Zimmel Family Foundation
The Zimmel Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Stamford, Connecticut. Its stated primary purpose is to support other organizations exempt under the Internal Revenue Code through contributions.
Zimmel Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Zimmel Family Foundation gave $999K across 15 grants in 2025 (avg $67K), mostly in District of Columbia. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $999,357
- +2.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 15
- +50.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $66,624
- -31.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $7,181,867
- -8.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- District of Columbia (55% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Zimmel Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Contact
Mailing address: Kolbrenner-2777 Summer St 501, Stamford, CT 06905
Phone: (203) 869-3199
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Zimmel Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Georgetown University-Regents STEM Scholars Program ($400K). Together the top 10 received $992K.
Grant Size Distribution
59 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 41 grants of 59 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars were reported across recipient states as follows: DC 55%, CO 36%, PA 8%, VA 1%, and NY 1%. These figures are the reported shares and total 101%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
How Zimmel Family Foundation gives
- 40% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 314% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 239% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $132K (2021) to $1.1M (2023). In 2025 it made 15 grants totaling $999K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Georgetown University-Regents STEM Scholars Program Washington, DC | See Attached Footnote | $400,000 |
| Education Foundation of Eagle County Edwards, CO | See Attached Footnote | $250,000 |
| National Center for Learning Disabilities Washington, DC | See Attached Footnote | $150,000 |
| Amigos of Costa Rica West Chester, PA | See Attached Footnote | $81,943 |
| Eagle Valley Community Foundation Edwards, CO | See Attached Footnote | $60,000 |
| The Family Learning Center Edwards, CO | See Attached Footnote | $30,000 |
| Yampa River Botanic Park Steamboat Springs, CO | See Attached Footnote | $5,110 |
| Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation Reston, VA | See Attached Footnote | $5,000 |
| Fountain House Inc New York, NY | See Attached Footnote | $5,000 |
| Eagle River Watershed Council Eagle, CO | See Attached Footnote | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Zimmel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,181,867 | $364,366 | $1,045,670 | $999,357 | 15 | $999,357 | $318,053 | $417,664 |
| 2024 | $7,834,180 | $196,689 | $1,021,390 | $975,000 | 10 | $975,000 | $181,350 | $408,997 |
| 2023 | $8,493,547 | $5,474 | $1,156,966 | $1,106,500 | 15 | $1,106,500 | $251,510 | $418,703 |
| 2022 | $9,802,854 | $2,135,661 | $293,379 | $241,250 | 16 | $241,250 | $471,876 | $460,316 |
| 2021 | $8,404,691 | $1,125,878 | $191,950 | $131,505 | 3 | — | $342,758 | $358,141 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Zimmel Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $418K 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 says it does not conduct direct charitable activities. Its 2025 grants went to organizations whose work, as described by those organizations, included education and learning-disability advocacy, support for Costa Rican organizations, community food and wellness services, mental-health support, watershed protection, scholarships for children of fallen military personnel, and climate advocacy. These grantee missions describe their work, not a stated mission of the foundation.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 15 grants totaling $999,357. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $400,000, with a median grant of $5,000.
Among its largest 2025 grants were $400,000 to Georgetown University–Regents STEM Scholars Program, $250,000 to Education Foundation of Eagle County, $150,000 to National Center for Learning Disabilities, $81,943 to Amigos of Costa Rica, and $60,000 to Eagle Valley Community Foundation. Other listed grants included $30,000 to The Family Learning Center; $5,110 to Yampa River Botanic Park; $5,000 each to Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, Fountain House, and Eagle River Watershed Council; $3,172 to Protect Our Winters; and $1,070 to Clearwater Camp Foundation.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. No application process, required materials, or deadline is specified.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joseph R. Zimmel and Sheryl Ann Zimmel as trustees.
Zimmel Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joseph R. Zimmel
Trustee
Trustee, CFO & President → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sheryl Ann Zimmel
Trustee
On filings since 2022
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Zimmel Family Foundation
How much does Zimmel Family Foundation give each year?
Zimmel Family Foundation gave $999K across 15 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $975K across 10 grants.
What is Zimmel Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Zimmel Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $66,624, across 15 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Zimmel Family Foundation give grants?
Zimmel Family Foundation gives mostly in District of Columbia: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Colorado (36%) and Pennsylvania (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Edwards, CO (3 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Zimmel Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 15 grants with a stated purpose on Zimmel Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "See Attached Footnote" (15 grants).
Who are Zimmel Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Zimmel Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Georgetown University-Regents STEM Scholars Program ($400,000), Education Foundation of Eagle County ($250,000) and National Center for Learning Disabilities ($150,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Zimmel Family Foundation?
Zimmel Family Foundation reported $7.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $999K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $418K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Zimmel Family Foundation fund?
The foundation says it does not conduct direct charitable activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Zimmel Family Foundation?
Zimmel Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, according to Grantable's research on its published guidelines.
What is Zimmel Family Foundation's EIN?
Zimmel Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-3596015. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Zimmel 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 2021–2025
Other open foundation grants in Connecticut
Connecticut Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Zimmel Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
Synchrony Foundation
Stamford, CT
In 2024, Synchrony Foundation supported charitable organizations across workforce development, education, financial assistance, and giving, with grants ranging from $150 to $2.6 million and a median of $10,000. Its largest shares of grant funding went to Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$71.5M
Grants
374
Total Given
$21.5M
Colorado Gives Foundation
Arvada, CO
Colorado Gives Foundation funds nonprofits serving Jefferson County in areas including food security, early care and education, workforce development, housing, health and convenient neighborhoods; it also offers statewide nonprofit capacity-building support. Typical giving varies widely: its 2024 median grant was $17,814, while Thriving Jeffco Responsive Grant awards ranged from $2,500 to $100,000. It accepts applications through listed grant opportunities, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$527.1M
Grants
2,211
Total Given
$91.0M
America's Charities
Chantilly, VA
AMERICA’S CHARITIES routes donor-directed workplace giving to member charities and provides emergency assistance to eligible employees and people affected by disasters; its reported grants are fiscal-agent disbursements, not awards selected through an application process. In 2025 it reported 808 grants totaling $16.4 million, ranging from $5,000 to $515,354 (median $9,664), to recipients across the United States, with the largest shares going to Pennsylvania, California, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Arizona. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$36.2M
Grants
808
Total Given
$16.4M
The Denver Foundation
Denver, CO
The Denver Foundation supports nonprofits working in economic opportunity, environment and climate, housing, and youth well-being, with an emphasis on racial equity and historically underserved communities in the seven-county Metro Denver region. Its Community Grants typically range from $20,000 to $50,000; the 2024 median across reported grants was $26,500. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.3B
Grants
1,184
Total Given
$131.7M
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
More similar funders
More Funders in Connecticut
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Zimmel Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/zimmel-family-foundation-morg_010e1b06f09c4c53931453ea412527bb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_133596015_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Zimmel Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/zimmel-family-foundation-morg_010e1b06f09c4c53931453ea412527bb},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-08. 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 Zimmel 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.
Zimmel Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?