Joseph and Vera Zilber Family
The Joseph and Vera Zilber Family Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking institution dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals, families, and neighborhoods. Established in 1961 by visionary real estate leader Joseph J. Zilber and his wife Vera, the foundation has operated for over 70 years. The foundation is located at 710 N Plankinton Ave Ste 1200, Milwaukee, WI 53203-2418.
Key facts about Joseph and Vera Zilber Family
- EIN
- 39-2076346
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $18,783,762
- Grants made (2025)
- 319
- Average grant
- $58,883
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (82% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Joseph and Vera Zilber Family funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Joseph and Vera Zilber Family's 319 itemized 2025 grants were Wisconsin (82%) and Hawaii (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Milwaukee, WI (207 grants), Honolulu, HI (47 grants), Kailua, HI (12 grants) and New York City, NY (6 grants). 36% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Gratitude Grant" (87 grants) and "Holiday Giving 2024" (20 grants).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$18.8M
+22.7% YoY
Grant Count
319
+9.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$59K
+11.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Vision: All people have the resources and opportunities to prosper
Mission: To increase access to social and economic opportunity
The foundation strives to meet the basic needs of people living in poverty and invests in programs and systems that create pathways to economic stability and an improved quality of life.
Core Focus Areas
- Economic Stability: Creating pathways to safe and stable housing, cash, and capital
- Basic Needs: Addressing the immediate needs of communities
- Sector Supports: Creating a healthy and effective nonprofit ecosystem
- Joseph & Vera Zilber Partners: Supporting partnerships initiated by the founders
Organizational Values
The foundation operates according to six core values:
- Relational: Building relationships rooted in trust and transparency
- Courageous: Willing to risk action over inaction
- Equity: Pursuing social, economic, and racial equity
- Transformational: Activating resources to contribute to long-term, catalytic change
- Adaptive: Learning and evolving based on changing circumstances and feedback
- Generosity: Committed to giving beyond the check
Grantmaking
The foundation accepts applications and actively awards grants to nonprofit organizations.
Grant Range
** $1,000–$3,500,000
Average Grant
** $470,000–$3,500,000
Ready to take the next step with Joseph and Vera Zilber Family?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports organizations in:
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin (primary focus)
- Oahu, Hawaii
- Florida
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2024:
- Total Assets: $396,066,804
- Total Giving: $15,313,280
- Revenue: $23,310,960
- Expenses: $34,789,288
- Total Liabilities: $22,400,000
Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since February 2009
EIN: 39-2076346
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
1,362 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Uwm Foundation ($3,500,000), Revitalize Milwaukee ($905,000 across 4 grants), Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin Inc ($880,000 across 3 grants).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UWM FOUNDATION MILWAUKEE, WI | UWM ZILBER COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH | $3,500,000 |
| VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION OF WISCONSIN INC MILWAUKEE, WI | AURORA ZILBER FAMILY HOSPICE | $800,000 |
| THE BRIDGE PROJECT NEW YORK CITY, NY | MILWAUKEE CASH TRANSFER PROGRAM | $562,500 |
| LE JARDIN ACADEMY KAILUA, HI | LET'S BUILD ON THIS CAMPAIGN | $500,000 |
| COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE MILWAUKEE, WI | CDA KING PARK SCATTERED SITES MKE | $500,000 |
| COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE (CDA) MILWAUKEE, WI | DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE | $500,000 |
| REVITALIZE MILWAUKEE MILWAUKEE, WI | NEIGHBORHOOD ROOFING PROJECT | $500,000 |
| SOJOURNER FOUNDATION MILWAUKEE, WI | HOPE IN ACTION | $400,000 |
| HOUSING RESOURCES INC MILWAUKEE, WI | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $355,000 |
| LAYTON BOULEVARD WEST NEIGHBORS INC DBA VIA CDC MILWAUKEE, WI | STRONG AND HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS INITIATIVE | $350,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARCY C JACKSON | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 2 | $25,000 |
| MARILYN ZILBER | DIRECTOR | 2 | $25,000 |
| SHANE M JACKSON | TREASURER/DIRECTOR | 2 | $25,000 |
| MELISSA S A JACKSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | $25,000 |
| JAMES F JANZ | DIRECTOR | 2 | $6,250 |
| PAUL TILLEMAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | $25,000 |
| MARK MADIGAN | SECRETARY/VP DIRECTOR | 2 | $25,000 |
| JULIANNE KAUFMANN | DIRECTOR | 2 | $25,000 |
| LASHARELE BORG | DIRECTOR | 2 | $25,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In July 2023, the Zilber Family Foundation presented the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Joseph J. Zilber College of Public Health with a record-breaking $20 million gift to support faculty excellence and student achievement.
Zilber Family Foundation donates 20 million to University of Wisconsin MilwaukeeThe foundation also supports The Bridge Project in Milwaukee, which provides mothers and their babies with regular, unconditional cash assistance.
Contact Information
- Phone: 414-247-2447
- Website: www.zilberfamilyfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Joseph and Vera Zilber Family fund?
**Vision:** All people have the resources and opportunities to prosper **Mission:** To increase access to social and economic opportunity The foundation strives to meet the basic needs of people living in poverty and invests in programs and systems that create pathways to economic stability and an improved quality of life. • **Economic Stability:** Creating pathways to safe and stable housing, cash, and capital • **Basic Needs:** Addressing the immediate needs of communities • **Sector Supports…
How do I apply for a grant from Joseph and Vera Zilber Family?
The foundation accepts applications and actively awards grants to nonprofit organizations. • **Median grant:** $8,000–$10,000 • **Grant range:** $1,000–$3,500,000 • **Average grant:** $470,000–$3,500,000 • **2024:** $15.3 million in total giving across 289 grants • **2023:** $12.4 million in total giving across 302 grants • **2022:** $11.3 million in total giving across 246 grants The foundation distributes approximately 3.9% of its assets annually.
Where does Joseph and Vera Zilber Family make grants?
The foundation primarily supports organizations in: • **Milwaukee, Wisconsin** (primary focus) • **Oahu, Hawaii** • **Florida**
What size grants does Joseph and Vera Zilber Family award?
In 2025, Joseph and Vera Zilber Family awarded 319 grants totaling $18.8M — an average of about $59K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Joseph and Vera Zilber Family's EIN?
Joseph and Vera Zilber Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-2076346. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Joseph and Vera Zilber Family's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.