The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation, established in 2018, is a nonprofit public charity dedicated to creating communities free of hunger and waste through innovation, collaboration and community engagement. Since its inception, the foundation has directed more than $66 million to organizations, innovators and changemakers across the United States to address the fundamental contradiction in the food system: 38% of all food in the U.S. is unsold or uneaten while millions of Americans struggle with hunger. Operating through three strategic pillars—enabling collective action, catalyzing innovation, and creating a more equitable food system—the foundation supports nonprofits, social entrepreneurs and creative thinkers working to improve food security, end food waste, and build more resilient communities.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$21.7M
+11.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.1M
-16.0% YoY
Grant Count
141
+110.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$44K
-60.1% YoY
About The Kroger Co Zero Hunger Zero
Based on IRS filings
The Kroger Co Zero Hunger Zero is a nonprofit organization focused on Food, Agriculture & Nutrition, based in CINCINNATI, OH. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $21.7M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 141 grants totaling $6.1M. Net investment income was $643K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $21,714,003 | $19,492,824 | $18,732,224 |
| Revenue | $8,825,113 | $8,577,535 | $19,098,786 |
| Expenses | $6,603,934 | $7,816,935 | $11,811,340 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $642,795 | $619,505 | $46,556 |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Kroger Co Zero Hunger Zero
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DENISE OSTERHUES | PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR | — | — |
| KEITH DAILEY | VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTO | — | — |
| MILEN MAHADEVAN | SECRETARY AND DIRECTOR | — | — |
| PATTY LEESEMANN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR / INTER | 16 | $226,401 |
| EMILY HARTMANN | FORMER DIRECTOR | — | — |
| VICTOR SMITH | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| LISA ZWACK | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| RYAN VERBECKEN | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JUAN DE PAOLI | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| JAMIE CARR | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 15 | $162,108 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
What could you do with The Kroger Co Zero Hunger Zero on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
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