Private foundation · EIN 83-1163711 · Traverse City, Michigan · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Joseph G & Helen I Zimmerman Charitable Trust

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 16 grants paid, $1.8M total, median $10K. 100% of grants stayed in Michigan. Stated restrictions: NONE

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
16
$1.8M
Median grant
$10K
Stays in MI
100%
of grants
Deadline
NONE
Assets
$5.1M

How to apply

No form at present Contact: Huntington National Bank, 625 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, Mi, 2319416198 Deadlines: NONE Restrictions: NONE

Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2025 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.

Grants paid in 2025

16 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Alma CollegeAlma, MICharitable gift match$1.5M
Alma CollegeAlma, MIGeneral fund$100K
City Opera HouseTraverse City, MIGeneral fund$68K
Cadillac Rotary CharitiesCadillac, MIGeneral fund$10K
Cherryland Humane SocietyTraverse City, MIGeneral fund$10K
Elk Rapids District LibraryElk Rapids, MIGeneral fund$10K
Little Rascals Cat Sanctuary IncManistee, MIGeneral fund$10K
Oasis Family Resource CenterCadillac, MIGeneral fund$10K
Traverse City PhilharmonicTraverse City, MIGeneral fund$10K
Wcmu Public MediaMount Pleasant, MIGeneral fund$10K
Women's Resource CenterTraverse City, MIGeneral fund$10K
Interlochen Public RadioInterlochen, MIGeneral fund$5,000
Lake County Historical SocietyBaldwin, MIGeneral fund$5,000
Tc Paw Cat RescueTraverse City, MIGeneral fund$5,000
Veterans for Peace Chapter 50Traverse City, MIGeneral fund$5,000
Vouge TheatreManistee, MIGeneral fund$5,000

About this foundation

Joseph G & Helen I Zimmerman Charitable Trust is a private grantmaking foundation in Traverse City, Michigan, administered in care of Tcf National Bank, tax-exempt since 2019. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Joseph G & Helen I Zimmerman Charitable Trust accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Joseph G & Helen I Zimmerman Charitable Trust give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $1.8M across 16 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does Joseph G & Helen I Zimmerman Charitable Trust give?

Michigan (16 grants), per its latest filing.

More foundations near Traverse City that accept applications

All in Michigan
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Margaret Dunning Foundationsince 1997 Traverse City, MI $1.1M33 grants · 2025 $30KYes $25M
Oleson Foundationsince 1962 Traverse City, MI $1.6M88 grants · 2025 $10KYes $23M
Les and Anne Biederman Foundationsince 1987 Traverse City, MI $489K41 grants · 2025 $10KYes $7.3M
Art and Mary Schmuckal Family Foundationsince 1999 Traverse City, MI $523K38 grants · 2024 $6,400Yes $7.1M
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