Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler
The Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) family foundation established in 1984 and based in Muncie, Indiana. The foundation operates with a single staff member and focuses on improving quality of life through strategic philanthropic investments in the local and state community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$12.0M
-2.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$772K
+13.9% YoY
Grant Count
17
-19.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$45K
+40.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler reported a distributable amount of $863K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for citizens of Muncie, Delaware County, and the State of Indiana primarily through:
- Development and funding of projects that enhance, conserve, and appreciate the natural and horticultural beauty of public spaces
- Development and funding of celebrations, festivals, cultural events, and historical exhibits and landmarks that promote community pride
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Horticultural conservation and development
- Recreational facilities
- Historical preservation
- Community and school gardens
- Environmental education
- Arts, culture, and humanities
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds projects in Indiana and Virginia, with particular emphasis on Muncie and Delaware County, Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $12,015,005
- Total revenues: $765,472
- Total expenses: $1,026,556
- Total liabilities: $1,000
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $12.3M
- Revenue: $943,000
- Expenses: $912,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,015,005 | $12,277,089 | $12,256,536 |
| Revenue | $765,472 | $943,370 | $1,235,957 |
| Expenses | $1,026,556 | $912,134 | $977,575 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $869,233 | $766,402 | $815,912 |
| Net Investment Income | $627,480 | $818,713 | $1,099,314 |
| Distributable Amount | $862,670 | $775,575 | $806,654 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
96 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County Inc ($285,000), Red-tail Land Conservancy ($110,506), Community Enhancement Projects Inc ($105,100).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CARDINAL GREENWAY INC MUNCIE, IN | ANNUAL OPERATING SUPPORT; TRAIL BUILDING | $22,020 |
| COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS INC MUNCIE, IN | HALF URBAN FORESTER PAYROLL; ANNUAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $105,100 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF MUNCIE & DELAWARE COUNTY INC MUNCIE, IN | CEP MAINTENANCE ENDOWMENT FUND; FUNDERS' FORUM SUPPORT; LAND CONSERVATION FUND | $285,000 |
| CONSERVATION LAW CENTER BLOOMINGTON, IN | ANNUAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| DELAWARE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUNCIE, IN | ANNUAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| DESTINATION MUNCIE MUNCIE, IN | ECLIPSE CELEBRATION | $3,500 |
| EARLHAM NATURE RESERVE SYSTEM EARLHAM COLLEGE RICHMOND, IN | KIOSKS AND SIGNS FOR TRAIL SYSTEM | $23,280 |
| INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY INDIANAPOLIS, IN | ANNUAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,500 |
| INDIANA STATE MUSEUM FOUNDATION INDIANAPOLIS, IN | ANNUAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $1,500 |
| MINNETRISTA CULTURAL CENTER MUNCIE, IN | ANNUAL SUPPORT; ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION SUPPORT | $7,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RICHARD M ZEIGLER | PRESIDENT | 37 | $130,400 |
| STEFAN S ANDERSON | VICE PRESIDENT | 0.5 | — |
| JOHN E WORTHEN | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| MARLA K TEMPLETON | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| JEANNE D ZEIGLER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JENNIFER MEARNS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JON MOLL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MALCOLM CAIRNS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MICHAEL GALLIHER | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
Contact Information
- Website: smzfoundation.org
- Phone: 317-430-1452
- Address: PO Box 1775, Muncie, IN 47308-1775
- Office Location: 420 S High St, Muncie, IN 47305 (The CO:LAB at The Lofts)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler fund?
The foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life for citizens of Muncie, Delaware County, and the State of Indiana primarily through: • Development and funding of projects that enhance, conserve, and appreciate the natural and horticultural beauty of public spaces • Development and funding of celebrations, festivals, cultural events, and historical exhibits and landmarks that promote community pride Primary funding focus areas include: • Horticultural conservation and development • Re…
How do I apply for a grant from Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 19 grants in 2024 • Total giving: $772,396 (2024) • Typical award range: $690–$332,375 **Recent Grants (2024):** • The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County: $285,000 (CEP Maintenance Endowment Fund, Funders' Forum Support, Land Conservation Fund) • Red-Tail Land Conservancy: $110,506 (Annual Operating Support, Signage and Land Acquisitions) • Community Enhancement Projects: $105,100 (Half Urban Forester Payroll, Annual Operating Support)
Where does Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler make grants?
The foundation primarily funds projects in Indiana and Virginia, with particular emphasis on Muncie and Delaware County, Indiana.
What size grants does Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler award?
In 2024, Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler awarded 17 grants totaling $772K — an average of about $45K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler reported a distributable amount of $863K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
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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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