Our Partners

Our community partnerships

The Martin Richard Foundation recognizes the importance of providing equal opportunity and a sense of belonging for all members of our community to succeed in building a positive future. We are grateful for the talents, wisdom and passion that our community partners bring to our shared mission through their direct work with young people and families.

Uniting Massachusetts through
Youth Service and Leadership

The Martin Richard Foundation and Project 351 share a belief that every young person is remarkable and that within them lies the tools, vision and desire to build a more just, inclusive, and united global community. Each year, eighth grade Ambassadors from every city and town in Massachusetts embark on a service journey to lead positive change.

Since 2011, Project 351 has engaged thousands of Ambassadors for a year’s term of transformative service leadership. Upon completion of their service year, Ambassadors are invited to join the Project 351 Alumni Community, which supports their continued leadership development in high school and beyond. High-school aged Alumni serve as mentors, team leaders, regional coaches and role models for Ambassadors while college alumni serve as interns, project managers, and members of the Project 351 Leadership Team and Advisory Board.

We are honored that Project 351 names one of its forty-five Service Hero teams on Launch Day for Martin—third grader, friend and peacemaker.

Building Peaceful Communities

Our FEATURED Partners

Effective, efficient and impactful nonprofits have immeasurable influence on the young people and families they serve. When we invest in our partners’ work, we help families and entire communities embrace and access the opportunities they need to contribute to a just society.

We are proud to support groups like Dorchester Baseball, Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester’s Project BIND & Challenger Sports, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, Dorchester Education & Enrichments Program, the Edward M. Kennedy Institute, Boston Uncornered, Heading Home, the Boston Children’s Museum, Greater Ashmont Main Streets, Rodman Theater For Kids, Boston Healthcare For The Homeless, Hope and Comfort, Elevate Youth, Storytime Crafts, and many more.

Youth Enrichment Services (YES) engages youth in year-round programs, both indoors and outdoors, and leadership activities. YES leads the annual Martin Richard One-Mile Invitational run, an inclusive family event for runners of all ages and abilities.

Adaptive Sports New England works to increase participation in sports and build capacity so more youth and young adults who have visual or mobility impairments can access sports closer to home. Their programs & collaboration with other groups allow Paralympians and local athletes to model excellence and inclusion.

Art Inspires Me connects diverse youth through personal engagement in the performing, visual and literary arts. They combine interactive workshops with live cultural events & shows to give young people opportunities most have never experienced before.

Louis D. Brown Peace Institute is a center of healing and learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma and loss. The Foundation participates in the Louis D. Brown Mother’s Day Walk for Peace each year to honor Martin and to express love and support for our neighbors.

Pine Street Inn helps chronically homeless people move from the streets to permanent housing and independence. They are the only organization offering consistent street outreach with vans traveling the city helping hundreds of people staying outside in Boston each night.

Empowering People for Inclusive Communities (EPIC) prepares young people with disabilities to be actively engaged community leaders through education, leadership development, and community service. The Martin Richard Foundation supports the EPIC Service Warrior program, a oneyear leadership development and service-learning program for youth and young adults with disabilities.

Zoo New England inspires people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating fun & engaging experiences that integrate wildlife and conservation. From school programs to adult lectures, to summer camps, there’s an adventure for every age and every ability at the Franklin Park Zoo and the Stone Zoo.