Francie Zimmerman

Francie Zimmerman works primarily on the Youth Thrive initiative, partnering with young leaders to improve how public systems and community-based organizations provide resources and opportunities for young people. She coordinates Youth Thrive’s national network, training, and implementation activities. She also works on projects for families, including Strengthening Families and a peer support program run by Rise, a parent-led organization in the Bronx. Previously, Francie was director of family services for Acelero Learning Head Start centers in North Philadelphia and Camden, NJ. In philanthropy, Francie established and operated the Doris Duke Foundation’s Child Abuse Prevention Program, making grants to national nonprofit organizations for over a decade. For many years, she was a consultant to the F. B. Heron Foundation that promoted asset building, homeownership, and economic development strategies in low-income communities. Early in her career, she was an advocate for children in foster care, a special needs adoption caseworker, and assistant to the director of New York City’s secure detention facility for children, ages 10-15 years old.