Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 31-1540383 · since 1997zablefoundation.org·San Diego County·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$5.7M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

$10,000 to $75,000

Grant range

From grants in the 990-PF filings

$25,000

Typical grant (median)

76 grants in the latest filing

Open to applications

Fixed application deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

The Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation is based in San Diego, CA and its geographic focus is San Diego County, so this is the area to target when applying.
Its stated fields include health, science research, youth programmes, underprivileged individuals, sports-related activities and military personnel, with other areas also considered, so there is reasonable scope for fit beyond these headline themes.
For sizing a request, about 8 in 10 of its 286 grants to organisations fall between $10,000 and $75,000, with a median grant of $25,000, so a modest request in that range is sensible, and note that half of its grants were $25,000 or less.
Applications are made online against four fixed deadlines each year (February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1), with requests reviewed at scheduled Board meetings, so build in time to meet one of these dates and be ready for the possibility of a request for more information or a site visit.
A high 95% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in the two prior filings, suggesting a strong pattern of continued support for existing relationships, so first-time applicants should go in with realistic expectations even as they use the standard online process; applicants must be a 501(c)(3), and offshore organisations or activities are not funded without the Foundation's specific approval.

Overview

Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation is a US private foundation based in San Diego, CA.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Foundation is a general funder. Its stated fields include health, science research, programmes that benefit youth and underprivileged individuals, and sports-related activities. It has historically funded programmes benefiting youth and underprivileged individuals, active and retired military personnel, and sports-related activities, while requests from other areas are also considered. Grants are generally restricted to San Diego County organisations. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organisations and apply online; requests are reviewed at scheduled Board meetings. Its bylaws do not restrict grants to specific areas.

Themes

Health
Science research
Youth programmes
Underprivileged individuals
Sports-related activities
Military personnel

Geographic Focus

San Diego County.

What They Don't Fund

Offshore organizations or activities without specific foundation approval

How to apply

Organisations apply through the foundation's online grant application.

Deadlines: Four recurring application deadlines: February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.

Application success factors

Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 95% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 286 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.

What the foundation says:

During review, the Foundation may request additional information or schedule a site visit.

Where grants go

From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.

Grant dollars by state

California97%

Idaho1%

Texas1%

Florida<1%

New York<1%

Virginia<1%

2 other states: <1%

The largest single recipient received 21% of grant dollars to organisations.
In tax year 2024, 95% of grant dollars went to organisations Walter J. & Betty C. Zable Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
<1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

76 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $25,000

How much do they typically give?

Share of 76 grants in tax year 2024 by size

$10k–$25k47%

$25k–$50k32%

$50k–$100k12%

$100k–$250k7%

$250k–$500k1%

$500k–$1M0%

$1M and over1%

Median $25,000 (tax year 2024)

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

Support the Enlisted Project · General assistance
$3,100,0002024 tax year
Armed Services YMCA at Camp Pendleton · General assistance
$250,0002024 tax year
Outdoor Outreach · General assistance
$150,0002024 tax year
Free to Thrive · General assistance
$150,0002024 tax year
Ronald Mcdonald House Charities Of SD · General assistance
$125,0002024 tax year
Casa de Amparo · General assistance
$100,0002024 tax year
Center for Community Solutions · General assistance
$100,0002024 tax year
Make-A-Wish Foundation Of SD · General assistance
$75,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Officers and directors

John D Thomas — Treasurer / Director
Kathryn M Starr — Secretary / Director
Warren Magill — President / Director

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$6,103,223	$5,040,017	$97,316,129	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$5,836,556	$4,931,500	$108,470,071	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$6,872,821	$5,735,000	$112,760,822	Filing for 2024 tax year

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.