Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler
The Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler Foundation is a private foundation based in Muncie, Indiana. It supports projects intended to improve quality of life through the enhancement, conservation, and appreciation of public spaces, as well as community celebrations, festivals, cultural events, and historical exhibits and landmarks.
Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler at a glance
In short: Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler gave $801K across 24 grants in 2025 (avg $33K), mostly in Indiana. 13% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $800,916
- +3.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 24
- +41.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $33,372
- -26.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $6,250
- Total assets
- $12,409,810
- +3.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (3 of 24, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s 2025 filing says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. Applicants should contact Richard M. Zeigler; a letter of inquiry and grant-request application requirements are available through the foundation’s application process. The filing limits awards to Muncie, Delaware County, and Indiana, for horticultural conservation and development, recreational facilities, and historical preservation or celebration.
- Review Cycle
- February 6 and August 7.
- Deadline
- February 6 and August 7.
- Contact
Application contact: Richard M Zeigler
Mailing address: PO Box 1775, Muncie, IN 47308
Phone: (317) 430-1452
Website: https://smzfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County Inc ($240K). Together the top 10 received $747K.
Grant Size Distribution
101 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 79 grants of 101 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation gives preference to projects in Muncie and Delaware County, Indiana, and its guidelines state that it will not fund projects outside Indiana. Its 2025 grant dollars were reported as 99% to recipients in Indiana and 1% to recipients in Virginia. The 2025 filing lists a $5,000 grant to The Nature Conservancy in Arlington, Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 24 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $35K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 63% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+11%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 103% 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 $678K (2023) to $805K (2021). In 2025 it made 24 grants totaling $801K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County Inc Muncie, IN | Cep maintenance endowment fund; funders' forum support; environmental impact fund | $240,000 |
| Community Enhancement Projects Inc Muncie, IN | Half Urban Forester Payroll; Annual Operating Support | $140,100 |
| Muncie Children's Museum Muncie, IN | Discovery Park Expansion | $85,000 |
| Muncie Downtown Development Partnership Muncie, IN | Muncie Three Trails Music Series; Summer Events | $67,000 |
| Cardinal Greenway Inc Muncie, IN | Annual Operating Support; Trail Building | $60,000 |
| Red-Tail Land Conservancy Muncie, IN | Annual Operating Support; Restoring White River Woods | $51,000 |
| Urban Light Community Development Muncie, IN | Neighborhood Engagement Programming | $47,000 |
| Ross Community Center Muncie, IN | Rose Park Beautification | $24,000 |
| Halteman Village Neighborhood Association Muncie, IN | Halteman Park Reviatilization | $20,000 |
| Academy of Model Aeronautics Muncie, IN | Timber to Tailwinds Project | $13,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Grantmaking totals reported for recent filing years:
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $12,409,810 | $1,464,157 | $1,078,944 | $800,916 | 24 | $905,534 | $1,320,283 | $881,316 |
| 2024 | $12,015,005 | $765,472 | $1,026,556 | $772,396 | 17 | $869,233 | $627,480 | $862,670 |
| 2023 | $12,277,089 | $943,370 | $912,134 | $678,005 | 21 | $766,402 | $818,713 | $775,575 |
| 2022 | $12,256,536 | $1,235,957 | $977,575 | $721,075 | 18 | $815,912 | $1,099,314 | $806,654 |
| 2021 | $12,003,941 | $929,866 | $1,039,774 | $804,825 | 21 | $894,098 | $731,318 | $869,228 |
| 2020 | $12,106,879 | $1,060,216 | $972,826 | $758,850 | 19 | — | $337,395 | $749,171 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler reported a distributable amount of $881K 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
The foundation’s mission is to improve quality of life for residents of Muncie, Delaware County, and Indiana. Its stated interests include planting and maintaining trees and other plants; conserving natural areas; developing, beautifying, and maintaining parks and recreational facilities; and supporting historical exhibits, landmarks, celebrations, festivals, concerts, and cultural events.
The foundation awards grants to organizations and institutions with IRS 501(c)(3) designation. It does not fund individuals or scholarships, and generally does not fund studies, classes, seminars, retreats, regular operating expenses, or capacity-building. Grants are generally intended to exceed $2,000, and the foundation favors applications that leverage other funding or matching funds, though this is not a requirement.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work receiving grants. Community Enhancement Projects describes its mission as uniting residents, government, industry, and organizations to improve community quality of life. Cardinal Greenway says it develops and operates corridors and trails that connect people and communities; Red-Tail Land Conservancy says it preserves, protects, and restores natural areas and farmland in east central Indiana. Muncie Children’s Museum describes its work as providing hands-on learning opportunities, while Orchestra Indiana says it brings musical performances, education, and community partnerships to east central Indiana.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 24 grants totaling $800,916. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $240,000, with a median of $6,250. Major grants included $240,000 to Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County for its CEP Maintenance Endowment Fund, Funders’ Forum support, and Environmental Impact Fund; $140,100 to Community Enhancement Projects for half of an urban forester’s payroll and annual operating support; and $85,000 to Muncie Children’s Museum for its Discovery Park expansion.
Other notable 2025 grants included $67,000 to Muncie Downtown Development Partnership for the Muncie Three Trails Music Series and summer events; $60,000 to Cardinal Greenway for annual operating support and trail building; and $51,000 to Red-Tail Land Conservancy for annual operating support and restoration of White River Woods. The foundation also awarded $47,000 to Urban Light Community Development for neighborhood engagement programming and $24,000 to Ross Community Center for Rose Park beautification.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Richard M. Zeigler as president, Stefan S. Anderson as vice president, John E. Worthen as secretary, and Marla K. Templeton as treasurer. Directors listed are Jeanne D. Zeigler, Jennifer Mearns, Jon Moll, Malcolm Cairns, and Michael Galliher.
Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler is led by Richard M. Zeigler, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 9 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Richard M. Zeigler
President
On filings since 2020
37 hrs/week
$105K (2020) → $134K (2025)
Jennifer Mearns
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon Moll
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Malcolm Cairns
Director
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeanne D. Zeigler
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Galliher
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John E. Worthen
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marla K. Templeton
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stefan S. Anderson
Vice President
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Tricia Stanley (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Ronald Spangler (2020–2022) — Director
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 $134K, to Richard M Zeigler (President).
Frequently asked questions about Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler
How much does Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler give each year?
Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler gave $801K across 24 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $772K across 17 grants.
What is Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler's typical grant size?
Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler's median grant in 2025 was $6,250, and its average grant was $33,372, across 24 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler that year got $22K on average.
Where does Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler give grants?
Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler gives mostly in Indiana: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Muncie, IN (18 grants) and Indianapolis, IN (2 grants).
Does Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler give general operating support?
Yes: 42% of Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (10 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler's largest grantees?
Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler's largest 2025 grantees include Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County Inc ($240,000), Community Enhancement Projects Inc ($140,100) and Muncie Children's Museum ($85,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler?
Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler reported $12.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $906K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $881K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler fund?
The foundation’s mission is to improve quality of life for residents of Muncie, Delaware County, and Indiana. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler?
The foundation’s 2025 filing says giving is not restricted to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler's EIN?
Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1118863. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 20, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
Other open foundation grants in Indiana
Indiana Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sherman-and-marjorie-zeigler-morg_9c4a827a67144e5298e9fbba6ecf2d06
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_311118863_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sherman-and-marjorie-zeigler-morg_9c4a827a67144e5298e9fbba6ecf2d06},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. 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 Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler'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.
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