Sherman And Marjorie Zeigler
The Sherman and Marjorie Zeigler Foundation (SMZ Foundation) is a Muncie, Indiana-based private foundation focused on enhancing the natural and horticultural beauty of public spaces and supporting cultural events in Muncie/Delaware County and the State of Indiana. The site states the foundation awards grants to 501(c)(3) organizations and provides Letter of Inquiry and full application guidelines and deadlines.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A 501(c)(3) serving Muncie/Delaware County or elsewhere in Indiana with projects in horticultural beautification, urban forestry, trails/parks, land conservation, or community cultural events and demonstrable local impact.
Good Fit
- • Primary programs focused on public-space beautification, parks, trails, urban forestry, or land conservation in Indiana.
- • Clear local presence or partnerships in Muncie/Delaware County.
- • Project or operating requests aligned with cultural events, community enhancement, or capital/land projects.
- • Willingness to follow LOI process and contact the foundation before a first submission.
Geography
Giving is overwhelmingly in Indiana with roughly 93% of 2024 dollars in-state and grants concentrated around Muncie/Delaware County; only a small share went outside the state.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded 17–21 distinct recipients each year (17 in 2024) across conservation, cultural, and community-enhancement organizations, but dollars are financially concentrated among a few top recipients.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of turnover exists (four new recipients in 2024 and eight in 2023) and a formal LOI process is published, but the foundation requires first-time applicants to contact staff and historically channels a large share of dollars to repeat top recipients, so new entrants face a selective gate.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
