Zerbe Family Foundation
Zerbe Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Its 2024 filing reports 22 grants totaling $76,622, with recipients in several states.
Zerbe Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Zerbe Family Foundation gave $77K across 22 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Indiana. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $76,622
- +11.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 22
- +83.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,483
- -39.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $175
- Total assets
- $1,323,838
- -0.0% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Indiana (66% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Zerbe Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. No application process or materials are specified.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4343 Concourse Dr 230, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: (734) 761-2005
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Zerbe Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Indiana University Foundation ($50K). Together the top 10 received $75K.
Grant Size Distribution
94 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 91 grants of 94 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 66% of grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana and 30% to recipients in Georgia. Illinois, Michigan, and New York each accounted for 1%. These figures describe the states of grant recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Zerbe Family Foundation gives
- 32% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+2%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 $39K (2020) to $82K (2022). In 2024 it made 22 grants totaling $77K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana University Foundation Inidanapolis, IN | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Savannah Book Festival Savannah, GA | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Bethesda Academy Savannah, GA | Charitable | $6,837 |
| United Way of the Coastal Empire Savannah, GA | Charitable | $5,000 |
| Georgia Historical Society Savannah, GA | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Sigma Chi Foundation Evanston, IL | Charitable | $1,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders New York, NY | Charitable | $500 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital Royal Oak, MI | Charitable | $500 |
| Bulldog Alumni Association Columbus, IN | Charitable | $250 |
| Samaritan's Purse International Boone, NC | Charitable | $250 |
Ready to take the next step with Zerbe Family 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,323,838 | $92,320 | $92,343 | $76,622 | 22 | $77,885 | $80,176 | $78,463 |
| 2023 | $1,323,861 | $127,701 | $81,160 | $68,950 | 12 | $72,394 | $118,954 | $71,198 |
| 2022 | $1,277,320 | $-60,013 | $92,937 | $82,125 | 26 | $84,143 | $28,531 | $76,890 |
| 2021 | $1,430,270 | $137,697 | $88,312 | $74,900 | 29 | $75,975 | $129,360 | $83,524 |
| 2020 | $1,380,885 | $170,708 | $48,096 | $39,250 | 5 | — | $163,206 | $75,376 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Zerbe Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $78K 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’s own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants went to organizations with varied missions. For example, Indiana University Foundation says it raises private philanthropic support and provides fundraising and advancement services for Indiana University. United Way of the Coastal Empire describes its mission as improving lives by mobilizing the caring powers of communities. Georgia Historical Society says it collects, examines, and teaches Georgia history, while Sigma Chi Foundation says it supports Sigma Chi and leadership development.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation gave $76,622 through 22 grants. Grant amounts ranged from $50 to $50,000, with a median of $175. Its largest grants included $50,000 to Indiana University Foundation, $10,000 to Savannah Book Festival, $6,837 to Bethesda Academy, and $5,000 to United Way of the Coastal Empire. Other listed grants included $1,000 each to Georgia Historical Society and Sigma Chi Foundation, and $500 each to Doctors Without Borders and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert L. Zerbe as president and director; Linda L. Zerbe as director; Anne E. Zerbe as secretary and director; Eric R. Zerbe as treasurer and director; and Sarah C. Zerbe as director.
Zerbe Family Foundation is led by Robert L. Zerbe, President & Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert L. Zerbe
President & Director
President → President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne E. Zerbe
Secretary & Director
Director → Secretary & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric R. Zerbe
Treasurer & Director
Director → Treasurer & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda L. Zerbe
Director
Secretary & Treasurer → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah C. Zerbe
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
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 Zerbe Family Foundation
How much does Zerbe Family Foundation give each year?
Zerbe Family Foundation gave $77K across 22 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $69K across 12 grants.
What is Zerbe Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Zerbe Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $175, and its average grant was $3,483, across 22 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Zerbe Family Foundation give grants?
Zerbe Family Foundation gives mostly in Indiana: 66% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Georgia (30%). The most frequent recipient cities were Savannah, GA (4 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Zerbe Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on Zerbe Family Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (22 grants).
Who are Zerbe Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Zerbe Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Indiana University Foundation ($50,000), Savannah Book Festival ($10,000) and Bethesda Academy ($6,837), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 87% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Zerbe Family Foundation?
Zerbe Family Foundation reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $78K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $78K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Zerbe Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s own mission is not stated in the available information. Its 2024 grants went to organizations with varied missions. For example, Indiana University Foundation says it raises private philanthropic support and provides fundraising and advancement services for Indiana University. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Zerbe Family Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and states that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Zerbe Family Foundation's EIN?
Zerbe Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0119840. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Zerbe Family 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Zerbe Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/zerbe-family-foundation-morg_743016a4a0d04f13a36b1ebb734acdff
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_300119840_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Zerbe Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/zerbe-family-foundation-morg_743016a4a0d04f13a36b1ebb734acdff},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Zerbe Family 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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