The Zendesk Charitable Foundation is a corporate foundation based in San Francisco, California, operating as the philanthropic arm of Zendesk Inc. Established in 2015, it is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization and functions as an independent foundation focused on supporting human services organizations globally.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.2M
+0.9% YoY
Grant Count
3
-84.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$719K
+538.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary program is the Tech for Good Program, which provides comprehensive support to nonprofit organizations addressing a wide range of social problems through donations of software, expertise, and financial support.
The foundation focuses on human services as its primary funding area, with a particular emphasis on supporting organizations working in community development, youth education, and community outreach.
Grantmaking
The foundation reports being open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants funded.
Grant Range
$1,993 to $475,000
Average Grant
$424
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds globally, with documented activity in multiple U.S. states including California, Texas, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and others. International grantmaking includes funding in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with documented grants to organizations in major urban centers including New York, London, and Sydney.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (2024):
- Total Assets: $5,811,575
- Total Revenue: $3,696,460
- Total Expenses: $2,383,650
- Total Grants Awarded: $2,139,424
- Giving Rate: 68.1%
Previous Year (2023):
- Total Assets: $4,255,358
- Total Revenue: $4,395,321
- Total Expenses: $2,126,141
The foundation has demonstrated consistent growth, with assets increasing 2.6% year-over-year.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
172 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Online Giving Foundation ($1,496,000), The Uk Online Giving Foundation ($659,001), Leap Inc ($2,842).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION NEWARK, DE | FACILITATE DONATIONS TO US CHARITIES | $1,496,000 |
| LEAP INC BROOKLYN, NY | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $2,842 |
| THE UK ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION | FACILITATE DONATIONS TO REGISTERED CHARITIES | $659,001 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
All leadership positions are held on a voluntary basis without compensation:
- Megan Trotter – President (2 hours/week)
- Julie Swinney – Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer (2 hours/week)
- Kelly Waldher – Director (2 hours/week)
- Shana Simmons – Secretary (2 hours/week)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEGAN TROTTE | PRESIDENT (THRU 12/20/24) | 2 | — |
| TIPH TURPIN | PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| JULIE SWINNEY | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| SHANA SIMMONS | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Zendesk Foundation has announced multiple rounds of Tech for Good Impact Awards, recognizing nonprofit organizations driving meaningful change through technology. The foundation has held inaugural and subsequent annual award ceremonies recognizing recipients of its Tech for Good Impact Award program.
The Zendesk Foundation announces first inaugural Impact Awards recipientsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Zendesk Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary program is the **Tech for Good Program**, which provides comprehensive support to nonprofit organizations addressing a wide range of social problems through donations of software, expertise, and financial support. The foundation focuses on **human services** as its primary funding area, with a particular emphasis on supporting organizations working in community development, youth education, and community outreach.
How do I apply for a grant from Zendesk Charitable Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 79 grants in the most recent fiscal year • Grant range: $1,993 to $475,000 • Median grant amount: $20,000 • Average grant size: $424 **Recent Grant Examples:** • American Online Giving Foundation: $1,496,000 (2024) • Brooklyn Workforce Innovations: $2,842 (2024) **Grant Programs:** • Float Fund Top Up (average $136,884) • Dublin YMCA - Social Impact Q1 Program (average $30,000) • Zendesk Foundation Q2 US Grants (average $475,000) • UK Online Giving Foundation - Float …
Where does Zendesk Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds globally, with documented activity in multiple U.S. states including California, Texas, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and others. International grantmaking includes funding in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with documented grants to organizations in major urban centers including New York, London, and Sydney.
What size grants does Zendesk Charitable Foundation award?
In 2024, Zendesk Charitable Foundation awarded 3 grants totaling $2.2M — an average of about $719K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Zendesk Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Zendesk Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2024007. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Zendesk Charitable 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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