About Us

Our History

Since 1995, the SouthCoast Community Foundation has given rise to philanthropic giving across the SouthCoast region.

In its first year of operation, the SouthCoast Community Foundation received its first charitable gift of $100,000. In 1997, we invested $1 million to establish Youth Entitled to Success (Project YES), spearheading drug abuse prevention and education efforts in our community.

For 25 years, we have supported personal and corporate philanthropy by offering a range of innovative giving options. We offer a variety of funds to help every donor meet their philanthropic goals.

The SouthCoast Community Foundation currently manages $50 million in charitable assets in support of more than 200 funds established by nonprofits, families, and businesses across Southeastern Massachusetts.

Dukes County
Gosnold

Norfolk County
Avon
Stoughton

Our Financials

The SouthCoast Community Foundation was established in 1995 with its first charitable gift of $100,000. For 25 years, we have shown significant growth. We now manage $50 million in charitable assets in support of more than 200 funds established by our dedicated nonprofit, individual, and corporate fundholders.

To view our most recent financial statement, click below.

Board of Directors

Leonard M. Lee
President & CEO

508-996-8253 ext. 201
llee@southcoastcf.org

Leonard joined the organization in April 2022 as President and CEO. Lee comes to the Community Foundation from his post as General Manager and Curator for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and as a consultant to Kelley Chunn & Associates, an award-winning agency providing strategic communications and cause marketing. Previously, Lee held senior leadership roles for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and several nonprofits, including Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) for the Dorchester Neighborhood Service Center; Opening the Doors Wider in Nursing (ODWIN) Learning Center; Mission Works; and the Roxbury YMCA.

A native Bostonian who grew up in the Franklin Field Housing Development in Dorchester, Lee holds a degree in business management from Johnson & Wales University and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Boston University. An avid urban beekeeper and drummer, Leonard is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., a father of three adult children, and a proud new grandfather.

Werlaine Badio
Programs Officer

508-996-8253 ext. 202
wbadio@southcoastcf.org

 Werlaine Badio joined the Community Foundation in 2021 and focuses her work on scholarships and the organization’s programmatic grantmaking. Previously, she was a recruiter with Aston Carter, and a customer services manager with Enterprise Holdings. Werlaine currently serves as treasurer for the Bristol County Commission on the Status of Women and is a recent inductee into the National Society of Leadership and Success. In addition to English, she is fluent in Haitian Creole and French. Werlaine is working towards her Master’s degree in public policy and government affairs at Southern New Hampshire University, with an anticipated graduation date of May 2023. 

Werlaine grew up in Brockton and now resides in Fall River with her husband and two children. When she’s not busy with scholarships and grants, Werlaine is the owner of an events decor and rental company and loves cooking Haitian food, such as her favorite dish “diri kole, pwason fri, bannan peze avec pikliz ” (translation: brown rice, fried red snapper, fried plantain and spicy pickled slaw). She also enjoys hosting game nights and conversation parties with her family and friends, as well as playing drums and harmonica. When asked what she likes most about working at the Community Foundation, she said, “I love seeing the impact and the smiles on the students’ faces when they are awarded scholarships.”   

Nhamaa Cortes
Accounting Clerk

508-996-8253 ext. 218
ncortes@southcoastcf.org

Nhamaa Cortes joined the finance team at the Community Foundation in 2021, following his graduation from Bridgewater State University, where majored in accounting with a management minor. Nhamaa spent a semester abroad at the University of New York in Prague, studying international marketing and managerial accounting. He is currently enrolled in the MBA program at UMass Dartmouth with a concentration in organizational leadership.

Nhamaa was born and raised in New Bedford, where he currently resides. He enjoys taking his son for walks around Fort Taber Park. When asked what he likes most about his work at the Foundation, he said, “It is very rewarding to know that the organization I am a part of is positively impacting the region and the city I am from in a big way.”

Tricia Grime
Director of Philanthropy

508-996-8253 ext. 203
pgrime@southcoastcf.org

Tricia Grime joined the Community Foundation in 2019 as Development Manager, leading the annual giving campaign and special events. In February 2023, Tricia was promoted to Director of Philanthropy, focusing her efforts on direct work with donors and fund advisors. Early in her career, she was co-owner of her family business, a successful New Bedford-based chemical and knitting company, Dyl-Chem, Inc. a/k/a Whalerknits. Upon retirement from the company in 2003, Tricia joined Southcoast Health where she held various administrative positions and was most recently Development Associate and Manager of Special Events. In 2018, Tricia was recognized by the hospital for her excellence in service, leadership, and cultural values with the Southcoast Health President’s Award of Excellence.

Tricia is a lifelong New Bedford resident and makes community involvement, whether serving as a school volunteer or working at a food pantry, a central part of her everyday life.  She enjoys spending time with her family, and engaging in all that the South Coast has to offer — the seaport, diverse food, music, and arts. Tricia’s favorite saying? “Love where you live!”

Adrianna Heard
Donor Services Associate

508-996-8253 ext. 214
aheard@southcoastcf.org

Adrianna Heard joined the Foundation in July 2020 as the Development Systems Administrator and in January 2021 was promoted to Donor Services Associate. Adrianna was born and raised in New Bedford and graduated with honors, from Westfield State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Kim Heard
Office Administrator

508-996-8253 ext. 215
kheard@southcoastcf.org

Since joining the Community Foundation in 2017, Kim Heard has been the Office Administrator, and as such manages the day-to-day operations of the staff and Board. She also serves as executive assistant to the President. Previously, Kim worked at the Trustees of Reservations for 13 years, where she held various administrative roles, most recently as Executive Assistant.

Kim grew up in Tiverton, RI and has lived in New Bedford since 1994. In her free time, Kim enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and new grandson!

Charles Holley
Director of Finance and Administration

508-996-8253 ext. 204
cholley@southcoastcf.org

Charles Holley joined the organization in December 2020 as the Director of Finance & Administration. Most recently Charles was the Director of Finance & Administration for Boston Harbor Now and Chief Financial Officer for Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative. He is currently the Board Treasurer for Mystic River Watershed Association.

508-996-8253 ext. 217
sray@southcoastcf.org

Sandra joined the Community Foundation in 2022 as a Program Officer, and in her role is focused on admistering the Community Development Block Grant, among other grantmaking responsibilities. Previously, Sandra worked for the City of Boston as a Contract Administrator, the last 12 years working for the Department of Transitional Assistance. She has served as a mentor for at-risk families under DSS (now known as DCF) auspices and was awarded Mentor of the Year in 2003, 2004, and 2006.

Sandra is a relatively new resident of Taunton and is enjoying getting to know the South Coast. When she’s not working, Sandra likes to read and spend time with her grandchildren.

Kristen Sarkarati
Director of Marketing and Communications

508-996-8253 ext. 219
ksarkarati@southcoastcf.org

Joining the Community Foundation in 2022, Kristen brings over 20 years of experience in communications and development to the role. Most recently, she served as Director of Major Gifts and Campaign Initiatives at Beth Israel Deaconess Plymouth, and prior to that position, managed philanthropy communications and corporate giving for the hospital. Previously, she had a communications and development consultancy where she served clients that included the Schooner Ernestina-Morrissey Association, English for New Bostonians, the Boston Foundation, Joslin Diabetes Center, ArtWorks, and the New Bedford Folk Festival, among many others.

Kristen is a lifelong resident of the South Coast (with a brief stint on the West Coast and in Boston) — she was born in New Bedford, raised in Fall River and now resides with her husband, two children, and a chocolate lab in Marion. She thinks the perfect day involves a morning bike ride to Planting Island in Marion (or maybe a kayak in Sippican Harbor), an afternoon of sun and sea at Horseneck Beach, and dinner at one of our region’s great seafood restaurants.

AHA! (Art, History and Architecture!)
Candace Lee Heald
AHA! Director

508-996-8253 ext. 205
ahacoordinator@southcoastcf.org