Richard a Zappala Family Foundation
The Richard A Zappala Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Its 2025 grants supported charitable organizations in Pennsylvania, Florida, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, including organizations working in areas such as education, health and wellness, human services, environmental stewardship, and youth services.
Richard a Zappala Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Richard a Zappala Family Foundation gave $331K across 31 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 3% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $331,000
- -9.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 31
- -8.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,677
- -0.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $5,266,939
- +2.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 3% first-time grantees (1 of 31, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (60% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Richard a Zappala Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5700 Corporate Drive Suite 520, Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: (412) 391-6020
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Richard a Zappala Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Pittsburgh Botanic Garden ($67K). Together the top 10 received $264K.
Grant Size Distribution
152 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 149 grants of 152 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, Pennsylvania organizations received 60% of grant dollars, Florida organizations 26%, and Washington, D.C. organizations 12%. Virginia recipients received 2%; the reported share for New York was 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 31 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Richard a Zappala Family Foundation open to new grantees?
3%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 31 grantees (3%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $35K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $35K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 94% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 103% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $85K (2021) to $365K (2024). In 2025 it made 31 grants totaling $331K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Botanic Garden Oakdale, PA | Unrestricted: $16,000. Restricted: $50,000 for executive director transition fund | $67,000 |
| La Roche University Pittsburgh, PA | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Christ Church Capitol Hill Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $35,000 |
| Addiction Recovery Ministry Co Stfrancis of Assisi Pittsburgh, PA | Unrestricted | $30,000 |
| AMD3 Foundation Pittsburgh, PA | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Project Lift Palm City, FL | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| United Way of Martin County Stuart, FL | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Cleveland Clinic Martin Health Stuart, FL | Unrestricted | $11,500 |
| Florida Oceanographic Society Stuart, FL | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Big Brothers & Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Richard a Zappala Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,266,939 | $761,309 | $639,118 | $331,000 | 31 | $393,970 | $147,299 | $368,429 |
| 2024 | $5,144,748 | $300,646 | $509,171 | $365,000 | 34 | $429,779 | $189,055 | $353,793 |
| 2023 | $5,353,273 | $191,193 | $385,220 | $229,500 | 35 | $290,748 | $121,086 | $324,580 |
| 2022 | $5,547,300 | $113,079 | $318,727 | $162,750 | 32 | $235,170 | $1,096,721 | $313,657 |
| 2021 | $5,752,948 | $2,648,004 | $174,686 | $85,250 | 20 | $119,940 | $538,330 | $233,203 |
| 2020 | $3,279,630 | $107,241 | $295,939 | $206,500 | 20 | — | $62,550 | $198,296 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard a Zappala Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $368K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden says it cultivates plant collections, creates display gardens, conducts educational programs, and conserves the environment. La Roche University says it advances learning informed by ethical and service-oriented values. AMD3 Foundation says it provides health and wellness programs and resources and care for people who otherwise might not have access to them.
Florida grantees describe work that includes environmental education, research and advocacy (Florida Oceanographic Society); addressing human care needs in Martin County (United Way of Martin County); and treatment, counseling, mentoring, and vocational training for at-risk teens and their families (Project Lift). These are the grantees’ stated missions, not stated focus areas of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 31 grants totaling $331,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $67,000, with a median of $5,000. Its largest reported grants included $67,000 to Pittsburgh Botanic Garden, including $50,000 restricted for an executive director transition fund; $50,000 to La Roche University; $35,000 to Christ Church Capitol Hill; $30,000 to Addiction Recovery Ministry Co StFrancis of Assisi; and $25,000 to AMD3 Foundation. Other grants included $15,000 each to Project Lift and United Way of Martin County, and $11,500 to Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Richard A Zappala and Nancy B Zappala as trustees, Lori Z Hardiman as managing director, and Jordan J Zappala and Kate H Rhodes as charitable liaisons.
Richard a Zappala Family Foundation is led by Lori Z. Hardiman, Managing Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lori Z. Hardiman
Managing Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
$25K (2020) → $40K (2025)
Nancy B. Zappala
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.6 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard A. Zappala
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jordan J. Zappala
Charitable Liaison
On filings since 2020
1.3 hrs/week
$15K (2020) → $40K (2025)
Kate H. Rhodes
Charitable Liaison
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Kate J. Hardiman (2020–2022) — Charitable Liaison
- Former: Matthew Hardiman (2021–2022) — Charitable Liaison
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $40K, to Lori Z Hardiman (Managing Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Richard a Zappala Family Foundation
How much does Richard a Zappala Family Foundation give each year?
Richard a Zappala Family Foundation gave $331K across 31 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $365K across 34 grants.
What is Richard a Zappala Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Richard a Zappala Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $10,677, across 31 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Richard a Zappala Family Foundation that year got $35K on average.
Where does Richard a Zappala Family Foundation give grants?
Richard a Zappala Family Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Florida (26%) and District of Columbia (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (11 grants), Stuart, FL (9 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants) and Palm City, FL (2 grants).
Does Richard a Zappala Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 90% of Richard a Zappala Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (28 of 31) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Richard a Zappala Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Richard a Zappala Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Pittsburgh Botanic Garden ($67,000), La Roche University ($50,000) and Christ Church Capitol Hill ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Richard a Zappala Family Foundation?
Richard a Zappala Family Foundation reported $5.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $394K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $368K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Richard a Zappala Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its grants include support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Pittsburgh Botanic Garden says it cultivates plant collections, creates display gardens, conducts educational programs, and conserves the environment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Richard a Zappala Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Richard a Zappala Family Foundation's EIN?
Richard a Zappala Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7876878. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Richard a Zappala Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Richard a Zappala Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Community Foundation - Martin / St Lucie Inc
Stuart, FL
The Community Foundation Martin–St. Lucie funds nonprofits, scholarships, and civic causes in areas including education, children, health, arts, the environment, and animal welfare, with a stated focus on Martin and St. Lucie counties and most 2025 grant dollars going to Florida. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,300 to $606,165, with a median grant of $20,000; application details vary by opportunity.
Assets
$63.6M
Grants
117
Total Given
$5.4M
The Pittsburgh Foundation
Pittsburgh, PA
The Pittsburgh Foundation funds nonprofits working in basic needs, equity and social justice, environmental action, arts and culture, and economic mobility, with most opportunities for organizations in Allegheny County or primarily serving its residents. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of about $18,600, though awards varied widely. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
1,132
Total Given
$64.0M
Hillman Family Foundations
Pittsburgh, PA
The 18 independently operated foundations support projects in areas such as arts and culture, health, education, economic development, and community improvement, with a preference for Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania; each foundation has its own geographic focus. In 2024, grants ranged from $75 to $5 million, with a median of $20,000. The 2024 filing says unsolicited requests are accepted, beginning with a brief letter of intent through the online portal.
Assets
$1.9B
Grants
814
Total Given
$88.8M
The Morgridge Family Foundation
Wilmington, DE
The Morgridge Family Foundation supports organizations addressing major societal challenges, with a primary focus on education and additional interests in conservation, health, wellness, and public benefit. Its 2024 grants ranged from $52 to $2.5 million, with a median of $6,400; about 90% of its investments are in the United States, with hubs in Colorado, Florida, and Montana. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$243.9M
Grants
158
Total Given
$13.0M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Wong Family Foundation
Palm City, FL
The foundation supports a varied mix of charitable organizations, with 2025 grants benefiting groups in Florida and several other states, especially Maryland and Florida. Its 42 grants totaled $385,232, ranging from $500 to $187,250, with a median grant of $2,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$9.2M
Grants
42
Total Given
$385K
More similar funders
More Funders in Pennsylvania
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Richard a Zappala Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/richard-a-zappala-family-foundation-morg_5c5c17087da748108e4c7d731d4ea6f5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237876878_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Richard a Zappala Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/richard-a-zappala-family-foundation-morg_5c5c17087da748108e4c7d731d4ea6f5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Richard a Zappala Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Richard a Zappala Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?