Zeron Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Buffalo, NY EIN: 16-1429495

Zeron Foundation is a private foundation based in Buffalo, New York. Its 2024 filing reports $419,600 in grants to 26 recipients, with most grant dollars going to organizations in New York.

Zeron Foundation at a glance

In short: Zeron Foundation gave $420K across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $16K), mostly in New York. 46% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$419,600
+181.6% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
26
+52.9% vs 2023
Average grant
$16,138
+84.1% vs 2023
Median grant
$5,000
Total assets
$4,146,780
+5.2% vs 2023
New grantees (estimate)
46% first-time grantees (12 of 26, 2024)
Primary geography
New York (93% 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 Zeron Foundation

Contact

Application contact: Thomas R Beecher Jr
Mailing address: 120 W Tupper Street Suite 200, Buffalo, NY 14201
Phone: (716) 853-8671

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who Zeron Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

Jessica and Matthew Enstice Gift Fund of the Bank of America Charitable: $168KJessica and Matthew EnsticeGift Fund of the Bank of…$168KNiagara University: $75KNiagara University$75KNardin Academy: $45KNardin Academy$45KBison Children's Scholarship Fund: $35KBison Children's ScholarshipFund$35KHospice Foundation: $10KHospice Foundation$10KUniversity of Notre Dame Law School: $10KUniversity of Notre Dame LawSchool$10KBPS Foundation: $10KBPS Foundation$10KCanisius High School: $8KCanisius High School$8KVia: $8KVia$8KFriends of Buffalo Creek Inc: $5KFriends of Buffalo Creek Inc$5K

The largest 2024 recipient was Jessica and Matthew Enstice Gift Fund of the Bank of America Charitable ($168K). Together the top 10 received $374K.

Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($2,000), which are not listed by name.

Grant Size Distribution

97 grants across all recorded years

91<$50K5$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 91 grants of 97 (94%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2024, 93% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York. The filing also reports grants to recipients in Indiana (2%), Nevada (2%), Maryland (1%), and Pennsylvania (0%).

Grant Distribution by State

8states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.

Cities

BuffaloAlbanyNotre DameDurhamHillsdaleNew YorkNiagara UniversityLackawannaPhiladelphiaWebsterBryn MawrLas VegasOrchard ParkRochesterRye BrookSeverna ParkSyracuseTonawandaWest PointWilson

Is Zeron Foundation open to new grantees?

46%

first-time grantees, 2024

In 2024, 12 of 26 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $18K; repeat grants $15K. How we count

Medians: $3K first-time, $5K repeat.

  • 31% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
  • Giving grew 155% from 2021 to 2024. Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 199% 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

$0$200K$400K$600K16 grants2020 20 grants2021 18 grants2022 17 grants2023 26 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $144K (2022) to $420K (2024). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $420K.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Jessica and Matthew Enstice Gift Fund of the Bank of America Charitable Buffalo, NYGeneral Operations$167,800
Niagara University Niagara University, NYGeneral Operations$75,000
Nardin Academy Buffalo, NYGeneral Operations$45,000
Bison Children's Scholarship Fund Buffalo, NYGeneral Operations$35,000
Hospice Foundation Buffalo, NYGeneral Operations$10,000
University of Notre Dame Law School Notre Dame, INGeneral Operations$10,000
BPS Foundation Las Vegas, NVGeneral Operations$10,000
Canisius High School Buffalo, NYGeneral Operations$8,300
Via Buffalo, NYGeneral Operations$7,500
Friends of Buffalo Creek Inc Buffalo, NYGeneral Operations$5,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Zeron Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$4,146,780$1,115,618$505,504$419,60026$421,873$607,742$211,523
2023$3,941,975$752,608$210,155$149,00017$151,373$245,855$188,981
2022$3,756,051$93,773$197,346$144,40018$146,342$63,588$192,743
2021$3,843,785$1,134,405$214,234$164,63120$166,993$965,497$189,419
2020$2,996,149$94,649$158,559$147,40016—$85,220$164,592

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Zeron Foundation reported a distributable amount of $212K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation’s 2024 filing describes an adjustment to fund balance related to the fair market value of donated securities; it does not state a grantmaking mission. Its grants included support for educational institutions, a scholarship fund, hospice, and community organizations. Niagara University describes its mission as educating students and enriching their lives through liberal arts and career preparation informed by Catholic and Vincentian traditions. Gliding Stars describes providing adaptive ice-skating programs for people with disabilities.

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation reported 26 grants totaling $419,600. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $167,800, with a median of $5,000. The largest grants included $167,800 to the Jessica and Matthew Enstice Gift Fund of the Bank of America Charitable, $75,000 to Niagara University, $45,000 to Nardin Academy, and $35,000 to Bison Children’s Scholarship Fund. Each was designated for general operations.

The foundation’s filing says it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists Thomas R. Beecher Jr. as the contact and refers applicants to an attached statement for forms and materials, deadlines, and award restrictions.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2024 filing lists the following trustees: Pamela R. Jacobs-Vogt, Christopher L. Jacobs, Luke T. Jacobs, Lawrence D. Jacobs, Jessica H. Enstice, Matthew Enstice, Elizabeth R. Rozanski, Danielle Jacobs, Stephanie Jacobs, and Thomas R. Beecher Jr.

Zeron Foundation's 2024 filing lists 10 officers; none of the 10 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Christopher L. Jacobs

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Danielle Jacobs

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jessica H. Enstice

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Lawrence D. Jacobs

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Luke T. Jacobs

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Matthew Enstice

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Pamela R. Jacobs - Vogt

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Stephanie Jacobs

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Thomas R. Beecher Jr.

    Trustee

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Elizabeth R. Rozanski

    Trustee

    New on the 2024 filing

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Elizabeth R. Jacobs (2020–2023) — Trustee

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 Zeron Foundation

How much does Zeron Foundation give each year?

Zeron Foundation gave $420K across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $149K across 17 grants.

What is Zeron Foundation's typical grant size?

Zeron Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $16,138, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Zeron Foundation that year got $18K on average.

Where does Zeron Foundation give grants?

Zeron Foundation gives mostly in New York: 93% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Buffalo, NY (17 grants).

Does Zeron Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 92% of Zeron Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (24 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Zeron Foundation's largest grantees?

Zeron Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jessica and Matthew Enstice Gift Fund of the Bank of America Charitable ($167,800), Niagara University ($75,000) and Nardin Academy ($45,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($2,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.

How large is Zeron Foundation?

Zeron Foundation reported $4.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $422K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $212K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Zeron Foundation fund?

The foundation’s 2024 filing describes an adjustment to fund balance related to the fair market value of donated securities; it does not state a grantmaking mission. Its grants included support for educational institutions, a scholarship fund, hospice, and community organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Zeron Foundation?

Zeron Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Zeron Foundation's EIN?

Zeron Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1429495. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Zeron Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New York

Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo Inc

Buffalo, NY

The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo funds racial and ethnic equity, education and economic mobility, environmental stewardship and climate resilience, and regional arts and culture, primarily in Western New York; its donor-directed funds may also support organizations nationally. Its 2026 competitive grants were expected to average $18,000–$20,000, with a maximum of $50,000; the listed application process is closed, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$944.0M

Grants

562

Total Given

$33.4M

The Chicago Community Trust

Chicago, IL

The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$7.1B

Grants

4,316

Total Given

$1.2B

Ernst & Young Foundation

New York, NY

Ernst & Young Foundation supports higher education through employee and partner matching gifts, as well as educational and special-project grants, including research, education forums, and programs that expand educational opportunity. In 2025, it made 637 grants ranging from $5,056 to $316,005, with a median of $13,525, to recipients across multiple states; the largest shares went to New York, Texas, California, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$47.6M

Grants

637

Total Given

$16.7M

The Ford Foundation

New York, NY

The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$17.5B

Grants

4,007

Total Given

$844.7M

The New York Community Trust

New York, NY

The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$3.5B

Grants

2,748

Total Given

$193.8M

The Simons Foundation Inc

New York, NY

The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$4.5B

Grants

1,727

Total Given

$272.0M

More Funders in New York

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). Zeron Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/zeron-foundation-morg_69690cfd0dca4f5d8fdee18abbd49477

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_161429495_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{Zeron Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/zeron-foundation-morg_69690cfd0dca4f5d8fdee18abbd49477},
  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 Zeron 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.

Zeron Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?