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 Legacy 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.

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.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester (BGCD) provides young people with a safe place to learn and grow while developing life-long skills. BGCD co-manages the Martin Richard Challenger Sports Program of Dorchester, offering year-round sports programs for children with physical and intellectual challenges.

Dorchester Educational Enrichment Program (Project DEEP) fosters the educational, athletic and social development of middle school children throughout Dorchester. The Foundation supports Project DEEP Cares!, a community service requirement for all summer camp scholarship recipients.

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.

College Bound Dorchester equips young people with the attitude, skills and experience to graduate from college. The Martin Richard Foundation is an ongoing investor in Boston Uncornered, a program that aims to empower at-risk youth and break cycles of dysfunction in communities.

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.

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute offers educational programs that help young people understand and participate in democracy and civil discourse. The Martin Richard Bus Scholarship Fund supports transportation for school groups from underserved areas in Boston and school districts around the state.