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Non-profit

Zephyr Institute

Website:

www.zephyr.org
Location:

Palo Alto, CA
Tax ID:

47-1979289
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Budget (2020):

Revenue: $1,072,143
Expenses: $380,461
Assets: $1,516,298
Formation:

2014
Type:

Nonprofit
Executive Director:

Matthew Bowman
Executive Director's Salary:

$82,483 1

References

  1. Zephyr Institute Inc, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Part VII, Section A, Line 1a.

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The Zephyr Institute is a nonpartisan, nonprofit academic center that supports Stanford University students, scholars, and young professionals. Zephyr focuses its studies on understanding the human person, the common good, and the nature of the good life, especially as they are affected by changing social, cultural, and technological trends. 1

Activities

The Zephyr Institute provides students with opportunities for in-depth study and individual mentorship. Zephyr’s programs, which are open to Stanford students, faculty, and professionals, include reading groups, seminars, intellectual retreats, and conferences, all intended to provide individuals with a clear sense of vocational purpose. Zephyr’s goal is to create happier, more thoughtful cultural and political leaders. 2

The Zephyr Institute is a founding supporter of the Stanford Civics Initiative to revitalize civic education on Stanford’s campus. The Initiative consists of a series of courses focused on the nature of democratic citizenship. 3

The Zephyr Institute produces The Enduring Interest [pdcast, which intends to bring underappreciated, obscure, and seldom-read books to a wider audience. The podcast seeks to steer listeners away from the current news cycle by educating and entertaining them with discussions about the “permanent questions” along with unique perspectives on contemporary problems. Past episode series have included topics like totalitarian governments and the purpose of the liberal arts. 4

Funding

The Zephyr Institute is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations. While the Zephyr Institute does not disclose other donors, tax filings confirm donations from Donors Trust ($275,000 in 2017), 5 the Witherspoon Institute ($50,000 in 2019), 6 and the United Way of the Bay Area ($20,000 in 2018). 7

People

Matt Bowman is the executive director of the Zephyr Institute, a co-founder of EdSurge, and a former member of the Teach for America corps. 8

Boyd C. Smith is the chair of the board of the Zephyr Institute and a cofounder of both the California Family Foundation and the Golden Gate Family Foundation. Smith is an emeritus member of the board of overseers at the Hoover Institution and formerly sat on the board of the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health. 9

Luis Tellez is president of the Zephyr Institute and the Witherspoon Institute. 10

Judy Romea is the program director of the Center for the Study of the Professions and Moral Purpose at the Zephyr Institute. 11

Melissa Waters sits on the President’s Advisory Council at FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students. 12

Other members of the board include John Endriz, Kirk Hoiberg, Lyra Rufino-Maceda, and Andre Vanier. 13

References

  1. “About.” Zephyr Institute, 2021. Accessed September 4, 2022. https://www.zephyr.org/about.
  2. “About.” Zephyr Institute, 2021. Accessed September 4, 2022. https://www.zephyr.org/about.
  3. “About.” Zephyr Institute, 2021. Accessed September 4, 2022. https://www.zephyr.org/about.
  4. Zephyr Institute Annual Report 2021.” Zephyr Institute, 2021. Accessed September 4, 2022. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WuuKLxpysSpv9IBI_sCT1r3qmppwbzlA/view.
  5. Donors Trust, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2017, Schedule I, Part II.
  6. Witherspoon Institute, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Schedule I, Part II.
  7. United Way of the Bay Area, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2018, Schedule I, Part II.
  8. “Our People.” Zephyr Institute, 2021. Accessed August 24, 2022. https://www.zephyr.org/people.
  9. “Our People.” Zephyr Institute, 2021. Accessed August 24, 2022. https://www.zephyr.org/people.
  10. “Our People.” Zephyr Institute, 2021. Accessed August 24, 2022. https://www.zephyr.org/people.
  11. “Our People.” Zephyr Institute, 2021. Accessed August 24, 2022. https://www.zephyr.org/peoplep
  12.  “Our People.” Zephyr Institute, 2021. Accessed August 24, 2022. https://www.zephyr.org/people.
  13. “Our People.” Zephyr Institute, 2021. Accessed August 24, 2022. https://www.zephyr.org/people.
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Nonprofit Information

  • Accounting Period: December - November
  • Tax Exemption Received: December 1, 2014

    • Available Filings

    Period Form Type Total revenue Total functional expenses Total assets (EOY) Total liabilities (EOY) Unrelated business income? Total contributions Program service revenue Investment income Comp. of current officers, directors, etc. Form 990
    2020 Dec Form 990 $1,072,143 $380,461 $1,516,298 $41,751 N $1,070,628 $0 $1,515 $88,269
    2019 Dec Form 990 $472,342 $438,414 $783,851 $986 N $457,217 $0 $9,795 $144,661 PDF
    2018 Dec Form 990 $528,220 $476,049 $748,981 $44 N $526,180 $0 $839 $147,088 PDF
    2017 Dec Form 990 $1,336,842 $1,030,016 $696,326 $2,275 N $1,375,052 $590 $195 $0 PDF
    2016 Dec Form 990 $739,304 $640,391 $389,700 $2,475 N $766,306 $1 $211 $0
    2015 Dec Form 990 $569,260 $307,040 $293,047 $4,735 N $577,354 $232 $0 $112,946 PDF
    2014 Dec Form 990EZ $60,000 $33,908 $26,092 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 PDF

    Zephyr Institute


    Palo Alto, CA