Joseph and Vera Zilber Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $11,942,457 (2023)
• Total Assets: $356,779,401 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Approx. 2 months per cycle (3 cycles annually)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $300,000 (typical operating grants; major institutional gifts can exceed $20 million)
• Geographic Focus: Milwaukee, Wisconsin (priority neighbourhoods: Lindsay Heights, Clarke Square, Layton Boulevard West) and Oahu, Hawaii
• Application Method: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 710 North Plankinton Avenue, Suite 800, Milwaukee, WI 53203

Phone: (414) 274-2447

Email: info@zilberfamilyfoundation.org

Website: https://zilberfamilyfoundation.org

For organisations interested in being considered for an invitation, contact the foundation through their website to share information about your mission and alignment with their priorities.

Overview

The Zilber Family Foundation was established in 1961 by Milwaukee real estate leader Joseph J. Zilber and his wife Vera. With over $356 million in assets and awarding nearly $12 million in grants annually (2023), the foundation has contributed over $300 million across Wisconsin and Hawaii over its 60+ year history. The foundation's mission is to increase access to social and economic opportunity, with a vision that all people have the resources and opportunities to prosper. The foundation operates according to six core values: being relational, courageous, equity-focused, transformational, adaptive, and generous. In 2008, the foundation launched the transformational Zilber Neighbourhood Initiative, a $50 million, ten-year investment in three Milwaukee neighbourhoods that leveraged over $111 million in additional investment. In 2023, the foundation made a landmark $20 million gift to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Joseph J. Zilber College of Public Health. The foundation partners with approximately 100 non-profit organisations, distributing over 200 grants annually.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Economic Stability Programme - $5,000 - $300,000 Creating pathways to safe and stable housing, cash, and capital. This is the primary programme area where organisations whose priorities align with the foundation's economic stability focus may be considered for invitation to apply. Supports quality, affordable housing and community economic development projects where there is alignment with resident and community priorities, capacity to drive measurable change, and opportunity to scale solutions.

Basic Needs Programme - Invitation only Addressing immediate needs of the community. Available only to organisations invited by the foundation.

Sector Supports Programme - Invitation only Creating a healthy and effective non-profit ecosystem through organisational effectiveness and capacity building. Available only to organisations invited by the foundation.

Joseph & Vera Zilber Partners Programme - Invitation only Supporting partnerships initiated by the founders. Available only to organisations invited by the foundation.

All grant types support: General operations, programmes and services, capacity building, capital projects, and future aspirations.

Priority Areas

• Affordable Housing: Quality housing development and access
• Community Economic Development: Projects aligned with resident and community priorities
• Access to Cash and Capital: Financial services and economic stability initiatives
• Basic Human Needs: Food security, healthcare, and essential services
• Capacity Building: Strengthening non-profit organisational effectiveness
• Racial, Social, and Economic Equity: Addressing systemic and structural exclusion from opportunity

Geographic priorities: Milwaukee neighbourhoods of Lindsay Heights, Clarke Square, and Layton Boulevard West; Island of Oahu, Hawaii

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly list explicit exclusions. However, based on their stated priorities:

• Organisations outside their geographic focus areas (Milwaukee priority neighbourhoods and Oahu, Hawaii)
• Organisations whose mission does not align with increasing access to social and economic opportunity
• Unsolicited applications (with limited exception for Economic Stability-aligned organisations)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Marcy Jackson, President - Daughter of Joe and Vera Zilber. Board member, trustee, and teacher with the Art of Living Foundation. Former speech therapist and special needs teacher; also a writer.

Mark Madigan, Vice President & Secretary - Assistant general counsel for Zilber Ltd. since 1984. Board chair for Sisters of Divine Savior Sponsorship Corporation; former chair of St. Anne's Home for the Elderly.

Shane Jackson, Treasurer - Grandson of Joe and Vera Zilber. Entrepreneur specialising in green development and sustainable construction.

Additional Board Members:

• Shar Borg - Founding principal agent at Compass Realty; long-time Sherman Park resident
• Melissa S. A. Jackson - Granddaughter of Joe and Vera Zilber; board member at Ho'ola Na Pua
• Juli Kaufmann - Social entrepreneur and president of Fix Development
• Ana Simpson - CEO of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast
• Paul Tilleman - Retired partner at Quarles & Brady LLP
• Marilyn Zilber - Daughter of Joe and Vera Zilber; Honolulu resident

Staff Leadership

Lianna Bishop, Executive Director - Appointed in 2025, Bishop joined the foundation in 2021 after serving as executive director of the Dohmen Company Foundation. She collaborates with the board to guide strategic planning and grantmaking, and oversees programmes, community affairs, and operations. Bishop stated: "With an unwavering commitment to our mission, I'm honoured to step into the role of executive director to lead the Foundation forward. I'm grateful to our past leaders and the board of directors for the strong organisation they've built, and I am eager to ensure our work continues to drive lasting impact across the communities we serve."

Other Key Staff:

• Erin Frederick - Sector Supports Director
• Demetria Smith - Programme Director (Milwaukee grantmaking, economic stability portfolio)
• Yalanda Ludtke - Programme Officer (economic stability, access to cash and capital)
• Meredith Trockman - Programme Officer (Hawaii partnerships)
• Danielle Johnson - Grants and Administrative Manager
• Joel Firkus - Finance Director

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Zilber Family Foundation does not have an open public application process. Grants are by invitation only to respect the time of potential grantee partners.

For Economic Stability-aligned organisations: If your organisation's priorities align with the foundation's economic stability focus (affordable housing, community economic development, access to cash and capital), you are encouraged to contact the foundation to share information about your mission and focus for consideration. Contact via:

• Email: info@zilberfamilyfoundation.org
• Phone: (414) 274-2447
• Website contact form: https://zilberfamilyfoundation.org/contact/

For Basic Needs, Sector Supports, and Hawaii grants: These are strictly by invitation only.

If invited to apply: You will receive an email notification with instructions to access the foundation's online grants portal.

Getting on Their Radar

The Zilber Family Foundation emphasises building relationships with leaders and organisations in their priority communities. Specific strategies for this foundation include:

• Demonstrate alignment with priority neighbourhoods: The foundation has deep, long-standing commitments to Lindsay Heights, Clarke Square, and Layton Boulevard West in Milwaukee, and Oahu in Hawaii. Organisations working in these specific geographies have a distinct advantage.

• Engage with their partner organisations: The foundation works with approximately 100 partner organisations. Building relationships and collaborations with existing grantees can provide natural pathways to the foundation's attention.

• Participate in the Zilber Neighbourhood Initiative ecosystem: The foundation's signature ZNI programme chose "organisations that already had relationships with the people who lived and worked in the community." Being embedded in these priority neighbourhoods and working collaboratively with residents and existing community organisations is essential.

• Emphasise resident-led, community-aligned work: The foundation prioritises projects "where there is alignment with resident and community priorities." Organisations should be able to demonstrate authentic community engagement and alignment with locally-identified needs.

• Contact the foundation directly: For Economic Stability-aligned work, the foundation explicitly invites organisations to reach out and "tell us a little more about your mission and focus for consideration."

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates three grant cycles per year with the following approximate timeline:

Application Deadline	Board Consideration	Notification Date
Mid-February	Early April	Mid-April
Mid-June	Mid-August	Late August
Mid-October	Early December	Mid-December

Typical timeframe: Approximately 2 months from application deadline to notification.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose success rates or application-to-award ratios. Given the invitation-only model and partnership approach, success rates for invited applicants are likely higher than traditional open-application funders.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publicly state a reapplication policy. However, their partnership approach suggests they maintain ongoing relationships with organisations. The foundation's work with approximately 100 partner organisations suggests many organisations receive multi-year or recurring support.

Application Success Factors

Foundation-Specific Priorities

Trust-based relationships are paramount: The foundation explicitly states it "believes funder-grantee relationships are stronger when they are built on the foundation of trust" and seeks "partnerships rooted in transparency, power awareness, and mutual accountability." Organisations should be prepared to engage in authentic, long-term partnership rather than transactional grant relationships.

Community-centred approach: The foundation's approach "centres the needs of the community and the knowledge of non-profit partners so that we can make the greatest impact possible." Applications must demonstrate genuine community engagement, alignment with resident priorities, and understanding of local needs.

Flexible funding philosophy: The foundation believes "covering the full cost of programming is just as important as supporting programme expenses" and offers general operating support, not just programme grants. Organisations should not feel constrained to project-only proposals.

Evidence of impact and scale: Grants target work "where there is capacity to drive measurable change and opportunity to scale solutions." Demonstrate both your ability to achieve results and potential for broader impact.

Alignment with core values: The foundation's six values—relational, courageous, equity-focused, transformational, adaptive, and generous—should be reflected in your organisation's approach. Specifically:

• Courageous: "Prioritising action over inaction" suggests they value bold, proactive approaches
• Equity: "Pursuing social, economic, and racial equity" is central; applications must address systemic barriers
• Transformational: They seek "long-term, catalytic change," not short-term fixes
• Adaptive: "Learning and evolving with feedback" indicates openness to iteration and learning

Recent Funding Examples

• The Bridge Project (2024): Milwaukee's first unconditional cash programme providing direct cash assistance to low-income mothers—demonstrating the foundation's willingness to fund innovative, trust-based approaches
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Joseph J. Zilber College of Public Health (2023): $20 million gift for faculty excellence and student achievement
• Zilber Neighbourhood Initiative (2008-2018): $50 million across Lindsay Heights, Clarke Square, and Layton Boulevard West, which leveraged $111 million in total community investment

These examples show the foundation supports both large-scale institutional partnerships and community-based grassroots initiatives, with emphasis on resident leadership and measurable community outcomes.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic specificity matters: Priority is given to organisations working in Lindsay Heights, Clarke Square, Layton Boulevard West (Milwaukee) and Oahu (Hawaii). Organisations outside these areas face significant barriers.

• Relationships precede applications: This is an invitation-only funder that values long-term partnerships. Invest in relationship-building before expecting grant opportunities. For Economic Stability work, proactively reach out to introduce your organisation.

• Trust-based philanthropy in action: The foundation advances grant payments to organisations facing cash flow challenges and suspended reporting during COVID-19. They practice what they preach about trust—position your organisation as a credible, transparent partner.

• Think transformation, not programmes: The foundation seeks "long-term, catalytic change" and values scaling solutions. Frame your work in terms of systems change and sustainable impact, not just service delivery.

• Community voice is non-negotiable: The foundation's Zilber Neighbourhood Initiative chose organisations "that already had relationships with the people who lived and worked in the community" and supported "resident-led community planning." Demonstrate authentic community engagement and alignment with locally-identified priorities.

• Flexible funding available: The foundation provides general operating support, capacity building, capital projects, and programme support. Don't limit requests to narrow programme costs—they want to fund what organisations actually need to be successful.

• Emphasise equity lens: Racial, social, and economic equity is a core value. Applications must explicitly address how the work advances equity and addresses systemic barriers faced by communities "that have been systemically and structurally excluded from social and economic opportunity."

References

• Zilber Family Foundation official website: https://zilberfamilyfoundation.org (Accessed December 2024)
• Zilber Family Foundation - Who We Are: https://zilberfamilyfoundation.org/who-we-are/ (Accessed December 2024)
• Zilber Family Foundation - What We Do: https://zilberfamilyfoundation.org/what-we-do/ (Accessed December 2024)
• Zilber Family Foundation - Grant Seekers: https://zilberfamilyfoundation.org/grant-seekers/ (Accessed December 2024)
• Zilber Family Foundation - Board of Directors: https://zilberfamilyfoundation.org/board/ (Accessed December 2024)
• Zilber Family Foundation - Staff: https://zilberfamilyfoundation.org/staff/ (Accessed December 2024)
• Instrumentl 990 Report - Joseph And Vera Zilber Charitable Foundation Inc: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/joseph-and-vera-zilber-charitable-foundation-inc (Accessed December 2024)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Joseph And Vera Zilber Family: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/392076346 (Accessed December 2024)
• Urban Milwaukee - "Zilber Family Foundation Announces Executive Director Transition": https://urbanmilwaukee.com/pressrelease/zilber-family-foundation-announces-executive-director-transition/ (Accessed December 2024)
• Shepherd Express - "Lianna Bishop, Executive Director of the Zilber Family Foundation": https://shepherdexpress.com/news/mke-speaks/lianna-bishop-executive-director-of-the-zilber-family-founda/ (Accessed December 2024)
• BizTimes Milwaukee - "30 people shaping Milwaukee's future: Lianna Bishop, Zilber Family Foundation": https://biztimes.com/milwaukee-lianna-bishop-zilber-family-foundation/ (Accessed December 2024)
• Milwaukee Neighbourhood News Service - "Special Report: How Joe Zilber Changed Lindsay Heights": https://www.milwaukeenns.org and https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2018/09/20/special-report-how-joe-zilber-changed-lindsay-heights/ (Accessed December 2024)
• Zilber Family Foundation - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zilber_Family_Foundation (Accessed December 2024)