Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation

SAN DIEGO, CA EIN: 31-1540383 Website

The Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in San Diego, California. Established in 1997, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to continuing the legacy of its founders through philanthropic support across multiple focus areas.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$90.4M

-0.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$4.9M

-2.2% YoY

Grant Count

102

-5.6% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$48K

+3.6% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.1M 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's bylaws do not restrict grants to specific areas, and it functions as a general funder. Historically, the foundation has supported:

Programs benefiting youth
Underprivileged individuals
Active and retired military personnel
Sports-related activities
Scientific research
Health initiatives

Grantmaking

Average Grant

in recent years: $20,000

Review Cycle

February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation's grants are primarily focused on San Diego County. However, grantmaking activity extends to California, Texas, and New York, which account for 99% of all grants. The foundation's reach extends across six states.

Grant Distribution by State

California $7.8M (95%)

Idaho $197K (2%)

New York $175K (2%)

Texas $50K (1%)

States

California Florida Idaho New York Texas Virginia

Cities

AlpineArlingtonBonsallBorrego SpringsCamp PendletonCarlsbadChicoChula VistaCoronadoDel MarEl CajonEncinitasEscondidoFallbrookImperial BeachIrvingJulianLa JollaLa MesaLemon Grove

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Revenue (as of 2024):

Total assets: $90,411,404
Total revenues: $4,974,875
Total expenses: $5,836,556
Total giving: $4,931,500

Historical Asset Growth:

2010: $3.7 million
2023: $91.3 million

Grantmaking History:

Total grants made: 392 grants totaling $18.6 million
2020: $3.8 million distributed
2022: $9.8 million distributed across 184 grants (highest activity year)
2023: $5 million distributed
The foundation has supported 143 unique organizations

Staffing:

1 employee

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$90,411,404	$91,275,609	$92,065,004
Revenue	$4,974,875	$5,312,663	$8,237,402
Expenses	$5,836,556	$6,103,223	$6,093,367
Qualifying Distributions	$5,269,797	$5,429,543	$5,210,492
Net Investment Income	$4,422,113	$4,698,985	$7,499,265
Distributable Amount	$5,111,260	$4,836,526	$5,336,684

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

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation

Foundation

Zable Foundation Grant

WALTER J & BETTY C ZABLE FOUNDATION

Amount

Approximately US $20,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Free to Thrive ($125,000), Center for Community Solutions ($100,000), Bonner General Hospital Foundation ($96,500).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
A REASON TO SURVIVE NATIONAL CITY, CA	GENERAL ASSISTANCE	$15,000
AGUA HEDIONDA LAGOON FOUNDATION CARLSBAD, CA	GENERAL ASSISTANCE	$15,000
ALZHEIMER'S SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO, CA	GENERAL ASSISTANCE	$25,000
ARMED SERVICES YMCA AT CAMP PENDLETON CAMP PENDLETON, CA	GENERAL ASSISTANCE	$75,000
ASELTINE SCHOOL SAN DIEGO, CA	GENERAL ASSISTANCE	$20,000
AUTISM SOCIETY SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO, CA	GENERAL ASSISTANCE	$20,000
AUTISM TREE PROJECT INC SAN DIEGO, CA	GENERAL ASSISTANCE	$15,000
BARRIO LOGAN COLLEGE INSTITUTE SAN DIEGO, CA	GENERAL ASSISTANCE	$20,000
BASIC BORREGO SPRINGS, CA	GENERAL ASSISTANCE	$20,000
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SD COUNTY INC SAN DIEGO, CA	GENERAL ASSISTANCE	$50,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Warren Magill - President of the Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation

Kathryn Starr - Secretary

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
WARREN MAGILL	PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR	20	$253,780
KATHRYN M STARR	SECRETARY/DIRECTOR	1.15	$33,000
TERRI MAGILL	DIRECTOR	1.15	$5,295
JOHN D THOMAS	TREASURER/DIRECTOR	1.15	$27,500

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2021

**Boys & Girls Club of San Marcos (2021):**

The foundation provided a $200,000 lead gift commitment to launch the Building Great Futures Capital Campaign, with an additional $125,000 matching challenge. The funds supported the opening of a new Clubhouse at 413 Autumn Drive in San Marcos, including furniture, equipment, computers, and operating funds.

Celebrating the Grand Opening of the Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation

**TERI Organization:**

The foundation awarded a $1 million challenge grant to the TERI Organization. The foundation also supported the development of the Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation Performing Arts & Fine Arts Center on the TERI campus.

Home - Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation

2024

**San Diego Oasis (2024):**

The foundation made a $1,025,000 grant for general assistance.

TERI Organization Awarded $1 Million Challenge Grant from Zable Foundation

2024

**San Diego Blood Bank (2024):**

The foundation provided $144,000 in general assistance.

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation fund?

The Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation seeks to continue the legacy of the founders by encouraging and promoting health, science research, assisting with programs that benefit youth, underprivileged individuals, and sports-related activities. The foundation's bylaws do not restrict grants to specific areas, and it functions as a general funder. Historically, the foundation has supported: • Programs benefiting youth • Underprivileged individuals • Active and retired military personnel • Sport…

How do I apply for a grant from Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation?

**Grant Amounts & Activity:** • Average grant in recent years: $20,000 • Typical awards range from $5,000 to $1,500,000 • Median grant: $25,000 • Average award: $48,000 **Application Process:** • All grant applications must be submitted through the foundation's online grant application process • Applications received by mail or personal delivery will be returned with a request to apply online • Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations • Application deadlines: February 1, May 1, August 1, and …

Where does Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation make grants?

What size grants does Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation award?

In 2024, Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation awarded 102 grants totaling $4.9M — an average of about $48K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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 2019–2024.