The Zeist Foundation Inc

ATLANTA, GA EIN: 58-1890927 Website

The Zeist Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1989 in Georgia and headquartered in Atlanta. The foundation embraces a holistic approach to addressing the needs of underserved children through direct grantmaking and place-based philanthropic activities. The foundation is recognized for its innovative community-focused work and collaborative partnerships with nonprofit organizations across Georgia.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$268.2M

+6.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$15.6M

+0.3% YoY

Grant Count

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$176K

+0.3% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Zeist Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $12.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation supports nonprofits working in the following areas:

Education
Human Services
Arts and Culture
Health and Human Services

The foundation's approach emphasizes serving children, youth, and families with a particular commitment to underserved populations.

Grantmaking

Grant applications are accepted through an invitation-only process. Organizations may submit an online letter of inquiry through Foundation Source (the foundation's web-based application platform) at the request of either foundation staff or a board member. Following review of the submitted information, foundation staff conducts research and due diligence, which may include site visits by staff and board members. If warranted, the foundation requests a formal grant application. Completed applications are reviewed and discussed by the Board during semi-annual proposal reviews held in spring and fall.

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds primarily in Georgia and North Carolina, with particular emphasis on:

Edgewood neighborhood of Atlanta — the foundation's primary place-based philanthropy focus
Atlanta Public Schools Maynard Jackson High School cluster
Statewide Georgia funding through traditional grantmaking

Grant Distribution by State

Georgia $39.6M (99%)

North Carolina $400K (1%)

States

District of Columbia Georgia North Carolina Texas

Cities

AthensAtlantaAugustaCarrolltonChambleeClarkstonColumbusDallasDaltonDecaturDuluthDurhamEast PointEllenwoodFayettevilleGainesvilleKennesawLawrencevilleMaconMarietta

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2023:

Total Assets: $252,415,307
Total Revenue: $7,884,497
Total Expenses: $22,052,600
Total Giving: $15,637,668

Staff: 4 employees (as of 2023), with one staff member dedicated full-time to place-based philanthropic activities in the Edgewood community.

Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since May 1990 EIN: 58-1890927

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$268,216,908	$252,415,307	$246,685,997
Revenue	$23,557,701	$7,884,497	$11,964,064
Expenses	$21,572,703	$22,052,600	$18,399,880
Qualifying Distributions	$17,752,436	$17,632,385	$13,280,633
Net Investment Income	$19,960,880	$3,607,344	$7,024,004
Distributable Amount	$12,507,811	$12,205,449	$14,075,935

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

250 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Emory University ($1,550,000), Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta ($1,021,000), Atlanta Symphony Orchestra ($725,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
ACHIEVE ATLANTA ATLANTA, GA	EDUCATION	$100,000
AGAPE COMMUNITY CENTER ATLANTA, GA	EDUCATION	$75,000
ARTSBRIDGE FOUNDATION ATLANTA, GA	ARTS & CULTURE	$30,000
ARTSNOW INC ATLANTA, GA	ARTS & CULTURE	$100,000
ATLANTA BALLET INCTHE ATLANTA, GA	ARTS & CULTURE	$50,000
ATLANTA BRAVES FOUNDATION ATLANTA, GA	HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES	$500,000
ATLANTA CHILDREN'S SHELTER ATLANTA, GA	HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES	$50,000
ATLANTA COMMUNITY FOOD BANK ATLANTA, GA	HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES	$50,000
ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER ATLANTA, GA	ARTS & CULTURE	$350,000
ATLANTA MISSION ATLANTA, GA	HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES	$50,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Co-Founders:

Dr. George Brumley
Mrs. Jean Brumley

The Board of Directors is actively involved in the grantmaking process, including site visits, proposal reviews, and grant award notifications.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
NANCY J BRUMLEY-ROBITAILLE	CO-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR	16	$37,916
MARIE B FOSTER	CO-PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR	16	$37,917
R BRAD FOSTER	DIRECTOR	8	$35,000
M HARRISON HACKETT	DIRECTOR	13	$19,583
R NICHOLAS FOSTER	DIRECTOR	13	$19,583
EILEEN HIGGINS	ASSISTANT TREASURER	13	—
ATIBA MBIWAN	EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR	40	$280,000
DANIELLE GRAY	ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR	40	$165,000

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

The foundation has made significant recent grants supporting arts education and mental health services:

High Museum of Art Awarded Grant From The Zeist Foundation to Support Education

**High Museum of Art** received a $1.45 million grant to support the Education Department

Zepf Center Receives $100,000 Grant to Support FIRST Episode Psychosis Services

**ArtsNOW** received a $100,000 grant to bring arts integration programming to metro Atlanta

ArtsNOW Receives $100,000 Grant from The Zeist Foundation to Bring Arts Integration

**Zepf Center** received a $100,000 grant to support FIRST Episode Psychosis Services

ArtsNOW Receives $100,000 Grant from The Zeist Foundation to Bring Arts Integration

Contact Information

Website: zeistfoundation.org
Address: 3715 Northside Pkwy NW Bldg 300-195, Atlanta, GA 30327-2873
Telephone: 404-949-3160

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The Zeist Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation supports nonprofits working in the following areas: • **Education** • **Human Services** • **Arts and Culture** • **Health and Human Services** The foundation's approach emphasizes serving children, youth, and families with a particular commitment to underserved populations.

How do I apply for a grant from The Zeist Foundation Inc?

**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant awards range from $1,000 to $1,571,000 • The foundation supports more than 80 nonprofit organizations in Georgia annually **Application Process:** Grant applications are accepted through an invitation-only process. Organizations may submit an online letter of inquiry through Foundation Source (the foundation's web-based application platform) at the request of either foundation staff or a board member. Following review of the submitted information, foun…

Where does The Zeist Foundation Inc make grants?

The foundation funds primarily in Georgia and North Carolina, with particular emphasis on: • **Edgewood neighborhood of Atlanta** — the foundation's primary place-based philanthropy focus • **Atlanta Public Schools Maynard Jackson High School cluster** • Statewide Georgia funding through traditional grantmaking

What size grants does The Zeist Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, The Zeist Foundation Inc awarded 89 grants totaling $15.6M — an average of about $176K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The Zeist Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Zeist Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $12.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.