is $5 or $500,000, can be trained to participate in site visits and to make recommendations to the board of directors about the programs they visited. Two annual Bridge Builder events bring grantees and donors together to learn from community thought leaders. Together, LZF and its supporters, enable grassroots leaders to create powerful change in their own communities.
Now in its third decade, LZF is a community of grassroots heroes and inspired donors who honor Lenny Zakim’s memory and his call to action: “They have the will, they have the creativity, they lack the means. We give them the means.”
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Each summer LZF makes special grants to programs that provide safe and enriching experiences and employ youth. In July and August, we will be visiting these amazing organizations – all the way from Boston to New Bedford! We are thrilled to be starting the 2019 grant cycle: Applications are in and we’ll be off and running visiting prospective grantees all fall, and our volunteer site visitors will be there, too.
Fall brings LZF’s annual appeal, the No Show Ball – our amazing annual non-event. The best gala you will never attend! All you need to do is make a gift to join the LZF family, then sit back and relax – no baby sitter, no new outfit, just an opportunity to support social justice in our communities. Drop us a line or give us a call for your own invitation to this very special non-event!
LZF provides resources and guidance to help visionaries grow programs that serve the following mission areas:
• Child and Youth Development and Education
• Access to Food, Housing and Economic Opportunities
• Health Promotion and Accessibility to all
• Organizing and Support for Immigrants and Refugees
• Violence Prevention, Criminal Justice Reform and Family Outreach
• LGBTQ Community Support and Organizing
• Civil and Human Rights, Advocacy and Support
An LZF grant is often the first step – a chance to turn a vision into a sustainable reality. Awards are made to small, non-profit organizations with limited ability to raise other funds.
Grassroots organizations need more than money. Grants are just the beginning of LZF’s holistic support for the community. Grantees attend two full day Institutes each year. Experts in fundraising, strategic planning, evaluation and other content areas provide a day of training and networking. All grantees are invited to approximately 30 morning seminars annually on a wide variety of management and marketing topics. All training is accessible and free of charge. The Executive and Deputy Directors are always available to provide counseling, coaching, and referrals. Every current and former grant recipient receives access to pro bono legal services from DLA Piper.
The Lenny Zakim Fund is not a family foundation but, rather, depends on donations from individuals and grants from generous donors – individuals, foundations, and corporations, for its grantmaking, technical assistance, and operating expenses. The Fund serves as a bridge between donors and the causes they care about. Every donor, whether their gift is $5 or $500,000, can be trained to participate in site visits and to make recommendations to the board of directors about the programs they visited. Two annual Bridge Builder events bring grantees and donors together to learn from community thought leaders. Together, LZF and its supporters, enable grassroots leaders to create powerful change in their own communities.
Now in its third decade, LZF is a community of grassroots heroes and inspired donors who honor Lenny Zakim’s memory and his call to action: “They have the will, they have the creativity, they lack the means. We give them the means.”
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Each summer LZF makes special grants to programs that provide safe and enriching experiences and employ youth. In July and August we will be visiting these amazing organizations – all the way from Boston to New Bedford! We are thrilled to be starting the 2019 grant cycle: Applications are in and we’ll be off and running visiting prospective grantees all fall and our volunteer site visitors will be there, too.
Fall brings LZF’s annual appeal, the No Show Ball – our amazing annual non-event. The best gala you will never attend! All you need to do is make a gift and join the LZF family, then sit back and relax – no baby sitter, no new outfit, just an opportunity to support social justice in our communities. Drop is a line or give us a call for your own invitation to this very special non-event!
How to Give and Get Involved:
- LZF is a 501c3 charity and depends on the generous, tax-deductible gifts of our incredible donors.
- Support LZF – Strengthen our Communities – Make Your Gift Now – http://www.thelennyzakimfund.org– You may make your gift as a tribute to or in memory of someone you love
- Your company may join RSM, DLA Piper, Eastern Bank, Suffolk Construction, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, Winston Flowers, John Hancock and others to support LZF with donations and in-kind support – call Jude at 617-406-6036 to learn more
- You may sign up to receive the LZF newsletter by writing to office@thelennyzakimfund.org
Contact Info:
- Address:The Lenny Zakim Fund
c/o DLA Piper
33 Arch Street
Boston, MA - Website: http://www.thelennyzakimfund.org/
- Phone:617-406-6036
- Email:jgoldman@thelennyzakimfund.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lzfund/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lennyzakimfund/
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
