Zera Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Portland, Oregon, established in 2011. The foundation provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and initiatives focused on improving the quality and equality of life in Oregon.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$434K
+9.9% YoY
Grant Count
43
+2.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+7.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation prioritizes support in the following areas:
Primary funding areas:
- Food and housing security
- Support for houseless and at-risk youth
- Companion animal care for families facing financial hardship
- Jewish-based organizations
Additional interests:
- New program development for existing organizations
- Organizations that focus on direct services and leverage volunteer use
- Grassroots and community-based organizations (under $5 million annual budget)
Grantmaking
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's geographic focus is Oregon, primarily the Portland Metro area. The Board reserves the right to approve grants in other locations at its discretion.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of most recent filings:
- Total assets: $5,020,878
- Total giving: $433,587
- Investment income and dividends: $137,425 (2023)
| 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 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
208 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Zera Foundation Inc
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Daraja Education Fund ($76,600), Path Home ($30,000), Prear ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| NORTHWEST ACADEMY PORTLAND, OR | GENERAL | $1,000 |
| DARAJA EDUCATION FUND PORTLAND, OR | GENERAL | $76,600 |
| THE INSIGHT ALLIANCE PORTLAND, OR | GENERAL | $10,000 |
| PROJECT POOCH LAKE OSWEGO, OR | GENERAL | $7,500 |
| BLOOMIN BOUTIQUE OREGON CITY, OR | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| PORTLAND RESCUE MISSION PORTLAND, OR | GENERAL | $10,500 |
| COLLEGE POSSIBLE PORTLAND, OR | GENERAL | $10,000 |
| DAVIDS HARP PORTLAND, OR | GENERAL | $2,500 |
| ECUMENICAL MINISTRIES OF OREGON PORTLAND, OR | GENERAL | $10,000 |
| FREE GEEK PORTLAND, OR | GENERAL | $7,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEFANIE SILVERMAN | President & CEO | 2 | — |
| REBECCA BLANEY | Director | — | — |
| AMIE WEXLER | Director | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Email: info@zerafoundation.org
Mailing address: PO Box 13346 Portland, OR 97213
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Zera Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation prioritizes support in the following areas: **Primary funding areas:** • Food and housing security • Support for houseless and at-risk youth • Companion animal care for families facing financial hardship • Jewish-based organizations **Additional interests:** • New program development for existing organizations • Organizations that focus on direct services and leverage volunteer use • Grassroots and community-based organizations (under $5 million annual budget)
How do I apply for a grant from Zera Foundation Inc?
**Grant amounts:** Typical awards range from $1,000 to $76,600. **Application process:** • Funding requests are accepted only through mail • Two annual application cycles: • Spring: Applications due May 15; notification by June 30 • Fall: Applications due November 15; notification by December 30 • Applicants may receive only one grant per year; organizations receiving spring funding cannot apply in the fall cycle • Most grants are initiated at the direction of program staff and the Board of Tru…
Where does Zera Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's geographic focus is Oregon, primarily the Portland Metro area. The Board reserves the right to approve grants in other locations at its discretion.
What size grants does Zera Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Zera Foundation Inc awarded 43 grants totaling $434K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Zera Foundation Inc's EIN?
Zera Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4008879. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Zera Foundation Inc'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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