Zera Foundation Inc
Zera Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Portland, Oregon. Formed in 2011, it provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and initiatives focused on improving quality and equality of life in Oregon.
Zera Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Zera Foundation Inc gave $434K across 43 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), mostly in Oregon. 26% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $433,587
- +9.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 43
- +2.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $10,083
- +7.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $5,020,878
- -4.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 26% first-time grantees (11 of 43, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Zera Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and **does not accept unsolicited requests**. Its website describes requests as accepted by mail and provides a grant application, but also notes that most grants are initiated at the direction of program staff and the Board of Trustees. The website lists two annual application periods and says applicants may receive only one grant per year; an organization funded in the spring may not apply in the fall. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charities under Section 509(a).
- Review Cycle
- The 2024 filing lists “NO DEADLINE.” The website lists spring applications due May 15, with notice by June 30, and fall applications due November 15, with notice by December 30. As of September 28, 2026, the listed spring date has passed; the website lists November 15 as the fall due date.
- Deadline
- The 2024 filing lists “NO DEADLINE.” The website lists spring applications due May 15, with notice by June 30, and…
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 13346, Portland, OR 97213
Phone: (503) 703-7054
Website: https://zerafoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Zera Foundation Inc
Who Zera Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Daraja Education Fund ($77K). Together the top 10 received $207K.
Grant Size Distribution
208 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 206 grants of 208 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies Oregon as its geographic focus, primarily the Portland metro area, while reserving the Board’s discretion to approve grants elsewhere. All 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Zera Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
26%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 11 of 43 grantees (26%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $8K first-time, $8K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 173% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $343K (2022) to $434K (2024). In 2024 it made 43 grants totaling $434K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Daraja Education Fund Portland, OR | General | $76,600 |
| Path Home Portland, OR | General | $30,000 |
| Prear Portland, OR | General | $25,000 |
| Oregon Food Bank Portland, OR | General | $15,000 |
| Portland Rescue Mission Portland, OR | General | $10,500 |
| The Insight Alliance Portland, OR | General | $10,000 |
| College Possible Portland, OR | General | $10,000 |
| Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Portland, OR | General | $10,000 |
| Rahab's Sisters Portland, OR | General | $10,000 |
| Lift Urban Portland, OR | General | $10,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $5,020,878 | $115,790 | $441,488 | $433,587 | 43 | $433,587 | $183,617 | $250,365 |
| 2023 | $5,249,796 | $423,304 | $397,898 | $394,661 | 42 | $394,661 | $423,304 | $269,576 |
| 2022 | $3,743,094 | $279,679 | $351,240 | $342,795 | 40 | $342,795 | $274,812 | $290,631 |
| 2021 | $3,916,754 | $440,159 | $407,955 | $404,725 | 43 | $404,725 | $180,950 | $328,896 |
| 2020 | $3,843,950 | $116,619 | $377,710 | $374,500 | 40 | — | $127,225 | $277,962 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Zera Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $250K for 2024 — 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 describes its purpose as supporting initiatives that improve quality and equality of life in Oregon. Its website identifies food and housing security, youth, animal care, and Jewish-based organizations among its areas of support.
Its 2024 grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. For example, Path Home says it empowers homeless families with children to get into housing and stay there; Oregon Food Bank says its mission is to eliminate hunger and its root causes; and Outside the Frame says it trains homeless and marginalized youth to direct their own films and lives. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 43 grants totaling $433,587. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $76,600, with a median grant of $7,500. Its largest 2024 grants included $76,600 to Daraja Education Fund, $30,000 to Path Home, $25,000 to PREAR, and $15,000 to Oregon Food Bank. Other notable awards included $10,500 to Portland Rescue Mission and $10,000 each to The Insight Alliance, College Possible, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, Rahab’s Sisters, Lift Urban, Portland Refugee Support Group, and Stoor to Door.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Stefanie Silverman as President & CEO, and Rebecca Blaney and Amie Wexler as directors.
Zera Foundation Inc is led by Stefanie Silverman, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stefanie Silverman
President & CEO
President → President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amie Wexler
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Blaney
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Zera Foundation Inc
How much does Zera Foundation Inc give each year?
Zera Foundation Inc gave $434K across 43 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $395K across 42 grants.
What is Zera Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Zera Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $7,500, and its average grant was $10,083, across 43 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Zera Foundation Inc that year got $8K on average.
Where does Zera Foundation Inc give grants?
Zera Foundation Inc gives mostly in Oregon: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (39 grants) and Oregon City, OR (2 grants).
Does Zera Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Zera Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (43 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Zera Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Zera Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Daraja Education Fund ($76,600), Path Home ($30,000) and Prear ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Zera Foundation Inc?
Zera Foundation Inc reported $5.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $434K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $250K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Zera Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation describes its purpose as supporting initiatives that improve quality and equality of life in Oregon. Its website identifies food and housing security, youth, animal care, and Jewish-based organizations among its areas of support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Zera Foundation Inc?
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does Zera Foundation Inc 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 6, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 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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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Zera Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/zera-foundation-inc-morg_d077ceee8fc84476b2dd76e9abc60d11
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_454008879_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Zera Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/zera-foundation-inc-morg_d077ceee8fc84476b2dd76e9abc60d11},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Zera Foundation Inc'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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