Skip to content
Burton a Zipser and Sandra D Zipser Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Burton a Zipser and Sandra D Zipser Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$409k
Granted FY2025still arriving
46
Grants FY2025still arriving
4
States reached
$24k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0199% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2025.

Arts & Culture$1.1MReligion$316kEducation$290kYouth Development$175kHealth$120kCommunity Improvement$52kPhilanthropy$20kHuman Services$10kOther$0
02FY2025 · 46 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k29 grants · $162k
  • $10k–50k17 grants · $247k
$8,000
Median grant
4
States reached
$4.1M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
MSU HILLEL$24,250
TEMPLE ISRAEL$18,000
TEMPLE ISRAEL$18,000
THE ZEKELMAN HOLOCAUST CENTER$15,000
THE ZEKELMAN HOLOCAUST CENTER$15,000
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE$15,000
GILDA'S CLUB$15,000
THE JEWISH HOSPICE & CHAPLAINCY NETWORK$15,000
DETROIT OPERA$15,000
ORT AMERICA$13,750
ORT AMERICA$13,750
Individual grant recipient$12,500
Individual grant recipient$12,500
FARBER HEBREW DAY SCHOOL$12,000
CARR CENTER (THE)$12,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY22–22, $10k) land where the poverty rate runs at 5%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 0% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%LEAD FOUNDATION: $5k → 5%LEAD FOUNDATION: $5k → 5%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

94%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$2.0M · 28 repeat orgs$126k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +11% since the first grant, against 0% for those funded once.

28 repeat relationships: 23 still active in FY2025, 5 since wound down; 2 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

28
8

Total granted

$2.0M
$120k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+11%
0%

Still filing today

46%
63%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 99% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $6k went to new ones.

50%100%’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’20’21’22’23’24’25
Arts & CultureReligionEducationHealthHuman ServicesEmploymentOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • OA
    ORT AMERICA INC
    6× · 2020–2025 · $143k · revenue +31%
  • CB
    CONGREGATION B'NAI B'RITH HILLEL
    5× · 2021–2025 · $123k · revenue +11%
  • JH
    JEWISH HOSPICE & CHAPLAINCY NETWORK
    6× · 2020–2025 · $120k · revenue +68%

Funded once

  • HERITAGE WORKS
    one grant, 2021 · $25k · revenue -63%
  • TA
    THE ARTS LEAGUE OF MI
    one grant, 2021 · $20k
  • SO
    SPHINX ORGANIZATION INC
    one grant, 2021 · $18k · revenue -35%
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
The Musical Arts Association

The Cleveland Orchestra inspires and enriches lives by creating extraordinary musical experiences at the highest level of artistic excellence.

Arts & Culture
2
Chamber Music Detroit

The mission of the chamber music society of detroit is to bring together inspired musicians and passionate listeners for extraordinary experiences with small ensemble music.

Arts & Culture
3
The Jewish Museum

The mission of the jewish museum is to collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret art and jewish culture. see schedule o for more information.

Arts & Culture
4
The Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Association

For over 150 years, the 92nd street y, new york has been serving its communities and the larger world by bringing people together (continued on schedule o)and providing exceptional, groundbreaking programs in the performing and visual…

Religion
5
San Francisco Jazz Organization

The san francisco jazz organization (the organization) is a recognized international leader in jazz creation, presentation, and education. the organization explores the full spectrum of jazz, from the music's origins in the african…

Arts & Culture
6
Greater Miami Opera Inc

The mission of greater miami opera is to enrich people's lives through an awareness and deeper appreciation of opera. by expanding its reach to diverse communities throughout miami and fort lauderdale and wider audiences abroad creating a…

Arts & Culture
7
Hillel of Metropolitan Detroit

Inspire students to be active in jewish life.

Education
8
The Jewish Ensemble Theatre

To produce theatre on the highest possible professional level. interest to jewish audiences.

—
9
Music of the Baroque

Music of the baroque is a professional orchestra and chorus excelling in the performance of works from the 18th century and before. the organization also educates 2,900 chicago public school students each year through its 'strong voices'…

Arts & Culture
10
San Francisco Opera Association

We believe opera is a uniquely compelling, entertaining and emotionally thrilling art form. our mission is to bring together growing audiences to experience opera's transformative power.

Arts & Culture
11
Manhattan School of Music

Manhattan school of music is deeply committed to excellence in education, performance, and creative activity; to the humanity of the school's environment; and to the cultural enrichment of the larger community. a premiere international…

Arts & Culture
12
Michigan Philharmonic

To enrich the communities of Southeastern Michigan in fostering excellence and innovation to our community in the performance of orchestral music to educate current and future audiences

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Detroit Opera; the most unlike its peers is Motown Historical Musuem Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

20 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 20 of the 39 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
3
Early backer (in before they grew)
20/20
Grantees still filing
12/20
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

TEMPLE ISRAEL OF DETROIT: $192,500 · OtherTEMPLE ISRAEL OF DETROITFRIENDSHIP CIRCLE: $147,500 · OtherFRIENDSHIP CIRCLEORT AMERICA INC: $142,500 · OtherORT AMERICA INCIndividual grant recipient: $100,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipientGILDA'S CLUB: $95,000 · OtherGILDA'S CLUBFARBER HEBREW DAY SCHOOL-YESHIVAL AKIVA: $95,000 · OtherFARBER HEBREW DAY SCHOOL-YESHIVAL AKIVAMSU COMMUNITY EAST LANSING: $74,000 · OtherMSU COMMUNITY EAST LANSINGIndividual grant recipient: $71,256 · OtherIndividual grant recipientIndividual grant recipient: $60,000 · OtherMOSAIC YOUTH THEATRE: $55,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipient: $49,000 · OtherIndividual grant recipient: $45,000 · Other+9 more: $171,500 · Other+9 moreMANHATTAN CLASS COMPANY INC: $105,000 · Arts & CultureMANHATTAN CLASS COMPANY IN…THE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS: $92,500 · Arts & CultureTHE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF A…HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER INC: $75,000 · Arts & CultureHOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER …DETROIT OPERA: $70,000 · Arts & CultureDETROIT OPERADETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC: $60,000 · Arts & CultureDETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA…MOTOWN HISTORICAL MUSUEM INC: $30,000 · Arts & CultureMOTOWN HISTORICAL MUSUEM I…HERITAGE WORKS: $25,000 · Arts & CultureSPHINX ORGANIZATION INC: $17,500 · Arts & Culture+3 more: $36,000 · Arts & Culture+3 moreCONGREGATION B'NAI B'RITH HILLEL: $123,000 · ReligionCONGREGATION…JEWISH HOSPICE & CHAPLAINCY NETWORK: $120,000 · ReligionJEWISH HOSPI…JEAN AND SAMUEL FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT: $52,500 · EducationDetroit Youth Concert Choir and Performing Arts Company: $45,000 · HealthJEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER ANN ARBOR: $20,000 · PhilanthropyL E A D FOUNDATION INC: $10,000 · Human ServicesINTERNATIONAL CONDUCTORS GUILD INC: $3,000 · Employment
Other$1,298,256Arts & Culture$511,000Religion$243,000Education$52,500Health$45,000Philanthropy$20,000Human Services$10,000Employment$3,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetORT AMERICA INC: $142,500 over 6y, 0.2% of budgetCONGREGATION B'NAI B'RITH HILLEL: $123,000 over 5y, 1.3% of budgetJEWISH HOSPICE & CHAPLAINCY NETWORK: $120,000 over 6y, 0.7% of budgetMANHATTAN CLASS COMPANY INC: $105,000 over 6y, 0.4% of budgetTHE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS: $92,500 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetHOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER INC: $75,000 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetDETROIT OPERA: $70,000 over 5y, 0.1% of budgetDETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC: $60,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetJEAN AND SAMUEL FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT: $52,500 over 3y, 0.3% of budgetDetroit Youth Concert Choir and Performing Arts Company: $45,000 over 4y, 3.7% of budgetMOTOWN HISTORICAL MUSUEM INC: $30,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetJEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT: $30,000 over 2y, 2.1% of budgetHERITAGE WORKS: $25,000 over 1y, 3.6% of budgetJEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER ANN ARBOR: $20,000 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetSPHINX ORGANIZATION INC: $17,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetGREAT LAKES CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL: $16,000 over 2y, 1.4% of budgetDETROIT CHAMBER WINDS INC: $15,000 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetL E A D FOUNDATION INC: $10,000 over 1y, 3.8% of budgetSTELLA ADLER STUDIO OF ACTING: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

  • Who funds ORT AMERICA INC ↗
  • Who funds CONGREGATION B'NAI B'RITH HILLEL ↗
  • Who funds JEWISH HOSPICE & CHAPLAINCY NETWORK ↗
  • Who funds MANHATTAN CLASS COMPANY INC ↗
  • Who funds THE DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS ↗
  • Who funds HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER INC ↗
  • Who funds DETROIT OPERA ↗
  • Who funds DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA INC ↗
  • Who funds JEAN AND SAMUEL FRANKEL JEWISH ACADEMY OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT ↗
  • Who funds Detroit Youth Concert Choir and Performing Arts Company ↗
  • Who funds MOTOWN HISTORICAL MUSUEM INC ↗
  • Who funds JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL OF METROPOLITAN DETROIT ↗
  • Who funds HERITAGE WORKS ↗
  • Who funds JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER ANN ARBOR ↗
  • Who funds SPHINX ORGANIZATION INC ↗
  • Who funds GREAT LAKES CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL ↗
  • Who funds DETROIT CHAMBER WINDS INC ↗
  • Who funds L E A D FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds STELLA ADLER STUDIO OF ACTING ↗
  • Who funds INTERNATIONAL CONDUCTORS GUILD INC ↗

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Edward C and Linda Dr…Community Foundation …The Kresge FoundationGeorge M and Jo Elyn …Grosfeld FoundationMalcolm and Beth Lowe…The Ravitz FoundationThe Eugene Applebaum …William Davidson Foun…Max M & Marjorie S Fi…United Jewish Foundat…Gs Donor Advised Phil…
Edward C and Linda Dresner Levy FoundationVA20× affinity7 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Edward C and Linda Dresner Levy Foundation · Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan · The Kresge Foundation · George M and Jo Elyn Nyman Charitable Trust · Grosfeld Foundation · Malcolm and Beth Lowenstein Foundation · The Ravitz Foundation · The Eugene Applebaum Family Foundation · William Davidson Foundation · Max M & Marjorie S Fisher Foundation Inc · United Jewish Foundation · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management Inc

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Burton a Zipser and Sandra D Zipser Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Burton a Zipser and Sandra D Zipser Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    2report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 39 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Burton a Zipser and Sandra D Zipser’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home