The Zegar Family Foundation concentrates large, strategic gifts to environmental and climate-focused intermediaries and operating organizations, prioritizing scalable climate mitigation efforts (notably methane reduction) and broad conservation work. Its grants favor catalytic capital and flexible general-purpose support delivered through national intermediaries and donor-advised/trust vehicles, suggesting a preference for enabling other funders and platforms to deploy capital at scale. The foundation appears to target global climate impact rather than hyper-local service delivery, using a small number of substantial grants to influence larger portfolios and programs.
The Zegar Family Foundation’s largest recent grant went to Rf Catalytic Capital Inc for a general purpose contribution of $3,234,975, underscoring a pattern of sizable, targeted support rather than broad small-grant dispersal. Across the recent grants list, the foundation backs climate and environmental intermediaries, research infrastructure, and civil society organizations, with several gifts routed through platforms such as National Philanthropic Trust, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, and New Venture Fund. That mix suggests a funder that often uses intermediary vehicles to move capital into specific initiatives and pooled strategies. Climate work is a visible thread. The foundation gave $1,905,048 to Windward Fund for the Global Methane Hub’s Enteric Accelerator, $1,699,993 to The Nature Conservancy for general purpose support, and $750,000 to Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated. It also funded New York University’s Genome Center twice in 2025, including $1,250,000 for research at the genomics core and $833,761 for research at the university center, showing interest in research capacity as well as advocacy and conservation. The rest of the portfolio includes nonprofit infrastructure, election-related work, immigration and civil liberties groups, and local institutions in New York and California.
In methane mitigation, the foundation gave $1,905,048 to Windward Fund for the Global Methane Hub’s Enteric Accelerator, placing a large grant behind agricultural emissions reduction. For ocean and conservation work, it sent $1,000,940 to Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc for Oceans 5 and $1,699,993 to The Nature Conservancy for general purpose support. Research capacity also appears in the portfolio: New York University received $1,250,000 for the Genome Center to support research at the genomics core, and the University of California Santa Barbara received $686,215 through its Regents Fund for research. The foundation also funds civic and rights-oriented work. Neo Philanthropy received $350,000 for a state infrastructure fund, while New Venture Fund received $300,000 for the Trusted Elections Fund. In civil liberties and immigration, it gave $350,000 to American Civil Liberties Union Foundation and $225,000 to National Immigration Law Center.
$27M
$297.7M
$56.3M
$31.3M
Top 3 recipient countries by grant volume for Zegar Family Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 270 | $64.4M | 97.5% |
| 2 | Netherlands |
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Highly concentrated giving: very few (four) sizable grants that comprise the full portfolio, mixing unrestricted/general support and programmatic funding through intermediaries. Prefers large, strategic gifts to national/international organizations and funding platforms rather than many small direct-service grants; often channels dollars through fiscal sponsors or donor-advised vehicles to leverage additional capital.
Notable grantees: RF Catalytic Capital Inc, Windward Fund, The Nature Conservancy, National Philanthropic Trust
Recent gifts cluster at the high end: the top grant was $3,234,975, and other large awards included $1,905,048, $1,699,993, and $1,664,502. The distribution points to a foundation that makes substantial, often strategic grants rather than many small awards. Several recipients appear more than once in 2025, including New York University and multiple intermediary organizations, which suggests repeated support for selected partners and platforms. The foundation is a private foundation and a regular funder, and the grant list shows general purpose support alongside named initiatives and research funds.
Grants land overwhelmingly in the United States: 103 of 105 recent grants, or 98.1%, went to U.S. recipients. New York is the top state by grant count, with 100% of grants given to recipients in the HQ state listed as NY. Recipient cities in the recent grants include New York, Santa Barbara, Washington, DC, Cambridge, Arlington, Goleta, and San Francisco. The non-U.S. grant recipients in the list are Stichting European Climate Foundation in The Hague and The Sunrise Project in Surry Hills.
Its recent grants include environmental intermediaries and conservation groups, research institutions, civic and civil liberties organizations, immigration legal groups, and local nonprofits. Examples in the data include Windward Fund, The Nature Conservancy, New York University, American Civil Liberties Union Foundation, and National Immigration Law Center.
It funds both intermediaries and operating organizations. Recent examples include $1,905,048 to Windward Fund for the Global Methane Hub’s Enteric Accelerator, $1,699,993 to The Nature Conservancy for general purpose support, and $750,000 to Environmental Defense Fund Incorporated.
Yes. New York University received two grants in 2025: $1,250,000 for the Genome Center to support research at the genomics core and $833,761 for research at the university center. The University of California Santa Barbara also received $686,215 through its Regents Fund for research.
The grant list is highly U.S.-centered, with 103 of 105 recent grants to U.S. recipients. The only named non-U.S. recipient countries in the data are the Netherlands and Australia, through recipients in The Hague and Surry Hills.
The recent-gift set is weighted toward large awards. The largest grant was $3,234,975, and other top grants were $1,905,048, $1,699,993, and $1,664,502. The pattern suggests a preference for substantial grants rather than many small awards.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| 5 |
| $2.5M |
1.8% |
| 3 | Australia | 2 | $650K | 0.7% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RF CATALYTIC CAPITAL INC | NEW YORK, NY | $3,234,975 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| WINDWARD FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,905,048 | 2025 | GLOBAL METHANE HUB - ENTERIC ACCELERATOR |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $1,699,993 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST | JENKINTOWN, PA | $1,664,502 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $1,250,000 | 2025 | GENOME CENTER - TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AT GENOMICS CORE |
| ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,940 | 2025 | OCEANS 5 |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $833,761 | 2025 | GENOME CENTER - TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY CENTER |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED | NEW YORK, NY | $750,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $686,215 | 2025 | REGENTS FUND - RESEARCH |
| CONGREGATION B'NAI B'RITH | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $510,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| STICHTING EUROPEAN CLIMATE FOUNDATION | THE HAGUE | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| CLIMATEWORKS FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| AFRICAN WOMEN RISING | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $450,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE SUNRISE PROJECT | SURRY HILLS | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| LOWER EAST SIDE TENEMENT MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $390,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| NEO PHILANTHROPY | NEW YORK, NY | $350,000 | 2025 | STATE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $350,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| SAFE PASSAGE PROJECT CORPORATION | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| NEW VENTURE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $300,000 | 2025 | TRUSTED ELECTIONS FUND |
| FOODBANK OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| WILLIAM J BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS INC | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| LAS CUMBRES OBSERVATORY | GOLETA, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER | WASHIGTON, DC | $225,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CORPS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $225,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| THE VOTER PARTICIPATION CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| CIVIC NATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| COMMON CAUSE EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $188,487 | 2025 | AI CLOUD SEEDING PROJECT |
| FERNANDO PULLUM COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $175,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS | WASHIGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| ROCK THE VOTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| HIAS INC | SILVER SPRING, MD | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| PROPUBLICA | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| GROUNDSWELL FUND | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| NEW VENTURE FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | CAMPUS DEMOCRACY FUND |
| CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN VOTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER SANTA BARBARA | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| DIRECT RELIEF | SANTA BARBARA, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT | AUSTIN, TX | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY INC | TUSCAN, AZ | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
| NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION | WASHIGTON, DC | $135,000 | 2025 | GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION |
RF CATALYTIC CAPITAL INC
$3,234,975GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
WINDWARD FUND
$1,905,048GLOBAL METHANE HUB - ENTERIC ACCELERATOR
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
$1,699,993GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
NATIONAL PHILANTHROPIC TRUST
$1,664,502GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
$1,250,000GENOME CENTER - TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AT GENOMICS CORE
ROCKEFELLER PHILANTHROPY ADVISORS INC
$1,000,940OCEANS 5
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
$833,761GENOME CENTER - TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY CENTER
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND INCORPORATED
$750,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA
$686,215REGENTS FUND - RESEARCH
CONGREGATION B'NAI B'RITH
$510,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
STICHTING EUROPEAN CLIMATE FOUNDATION
$500,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
CLIMATEWORKS FOUNDATION
$500,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
AFRICAN WOMEN RISING
$450,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
THE SUNRISE PROJECT
$400,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL
$400,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
LOWER EAST SIDE TENEMENT MUSEUM
$390,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
NEO PHILANTHROPY
$350,000STATE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION
$350,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
SAFE PASSAGE PROJECT CORPORATION
$300,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
NEW VENTURE FUND
$300,000TRUSTED ELECTIONS FUND
FOODBANK OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY
$300,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
WILLIAM J BRENNAN CENTER FOR JUSTICE INC
$300,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
THE UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS INC
$250,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
LAS CUMBRES OBSERVATORY
$250,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE
$250,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER
$225,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CORPS INC
$225,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
THE VOTER PARTICIPATION CENTER
$200,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
CIVIC NATION
$200,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
CENTER FOR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
$200,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW
$200,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
COMMON CAUSE EDUCATION FUND
$200,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
$188,487AI CLOUD SEEDING PROJECT
FERNANDO PULLUM COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER
$175,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND INC
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
ROCK THE VOTE
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
HIAS INC
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
PROPUBLICA
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
GROUNDSWELL FUND
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
NEW VENTURE FUND
$150,000CAMPUS DEMOCRACY FUND
CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER INC
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN VOTE
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER SANTA BARBARA
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
DIRECT RELIEF
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY INC
$150,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION
NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
$135,000GENERAL PURPOSE CONTRIBUTION