The Zegar Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Zegar Family Foundation is a private foundation in New York, New York. In tax year 2024 it gave $27.0 million in 105 grants; the typical grant was $125,000 and the largest $3.2 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$27.0 million
- Number of grants105
- Typical grant$125,000
- Largest grant$3.2 million
- Assets$348 million
- New grantees46%
Giving in 2024 was up from $20.5 million the year before.
46% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $20.5 million | 81 | $291 million |
| 2024 | $27.0 million | 105 | $348 million |
How to apply
The Zegar Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What The Zegar Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 16 states, the most to New York. It also paid $900,000 in 2 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 40 | $11.7 million |
| California | 30 | $5.0 million |
| District of Columbia | 19 | $4.8 million |
| Virginia | 1 | $1.7 million |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $1.7 million |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $325,000 |
| Arizona | 1 | $150,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $150,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $150,000 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $100,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| RF Catalytic Capital Inc | General purpose contribution | $3.2 million |
| Windward Fund | Global methane hub - enteric accelerator | $1.9 million |
| The Nature Conservancy | General purpose contribution | $1.7 million |
| National Philanthropic Trust | General purpose contribution | $1.7 million |
| New York University | Genome center - to support research at genomics core | $1.3 million |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc | Oceans 5 | $1.0 million |
| New York University | Genome center - to support research at the university center | $833,761 |
| Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated | General purpose contribution | $750,000 |
| The University of California Santa Barbara | Regents fund - research | $686,215 |
| Congregation B'nai B'rith | General purpose contribution | $510,000 |
| Climateworks Foundation | General purpose contribution | $500,000 |
| Stichting European Climate Foundation | General purpose contribution | $500,000 |
| African Women Rising | General purpose contribution | $450,000 |
| Community Environmental Council | General purpose contribution | $400,000 |
| The Sunrise Project | General purpose contribution | $400,000 |
| Lower East Side Tenement Museum | General purpose contribution | $390,000 |
| American Civil Liberties Union Foundation | General purpose contribution | $350,000 |
| Neo Philanthropy | State infrastructure fund | $350,000 |
| Foodbank of Santa Barbara County | General purpose contribution | $300,000 |
| New Venture Fund | Trusted elections fund | $300,000 |
| Safe Passage Project Corporation | General purpose contribution | $300,000 |
| William J Brennan Center for Justice Inc | General purpose contribution | $300,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League | General purpose contribution | $250,000 |
| Las Cumbres Observatory | General purpose contribution | $250,000 |
| The Union of Concerned Scientists Inc | General purpose contribution | $250,000 |
| Immigrant Justice Corps Inc | General purpose contribution | $225,000 |
| National Immigration Law Center | General purpose contribution | $225,000 |
| Center for Constitutional Rights | General purpose contribution | $200,000 |
| Civic Nation | General purpose contribution | $200,000 |
| Common Cause Education Fund | General purpose contribution | $200,000 |
| Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law | General purpose contribution | $200,000 |
| The Voter Participation Center | General purpose contribution | $200,000 |
| Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York | Ai cloud seeding project | $188,487 |
| Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center | General purpose contribution | $175,000 |
| Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote | General purpose contribution | $150,000 |
| Campaign Legal Center Inc | General purpose contribution | $150,000 |
| Center for Biological Diversity Inc | General purpose contribution | $150,000 |
| Direct Relief | General purpose contribution | $150,000 |
| Groundswell Fund | General purpose contribution | $150,000 |
| Hias Inc | General purpose contribution | $150,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Charles M Zegar
- Merryl Snow Zegar
- Lan Thi Pham
Questions people ask
Does The Zegar Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Zegar Family Foundation give?
$27.0 million in tax year 2024, across 105 grants, with a typical grant of $125,000.
Who runs The Zegar Family Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Charles M Zegar (Trustee/Financial Director), Merryl Snow Zegar (Trustee/Managing Director) and Lan Thi Pham (Chief Operating Officer).
What does The Zegar Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and international.