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Joseph and Vera Zilber Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$17.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M
Decision Time
2mo

Joseph and Vera Zilber Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $17,000,000
  • Total Assets: $373,000,000 (2024)
  • 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 neighborhoods: 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 organizations 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 $373 million in assets and awarding more than $17 million in grants annually, 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 Neighborhood Initiative, a $50 million, ten-year investment in three Milwaukee neighborhoods 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 nonprofit organizations, distributing 288 grants in 2024 alone.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Economic Stability Program - $5,000 - $300,000 Creating pathways to safe and stable housing, cash, and capital. This is the primary program area where organizations 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 Program - Invitation only Addressing immediate needs of the community. Available only to organizations invited by the foundation.

Sector Supports Program - Invitation only Creating a healthy and effective nonprofit ecosystem through organizational effectiveness and capacity building. Available only to organizations invited by the foundation.

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

All grant types support: General operations, programs 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 nonprofit organizational effectiveness
  • Racial, Social, and Economic Equity: Addressing systemic and structural exclusion from opportunity

Geographic priorities: Milwaukee neighborhoods 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:

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

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 specializing 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 programs, community affairs, and operations. Bishop stated: "With an unwavering commitment to our mission, I'm honored 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 organization 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 - Program Director (Milwaukee grantmaking, economic stability portfolio)
  • Yalanda Ludtke - Program Officer (economic stability, access to cash and capital)
  • Meredith Trockman - Program 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 organizations: If your organization'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:

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 emphasizes building relationships with leaders and organizations in their priority communities. Specific strategies for this foundation include:

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

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

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

  • Emphasize resident-led, community-aligned work: The foundation prioritizes projects "where there is alignment with resident and community priorities." Organizations 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 organizations 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 DeadlineBoard ConsiderationNotification Date
Mid-FebruaryEarly AprilMid-April
Mid-JuneMid-AugustLate August
Mid-OctoberEarly DecemberMid-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. In 2024, the foundation made 288 grant awards totaling over $15 million. 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 organizations. The foundation awarded grants to approximately 100 partner organizations in 2024, suggesting many organizations 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." Organizations should be prepared to engage in authentic, long-term partnership rather than transactional grant relationships.

Community-centered approach: The foundation's approach "centers the needs of the community and the knowledge of nonprofit 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 program expenses" and offers general operating support, not just program grants. Organizations 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 organization's approach. Specifically:

  • Courageous: "Prioritizing 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 program 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 Neighborhood 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 organizations working in Lindsay Heights, Clarke Square, Layton Boulevard West (Milwaukee) and Oahu (Hawaii). Organizations 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 organization.

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

  • Think transformation, not programs: 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 Neighborhood Initiative chose organizations "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 program support. Don't limit requests to narrow program costs—they want to fund what organizations actually need to be successful.

  • Emphasize 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

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