The Ciccolo Family Foundation supports a broad spectrum of charities and initiatives across our core categories of Education, the Environment, Health, and our Greater Boston and beyond community. Below are some example of charities and organizations we support. For a full list, please click over to our Ciccolo Family Foundation website.


  Greater Boston: the Boston area is our home. The Ciccolo Family Foundation supports a number of varied interests that help   support our greater community, including:

  • 2020 Women on Boards - 2020 Women on Boards is a national campaign to increase the percentage of women on U.S. company boards to 20% or greater by the year 2020.
  • Boston Minstrel Company - A vibrant troupe of volunteer singers and musicians who have seen how music heals, the Boston Minstrel Company has produced musical programs for the homeless, elderly and imprisoned throughout the greater Boston metro area for over two decades.
  • The Boston Foundation - The Boston Foundation was founded in 1915 with a simple, but profound mission: to receive gifts from generous donors and use those resources to make grants to the nonprofit organizations that serve the Greater Boston community.
  • Crossroads For Kids - Crossroads for Kids inspires at-risk youth to develop their innate potential to become members of the next generation of diverse young leaders in Boston and Massachusetts, breaking the cycle of poverty and under-achievement and yielding systemic change in the communities where they live.  Through a unique combination of immersive summer camp and year-round mentoring and enrichment programs, Crossroads provides youth ages 7 - 18 years old with comprehensive support, resources and opportunities which guide them toward academic success, higher education, meaningful careers and responsible citizenship.
  • Globe Santa - Since 1956, Globe Santa has been The Boston Globe's annual appeal for needy children in Greater Boston. The Globe Santa Fund collects donations from the general public to purchase holiday gifts for underprivileged children.
  • The Greater Boston Food Bank - "The Greater Boston Food Bank's mission is to End Hunger Here. Our objective is to distribute enough food to provide at least one meal a day to those in need. Learn how to help? The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. Last year, we distributed almost 41 million pounds of food, enough to provide healthy meals to as many as 545,000 people. We are committed to increasing our food distribution in 2013 to provide at least ONE MEAL A DAY to every person in need in eastern Massachusetts."
  • Lazarus House - Lazarus House Ministries helps head of households and individuals living in poverty regain their dignity and become self sufficient members of the community by offering emergency shelter, food and clothing to people in crisis and then providing transitional housing, advocacy, health services, education and work preparation to permanently break the cycle of poverty.
  • Mass Budget & Policy Center - To participate effectively in our democracy, people need clear and reliable information about policy choices facing the Commonwealth. MassBudget makes that information available to everyone, providing independent research and analysis of state budget and tax policies, as well as economic issues, with particular attention to the effects on low- and middle-income children and adults.
  • Rosie's Place - Rosie's Place, a sanctuary for poor and homeless women, offers emergency and long-term assistance to women who have nowhere else to turn. Founded in 1974, Rosie's Place welcomes each guest with respect and unconditional love. Rosie's Place accepts no government funds, and relies instead on committed volunteers and private supporters to accomplish its effective and innovative work.
 
  Health: Supporting local and global health initiatives.

  • Boston Volvo Thanksgiving Day 5K to Support MS New England - Since 1998, Boston Volvo has sponsored a 5k Road Race on Thanksgiving morning.  The sense of community that accompanies the festivities is wonderfully palpable, with 1000+ runners pre-burning Thanksgiving calories and then gathering after for coffee, snacks, and assorted goodies. Early entrants receive long-sleeved t-shirts, any number of which you will see every day on the backs of dedicated runners throughout the Greater Boston area.??

    Our race supports the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Greater New England Chapter. Their mission is to mobilize people and resources to drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS.
  • Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery - The Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery (CIRS) at Brigham and Women's Hospital is one of the premier infertility and reproductive medicine programs in the country. Their renowned team has one of the highest numbers of physicians in the nation that are certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in reproductive endocrinology and fertility services. In addition, the Center has been a leader in research that has advanced ways to improve reproductive health and maximize the chance of a successful pregnancy, while minimizing risks of triplets or greater multiples which can place mother and child at greater risk.
  • Global Smile - The Global Smile Foundation is a group of dedicated volunteers and medical professionals who have been actively involved with global outreach programs for 20+ years in countries in Latin America, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent. GSF volunteers offer comprehensive corrective surgical and dental procedures to patients born with cleft lip and palate deformities.  They also strive to implement comprehensive care coupled with educational and preventive programs. Ray Ciccolo sits on the GSF Board, and has traveled as a GSF volunteer for many years.
  • Home Base | Mass General - The Home Base Programs at Massachusetts General Hospital offers clinical care and support services for service members, veterans, and their families throughout the deployment cycle. They also offer education for clinicians and the community about the "invisible wounds of war" and challenges faced by returning veterans and military families.
  • The John D. Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation - The Stoeckle Center for Primary Care Innovation is devoted to revitalizing and redesigning the delivery of primary care in order to provide the highest level of clinical excellence, provide an extraordinary experience of care for patients and their families, and to create an exciting and fulfilling professional life for current and future primary care practitioners.
 

  Education: "Education is a driving force in my life.  My family came from (very!) modest means, but from my early days in
  the Cambridge Public Schools I learned that there is no limit to what you can achieve when you better yourself through
     education.  My greatest achievement has been helping to raise 3 college graduates, but I also take great pride in how
     education has helped me create a successful business which provides quality jobs and is a positive force in the community."
     - Ray Ciccolo

     Here at the Ciccolo Family Foundation, we support:

  • Keys to Success Program - An incentive-based program for high-school students which provides school administrators with tools to motivate students to achieve academic success.
  • Lexington Education Foundation - The Lexington Education Foundation (LEF) is an independent, charitable organization with a mission to enhance educational excellence for the children of Lexington (MA) Public Schools.
  • Suffolk University - A graduate of Suffolk, Ray has established a Centennial Scholarship at his alma mater.
 
  Environment: We love cars - after all where we are today is intrinsically tied to the auto industry, and its significant role in 
  the growth of America. But coupled with our love of cars is a firm belief in protecting, preserving and appreciating our
    environment. We hope you continue to love your car, but don't forget to get outside and enjoy the outdoors!

     Some of our charities which embrace the outdoors and the environment are:

  • The Appalachian Mountain Club - "Promoting the protection, enjoyment and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters, and trails of the Appalachian region."
  • Rails-to-Trails Conservancy - "Creating a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people."
  • Lexington Community Farm - Lexington (MA) Community Farm is a community-based farm where area residents will come to learn about and enjoy food, farming, and nature. Produce grown by professional farmers will be sold through CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares and at the farm stand at 52 Lowell Street in Lexington, MA.
  • Lexington Nature Trust - Trust funds established to help with the care and maintenance of conservation areas in Lexington, MA.
  • Rick Abrams ACROSS Lexington Fund - ACROSS Lexington (MA) routes use various existing public ways, including conservation land trails and sidewalks. Routes connect the center of town with various locations in the town including historic sites, schools and conservation areas. Routes are accessible by foot or bicycle.

    The Lexington Board of Selectmen established the Rick Abrams ACROSS Lexington Fund to support the trail network by creating new directional and interpretive signage, electronic and/or print maps, and web/software development to incorporate current technologies.