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Wittmer Zoerb Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Wittmer Zoerb 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.

$619k
Granted FY2025still arriving
29
Grants FY2025still arriving
3
States reached
$70k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01FY2025 · 29 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k12 grants · $76k
  • $10k–50k13 grants · $293k
  • $50k–250k4 grants · $250k
$14,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$32M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF NURSING$70,000
BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY$70,000
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOMERSET COUNTY$55,000
ST PAUL'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOMERSET$55,000
PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY$35,000
CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART$35,000
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA CONSERVANCY$35,000
SIXTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PITTSBURGH$30,000
LAUREL ARTS OF SOMERSET$30,000
CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE PITTSBURGH$25,000
SOUTHERN ALLEGHENIES MUSEUM OF ART$20,000
ANIMAL FRIENDS$15,000
HUMANE ANIMAL RESCUE OF PITTSBURGH$15,000
SOMERSET HOSPITAL$15,000
SOMERSET COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY$14,000
02The need
02

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:

Dollar for dollar, its grants (FY25–25) land where the poverty rate runs at 12%, against an area that typically sits at 9%. 99% of its dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 9%SPECIAL OLYMPICS - SOMERSET: $7k → 9%SOUTHERN ALLEGHENIES MUSEUM OF ART: $20k → 10%SIXTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PITTSBURGH: $30k → 11%BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY: $70k → 11%HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOMERSET COUNTY: $55k → 14%ALLIED ARTISTS OF JOHNSTOWN: $7k → 16%BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY: $5k → 9%OPERATION SMILE: $6k → 10%CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE PITTSBURGH: $25k → 11%ST PAUL'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOMERSET: $55k → 14%COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER OF CAMBRIA COUNTY: $6k → 16%PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY: $35k → 11%LAUREL ARTS OF SOMERSET: $30k → 14%WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA CONSERVANCY: $35k → 11%SOMERSET HOSPITAL: $15k → 14%AMERICAN RED CROSS: $14k → 11%SOMERSET COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: $14k → 14%PITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATRE: $10k → 11%MEALS ON WHEELS (SOMERSET): $7k → 14%ANIMAL FRIENDS: $15k → 11%BAKERSFIELD SOMERSET COUNTY VFD: $7k → 14%WQED - FM: $7k → 11%PHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDEN: $6k → 11%1ST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ETNA: $5k → 11%ASSOCIATED ARTISTS OF PITTSBURGH: $7k → 11%HUMANE ANIMAL RESCUE OF PITTSBURGH: $15k → 11%CARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART: $35k → 11%MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION OF WPA: $6k → 11%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 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
Zoological Society of Pittsburgh

The zoological society of pittsburgh is dedicated to being a leader in, and significant contributor to, the conservation of endangered and threatened species. the society provides an enjoyable family experience that fosters understanding,…

Animals
2
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…

—
3
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Inc

See schedule o for the description of pittsburgh ballet theatre inc.'s primary mission.the ballet is pittsburgh's source and ambassador for extraordinary ballet experiences that give life to the classical tradition, nurture new ideas and,…

Arts & Culture
4
Association for Public Art

The association for public art (apa, formerly the fairmount park art association) commissions, preserves, interprets and promotes public art in philadelphia. dedicated to creating a museum without walls that informs, engages and inspires…

Arts & Culture
5
Carnegie Institute

To preserve and expand the resources of art and science as agents of personal growth and social advancement in pittsburgh and beyond.

Arts & Culture
6
Greater Pittsburgh Convention & Visitors Bureau Inc

Tourism development organization dedicated to expanding the tourism economy across allegheny county.

—
7
Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium Inc

To support education and research at college, university, and research libraries.

Education
8
Pittsburgh Opera Inc

The mission of pittsburgh opera, inc. is to enrich pittsburgh and the tri-state area culturally and to draw national and international attention to the region. this commitment is comprised of four goals: creating opera productions which…

Arts & Culture
9
Humane Pennsylvania

Humane pennsylvania empowers the people in our communities to increase their capacity to care for animals so that all animals are healthy, safe, and treated humanely.

Animals
10
Pennsylvania Builders Association

Incorporated in 1945, the pennsylvania builders association is a nonprofit professional trade organization representing approximately 4,066 members from across the commonwealth. pba members include contractors, builders, and remodelers,…

—
11
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

Presenting diverse, quality performing & visual art; managing arts facilities; advancing arts education; and creating & developing pittsburgh's cultural district as a destination for entertainment, business, and urban living, thus…

Arts & Culture
12
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

We improve quality of life by enhancing and stewarding pittsburgh's parks in partnership with the community.

Recreation & Sports
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Humane Animal Rescue; the most unlike its peers is Meals On Wheels of Somerset County Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
03the grantee network

16 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

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 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 16 of the 29 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)
16/16
Grantees still filing
6/16
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

ST PAUL'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOMERSET: $55,000 · OtherST PAUL'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SOMERSETCARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ART: $35,000 · OtherCARNEGIE MUSEUM OF ARTLAUREL ARTS OF SOMERSET: $30,000 · OtherLAUREL ARTS OF SOMERSETSIXTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PITTSBURGH: $30,000 · OtherSIXTH PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PITTSBURGHSOMERSET HOSPITAL: $15,000 · OtherSOMERSET HOSPITALAMERICAN RED CROSS: $14,000 · OtherAMERICAN RED CROSSSOMERSET COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: $14,000 · OtherSOMERSET COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY+6 more: $39,000 · Other+6 moreUNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH: $70,000 · EducationUNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGHBucknell University: $70,000 · EducationBucknell UniversityTHE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH: $25,000 · EducationTHE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE OF PI…HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOMERSET COUNTY: $55,000 · AnimalsHUMANE SOCIETY O…Animal Friends Inc: $15,000 · AnimalsAnimal Friends I…HUMANE ANIMAL RESCUE: $15,000 · AnimalsHUMANE ANIMAL RE…BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY: $5,000 · AnimalsBEST FRIENDS ANI…PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY INC: $35,000 · Arts & CulturePITTSBURGH SYM…SOUTHERN ALLEGHENIES MUSEUM OF ART: $20,000 · Arts & CultureSOUTHERN ALLEG…PITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATER CORPORATION: $10,000 · Arts & CulturePITTSBURGH PUB…ASSOCIATED ARTISTS OF PITTSBURGH: $7,000 · Arts & CultureASSOCIATED ART…COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER OF CAMBRIA COUNTY: $6,000 · Arts & CultureCOMMUNITY ARTS…WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA CONSERVANCY: $35,000 · EnvironmentPHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC: $6,000 · EnvironmentMEALS ON WHEELS OF SOMERSET COUNTY INC: $7,000 · Food & NutritionOPERATION SMILE INC: $6,000 · International
Other$232,000Education$165,000Animals$90,000Arts & Culture$78,000Environment$41,000Food & Nutrition$7,000International$6,000

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 budgetUNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH: $70,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHUMANE SOCIETY OF SOMERSET COUNTY: $55,000 over 1y, 6.1% of budgetWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA CONSERVANCY: $35,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH: $25,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSOUTHERN ALLEGHENIES MUSEUM OF ART: $20,000 over 1y, 1.9% of budgetAnimal Friends Inc: $15,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetASSOCIATED ARTISTS OF PITTSBURGH: $7,000 over 1y, 2.7% of budgetMEALS ON WHEELS OF SOMERSET COUNTY INC: $7,000 over 1y, 2.5% of budgetPHIPPS CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS INC: $6,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCOMMUNITY ARTS CENTER OF CAMBRIA COUNTY: $6,000 over 1y, 0.9% of budgetOPERATION SMILE INC: $6,000 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.

The Fine FoundationThe Grable FoundationEqt FoundationHillman Family Founda…The Pittsburgh Founda…Vanguard Charitable E…Fidelity Investments …Amazonsmile Foundation
The Fine FoundationPA13.6× affinity4 shared granteesties to 7 of 7Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Fine Foundation · The Grable Foundation · Eqt Foundation · Hillman Family Foundations · The Pittsburgh Foundation · Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund · Amazonsmile 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 Wittmer Zoerb Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Wittmer Zoerb Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%3%6%10%funder's share of their income ↑0%4%8%11%15%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    6report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–15%
    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 29 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 Wittmer Zoerb’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