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The Zisman Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Zisman Family 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.

$168k
Granted FY2025still arriving
20
Grants FY2025still arriving
1
States reached
$25k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

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

Education$960kArts & Culture$591kRecreation & Sports$373kHuman Services$155kPublic Benefit$138kReligion$121kHealth$44kScience & Tech$30kOther$0
02FY2025 · 20 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k11 grants · $45k
  • $10k–50k9 grants · $124k
$7,500
Median grant
1
States reached
$136k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
TEACH FOR AMERICA$25,000
KIMMEL CENTER INC$20,000
WGGB$15,000
PA BALLET ASSOCIATION$12,500
BARD COLLEGE$11,000
PGA REACH PHILADELPHIA$10,000
ANNIKA FOUNDATION$10,000
AMATEUR GOLF ALLIANCE$10,000
PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART$10,000
SETTLEMENT MUSIC SCHOOL$7,500
PETER'S PLACE$5,500
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE$5,000
MAGEE REHABILITATION HOSPITAL$5,000
VALLEY YOUTH HOUSE$5,000
FRANKLIN INSTITUTE$5,000
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 (FY21–25, $25k) land where the poverty rate runs at 6%, against an area that typically sits at 4%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 4%YMCA: $10k → 6%JERRY SEGAL CLASSIC: $7k → 6%JERRY SEGAL CLASSIC: $6k → 6%YMCA: $2k → 6%GEMMA SERVICES: $500 → 6%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.

91%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$2.0M · 43 repeat orgs$194k to everyone else

43 repeat relationships: 19 still active in FY2025, 24 since wound down; 1 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

43
40

Total granted

$2.0M
$187k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+27%
+45%

Still filing today

47%
33%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 96% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $8k 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 & CultureEducationHealthHuman ServicesYouth DevelopmentFood & NutritionOther
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
    SHIPLEY SCHOOL
    4× · 2020–2024 · $320k · revenue +23%
  • KC
    KIMMEL CENTER INC
    5× · 2020–2025 · $244k · revenue +133%
  • MG
    MERION GOLF CLUB
    2× · 2021–2022 · $100k · revenue +67%

Funded once

  • UC
    URSINUS COLLEGE
    one grant, 2020 · $30k · revenue +10%
  • UO
    US OLYMPIC COMM
    one grant, 2021 · $25k
  • AI
    ACADEMY IN MANAYUNK
    one grant, 2024 · $20k · revenue +10%
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
Drexel University

Drexel university fulfills its founder's vision of preparing each new generation of students for productive professional and civic lives while also focusing its collective expertise on solving society's greatest problems. drexel is an…

Education
2
The Public School of Germantown

Germantown academy inspires students to be independent in thought; confident in expression; compassionate in spirit; collaborative in action; and honorable in deed. germantown academy is a private school educating students from pre-k…

Education
3
Saint Joseph's University

As philadelphia's jesuit catholic university, saint joseph's provides a rigorous, student-centered education rooted in the liberal arts. we prepare students for personal excellence, professional success, and engaged citizenship. striving…

Education
4
The Trustees of Princeton University

Research, education and general - princeton university is a private not-for-profit, non-sectarian institution of higher learning with approximately 5,700 undergraduate and 3,300 graduate students. 2,500 students graduated in the 2024-2025…

Education
5
The Philadelphia School

The philadelphia school educates children for a future that is impossible to know but not impossible to shape. learn here. go anywhere.

—
6
Point Park University

Provides innovative education in a dynamic urban setting. dedicated to academic excellence and community engagement,we prepare students of diverse backgrounds with the knowledge, skill,and experience to lead meaningful lives as informed…

—
7
Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

See schedule owe are an inclusive community on a mission to inspire unbounded curiosity and independent thought in every one of our students. in a unique educational environment that extends well beyond campus, we nurture students'…

Education
8
Whyy Inc

Whyy is the philadelphia region's leading public media provider, serving southeastern pennsylvania, southern new jersey, and all of delaware.

Arts & Culture
9
Philadelphia University

The organization is an affiliate within thomas jefferson university/jefferson health; a comprehensive professional university and tax-exempt integrated healthcare delivery system ("system"), with a tripartite mission of education, research…

Education
10
Institute for Advanced Study - Louis Bamberger & Mrs Felix Fuld Foundation

The institute for advanced study (the institute) is one of the world's leading centers for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry. see schedule o.

Science & Tech
11
Play On Philly

Play on philly provides underserved children in philadelphia, a transformative music education experience that develops and inspires the behaviors and personal skills needed for a successful life.

Arts & Culture
12
Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau

The philadelphia convention & visitors bureau (phlcvb) is the official tourism promotion agency for the city of philadelphia globally, and the sales and marketing agency for the pennsylvania convention center (pcc). phlcvb markets…

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Russell Byers Charter School; the most unlike its peers is The Jerry Segal Classic. 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

36 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. 36 of the 86 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)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
36/36
Grantees still filing
29/36
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

AMATEUR GOLF ALLIANCE: $115,000 · OtherAMATEUR GOLF ALLIANCEBRYN MAWR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: $108,000 · OtherBRYN MAWR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHTEACH FOR AMERICA: $100,000 · OtherTEACH FOR AMERICAMERION GOLF CLUB: $100,000 · OtherMERION GOLF CLUBAMERICAN JUNIOR GOLF ASSOCIATION: $88,500 · OtherAMERICAN JUNIOR GOLF ASSOCIATIONWGGB: $75,000 · OtherWGGBBARD COLLEGE: $62,000 · OtherBARD COLLEGEAIM INSTITUTE: $60,000 · OtherAIM INSTITUTEWAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY: $53,000 · OtherLENFEST INSTITUTE: $40,000 · OtherANNIKA FOUNDATION: $40,000 · Other+45 more: $280,800 · Other+45 moreTRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA: $350,000 · EducationTRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PEN…SHIPLEY SCHOOL: $320,000 · EducationSHIPLEY SCHOOLURSINUS COLLEGE: $30,000 · Education+4 more: $45,500 · Education+4 moreKIMMEL CENTER INC: $243,956 · Arts & CultureKIMMEL CENTER INCPHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART: $85,000 · Arts & CulturePHILADELPHIA MUSEUM …PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION: $44,210 · Arts & CulturePHILADELPHIA ORCHEST…THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE: $30,000 · Arts & CultureTHE FRANKLIN INSTITU…+9 more: $62,750 · Arts & Culture+9 morePETER'S PLACE: $120,500 · Youth DevelopmentYMCA OF THE ROSES: $12,140 · Human ServicesTHE JERRY SEGAL CLASSIC: $12,000 · Human Services+1 more: $500 · Human ServicesThe Magee Memorial Hospital for Convalescents: $12,500 · HealthMAIN LINE HEALTH INC: $5,500 · HealthTHE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA: $3,000 · HealthVETRI FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN: $2,000 · Health+1 more: $500 · HealthPGA REACH PHILADELPHIA: $15,000 · Recreation & Sports
Other$1,122,300Education$745,500Arts & Culture$465,916Youth Development$120,500Human Services$24,640Health$23,500Recreation & Sports$15,000

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 budgetTRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA: $350,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetSHIPLEY SCHOOL: $320,000 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetKIMMEL CENTER INC: $243,956 over 5y, 0.4% of budgetPETER'S PLACE: $120,500 over 6y, 3.3% of budgetMERION GOLF CLUB: $100,000 over 2y, 0.7% of budgetPHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART: $85,000 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetPHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION: $44,210 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetTHE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE: $30,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetURSINUS COLLEGE: $30,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetACADEMY IN MANAYUNK: $20,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPGA REACH PHILADELPHIA: $15,000 over 2y, 1.0% of budgetOPERA PHILADELPHIA: $15,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetPARTNERS FOR SACRED PLACES INC: $12,500 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetThe Magee Memorial Hospital for Convalescents: $12,500 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetYMCA OF THE ROSES: $12,140 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetTHE JERRY SEGAL CLASSIC: $12,000 over 2y, 2.3% of budgetRUSSELL BYERS CHARTER SCHOOL: $10,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetBRYN MAWR THEATRE FILM INSTITUTE: $10,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetLEHIGH UNIVERSITY: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSETTLEMENT MUSIC SCHOOL OF PHILADELPHIA: $7,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMAIN LINE HEALTH INC: $5,500 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetPERFORMANCE GARAGE INC: $5,250 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetLYRA SOCIETY: $5,000 over 2y, 2.3% of budgetTHE PENNSYLVANIA BALLET ASSOCIATION: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGIRLS FIRST: $5,000 over 5y, 0.9% of budgetPhilabundance: $4,250 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE PEOPLE'S LIGHT & THEATRE COMPANY: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetVETRI FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN: $2,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetWOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER OF THE DELAWARE VALLEY: $1,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetGemma Services: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE MONKEY AND THE ELEPHANT: $500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBREASTCANCERORG: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPHILADELPHIA FILM SOCIETY: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFRIENDS OF COMPASS INC: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetJEWISH NATIONAL FUND (KEREN KAYEMETH LEISRAEL) INC: $250 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.

  • Who funds TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA ↗
  • Who funds SHIPLEY SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds KIMMEL CENTER INC ↗
  • Who funds PETER'S PLACE ↗
  • Who funds MERION GOLF CLUB ↗
  • Who funds PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART ↗
  • Who funds PHILADELPHIA ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION ↗
  • Who funds THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE ↗
  • Who funds URSINUS COLLEGE ↗
  • Who funds ACADEMY IN MANAYUNK ↗
  • Who funds PGA REACH PHILADELPHIA ↗
  • Who funds OPERA PHILADELPHIA ↗
  • Who funds PARTNERS FOR SACRED PLACES INC ↗
  • Who funds The Magee Memorial Hospital for Convalescents ↗
  • Who funds YMCA OF THE ROSES ↗
  • Who funds THE JERRY SEGAL CLASSIC ↗
  • Who funds RUSSELL BYERS CHARTER SCHOOL ↗
  • Who funds BRYN MAWR THEATRE FILM INSTITUTE ↗

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.

Henry Dolfinger 2 Tru…The Philadelphia Foun…Hamilton Family Found…Connelly FoundationThe William Penn Foun…Lindback Cr & Mf Foun…The Barra Foundation …The Neubauer Family F…The Pfizer Foundation…The Patricia Kind Fam…Wsfs Cares FoundationThe Cigna Group Found…
Henry Dolfinger 2 Trust UwPA30.1× affinity12 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Henry Dolfinger 2 Trust Uw · The Philadelphia Foundation · Hamilton Family Foundation · Connelly Foundation · The William Penn Foundation · Lindback Cr & Mf Foundation Tw Main · The Barra Foundation Inc · The Neubauer Family Foundation · The Pfizer Foundation Inc · The Patricia Kind Family Foundation · Wsfs Cares Foundation · The Cigna Group Foundation

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 Zisman Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Zisman Family 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
    8report 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.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to The Zisman Family Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to The Zisman Family 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 86 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 Zisman Family’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