The Lynch Foundation
THE LYNCH FOUNDATION, Peter and Carolyn.
Ken Burns and Carolyn A. Lynch were both awarded honorary doctor of humane letters at Boston College, a private Jesuit Catholic college on the same day. Carolyn, as “an agent of change who works for the advancement of all.”
On a the Francis Ouimet Caddy Scholarship, Peter Lynch graduated from Jesuit Boston College studying history, psychology and philosophy, and earned an MBA from the Wharton School. After ROTC, he served two years in the Army. Fidelity Investments hired him in 1969. Peter Lynch as manager of the Magellan Fund at Fidelity Investments Lynch ran the best performing mutual fund in the world with assets increasing from $18 million to $14 billion. Peter Lynch co-authored a number of books and papers on investing. The financial media calls Lynch a "legend." Peter Lynch focuses on philanthropy based on a net worth of over $350 million.
The Lynches give money as individuals, Lynch Foundation, Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund and two charitable trusts. In 1988, Carolyn and Peter Lynch established The Lynch Foundation in order to spread the values they experienced as students, educators and Catholics, especially the generosity of others who gave them educational opportunities. In the Greater Boston area, The Lynch Foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in education, cultural and historic preservation, health care and wellness.
The Lynches also support the religious and educational efforts of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope named Carolyn Lynch to the Order of St. Gregory the Great honoring her meritorious service to the Church. Lynch’s other religious honors include the Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Award from the Society of Jesus New England Province, and the Pedro Arrupe Medal for Excellence in Ministry from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology.
Boston College’s School of Education was renamed the Carolyn A. and Peter S. Lynch School of Education in honor of Lynch and her husband, Peter, contributors to the University.
Carolyn Lynch is a member of the board of the Boston College Campus School, also boards or committees for the Gregorian University Foundation, New England Conservatory of Music, Catholic Charities, Ralph Lowell Society, Boys and Girls Club of Boston and the Peabody Essex Museum. Her mastery extends to the game of bridge, where has been a world champion.
Carolyn Lynch’s honorary degree citation reads, ““St. Ignatius Loyola affirmed that deeds, not words, are the measure of a person. Carolyn A. Lynch exemplifies that Ignatian principle. … She has found ‘good ground,’ advancing the growth of City Year, Teach for America, AmeriCares, Mass Mentoring and Partners in Health, and …Urban Catholic Teachers Corps. As an advocate of schools, she believes education is the great equalizer.’ She has travelled a religious pilgrim and relief worker. Carolyn died in October 2015 of leukemia at age 69.
Open Secrets reports no political contributions made by Peter Lynch. Carolyn made 22 contributions of which 8 were to national Republicans and the rest Massachusetts Democrats. FEC reports of a 2013 election to replace Senator Ted Kennedy, the Lynches donated nearly $25,000 to Catholic Edward Markey, “100 percent prochoice.”