E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the
The E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the Blind is a private foundation established in 1928 and incorporated in New York, with tax-exempt status since September 1936. Based in Darien/Greenwich, Connecticut, the foundation provides financial assistance and support to individuals who are blind or visually impaired, while also funding research into the causes and treatment of blindness.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$10.3M
-47.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.9M
+585.4% YoY
Grant Count
3
-57.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3.3M
+1499.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the reported a distributable amount of $629K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission is charitable and educational work to ameliorate the condition of the blind. Key focus areas include:
- Publication and Distribution: Support for the monthly publication and free distribution of the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind
- Medical Research: Funding for research into genetic causes of blindness and refractive error, including studies using zebrafish models
- Lifestyle Support: Grants for lifestyle improvements for individuals who are blind or visually impaired
- Guide Dog Placement: Support for guide dog placement programs
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants ranging from $150,000 to $3,639,000, with recent grant activity demonstrating active funding:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds work in Connecticut, New York, and Maryland.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total Assets: $19,607,393
- Total Revenues: $854,494
- Total Expenses: $1,480,517
- Investment Income: $732,959
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $121,535
Employees: 0 paid staff
The foundation's investment income and asset appreciation provide the primary funding source for its grantmaking activities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $10,349,412 | $19,607,393 | $18,949,408 |
| Revenue | $1,118,095 | $854,494 | $651,095 |
| Expenses | $9,986,271 | $1,480,517 | $1,440,489 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $9,948,459 | $1,453,283 | $1,407,538 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,108,417 | $846,314 | $710,489 |
| Distributable Amount | $628,765 | $949,117 | $1,006,469 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Action Fund for Blind ($3,639,000), Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired ($3,300,000), The Connecticut Institute for the Blind ($3,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| THE CONNECTICUT INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND HARTFORD, CT | TO CARE, MAINTENANCE, OR EDUACTION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH BLINDNESS | $3,000,000 |
| LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED VALLEY STREAM, NY | TO CARE, MAINTENANCE, OR EDUACTION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH BLINDNESS | $3,300,000 |
| 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 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Philip C. Steinkraus - Chairman of the Board
- Eric M. Steinkraus - President & Treasurer
- Marcia Cleary - Administrator
The foundation operates with limited staffing, with board members and key employees working minimal hours on a volunteer basis.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHILIP C STEINKRAUS | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD | 1 | — |
| ERIC M STEINKRAUS | PRESIDENT & TREASURER | 1 | — |
Contact Information
E. Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the Blind, Inc.
20 Thorndal Circle
Darien, CT 06820
- Telephone: (203) 604-8620
- Fax: (203) 656-1494
- Email: info@emzfoundation.com
- Website: emzfoundation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What does E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the fund?
The foundation's primary mission is charitable and educational work to ameliorate the condition of the blind. Key focus areas include: • **Publication and Distribution**: Support for the monthly publication and free distribution of the Matilda Ziegler Magazine for the Blind • **Medical Research**: Funding for research into genetic causes of blindness and refractive error, including studies using zebrafish models • **Lifestyle Support**: Grants for lifestyle improvements for individuals who are …
How do I apply for a grant from E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the?
The foundation makes grants ranging from $150,000 to $3,639,000, with recent grant activity demonstrating active funding: **Recent Grant Activity:** • Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation: $150,000 (2023) for guide dog placement support • Total giving reported: $9,939,000 (based on 2024 filings) • The foundation made six grants in 2023 The foundation appears possibly open to applications based on its recent grant activity and lack of "preselected only" restrictions in its filings.
Where does E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the make grants?
The foundation primarily funds work in Connecticut, New York, and Maryland.
What size grants does E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the award?
In 2024, E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the awarded 3 grants totaling $9.9M — an average of about $3.3M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the reported a distributable amount of $629K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the's EIN?
E Matilda Ziegler Foundation for the's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6086195. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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