OVERVIEW: The ZOOM Foundation is a Connecticut-based funder that supports education and environment nonprofits.
IP TAKE: ZOOM is not an accessible funder, as it does not accept unsolicited proposals for funding. While it conducts national giving, the vast majority of grants appear to stay in Connecticut. Area grantseekers will need to network here though it’s not approachable or responsive.
PROFILE: Established in 2000, the ZOOM Foundation is a family foundation based in Fairfield, Connecticut. This is one of the top foundations in Connecticut based on assets and also in terms of giving. Stephen and Susan Mandel of Greenwich, Connecticut, are the foundation contributors. Stephen is an investor and hedge fund manager who founded Lone Pine Capital. This foundation focuses its investments on “innovative change efforts that have high potential for sustainable impact, particularly in the areas of education and the environment.”
Grants for Climate Change and Clean Energy
This foundation broadly focuses on social change related to the environment. It likes to partner with leaders who take an entrepreneurial approach to innovation and making changes happen. Environmental grants focus on reversing climate change and investing in policies and strategies rooted in science. However, the foundation does not offer more details than broad appeal for climate change.
Grants for Democracy
This foundation broadly invests in creating a “just society (that) requires a robust democracy. We support free and fair elections and invest in work that strengthens the resiliency and responsiveness of our political institutions.” A low-key foundation, ZOOM doesn’t give away much about itself or its giving strategies.
Grants for K-12 Education
The funder’s education funding program involves giving children access to public school education and education equity in schools at all levels.
Although grantmaking does not appear to be exclusively restricted to Connecticut, this is where a significant amount of the funder’s support stays. The foundation website does not provide detailed guidelines for grant applicants.
Important Grant Details:
This funder does not provide specific information about its grantmaking, but tax filings suggest that ZOOM awards somewhere around $55 million in grants each year. Grantseekers should review the funder’s recent tax records to learn about past grantees.
Furthermore, the ZOOM Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant inquiries or proposals from nonprofits. Interested nonprofits can get in touch with the funder by emailing the staff at info@zoomfoundation.org or calling 203-955-1170.
PEOPLE:
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