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Jacquelyn And Gregory Zehner Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.1M

Jacquelyn And Gregory Zehner Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,071,600 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 41 grants awarded (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: ~$26,000
  • Geographic Focus: National, with local support in Park City, Utah
  • EIN: 13-3971019
  • Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation

Contact Details

Address: Park City, UT 84060

Foundation Leadership: Jacki Zehner, President

Website: Information available through Jacki Zehner's website at www.jackizehner.com

Note: This is a private family foundation. There is no public application process.

Overview

The Jacquelyn and Gregory Zehner Foundation was established in 1998 by Jacki and Gregory Zehner, shortly after Goldman Sachs went public in 1999. Jacki Zehner, who made history in 1996 as the youngest woman and first female trader to become a partner at Goldman Sachs at age 32, has served as President of the foundation since its inception. The foundation has consistently made grants over the past two decades, awarding 41 grants totaling $1,071,600 in 2023 and 34 grants in 2022.

The foundation focuses almost exclusively on advancing women and girls, with particular emphasis on women's rights, women's foundations, movement building, and media. Jacki Zehner is also co-founder of Women Moving Millions, a global community of over 300 members who have collectively given more than $1 billion to organizations focused on women and girls. She describes herself as a "financial feminist" and was recognized as Utah Business magazine's 2023 Woman of the Year.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation's giving focuses almost entirely on organizations and programs that primarily serve women and girls:

  • Women's Rights Organizations: Supporting advocacy and civil rights work for women and girls
  • Women's Foundations: Direct support to women's funds and feminist philanthropy infrastructure
  • Movement Building: Organizations working to build power and create systemic change for women
  • Media: Supporting women-focused media, storytelling, and narrative change initiatives
  • Local Utah Organizations: Peace House (domestic violence services), Park City Education Foundation, University of Utah, Park City Community Foundation, Rowland Hall

Grant Structure

  • Core/Unrestricted Support Preferred: The foundation strongly prefers to provide core operating support rather than project-specific funding
  • No Formal Grant Programs: As a private family foundation, there are no structured grant programs or application cycles
  • Gender Lens: All funding is directed through a gender lens, focusing on advancing women and girls

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation's laser focus on women and girls means organizations serving other populations or without a clear gender equity mission are unlikely to receive support.

Governance and Leadership

Jacki Zehner, President (since 1998)

Jacki Zehner brings a unique combination of Wall Street expertise and feminist philanthropic leadership to the foundation. After becoming the first female trader partner at Goldman Sachs in 1996, she left in 2002 to focus on philanthropy full-time. She co-founded Women Moving Millions in 2009 (named co-founder with Helen LaKelly Hunt in 2017) and served as its founding President and Board Chair until 2018.

Beyond the foundation, she serves on multiple boards including:

  • Sundance Institute (Board of Trustees)
  • Women's Leadership Institute
  • Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging
  • Grace Farms Foundation (Gregory Zehner serves on this board)

Former board positions include Women's Funding Network, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, National Council for Research on Women, University of British Columbia, Center for Talent Innovation, Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, and Indiana University Women's Philanthropy Institute Council.

Key Philosophy: Jacki learned from her mother that "philanthropy is the culmination of time, treasure, and talent," and she actively engages all three in her work.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Jacquelyn and Gregory Zehner Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants are made at the discretion of the foundation's leadership based on organizations identified through Jacki Zehner's extensive networks and research.

According to Jacki Zehner: "I do not employ a robust grant request process, as my gifts are usually for core support."

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations working in their priority areas can increase visibility by:

  • Participating in Women's Philanthropy Networks: Engage with organizations like Women Moving Millions, Women's Funding Network, and women's foundations where Jacki Zehner is active
  • Attending Sector Conferences: Zehner is known to attend conferences focused on women's rights, philanthropy, and social change, particularly in the women's funding sector
  • Building Visibility in Utah: For Utah-based organizations, engagement with Park City Community Foundation, Women's Leadership Institute, and ShePlace (Zehner's membership network for women) may create opportunities for connection
  • Strong Women's Media Presence: Given the foundation's focus on media and movement building, organizations with compelling narratives about women's advancement may attract attention

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at the discretion of foundation leadership rather than through scheduled review cycles.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept formal applications, success comes from alignment and relationship building:

Alignment Factors

  1. Clear Gender Focus: Organizations must have a primary focus on women and girls. As Zehner states, her giving goes "almost entirely to organizations and programs that primarily focus on women and girls."

  2. Preference for Core Support: The foundation strongly prefers unrestricted/core operating support. Organizations should be prepared to articulate their overall strategy and impact rather than specific projects.

  3. Movement Building Orientation: Organizations working to build power, create systemic change, and advance women's rights are prioritized over service-only models.

  4. Strategic Clarity: When Zehner evaluates organizations, she wants to understand "their strategy and approach and what success looks like." Organizations should be able to articulate clear theories of change.

  5. Leadership and Vision: She values getting to know organizational leaders and understanding their vision, suggesting that strong leadership is a key factor.

What Jacki Zehner Values

From her public statements and interviews:

  • "Sistering Up": She speaks often about women supporting women and building collective power
  • Financial Wellness for Women: Through her SheMoney initiative, she's committed to women's economic empowerment
  • Learning and Engagement: She values continuous learning and encourages philanthropists to "learn, listen and engage"
  • Gender Lens Investing: She believes strongly that "investment capital, directed with a gender lens, can have incredible impact"

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation makes grants by invitation only based on the president's discretion - there is no application to submit
  • Network Visibility Is Key: Being active and visible in women's philanthropy networks, particularly Women Moving Millions, Women's Funding Network, and women's foundations, is the primary pathway to potential support
  • Core Support Focus: If you do connect with the foundation, be prepared to discuss your organization's overall mission and strategy rather than specific projects - they prefer unrestricted grants
  • Women and Girls Only: Unless your organization has a clear, primary focus on advancing women and girls, it will not align with this funder's priorities
  • Movement Building Matters: Organizations working on systemic change, advocacy, and building power for women are more likely to align than service-only organizations
  • Utah Presence Helps Locally: For Utah-based organizations, demonstrating community impact and engagement with Park City-area initiatives may create opportunities
  • Relationship-Based Philanthropy: This is personal, relationship-based grantmaking by a highly engaged philanthropist who values authentic connection and strategic clarity over formal proposals

References

All sources accessed February 2026.

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