Our Community. Your Foundation.
Since 1995, the SouthCoast Community Foundation has served as a catalyst for philanthropic giving. Our mission is to mobilize philanthropy by matching donors and resources with community needs for the benefit of our region.
As a tax-exempt, public charity, the SouthCoast Community Foundation offers donors the guidance and flexibility to fulfill their philanthropic goals. We serve a range of charitable individuals, families, and corporations whose main concern is improving the quality of life in our community.
The SouthCoast Community Foundation allocates individual, family, and corporate funds to meet community needs. To date, the organization has distributed over $50 million from more than 200 funds to humanitarian, educational, and cultural organizations in the region.
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.
Our Region
In its 25 years of operation, the SouthCoast Community Foundation has distributed more than $50 million to charitable organizations throughout the south coast.
We are active in 41 cities and towns across four counties of Southeastern Massachusetts. Our service area includes Greater New Bedford, Greater Fall River, Southern Plymouth County and more.
Bristol County
Acushnet
Attleboro
Berkley
Dartmouth
Dighton
Easton
Fairhaven
Fall River
Freetown
Mansfield
North Attleboro
Norton
Raynham
Rehoboth
Seekonk
Somerset
Swansea
Taunton
Westport
Abington
Bridgewater
Brockton
Carver
East Bridgewater
Halifax
Hanson
Kingston
Lakeville
Mattapoisett
Middleboro
Plymouth
Plympton
Rochester
Wareham
West Bridgewater
Whitman
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
Gail Fortes
Chairperson
Linda Bodenmann
Past Chairperson
Jayne Rebello Korn
Vice Chairperson
Jonathan Rounds
Treasurer
Carl J. Cruz
Clerk
Maria A. Rosario
Assistant Clerk
Damōn Chaplin
Priscilla Ditchfield
Jeff Pagliuca
Denise M. Porche´
Cynthia Rose
Louis E. Sousa
Our Team
Our staff and associates are champions of our community, with focuses on public service and development, arts and culture, youth services, finance, and more.
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 Foundation in April 2021 as the Programs Officer. Previously, she was a Recruiter for the human resources company, Aston Carter, and Management Assistant/Customer Services Manager for the rental company, Enterprise Holdings. While attending the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth, she was the Events & Marketing Manager for the Haitian Student Association (HASA). Werlaine grew up in Brockton and currently lives in Fall River.
Nhamaa Cortes
Accounting Clerk
Nhamaa Cortes joined the Foundation in April 2021 as the Accounting Clerk. Nhamaa is a recent graduate from Bridgewater State University where he majored in Accounting with a minor in Management. While he was a student, he worked in the foodservice industry. Nhamaa was born and raised in New Bedford where he currently resides.
Tricia Grime
Development Manager
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
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.
Programs Officer
508-996-8253 ext. 217
sray@southcoastcf.org
Born in Boston, attended Salem State College. Before joining the Foundation she worked for the City of Boston as a Contract Administrator, the last 12 years worked for the Department of Transitional Assistance. Worked in the non-profit community for over 20 years. While working 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. She currently lives with her family in Taunton Ma
Kristen Sarkarati
Director of Marketing and Communications
Joining the Foundation in October 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 — she was born in New Bedford, raised in Fall River and now resides with her husband, two children, and a chocolate lab in Marion.
AHA! (Art, History and Architecture!)
Candace Lee Heald
AHA! Director