Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation
The Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation is a private foundation based in San Diego, California. It supports health and science research, programs benefiting youth and underprivileged individuals, military personnel, and sports-related activities, primarily in San Diego County.
Key facts about Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation
In short: Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation gave $5.7M across 76 grants in 2025 (avg $75K), mostly in California. 9% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 31-1540383
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,735,000
- Grants made (2025)
- 76
- Average grant
- $75,461
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (7 of 76, 2025)
- Total assets
- $93,210,582
- Primary geography
- California (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation’s website requires applications through its online process and says applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- The website lists recurring application deadlines of February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$93.2M
+3.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.7M
+16.3% YoY
Grant Count
76
-25.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$75K
+56.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.2M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 7 of 76 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $79K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 76% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+17%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 120% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to continue the founders’ legacy by encouraging and promoting health and science research and supporting programs that benefit youth, underprivileged individuals, and sports-related activities, primarily in San Diego County. Its website also identifies active and retired military personnel among groups its historical funding has benefited.
Its 2025 grantees illustrate a range of supported work. Outdoor Outreach says its mission is to connect youth to the transformative power of the outdoors. Casa de Amparo describes its work as child-abuse prevention and services for children and families. Center for Community Solutions says it works to end relationship and sexual violence, while Crisis House describes its mission as addressing domestic violence and homelessness. These are the grantees’ own descriptions of their missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 76 grants totaling $5,735,000. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $3,100,000, with a median of $25,000. The foundation says its average grant in recent years has been $20,000.
Average Grant
in recent years has been $20,000.
Review Cycle
The website lists recurring application deadlines of February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1. Applications submitted by a deadline are reviewed at the next board meeting. The board normally meets on the first Wednesday of March, June, September, and December.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation
Ready to take the next step with Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says its grants are generally restricted to San Diego County organizations, with no funding for offshore organizations or activities unless the foundation specifically approves it. In filing year 2025, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in California; the listed grants also included a recipient in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 76 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.8M (2020) to $5.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 76 grants totaling $5.7M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Support the Enlisted Project (Step) ($3.1M). Together the top 10 received $4.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
479 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 372 grants of 479 (78%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Support the Enlisted Project (Step) San Diego, CA | General Assistance | $3,100,000 |
| Armed Services YMCA at Camp Pendleton Camp Pendleton, CA | General Assistance | $250,000 |
| Free to Thrive San Diego, CA | General Assistance | $150,000 |
| Outdoor Outreach San Diego, CA | General Assistance | $150,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities of SD San Diego, CA | General Assistance | $125,000 |
| CASA De Amparo San Marcos, CA | General Assistance | $100,000 |
| Center for Community Solutions San Diego, CA | General Assistance | $100,000 |
| Make-a-Wish Foundation of SD San Diego, CA | General Assistance | $75,000 |
| National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Inc Irving, TX | General Assistance | $60,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of SD County Inc San Diego, CA | General Assistance | $50,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $93,210,582 | $9,670,812 | $6,872,821 | $5,735,000 | 76 |
| 2024 | $90,411,404 | $4,974,875 | $5,836,556 | $4,931,500 | 102 |
| 2023 | $91,275,609 | $5,312,663 | $6,103,223 | $5,040,017 | 108 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $93,210,582 | $90,411,404 | $91,275,609 |
| Revenue | $9,670,812 | $4,974,875 | $5,312,663 |
| Expenses | $6,872,821 | $5,836,556 | $6,103,223 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $6,278,792 | $5,269,797 | $5,429,543 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,194,281 | $4,422,113 | $4,698,985 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,215,664 | $5,111,260 | $4,836,526 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 12, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 23, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Warren Magill as president/director, Kathryn M. Starr as secretary/director, and John D. Thomas as treasurer/director. The foundation’s website lists Jay Thomas as president, Warren Magill as treasurer, and Kathryn Starr as secretary.
Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation is led by Warren Magill, President & Director on every filing since 2019; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Warren Magill
President & Director
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
$265K (2019) → $275K (2025)
John D. Thomas
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2019
1.2 hrs/week
$22K (2019) → $40K (2025)
Kathryn M. Starr
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2019
1.2 hrs/week
$22K (2019) → $40K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Terri Magill (2023–2024) — Director
- Former: William W. Boyle (2019–2022) — Director
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 $275K, to Warren Magill (President/Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Application contact: John Thomas
Mailing address: 10731 Treena Street Suite 102, San Diego, CA 92131
Phone: (858) 564-9500
Website: https://zablefoundation.org
Frequently asked questions about Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation
How much does Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation give each year?
Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation gave $5.7M across 76 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $4.9M across 102 grants.
What is Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation's typical grant size?
Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $75,461, across 76 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation that year got $36K on average.
Where does Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation give grants?
Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation gives mostly in California: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were San Diego, CA (43 grants), Encinitas, CA (4 grants), National City, CA (3 grants) and El Cajon, CA (2 grants).
Does Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (76 of 76) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation's largest grantees?
Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Support the Enlisted Project (Step) ($3,100,000), Armed Services YMCA at Camp Pendleton ($250,000) and Free to Thrive ($150,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation?
Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation reported $93.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to continue the founders’ legacy by encouraging and promoting health and science research and supporting programs that benefit youth, underprivileged individuals, and sports-related activities, primarily in San Diego County. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation?
The foundation’s website requires applications through its online process and says applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation's EIN?
Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-1540383. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation by hand.
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