Zell Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Zell Family Foundation is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2024 it gave $68.6 million in 54 grants; the typical grant was $156,266 and the largest $25.0 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$68.6 million
- Number of grants54
- Typical grant$156,266
- Largest grant$25.0 million
- Assets$120 million
- New grantees15%
Giving in 2024 was down from $69.3 million the year before.
15% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $69.3 million | 70 | $275 million |
| 2024 | $68.6 million | 54 | $120 million |
How to apply
Zell Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Zell Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 8 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 39 | $57.5 million |
| New York | 7 | $2.2 million |
| Minnesota | 1 | $1.5 million |
| Michigan | 2 | $1.5 million |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $1.4 million |
| Colorado | 1 | $500,000 |
| Massachusetts | 2 | $300,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $200,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University-Kellogg | General support | $25.0 million |
| Rochelle Zell Jewish High School | General support | $10.0 million |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra | General support | $8.3 million |
| Camp Ramah in Wisconsin Endowment Corp | General support | $3.0 million |
| University of Chicago | General support | $2.0 million |
| Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation | Entrepreneurship education - out of corpus | $2.0 million |
| Mayo Clinic | General support | $1.5 million |
| Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression Inc (Fire) | General support | $1.4 million |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra | General support | $1.3 million |
| University of Michigan | General support | $1.3 million |
| American Friends of Reichman University (Fka-Idc) | General support | $1.0 million |
| Chicago Public Education Fund | General support | $1.0 million |
| Start Early | General support | $1.0 million |
| Museum of Contemporary Art | General support | $700,000 |
| Steppenwolf Theatre Company | General support | $500,000 |
| University of Colorado Foundation-Pkd Research | General support | $500,000 |
| Chiarts Foundation | General support | $415,000 |
| Lyric Opera | General support | $350,000 |
| Imentor | General support | $325,000 |
| Birthright Israel Foundation | General support | $250,000 |
| Teach for All | General support | $250,000 |
| University of Michigan | General support | $225,000 |
| American Civil Liberties Union Foundation | General support | $200,000 |
| Merit School of Music | General support | $200,000 |
| US Holocaust Memorial Museum | General support | $200,000 |
| Young Chicago Authors | General support | $165,000 |
| The Point Magazine | General support | $160,000 |
| University of Chicago | General support | $152,533 |
| Cello Bello | General support | $150,000 |
| Chicago Architectural Biennial | General support | $150,000 |
| Facing History and Ourselves | General support | $150,000 |
| Marwen | General support | $125,000 |
| Teach for America | General support | $125,000 |
| Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital | General support | $100,000 |
| Chicago West Community Music Center | General support | $100,000 |
| Intrinsic Schools | General support | $100,000 |
| Museum of Contemporary Art | General support | $100,000 |
| The Joffrey Ballet | General support | $100,000 |
| Cesar E Chavez Multicultural Academic Center | General support | $67,715 |
| Chicago Public Library Foundation | General support | $50,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Helen H Zell
- Kellie Zell
- Matthew M Zell
- Joann L Zell
- Philip Tinkler
- Lucille McFarland
- Joseph Miron
- Michael Shiner
Questions people ask
Does Zell Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Zell Family Foundation give?
$68.6 million in tax year 2024, across 54 grants, with a typical grant of $156,266.
Who runs Zell Family Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Helen H Zell (President & Director), Kellie Zell (Vice President & Director), Matthew M Zell (Vice President & Director) and Joann L Zell (Vice President & Director) among 8 officers and trustees.
What does Zell Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, arts and culture and youth programs.