The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for
E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the is a private foundation based in Greenwich, Connecticut. Its stated direct charitable activity is issuing grants for the amelioration of the blind.
The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for at a glance
In short: The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for gave $9.9M across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $3.3M), top state Maryland. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $9,939,000
- +585.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- -57.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,313,000
- +1499.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,300,000
- Total assets
- $10,349,412
- -47.2% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Maryland (37% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for
- How to Apply
-
Contact the foundation with a written proposal describing the need and intended use of funds. Awards are restricted to programs for the amelioration of the blind.
- Review Cycle
- Prior to June 30.
- Deadline
- Prior to June 30.
- Contact
Application contact: E Matilda Ziegler Foundation For Th
Mailing address: 20 Thorndal Circle, Darien, CT 06820
Phone: (203) 656-8000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Action Fund for Blind ($3.6M). Together the top 3 received $9.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 12 grants of 25 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 37% of grant dollars went to recipients in Maryland, 33% to recipients in New York, and 30% to recipients in Connecticut.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for gives
- Giving grew 946% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $140K (2020) to $9.9M (2024). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $9.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Action Fund for Blind Baltimore, MD | Research "a murine model to investigate vitreous aging"researcj "a murine model to investigate vitreous aging"to care, maintenance, or eduaction of individuals with blindness | $3,639,000 |
| Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired Valley Stream, NY | To care, maintenance, or eduaction of individuals with blindness | $3,300,000 |
| The Connecticut Institute for the Blind Hartford, CT | To care, maintenance, or eduaction of individuals with blindness | $3,000,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $10,349,412 | $1,118,095 | $9,986,271 | $9,939,000 | 3 | $9,948,459 | $1,108,417 | $628,765 |
| 2023 | $19,607,393 | $854,494 | $1,480,517 | $1,450,000 | 7 | $1,453,283 | $846,314 | $949,117 |
| 2022 | $18,949,408 | $651,095 | $1,440,489 | $1,400,000 | 6 | $1,407,538 | $710,489 | $1,006,469 |
| 2021 | $22,448,542 | $1,406,714 | $1,005,589 | $950,000 | 7 | $958,792 | $1,393,522 | $1,085,912 |
| 2020 | $20,942,039 | $503,744 | $190,609 | $140,000 | 2 | — | $487,587 | $925,766 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for reported a distributable amount of $629K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation states that its direct charitable activity is grants for the amelioration of the blind. Its 2024 grant purposes included research on vitreous aging in a murine model and care, maintenance, or education for individuals with blindness.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported three grants totaling $9,939,000. Grants ranged from $3,000,000 to $3,639,000, with a median of $3,300,000. It awarded $1,450,000 across seven grants in 2023 and $1,400,000 across six grants in 2022.
Its 2024 grantees included American Action Fund for Blind in Baltimore, Maryland ($3,639,000); Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Valley Stream, New York ($3,300,000); and The Connecticut Institute for the Blind in Hartford, Connecticut ($3,000,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Philip C. Steinkraus as chairman of the board and Eric M. Steinkraus as president and treasurer.
The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for is led by Eric M. Steinkraus, President & Treasurer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Eric M. Steinkraus
President & Treasurer
Vice President & Treasurer → President & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Philip C. Steinkraus
Chairman of the Board
Assistant Secretary → Chairman of the Board, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Cynthia Ziegler-Brighton (2020–2023) — President & Assistant Treasurer
- Former: Karl Ziegler (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Michael Crair (2020–2023) — Chair & Scientific Advisory Committee
- Former: William Ziegler III (2020–2023) — Vice Provost for Research
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for
How much does The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for give each year?
The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for gave $9.9M across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.4M across 7 grants.
What is The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for's typical grant size?
The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for's median grant in 2024 was $3,300,000, and its average grant was $3,313,000, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for give grants?
The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for's top state is Maryland, with 37% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (33%) and Connecticut (30%).
Does The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for?
The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for reported $10.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $629K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for fund?
The foundation states that its direct charitable activity is grants for the amelioration of the blind. Its 2024 grant purposes included research on vitreous aging in a murine model and care, maintenance, or education for individuals with blindness. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for?
Contact the foundation with a written proposal describing the need and intended use of funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for's EIN?
The E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6086195. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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