The Zients Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization established in 2003 and based in Washington, D.C. The foundation was created by Jeff and Mary Zients and operates as a 501(c)(3) private independent foundation. The foundation makes grants that closely align with the founders' interests and supports a range of causes across multiple states and internationally.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.1M
+495.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$905K
+1.6% YoY
Grant Count
31
-22.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+31.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Zients Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $748K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation makes grants for education, human services, health, human rights, community development, economic development, philanthropy, international relations, public safety, and public affairs. The foundation's work in global development is broad and tends to prioritize South Africa, but has also extended to Kenya and Rwanda. The foundation has supported organizations working on the global stage, particularly those serving children and youth in South Africa, where co-founder Mary Zients was born.
Grantmaking
The foundation typically awards multi-year support to its grantees. Grant amounts generally range from $200 to $333,333. The foundation has limited staff and lacks transparency regarding specific grantmaking procedures. Prospective grantees are encouraged to reach out by mail, as the foundation has limited accessibility through other channels. Newcomers may face difficulty securing funding from the foundation.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While the foundation does not cite specific geographic restrictions regarding beneficiary population locations, it supports organizations across multiple U.S. states including California, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The foundation also supports work internationally, with particular emphasis on South Africa, as well as Kenya and Rwanda.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023-2024):
- Total Assets: $1,025,718 to $6,110,548
- Total Giving: $905,338
- Total Expenses: $925,450
- Revenue: -$621,500 (negative revenue reported)
- Total Liabilities: $2,130,000
The foundation's financial position shows significant liabilities relative to assets.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,110,548 | $1,025,718 | $1,676,337 |
| Revenue | $7,380,718 | $-621,500 | $1,161,005 |
| Expenses | $1,001,637 | $925,450 | $580,765 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $925,338 | $911,065 | $561,333 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,312,621 | — | $524,160 |
| Distributable Amount | $748,467 | $736,293 | $232,001 |
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
165 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Obama Foundation ($333,333), Partnership for Public Services ($100,000), Women for Women International ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| N STREET VILLAGE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| BISHOP WALKER SCHOOL WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| THE ELLINGTON FUND WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| SESAME WORKSHOP NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| WOOLLY MAMMOTH WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| LATIN AMERICAN YOUTH CENTER WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES CULVER CITY, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| LEARN SERVE INTERNATIONAL WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CHILDRENS CHORUS OF DC WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| BREAST CARE FOR WASHINGTON ALEXANDRIA, VA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $12,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by trustees including Mary Zients, Steven Farina, and Jennifer Nance. Jennifer Nance received compensation of $40,000 for her role with the foundation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARY ZIENTS | Trustee | 5 | — |
| STEVEN FARINA | Trustee | — | — |
| JENNIFER NANCE | Trustee | 10 | $40,000 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Zients Family Foundation fund?
The foundation makes grants for education, human services, health, human rights, community development, economic development, philanthropy, international relations, public safety, and public affairs. The foundation's work in global development is broad and tends to prioritize South Africa, but has also extended to Kenya and Rwanda. The foundation has supported organizations working on the global stage, particularly those serving children and youth in South Africa, where co-founder Mary Zients w…
How do I apply for a grant from The Zients Family Foundation?
The foundation typically awards multi-year support to its grantees. Grant amounts generally range from $200 to $333,333. The foundation has limited staff and lacks transparency regarding specific grantmaking procedures. Prospective grantees are encouraged to reach out by mail, as the foundation has limited accessibility through other channels. Newcomers may face difficulty securing funding from the foundation.
Where does The Zients Family Foundation make grants?
While the foundation does not cite specific geographic restrictions regarding beneficiary population locations, it supports organizations across multiple U.S. states including California, New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The foundation also supports work internationally, with particular emphasis on South Africa, as well as Kenya and Rwanda.
What size grants does The Zients Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Zients Family Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $905K — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Zients Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Zients Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $748K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Zients Family Foundation's EIN?
The Zients Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-6520936. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Zients Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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