Zenie Foundation
The Zenie Foundation is a private foundation based in Portland, Maine. It supports students through college scholarships, one-to-one coaching, and a community involving students, alumni, and coaches.
Zenie Foundation at a glance
In short: Zenie Foundation gave $209K across 46 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Maine. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $209,471
- +0.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 46
- -4.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,554
- +5.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,750
- Total assets
- $4,342,138
- -3.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Maine (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Zenie Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s website directs applicants to review its eligibility requirements and complete a Pre-Qualify Application (PQA), followed by a full application for those advancing in the process. The PQA asks for short written responses and financial information. The full application includes mini-essays, references, the foundation’s College Affordability Toolkit, a college application essay, and financial information; later in review, applicants may be asked for college financial-aid award letters. The foundation’s website currently states that the PQA is closed. The foundation’s 2025 filing directs applicants to its website for application information and eligibility requirements.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists December 1 as the PQA opening date and January 12 as the closing date. It lists February 1–28 for completion and submission of the full application.
- Deadline
- The website lists December 1 as the PQA opening date and January 12 as the closing date.
- Contact
Application contact: Katherine Z Chatterjee
Mailing address: 33 Hartley Street, Portland, ME 04103
Phone: (207) 838-8889
Email: katherine@zeniefoundation.org
Website: https://zeniefoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Zenie Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Christian Grow ($3K).
Organizations only. It also paid 45 individual scholarships ($206,471), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
207 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 207 grants of 207 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website says applicants may live in Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or Utah. Siblings of current ZF students may apply regardless of state. Its reported 2025 grant dollars went entirely to recipients in Maine.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Zenie Foundation gives
- Giving grew 21% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 238% of 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $139K (2020) to $215K (2023). In 2025 it made 46 grants totaling $209K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 45 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $206,471 |
| Christian Grow Portland, ME | Scholarship | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Zenie Foundation?
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 | $4,342,138 | $319,357 | $518,273 | $209,471 | 46 | $498,839 | $303,761 | $209,995 |
| 2024 | $4,499,326 | $669,210 | $476,070 | $208,083 | 48 | $464,263 | $158,443 | $203,380 |
| 2023 | $4,272,857 | $107,549 | $446,927 | $214,813 | 42 | $431,472 | $92,179 | $198,714 |
| 2022 | $4,001,445 | $775,498 | $350,602 | $172,975 | 36 | $335,753 | $264,570 | $201,508 |
| 2021 | $5,075,052 | $136,764 | $348,767 | $172,657 | 35 | $337,421 | $127,319 | $247,909 |
| 2020 | $4,393,553 | $1,269,682 | $287,927 | $139,365 | 34 | — | $78,074 | $202,037 |
| 2019 | $3,242,240 | $708,845 | $297,111 | $149,743 | 33 | — | $78,780 | $149,890 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Zenie Foundation reported a distributable amount of $210K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to help students become effective adults and inspired leaders. It provides scholarship support and coaching to students, emphasizing learning, values-based decisions, and financial responsibility.
Its scholarship program is for high school seniors planning to enroll full time at an accredited nonprofit four-year college or community college in the United States. Scholarship funds are limited to course-related expenses, defined as tuition and lab fees. Students may receive support for up to eight college semesters or four community-college semesters, subject to award requirements.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 46 grants totaling $209,471. Grant amounts ranged from $295 to $7,500, with a median of $3,750. The largest listed awards were $7,500 scholarships. Its reported grant totals were $208,083 across 48 grants in 2024 and $214,813 across 42 grants in 2023.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Katherine Z Chatterjee as trustee and CEO, and Francis H Zenie, Sharon Bracken, and Kenneth Rapp as trustees.
Zenie Foundation is led by Katherine Z. Chatterjee, Trustee & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 4 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Katherine Z. Chatterjee
Trustee & CEO
Trustee & Executive Director → Trustee & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$60K (2019) → $90K (2025)
Francis H. Zenie
Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kenneth Rapp
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sharon Bracken
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 $90K, to Katherine Z Chatterjee (Trustee & CEO).
Frequently asked questions about Zenie Foundation
How much does Zenie Foundation give each year?
Zenie Foundation gave $209K across 46 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $208K across 48 grants.
What is Zenie Foundation's typical grant size?
Zenie Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,750, and its average grant was $4,554, across 46 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Zenie Foundation give grants?
Zenie Foundation gives mostly in Maine: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there.
Does Zenie Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 46 grants with a stated purpose on Zenie Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (46 grants).
How large is Zenie Foundation?
Zenie Foundation reported $4.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $499K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $210K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Zenie Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to help students become effective adults and inspired leaders. It provides scholarship support and coaching to students, emphasizing learning, values-based decisions, and financial responsibility. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Zenie Foundation?
The foundation’s website directs applicants to review its eligibility requirements and complete a Pre-Qualify Application (PQA), followed by a full application for those advancing in the process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Zenie Foundation's EIN?
Zenie Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2500224. 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.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
Other open foundation grants in Maine
Maine Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Zenie Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Maine
Maine Community Foundation Inc
Ellsworth, ME
Maine Community Foundation supports nonprofits and communities in Maine through grants for areas such as community building, arts, land and water, housing, and equity, as well as scholarships. Its 2024 grants had a median amount of $17,500, though awards varied widely. The profile describes online applications for competitive grants but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$807.6M
Grants
1,161
Total Given
$57.6M
TD Charitable Foundation
Portland, ME
TD Charitable Foundation funds education, human services, housing and eviction prevention, nonprofit training, and community initiatives, with emphasis on inclusion and underserved and low-to-moderate-income communities. Its 2025 grants ranged from $300 to $250,000, with a median of $10,000; its filing lists a typical award range of $135–$475,000. It focuses primarily on Florida, New Jersey, and New York, and its 2023 filing says applications are available online; applicants must be eligible 501(c)(3) public charities in states with a TD Bank branch.
Assets
$9.1M
Grants
1,003
Total Given
$24.9M
Simple Generosity Foundation
Cape Elizabeth, ME
Simple Generosity Foundation supports nonprofits across varied missions, with an emphasis on smaller organizations, mainly in the United States. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,002 to $271,548, with a median of $6,287. It does not describe an open unsolicited-request process: nonprofits must join its network and be matched to a client giving program to receive donations.
Assets
$2.8M
Grants
339
Total Given
$4.4M
Elmina B Sewall Foundation
Freeport, ME
The Elmina B. Sewall Foundation funds Maine nonprofits working for equity and interconnected well-being for people, animals, and the environment, across areas including food systems, animal welfare, and community development. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $31,000, though awards varied widely; it accepts applications through its online system during designated periods and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$164.8M
Grants
296
Total Given
$14.4M
Onion Foundation
Auburn, ME
Onion Foundation funds Maine nonprofits working in the arts and environment, including nature learning, with particular attention to rural and underserved communities. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $625,000, with a median of $15,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through its online grant portal.
Assets
$63.6M
Grants
245
Total Given
$4.4M
Maine Technology Institute
Portland, ME
MTI funds research, development, and commercialization of innovations in seven technology sectors, supporting Maine-based businesses, nonprofits, academic institutions, and entrepreneurs through grants, loans, equity investments, and services. In 2025, its grants ranged from $5,040 to $3 million, with a median award of $50,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$22.5M
Grants
194
Total Given
$22.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Maine
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Zenie 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.
Zenie Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?