Teach For America
A Lynch Foundation Ten Bagger
The Lynch Foundation was an early supporter of TFA, providing a small grant in 1990 after Wendy Kopp cold called Carolyn Lynch. In 2009. the Foundation was the first funder to back TFA’s expansion to Boston. The foundation has continued to support TFA as it grows across Massachusetts.
Investing in Leaders: The Lynch Foundation’s Legacy with Teach For America
Wendy Kopp conceived Teach for America (TFA) in 1989, and in 1990, she made a cold call to Carolyn Lynch to support the organization’s launch. Carolyn was immediately impressed by Wendy’s vision and determination, and The Lynch Foundation became one of TFA’s earliest supporters. Over the next two decades, TFA expanded to 35 cities and rural areas nationwide but was not able to gain traction in Boston. Finally, in 2008, the timing was right, and TFA made plans to expand to Boston.
The Lynch Foundation provided TFA with its first grant in Boston as a signal of its support for the organization. Additionally, the Foundation helped TFA navigate the local political and philanthropic landscapes to build a network of supporters. TFA launched in Boston in 2009 with 50 corps members, growing to 125 by 2010 and expanding to other Massachusetts cities.
The Lynch Foundation has since supported TFA’s statewide expansion, impacting over 70 schools and serving 35,000 students. Today, TFA Massachusetts boasts 2,500 alumni, 190 corps members, and 120 school and system leaders, making it one of the largest and most sought-after TFA regions.
