About Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation
The Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation makes a small number of very large, unrestricted grants to San Diego-area nonprofit institutions that advance education, community services, and local civic life. Their funding emphasizes institutional strengthening (general support) for organizations serving students, older adults, people with disabilities, and youth environmental education. Grants are highly concentrated geographically and by size, often supporting mission-critical operating needs rather than project-specific work.
Focus Areas
San Diego-area higher education and university initiatives (e.g., Campanile Foundation / SDSU support)Services and vocational supports for adults with disabilities (TERI Inc)Lifelong learning and social services for older adults (San Diego Oasis)Youth marine science and ocean conservation education (Ocean Discovery Institute)
Who They Fund
abused and neglected childrenfoster children and youth in carehomeless and at-risk youthfood-insecure individuals/families
About Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation
WALTER J & BETTY C ZABLE FOUNDATION is based in San Diego, CA and reported $14,862,848 in annual grants. Its giving is local and is concentrated in California, with 97% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and CA as the top state by grant count. Recent grantmaking has centered on San Diego-area higher education, services for people with disabilities, older-adult services, youth education, and community support. The foundation’s recent grants are often described as general assistance, and the typical grant size is in the $20,000 to $30,000 range, with a median of $25,000. Named recipients include THE CAMPANILE FOUNDATION, which received $1,500,000 in 2023; SAN DIEGO OASIS, which received $1,025,000 in 2025; and TERI INC, which received $1,000,000 in 2024 and $500,000 in 2025. Other large recent grants include OCEAN DISCOVERY INSTITUTE at $750,000 in 2024 and PROMISES 2 KIDS at $150,000 in 2024 and $150,000 in 2025. The foundation also made repeated general assistance grants to organizations such as OUTDOOR OUTREACH, SUPPORT THE ENLISTED PROJECT (STEP), and VOICES FOR CHILDREN.
What Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation Funds
Recent grantmaking spans higher education, services for adults with disabilities, older-adult learning and social services, youth marine science and ocean conservation education, and support for abused and neglected children. Notable grants include THE CAMPANILE FOUNDATION at $1,500,000 for general assistance, TERI INC at $1,000,000 in 2024 and $500,000 in 2025 for general assistance, and SAN DIEGO OASIS at $1,025,000 in 2025 for general assistance. The foundation also granted $750,000 to OCEAN DISCOVERY INSTITUTE in 2024. For child welfare-related work, PROMISES 2 KIDS received $150,000 in 2024 and $150,000 in 2025, while VOICES FOR CHILDREN received $100,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025.
How Walter J & Betty C Zable Foundation Gives
WALTER J & BETTY C ZABLE FOUNDATION gives large grants relative to its median size, with typical awards of $20,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $30,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants show a mix of six- and seven-figure awards alongside many $100,000 grants. The foundation is a general funder and its active grant programs accept unsolicited requests. Grants are generally restricted to San Diego County organizations, with some other areas considered by specific approval. Funding is often described as general assistance, including unrestricted or broadly usable support.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$5.7M
Total Assets
$93.2M
Total Revenue
$9.7M
Total Expenses
$6.9M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $20K and $30K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$30K
Geographic Reach
Local6 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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