The Zients Family Foundation concentrates its giving on civic leadership and public service, with a significant emphasis on high-profile national initiatives and targeted international women’s empowerment. Most grants are large, strategic gifts to a small number of organizations working on leadership development, effective government, and support for women in conflict-affected settings. The foundation favors established, mission-driven nonprofits and demonstrates repeat support to priority partners.
Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a very small number of grantees; repeat funding to flagship partners rather than many small awards.
Obama Foundation, Women for Women International, Partnership for Public Service
The Zients Family Foundation makes some of its largest gifts to leadership and public-service organizations, with two $333,333 grants to the Obama Foundation in 2024 and 2025 standing out in the recent record. That pattern sits alongside support for women’s empowerment in conflict-affected settings and civic groups tied to public service and community life. The foundation’s recent grants show a mix of national institutions and Washington-area nonprofits, often through general support rather than restricted project funding. The foundation gave $100,000 in 2025 to Women for Women International and another $100,000 to Partnership for Public Services, signaling sustained attention to women’s economic and social advancement and to public-sector effectiveness. Alongside those larger gifts, it also supported a set of smaller organizations working in education, health, Jewish life, hunger relief, the arts, and civic dialogue. Recurring awards to several recipients suggest an approach built around a short list of priority partners rather than broad, one-time dispersal. Its grants are largely unrestricted and often directed to established nonprofits, including multi-year support for several organizations that reappear in the recent-gifts record.
Civic leadership is a central theme in the foundation’s giving. In 2025, it awarded $333,333 to the Obama Foundation for general support, and it also gave $30,000 in 2025 to African Leadership Foundation for general support. Public-sector performance is another clear thread. The foundation provided $100,000 in 2025 to Partnership for Public Services for general support, and it renewed support for J Street Education Fund with grants of $15,000 in 2025 and $10,000 in 2024. Its women’s empowerment work includes a $100,000 grant in 2025 to Women for Women International for general support. Community-based giving also appears in Washington, DC, through grants such as $10,000 to Martha's Table, $10,000 to The Arc, and $10,000 to N Street Village, all in 2024 or 2025.
Typical grants cluster around a modest midrange: p25 is $5,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $12,750. The recent record shows a small number of much larger awards alongside many grants at or near the median. Several recipients appear across more than one year, including the Obama Foundation, Women for Women International, Partnership for Public Services, Urban Alliance, African Leadership Foundation, Brown University, Amer Friends of Parents Circle, Ripples of Hope, and J Street Education Fund. The foundation gives unrestricted support or general support, and the recent grants point to a repeat-partner model rather than a one-off project approach.
$1.8M
$6.1M
$7.4M
$1M
Most grants fall between $5K and $13K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$13K
About 55% of grants go to recipients in VA.
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The foundation’s giving is heavily Washington-centered, with 55% of grants going to recipients in the District of Columbia. Outside DC, recent grants also reached Chicago, New York, Boston, Providence, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Baltimore, and Dedham. By count, Virginia is the top state for grants, reflecting the concentration of recipients in the broader Washington region. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the recent record.
The recent record shows support for civic leadership, public-sector effectiveness, women’s empowerment in conflict-affected settings, and community organizations in Washington, DC. Named recipients include the Obama Foundation, Partnership for Public Services, Women for Women International, Urban Alliance, and Martha's Table.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including the Obama Foundation, Women for Women International, Partnership for Public Services, Urban Alliance, African Leadership Foundation, Brown University, Amer Friends of Parents Circle, Ripples of Hope, and J Street Education Fund.
The typical grant size is $5,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $12,750 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes larger awards such as $333,333 and $100,000.
Most grants go to recipients in the District of Columbia, which accounts for 55% of grants in the recent record. Virginia is the top state by grant count, and other recipient cities include Chicago, New York, Boston, Providence, Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Baltimore, and Dedham.
The recent grants are consistently labeled general support. The foundation also uses unrestricted support, core support, and organizational stability language in its topic taxonomy and philosophy tags.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OBAMA FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $333,333 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOMEN FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICES | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMER FRIENDS OF PARENTS CIRCLE | NEW YORK, NY | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY YEAR SA | BOSTON, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| URBAN ALLIANCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $45,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AFRICAN LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BROWN UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| J STREET EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BREAST CARE FOR WASHINGTON | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RIPPLES OF HOPE | DEDHAM, MA | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LEARN SERVE INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION | New York, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SESAME WORKSHOP | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| N STREET VILLAGE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD CONNECT | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,005 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE TEXAS TRIBUNE | AUSTIN, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WAMU 885 | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS CHORUS OF DC | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LATIN AMERICAN YOUTH CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT- SYLVIA BURWELL FUND |
| CENTER FOR ALEXANDRIA'S CHILDREN | Alexandria, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PAN MASS CHALLENGE | NEEDHAM, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IWMF | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES | CULVER CITY, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOOLLY MAMMOTH | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BISHOP WALKER SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ACT FOR ALEXANDRIA | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE ELLINGTON FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GO BO COMMUNITY BETTERMENT | SPRINGFIELD, VA | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OBAMA FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $333,333 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| URBAN ALLIANCE | WASHINGTON, DC | $90,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEDSTAR GEORGETOWN UNIV HOSPITAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARET SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PEACE FOR DC | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AFRICAN LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY YEAR INC | BATON ROUGE, LA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMER FRIENDS OF PARENTS CIRCLE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BROWN UNIVERSITY | PROVIDENCE, RI | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LEARN SERVE INTERNATIONAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RIPPLES OF HOPE | DEDHAM, MA | $12,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE ARC | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IAM ALS | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| J STREET EDUCATION FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WASHINGTON HEBREW CONGREGATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOOLLY MAMMOTH | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARTHA'S TABLE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| N STREET VILLAGE | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WASHINGTON AREA WOMEN'S FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
OBAMA FOUNDATION
$333,333GENERAL SUPPORT
WOMEN FOR WOMEN INTERNATIONAL
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PARTNERSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICES
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMER FRIENDS OF PARENTS CIRCLE
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY YEAR SA
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
URBAN ALLIANCE
$45,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AFRICAN LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION
GENERAL SUPPORT
BROWN UNIVERSITY
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
J STREET EDUCATION FUND
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BREAST CARE FOR WASHINGTON
$12,500GENERAL SUPPORT
RIPPLES OF HOPE
$12,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LEARN SERVE INTERNATIONAL
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DAVID LYNCH FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SESAME WORKSHOP
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
N STREET VILLAGE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORLD CONNECT
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HIGHER ACHIEVEMENT
$5,005GENERAL SUPPORT
THE TEXAS TRIBUNE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WAMU 885
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHILDRENS CHORUS OF DC
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LATIN AMERICAN YOUTH CENTER
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN UNIVERSITY
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT- SYLVIA BURWELL FUND
CENTER FOR ALEXANDRIA'S CHILDREN
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PAN MASS CHALLENGE
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
IWMF
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DIDI HIRSCH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WOOLLY MAMMOTH
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BISHOP WALKER SCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ACT FOR ALEXANDRIA
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE ELLINGTON FUND
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GO BO COMMUNITY BETTERMENT
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
OBAMA FOUNDATION
$333,333GENERAL SUPPORT
URBAN ALLIANCE
$90,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MEDSTAR GEORGETOWN UNIV HOSPITAL
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MARET SCHOOL
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PEACE FOR DC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AFRICAN LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY YEAR INC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMER FRIENDS OF PARENTS CIRCLE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BROWN UNIVERSITY
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LEARN SERVE INTERNATIONAL
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
RIPPLES OF HOPE
$12,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE ARC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
IAM ALS
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
J STREET EDUCATION FUND
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WASHINGTON HEBREW CONGREGATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WOOLLY MAMMOTH
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MARTHA'S TABLE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
N STREET VILLAGE
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WASHINGTON AREA WOMEN'S FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT