Zachary Woodard Foundation
The Zachary Woodard Foundation is a private foundation based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Through LightZ of Hope, it brings comfort, joy, and light to children facing serious illness and disabilities, including by gifting children an LED Bluetooth disco speaker.
Zachary Woodard Foundation at a glance
In short: Zachary Woodard Foundation gave $279K across 44 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), top state Florida. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $279,130
- +4.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 44
- -34.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,344
- +59.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,702
- Total assets
- $1,198,899
- +49.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Florida (35% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Zachary Woodard Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for contributions. For CareZ assistance, a social worker or certified therapist must apply on behalf of the family.
- Contact
Mailing address: 320 Tyler Drive, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459
Phone: (949) 322-6503
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Zachary Woodard Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Emeril Lagasse Foundation ($44K). Together the top 8 received $105K.
Organizations only. It also paid 36 grants to individuals ($173,763), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
288 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 286 grants of 288 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes LightZ gifts to children across the United States and CareZ assistance for families in the United States. In 2025, grant dollars went primarily to recipients in Florida (35%), Missouri (24%), Louisiana (16%), Texas (12%), and California (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 44 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Zachary Woodard Foundation gives
- Giving grew 200% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above 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 $5K (2020) to $279K (2025). In 2025 it made 44 grants totaling $279K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 36 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $173,763 |
| Emeril Lagasse Foundation New Orleans, LA | Financial and medical assistance for special needs children and families | $44,400 |
| Beloved and Beyond Rosebud, TX | Financial and medical assistance for special needs children and families | $20,000 |
| Ranken Jordan Hospital Maryland Heights, MO | Financial and medical assistance for special needs children and families | $12,725 |
| Financial Medical Assistance 100000 Santa Rosa Beach, FL | Financial and medical assistance for special needs children and families | $11,187 |
| Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation Miramar Beach, FL | Financial and medical assistance for special needs children and families | $10,000 |
| Ladonna Tutton and Brushawn Hopkins Cahokia HGTS, IL | Financial and medical assistance for special needs children and families | $3,800 |
| Ronald L Jones Funeral Home St. Louis, MO | Financial and medical assistance for special needs children and families | $1,755 |
| A'miriah Ruffin and Nyiha Jones Chattanooga, TN | Financial and medical assistance for special needs children and families | $1,500 |
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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 | $1,198,899 | $898,224 | $491,530 | $279,130 | 44 | $359,522 | $18,004 | $35,853 |
| 2024 | $799,835 | $914,950 | $782,589 | $266,916 | 67 | $610,515 | — | $36,408 |
| 2023 | $654,764 | $998,685 | $763,973 | $226,401 | 128 | $652,751 | — | $36,358 |
| 2022 | $423,724 | $590,845 | $368,988 | $92,897 | 28 | $277,765 | $1 | $15,278 |
| 2021 | $196,867 | $233,792 | $193,645 | $70,834 | 21 | $171,274 | $1 | $5,817 |
| 2020 | $158,814 | $160,750 | $58,517 | $5,481 | 2 | — | $1 | $3,554 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Zachary Woodard Foundation reported a distributable amount of $36K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
LightZ of Hope’s stated mission is to bring comfort, joy, and light to children facing serious illness and disabilities. Its website says it has gifted more than 13,000 LightZ to children across the United States. The foundation’s 2025 filing lists grants for financial and medical assistance for children with special needs and their families.
The foundation also gave to organizations with other charitable missions. The Emeril Lagasse Foundation says it creates opportunities for youth through culinary, nutrition, and arts education, with a focus on life skills development. Beloved and Beyond says it supports people with differing abilities through camps, socialization, and on-the-job training. Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation says it raises funds for charitable organizations that care for children in distress and need.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 44 grants totaling $279,130. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $77,203, with a median of $1,702. The largest grants included $77,203 to an individual recipient in Florida, $44,400 to the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, $27,946 to an individual recipient in Missouri, and $20,000 to Beloved and Beyond. The stated purpose for these grants was financial and medical assistance for children with special needs and their families.
The foundation’s website describes CareZ as a financial-assistance program for families with children who have a severe illness, physical disability, or life-threatening diagnosis. A social worker or certified therapist must submit the request on the family’s behalf. The request should explain the specific need, such as clothing, equipment, assistive technology, or medication not covered by insurance; the child must have both a primary and a secondary diagnosis, and only current diagnoses are considered. The website says to allow 5–10 business days for a follow-up email. This program provides assistance to families and is distinct from grants to outside organizations.
For LightZ, the website invites nominations for children to receive a speaker and invites hospital Child Life Departments to register for a demo kit. The foundation states in its 2025 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brent Woodard as president, Susan Woodard as vice president, and Michelle Lafata and Rob Gerard as directors.
Zachary Woodard Foundation is led by Brent Woodard, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brent Woodard
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rob Gerard
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Lafata
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Woodard
Vice President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Gary Fitzpatrick (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Jim Ervin (2020–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: John Caldera (2020–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Dionne Petzold (2020–2021) — Director
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 Zachary Woodard Foundation
How much does Zachary Woodard Foundation give each year?
Zachary Woodard Foundation gave $279K across 44 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $267K across 67 grants.
What is Zachary Woodard Foundation's typical grant size?
Zachary Woodard Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,702, and its average grant was $6,344, across 44 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Zachary Woodard Foundation give grants?
Zachary Woodard Foundation's top state is Florida, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Missouri (24%) and Louisiana (16%).
Does Zachary Woodard Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 44 grants with a stated purpose on Zachary Woodard Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Zachary Woodard Foundation's largest grantees?
Zachary Woodard Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Emeril Lagasse Foundation ($44,400), Beloved and Beyond ($20,000) and Ranken Jordan Hospital ($12,725), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 36 grants to individuals ($173,763), which are not listed by name. Together they received 28% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Zachary Woodard Foundation?
Zachary Woodard Foundation reported $1.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $360K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $36K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Zachary Woodard Foundation fund?
LightZ of Hope’s stated mission is to bring comfort, joy, and light to children facing serious illness and disabilities. Its website says it has gifted more than 13,000 LightZ to children across the United States. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Zachary Woodard Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for contributions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Zachary Woodard Foundation's EIN?
Zachary Woodard Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3775200. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Zachary Woodard Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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 July 21, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Zachary Woodard Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Zachary Woodard Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Zachary Woodard Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 19, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/zachary-woodard-foundation-morg_830ad349c0e94722a2fac9264281ff38
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_843775200_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Zachary Woodard Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/zachary-woodard-foundation-morg_830ad349c0e94722a2fac9264281ff38},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-19. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Zachary Woodard Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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