The Zelnak Private Foundation
The Zelnak Private Foundation is a private foundation, based in Raleigh, NC. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $898K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 5 grants totaling $550K. Net investment income was $45K.
The Zelnak Private Foundation at a glance
In short: The Zelnak Private Foundation gave $550K across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $110K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $550,000
- -26.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- -16.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $110,000
- -12.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $60,000
- Total assets
- $897,873
- -36.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Zelnak Private Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was NCSU Foundation ($320K). Together the top 5 received $550K.
Grant Size Distribution
23 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 9 grants of 23 (39%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Zelnak Private Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−8%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 956% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $550K (2021) to $1.1M (2023). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $550K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NCSU Foundation Raleigh, NC | Charitable General Support | $320,000 |
| Raleigh Police Department FTN Raleigh, NC | Charitable General Support | $100,000 |
| Carolina Ballet Raleigh, NC | Charitable General Support | $60,000 |
| Hayes Barton Baptist Church Raleigh, NC | Charitable General Support | $60,000 |
| Georgia Tech Foundation Atlanta, GA | Charitable General Support | $10,000 |
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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 | $897,873 | $46,320 | $551,500 | $550,000 | 5 | $550,000 | $44,820 | $57,521 |
| 2024 | $1,403,053 | $86,236 | $754,050 | $750,000 | 6 | $750,000 | $82,186 | $90,121 |
| 2023 | $2,070,867 | $289,101 | $1,105,948 | $1,065,000 | 6 | $1,065,000 | $309,504 | $140,492 |
| 2022 | $3,262,214 | $1,271,510 | $629,599 | $595,000 | 3 | $595,000 | $1,370,588 | $148,077 |
| 2021 | $2,245,303 | $438,705 | $552,177 | $550,000 | 3 | $550,000 | $288,728 | $151,807 |
| 2020 | $2,358,775 | $717,655 | $884,726 | $870,000 | 5 | — | $145,491 | $128,319 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Zelnak Private Foundation reported a distributable amount of $58K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Zelnak Private Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Judy D. Zelnak
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Stephen P. Zelnak Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Zelnak Private Foundation
How much does The Zelnak Private Foundation give each year?
The Zelnak Private Foundation gave $550K across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $750K across 6 grants.
What is The Zelnak Private Foundation's typical grant size?
The Zelnak Private Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $60,000, and its average grant was $110,000, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Zelnak Private Foundation give grants?
The Zelnak Private Foundation gives mostly in North Carolina: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Raleigh, NC (4 grants).
Does The Zelnak Private Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Zelnak Private Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Zelnak Private Foundation's largest grantees?
The Zelnak Private Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include NCSU Foundation ($320,000), Raleigh Police Department FTN ($100,000) and Carolina Ballet ($60,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Zelnak Private Foundation?
The Zelnak Private Foundation reported $898K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $550K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $58K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Zelnak Private Foundation's EIN?
The Zelnak Private Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2115096. 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.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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