Zienzele Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATION'S GOAL IS TO HELP ZIMBABWEAN ORPHANS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS ACHIEVE SELF-RELIANCE THROUGH EDUCATION, BASIC SKILLS TRAINING, PROJECT DEVELOPMENT, COUNSELING, COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND HEALTH AND NUTRITION.
- Income
- $127,344
- Spending
- $141,185
- Reserves
- 8.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 93%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (4)
- $75,134 spent. PROVIDED SCHOLARSHIPS/SCHOOL FEES AND LEARNING MATERIALS TO OVER 784 AIDS ORPHANS IN RURAL ZIMBABWE, 767 PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, AND 17 STUDENTS IN POST SECONDARY EDUCATION. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDED SUPPORT TO 34 CHILD HEADED HOUSEHOLDS.
- $10,160 spent. SINCE 2022 ZIENZELE HAS CONSTRUCTED THREE MODEST COMMUNITY CENTERS WITH A BORE HOLE WELL AT EACH HELPING 130 SMALL VILLAGES. THESE COMMUNITY CENTERS ALSO SERVE TO PROVIDE CENTRAL SHELTERED LOCATIONS FOR COMMUNITY USE FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS CLINICS, COMMUNITY EVENTS, WORK SKILLS TRAINING AND SALES OF BASKETS,SEWING PROJECTS, GARDEN PRODUCE AND POULTRY. DURING 2024, THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTED WORKSHOPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ABOUT CAREER PLANNING WITH 46 ATTENDEES AND A SECOND ONE ON "STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS" FOR WOMEN WITH 63 ATTENDEES. THERE WAS ALSO A "BE SAFE BE STRONG BE FOCUSED" WORKSHOP WITH 154 CHILDREN ATTENDING.
- $21,181 spent. ZIENZELE ORGANIZED BASKET MAKING PROJECTS TO BUY AND RESELL ZIMBABWEAN BASKETS WITH ALL PROFITS RETURNING TO THE VILLAGE TO PAY SCHOOL FEES FOR IDENTIFIED ORPHANS.
- $2,300 spent. IN 2010 THE ORGANIZATION INSTITUTED AN AWARD TO BE GIVEN ANNUALLY TO A ZIMBABWEAN ORPHAN WHO HAS SHOWN PROMISE IN MAKING A TRANSITION FROM ZIMBABWE TO ACADEMIC LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS AWARD IS INTENDED TO PAY FOR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES, SUPPLIES AND ADDITIONAL SCHOOL COSTS. IT IS INTENDED TO SUPPLEMENT THE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE STUDENT'S SPONSORING FAMILY.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2003.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.