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The Zemeckis Charitable Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Zemeckis Charitable Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$56k
Granted FY2024still arriving
24
Grants FY2024still arriving
8
States reached
$25k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0190% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Environment$51kArts & Culture$43kEducation$41kHealth$15kHousing & Shelter$11kAnimals$9kReligion$6kPhilanthropy$5kOther$0
02FY2024 · 24 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k23 grants · $31k
  • $10k–50k1 grant · $25k
$1,000
Median grant
8
States reached
$176k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
OCEANA$25,000
LAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL$5,000
BELOVED ASHEVILLE$5,000
USC SHOAH FOUNDATION$3,000
INTERNATIONAL DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION$2,500
AHA ATTITUDE HARMONY ACHIEVEMENT$2,500
BREAKTHROUGH T1D (FORMERLY JDRF)$2,000
STATE STREET BALLET$1,000
DREAM FOUNDATION$1,000
GARY SINISE FOUNDATION$1,000
AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE$1,000
MICHAEL PATTERSON FOUNDATION$1,000
FRIENDS OF THE MONTECITO LIBRARY$1,000
THE ELEPHANT PROJECT EVERY ORG$840
SARCOMA FOUNDATION OF AMERICA$500
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 (FY23–24, $2k) land where the poverty rate runs at 14%, against an area that typically sits at 12%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 12%WE SPARK: $300 → 14%WE SPARK: $300 → 14%DREAM FOUNDATION: $1k → 14%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.

Which US states its grants reach

IL
NY
PA
CA
CO
MD
TN
NC
DC
TX
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.

52%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$100k · 19 repeat orgs$93k to everyone else

19 repeat relationships: 18 still active in FY2024, 1 since wound down; 6 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

19
22

Total granted

$100k
$80k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+6%
+20%

Still filing today

68%
27%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 78% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $12k went to new ones.

50%100%’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

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

’22’23’24
Arts & CultureHealthAnimalsEnvironmentEducationHuman ServicesOther
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

  • SS
    STATE STREET BALLET
    2× · 2023–2024 · $6k · revenue +6%
  • AA
    AHA ATTITUDE HARMONY ACHIEVEMENT
    2× · 2023–2024 · $5k · revenue +29%
  • BT
    BREAKTHROUGH T1D
    2× · 2023–2024 · $3k · revenue +35%

Funded once

  • OI
    OCEANA, INC.
    one grant, 2022 · $25k
  • SB
    SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
    one grant, 2022 · $9k
  • SB
    SANTA BARBARA PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATIONgraduated
    one grant, 2023 · $8k · revenue +29%
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
Santa Barbara Foundation

The mission of the santa barbara foundation (sbf) is to mobilize collective wisdom and philanthropic capital to build empathetic, inclusive and resilient communities.

Philanthropy
2
Uc Santa Barbara Foundation

The uc santa barbara foundation actively works to further the goals of the university of california, santa barbara. the foundation seeks to maintain and nurture the university's quality and distinction. on behalf of the campus, the…

Education
3
Santa Barbara Education Foundation

Santa Barbara Education Foundation (SBEF) provides and supports programs that enrich the academic, artistic, and personal development of all students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District.

Education
4
Ucla Foundation

The ucla foundation is the giving, receiving, and investing arm of the ucla campus. the foundation enables private donors to help build, sustain and advance one of the world's finest academic and research institutions. private philanthropy…

Education
5
Santa Barbara Humane Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Santa barbara humane operates two campuses located in santa barbara and santa maria providing care for community-owned and homeless animals. both campuses offer affordable high quality veterinary care, compassionate behavior training…

Animals
6
The San Diego Foundation

The san diego foundation inspires enduring philanthropy and enables community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region.

Philanthropy
7
San Diego State University Foundation Sdsu Research Foundation

To support and further the research, education and community service objectives of san diego state university.

Education
8
Sacramento Zoological Society

The sacramento zoo inspires appreciation, respect and a connection with wildlife and nature through education, recreation and conservation.

Animals
9
Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation

The samuel waxman cancer research foundation (the "foundation") funds innovative research to bring faster cures to patients. in addition to supporting ongoing collaborative research in specific cancers, our scientists are investigating the…

—
10
California Institute for BioMedical Research

Our mission is to build a unique institute that bridges basic research and drug discovery, and that attracts the best and brightest scientists, physicians and students to work together synergistically to find cures for neglected human…

—
11
Siff

Siff is a seattle-based 501(c)(3) arts nonprofit dedicated to the creation of vibrant experiences and spaces that champion film discovery and arts education.

Youth Development
12
Aquarium of the Pacific Corporation

The aquarium of the pacific's mission is to instill a sense of wonder, respect, and stewardship for the pacific ocean, its inhabitants, and ecosystems.

Animals
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Heal the Ocean Inc; the most unlike its peers is Aspen Indigenous Foundation. 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

23 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. 23 of the 47 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)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
22/23
Grantees still filing
13/23
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

OCEANA, INC.: $25,000 · OtherOCEANA, INC.SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: $8,500 · OtherSANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALSANTA BARBARA PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION: $8,333 · OtherSANTA BARBARA PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATIONSHELTERBOX USA: $5,500 · OtherSHELTERBOX USAUSC SHOAH FOUNDATION: $5,000 · OtherUSC SHOAH FOUNDATIONLAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL: $5,000 · OtherLAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOLBELOVED ASHEVILLE: $5,000 · OtherBELOVED ASHEVILLE+24 more: $28,840 · Other+24 moreOCEANA INC: $50,000 · EnvironmentOCEANA INC+1 more: $1,000 · EnvironmentLAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL: $15,000 · EducationLAGUNA BL…Pitzer College: $1,500 · EducationPitzer Co…AHA ATTITUDE HARMONY ACHIEVEMENT: $5,000 · HealthBREAKTHROUGH T1D: $3,000 · HealthMEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER CENTER: $1,000 · HealthANGEL FLIGHT WEST INC: $1,000 · HealthSTATE STREET BALLET: $6,000 · Arts & CultureAspen Indigenous Foundation: $1,500 · Arts & CultureSARCOMA FOUNDATION OF AMERICA: $1,000 · Arts & CultureSANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL INC: $1,000 · Arts & CultureSANTA BARBARA PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION: $8,334 · Public BenefitSANTA BARBARA ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION: $5,000 · AnimalsStar Paws Rescue Foundation: $900 · AnimalsLOVELEO RESCUE: $300 · Animals
Other$91,173Environment$51,000Education$16,500Health$10,000Arts & Culture$9,500Public Benefit$8,334Animals$6,200

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

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetOCEANA INC: $50,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetLAGUNA BLANCA SCHOOL: $15,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetSANTA BARBARA PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION: $8,334 over 1y, 1.2% of budgetSTATE STREET BALLET: $6,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetSANTA BARBARA ZOOLOGICAL FOUNDATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBELOVED ASHEVILLE: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAHA ATTITUDE HARMONY ACHIEVEMENT: $5,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetBREAKTHROUGH T1D: $3,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetAspen Indigenous Foundation: $1,500 over 2y, 0.8% of budgetPitzer College: $1,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetHEAL THE OCEAN INC: $1,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetMEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER CENTER: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDALMATIAN DREAMS DBA DREAM FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSARCOMA FOUNDATION OF AMERICA: $1,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetGARY SINISE FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetANGEL FLIGHT WEST INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetStar Paws Rescue Foundation: $900 over 2y, 2.1% of budgetWESPARK INC: $600 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE EAGLES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INC: $600 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetLOVELEO RESCUE: $300 over 1y, 0.0% 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.

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.

Mosher FoundationHutton Foundation Dba…Santa Barbara Foundat…Www FoundationManitou FundThe Spivey Family Fou…G a Fowler Family Fou…Jewish Communal FundGs Donor Advised Phil…Morgan Stanley Global…Paypal Charitable Giv…National Philanthropi…
Mosher FoundationCA17.8× affinity6 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Mosher Foundation · Hutton Foundation Dba Hutton Parker Foundation · Santa Barbara Foundation · Www Foundation · Manitou Fund · The Spivey Family Foundation Inc · G a Fowler Family Foundation · Jewish Communal Fund · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management Inc · Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc · Paypal Charitable Giving Fund · National Philanthropic Trust

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 The Zemeckis Charitable Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Zemeckis Charitable Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%1%3%4%5%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    1get 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
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–5%
    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.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to The Zemeckis Charitable Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to The Zemeckis Charitable Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    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 47 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 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Zemeckis’ 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