a legacy of investing in our community
NEWS
The Lynch Foundation
From the inspiring work of our grantees to important updates from the Foundation, this page highlights the people, partnerships, and ideas driving impact in our communities.
We’re proud to share stories of progress, innovation, and collaboration — and to celebrate the leaders and moments that shape our mission.
Lynch Early Ed Initiative & CSSN Summer Sumit
August 2026Back-to-school season is officially underway! This week, we had the privilege of bringing together hundreds of school leaders and educators for three days of professional learning, collaboration, and inspiration.
Early Education Initiative PD
We kicked off with two days dedicated to our youngest learners:
📍Boston Children's Museum
📍Holy Name Parish School
Sessions explored topics including:
-Learning vs. Memorizing: Developing Lasting Early Literacy Foundations
-Creating, Not Copying: Honoring Children’s Artistic Expression
-Ethical Decision Making in an Early Childhood Program
CSSN Summer Summit
We then welcomed school leaders for a day focused on strengthening schools through innovation, leadership, and strategy with sessions including:
-Demystifying AI and AI Prompt Writing for Educators
-Developing Your Advancement Calendar: The Roadmap to Maximize Annual Revenue
-Building a Clear Coaching Vision That Strengthens Teacher Growth and Instructional Excellence
Thank you to every facilitator, host site, and participant for investing in our schools, our teams, and our students. Great school years don't happen by chance—they begin with leaders committed to learning together.
Federal Scholarship Tax Credit
August 2026Massachusetts has the opportunity to expand educational support for students and families through the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC).
In this week's episode of Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research's "The Learning Curve", Katie Everett, Executive Director of The Lynch Foundation, co-hosted with Professor Albert Cheng of Ohio State University a conversation with former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Together, they explored how this federal initiative could increase private charitable giving from MA taxpayers into education - thereby strengthening proven supports like high-dosage tutoring and advancing achievement and access for students across the Commonwealth.
Dewey Square’s Newest Mural by Rixy
July 2026Public art has the power to transform not only a place, but the conversations that happen within it.
Congratulations to artist Rixy (@rixyxir) on the unveiling of The Midnight Ride, a striking new mural now on view at @Dewey Square Park of @The Rose Kennedy Greenway. Produced in partnership with Embrace Boston and Everyone250, the mural invites us to reflect on Boston's past while imagining the future we are building together.
Over the past several weeks, this remarkable work has already served at the intersection of moments of celebration, remembrance, and community—from honoring freedom and the lasting contributions of Black communities during Juneteenth, to the energy and cultural pride of Dominican Carnaval, and now as one of the newest additions to Boston's landscape during this landmark 250th anniversary year. It stands as a gathering place where history, culture, and civic life continue to intersect.
As Rixy shared:
"Large murals & grand public art really have a transcendent way of holding me & all of my feelings, thoughts & movement. I couldn’t see it any other way in this lifetime. Scaling 75ft in just a month just feels like being closer to enlightenment, & consuming millions of particles of euphoria."
The Greenway describes The Midnight Ride as:
"Drawing upon elements of fantasy, manga and anime, practices of creative worldbuilding, and a vibrant palette, The Midnight Ride brings into dialogue multiple histories of activism in Boston, blending iconography and public narratives in ways that create and encourage new points of access, imagination, and critical reflection. The artist asks viewers to consider what their own 'Midnight Ride' might be in our current moment: What is the work you engage in outside the hours of 9am-5pm that helps create the world we want to live in?"
A powerful reminder that great public spaces—and great public art—can spark dialogue, celebrate the many stories that define our communities, and encourage each of us to imagine the role we play in building a more vibrant and inclusive future.
Yes in God’s Backyard
July 2026A recent Boston Globe editorial spotlighted an emerging solution to Massachusetts' housing shortage, recognizing research commissioned by The Lynch Foundation as a key resource in the conversation around "Yes in God's Backyard" (YIGBY) legislation.
The editorial highlights how faith-based organizations across the Commonwealth have a unique opportunity to help expand the housing supply by developing underutilized land they already own. If enacted, YIGBY legislation would make it easier for eligible religious institutions to create much-needed housing, particularly affordable and mixed-income developments, while reducing regulatory barriers.
Central to the discussion is a statewide study commissioned by The Lynch Foundation and conducted by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy's Center for Geospatial Solutions. The research identified nearly 5,000 parcels of faith-owned land, totaling more than 20,000 acres, with significant potential for residential development. The study also found that nearly two-thirds of these properties already have access to water and sewer infrastructure, and more than half are located within walkable communities, making them well-suited for housing.
As Lynch Foundation Executive Director Kate Everett noted in the editorial, "We ran all the analytics. There's nowhere else to go but here."
The Foundation's investment in this research reflects its commitment to advancing practical, data-driven solutions that strengthen communities and expand access to affordable housing throughout Massachusetts. By identifying opportunities that already exist within our neighborhoods, this work is helping inform public policy and support innovative partnerships between faith communities, nonprofit developers, and local leaders.
As conversations around YIGBY continue on Beacon Hill, The Lynch Foundation remains committed to supporting research and initiatives that create equitable opportunities for individuals and families across the Commonwealth.
Source: "Yes in God's Backyard could be a providential solution to the state's housing crisis," The Boston Globe Editorial Board, July 15, 2026.
A map of religiously owned developable parcels from The Lynch Foundation.
Revolutionary Spaces
July 2026As Boston continues to commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, Revolutionary Spaces' Ruckus! offers a powerful new way to experience the stories that shaped America. "This immersive show drops you right into the heart of the debate and defiance that once filled this iconic space, where ordinary people set extraordinary change in motion. From the floorboards to the balconies, you will be surrounded by dynamic sound, lighting, and projected animations of fiery revolutionaries, determined citizens, and some unlikely troublemakers whose courage shook these walls."
Congratulations to Revolutionary Spaces on an extraordinary launch, welcoming more than 4,000 visitors across their First Night, Encore, and opening weekend events and kicking off what promises to be an exciting new chapter in sharing Boston's history. The Lynch Foundation is proud to celebrate this milestone and the Revolutionary Spaces team, creative partners, supporters, and volunteers who helped bring this remarkable vision to life.
Revolutionary Spaces is a nonprofit organization that tells the interwoven stories of Boston's two iconic landmarks—the Old State House and Old South Meeting House. Through its mission to bring people together to explore America's ongoing struggle to create and sustain a free society, Revolutionary Spaces inspires dialogue, civic engagement, and the continuing practice of democracy.
Photo courtesy of @sunnyandnatephoto
The BASE Graduation
July 2026What another incredible year and celebration of their scholar-athletes' hard work, dedication, and growth. The BASE provides student-athletes year-round athletic training, conditioning, and competition; academic support; career development opportunities; and health and wellness initiatives.
The BASE Mission: We leverage the power and passion of sports and provide a range of engaging educational opportunities in an environment that cultivates talent and fosters love, hope, and belief. We believe Urban Talent is America’s greatest resource and we are creating a future in which urban young people will lead and thrive in the American economy.
Photo courtesy of The BASE
Harvard Medical School MEDscience
July 2026The Lynch Foundation is committed to advancing education and global health through our continued partnership with Harvard Medical School's HMS MEDscience and the Chair’s Opportunity Fund in Global Health. Our latest support will expand access to HMS MEDscience, helping more young people—especially those from underserved communities—explore careers in health care and the life sciences, while also strengthening global health through flexible funding for the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine.
As Peter Lynch, our President and Co-Founder, shared, "MEDscience marries two of our core priorities—education and health care—while also building a pipeline of future leaders in medicine and science and strengthening the health care workforce of tomorrow." He added, "We're proud to help more young people discover what's possible for them in health care and the life sciences."
Investing in education, workforce development, and health equity creates opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom and the lab. We're honored to support the next generation of leaders and innovators.
Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy
June 2026
Photo courtesy of Jacob Chang-Rascle
The Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy held their annual celebration bringing people "together to celebrate a place that means so much to our city—and to all of us." The evening furthers their conservancy efforts through "community-led programming, care for our ecologically maintained landscapes, and innovative, meaningful public art—all in a park that is free and open to all". Furthermore, it was an opportunity to honoring long-time leaders: Carole Charnow, President & CEO, Boston Children’s Museum; Cheryl Cronin, CEO, Boston Public Market; Gary Dunning, President & Executive Director, Vivo Performing Arts.
The Lynch Foundation has partnered with the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Conservancy and the Boston Children's Museum for almost twenty years and continues to be impressed by their vision, innovation, and commitment. Congratulations to the Conservancy, Carole, and the other awardees for their ongoing effort and impact!
Lynch Leadership Academy
June 2026
Photo courtesy of Chris Soldt
Lynch Leadership Academy graduated its most recent cohort of leaders this Spring! Congratulations to all the Fellows on their growth, advancement, and collective readiness to lead as they embark on the next phase of their leadership journey, championing success for their students and school communities.
Lynch Leadership Academy’s mission is to develop a powerful and sustainable network of highly effective leaders at schools, within systems, and in communities, who will disrupt inequity and dramatically increase the opportunities and outcomes for all students. Lynch Leadership Academy is a collaborative, cross-sector community of school and district leaders who work to transform educational experiences of students in Massachusetts and Northeast Ohio.
Embrace Boston
June 2026
Photo courtesy of Brightside Media
At the end of May, Embrace Boston hosted its inaugural Embrace Honors Harry Hom Dow: Carry It Forward event at the 1965 Freedom Plaza. "[A]n evening dedicated to honoring a pioneering civil rights leader and celebrating the individuals carrying his legacy into the future.
Harry Hom Dow used the law as a tool for justice at a time when systems were designed to exclude. His courage and commitment helped expand opportunity and belonging for countless individuals and families. On May 21, we came together to recognize that legacy and the AANHPI leaders whose work continues to strengthen our civic, cultural, and community life today...We were honored to recognize this year's honorees and hear reflections on leadership, belonging, advocacy, and the importance of preserving and sharing our stories." - Embrace Boston
Congratulations to the inaugural honorees: Frederick Hom Dow, Helen Chin Schlichte, Nick Chau, Paul Lee, Suzanne Lee, Tina Zhu Xi Caruso, MA Senator, Vanna Howard!