CHARLIE ZHANG
LING ZHANG
FOUNDERS
ZION ENTERPRISES
WHO: Longtime philanthropists and founders of real estate development company Zion Enterprises. Previously founded Chinese fast-food chain Pick Up Stix, which they built to 85 stores before selling it in 2001 for $50M. A second food and beverage business he started after Pick Up Stix with his wife, Ling, Aseptic Solutions, sold for even more.
WHY: Backs Orange County Music & Dance nonprofit performing arts school and Pacific Symphony. The couple donated the $6.2M building that houses the symphony’s headquarters.
IN THE NEWS: Awarded the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from Concordia University for their commitment to higher education in Orange County and philanthropic work in the arts community.
NOTABLE: Donated $5M to OCMD, $1M to California State University, Fullerton and $2M to Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, where Charlie is treasurer of its board of directors.
IN THEIR WORDS: “America raised me up. I am so honored and pleased to make donation to community and nonprofit organizations.” –Charlie Zhang
LEARN MORE: ocmusicdance.org
