The William Zimmerman Foundation
The William Zimmerman Foundation is a private foundation based in Fairfield, Iowa. Its 2025 filing lists grants to charitable organizations, all for general support, including organizations working in education, health, humanitarian aid, and food policy.
The William Zimmerman Foundation at a glance
In short: The William Zimmerman Foundation gave $630K across 9 grants in 2025 (avg $70K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $630,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 9
- -18.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $70,000
- +22.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $60,000
- Total assets
- $8,026,964
- +0.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (79% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The William Zimmerman Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 948, Fairfield, IA 52556
Phone: (641) 451-0055
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The William Zimmerman Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Center for Food Safety ($145K). Together the top 9 received $630K.
Grant Size Distribution
52 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 26 grants of 52 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars went to organizations in California (79%), Massachusetts (10%), Florida (8%), and New York (4%), according to the filing. The listed percentages total 101%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The William Zimmerman Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $540K (2020) to $660K (2022). In 2025 it made 9 grants totaling $630K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Food Safety San Francisco, CA | General Support | $145,000 |
| Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland Oakland, CA | General Support | $115,000 |
| Aspire Public Schools Foundation Oakland, CA | General Support | $92,000 |
| Kipp Public Schools North California Oakland, CA | General Support | $83,000 |
| National Organic Coalition Inc Arlington, MA | General Support | $60,000 |
| African Mission Healthcare Foundation Deland, FL | General Support | $50,000 |
| Direct Relief Santa Barbara, CA | General Support | $35,000 |
| International Rescue Committee New York, NY | General Support | $25,000 |
| Stanford Health Care Stanford, CA | General Support | $25,000 |
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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 | $8,026,964 | $1,013,347 | $985,360 | $630,000 | 9 | $753,614 | $803,289 | $798,026 |
| 2024 | $7,999,227 | $1,320,630 | $970,849 | $630,000 | 11 | $753,336 | $1,111,541 | $748,567 |
| 2023 | $7,611,459 | $274,288 | $952,731 | $650,000 | 13 | $732,049 | $85,222 | $717,394 |
| 2022 | $8,257,325 | $916,553 | $977,429 | $660,000 | 10 | $760,673 | $727,539 | $743,683 |
| 2021 | $8,376,852 | $1,490,352 | $915,838 | $550,000 | 9 | $643,038 | $1,231,603 | $771,929 |
| 2020 | $7,802,736 | $692,077 | $880,957 | $540,000 | 11 | — | $430,010 | $667,008 |
| 2019 | $7,979,552 | $1,163,486 | $894,465 | $610,000 | 14 | — | $999,496 | $624,183 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The William Zimmerman Foundation reported a distributable amount of $798K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided in the available information. Its 2025 grants went to organizations with varied missions. Aspire Public Schools Foundation describes its role as providing resources to further Aspire Public Schools’ mission of preparing students for college, career, and life. African Mission Healthcare Foundation says it works to strengthen African mission hospitals and support health workers. Direct Relief describes its work as humanitarian aid to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies. The International Rescue Committee describes its work as helping people affected by conflict and disaster survive, recover, and rebuild their lives.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 9 grants totaling $630,000. Grant amounts ranged from $25,000 to $145,000, with a median of $60,000. Each grant was designated for general support. The largest awards were $145,000 to Center for Food Safety, $115,000 to Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland, $92,000 to Aspire Public Schools Foundation, $83,000 to KIPP Public Schools North California, and $60,000 to National Organic Coalition.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Krystal Owen as president; Kfir Lindheim as treasurer and secretary; William M Doyle Jr and Ben Podoll as secretary and director, and vice president and director, respectively; and David J Johnson, Christopher J Podoll, Susan E Chroman, and Alan Yoshitake as directors. The filing marks William M Doyle Jr as resigned and Alan Yoshitake as appointed.
The William Zimmerman Foundation is led by Krystal Owen, President on the 2025 filing; 1 of 8 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Krystal Owen
President
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher J. Podoll
Director
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
$30K (2019) → $30K (2025)
David J. Johnson
Director
President → President, Treas-Resigned12 & Director, 2024
President, Treas-Resigned12 & Director → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan E. Chroman
Director
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alan Yoshitake Appointed
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ben Podoll
Vice President & Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William M. Doyle Jrresigned
Secretary & Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kfir Lindheim Secretary
Treasurer & Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: John E. Mallard (2019–2024) — Vice President & Director · Filing note: Resigned 123124
- Former: William M. Doyle Jr. (2019–2024) — Secretary & Director
- Former: Ben Podoll Appointed (2024) — Vice President & Director
- Former: Kfir Lindheim Appointed (2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Krystal Owen Appointed (2024) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $30K, to Christopher J Podoll (Director).
Frequently asked questions about The William Zimmerman Foundation
How much does The William Zimmerman Foundation give each year?
The William Zimmerman Foundation gave $630K across 9 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $630K across 11 grants.
What is The William Zimmerman Foundation's typical grant size?
The William Zimmerman Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $60,000, and its average grant was $70,000, across 9 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The William Zimmerman Foundation give grants?
The William Zimmerman Foundation gives mostly in California: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (10%) and Florida (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Oakland, CA (3 grants).
Does The William Zimmerman Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The William Zimmerman Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The William Zimmerman Foundation's largest grantees?
The William Zimmerman Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Center for Food Safety ($145,000), Boys and Girls Clubs of Oakland ($115,000) and Aspire Public Schools Foundation ($92,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The William Zimmerman Foundation?
The William Zimmerman Foundation reported $8.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $754K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $798K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The William Zimmerman Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided in the available information. Its 2025 grants went to organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The William Zimmerman Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The William Zimmerman Foundation's EIN?
The William Zimmerman Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 42-1223262. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The William Zimmerman 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 18, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 25, 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 September 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 26, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 25, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
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