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Matthew Zell Family Foundation is a private corporation based in CHICAGO, IL. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 2019. The principal officer is Lucille Mcfarland. It holds total assets of $49.6M. Annual income is reported at $24.2M. Total assets have grown from $5.5M in 2019 to $49.6M in 2024. The foundation is governed by 8 officers and trustees. The foundation operates in the area of philanthropy & grantmaking. According to its most recent filing, the foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. Tax records are available from 2020 to 2024. The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, Kentucky and Florida. According to available records, Matthew Zell Family Foundation has made 64 grants totaling $3.4M, with a median grant of $10K. Annual giving has grown from $260K in 2021 to $2.4M in 2023. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $1.5M, with an average award of $54K. The foundation has supported 27 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Virginia, which account for 75% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 9 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
Matthew Zell Family Foundation reported 64 individual grants totaling $3.4 million between 2021 and 2023 across its IRS Form 990-PF filings, with a median grant of $10,000. Half of those grants fell between $5,000 and $20,000. Its largest single grant in the record was $1.5 million. Its most recent available filing, for fiscal year 2023, reports $3.8 million in total giving.
Grantmaking is concentrated in IL, which received 44 of the 64 grants on record (69 percent). In total the foundation's grantees span 9 states. Of its 27 distinct grantees, 59 percent received funding more than once, so repeat relationships are the norm rather than the exception. Its largest institutional recipients were Savanna Institute ($1.6 million), The Nature Conservancy ($500,000) and Camp Ramah In Wisconsin Inc ($454,000).
Computed from 64 individual grant records (2021–2023) in this foundation's IRS Form 990-PF Part XV filings, reaching 9 states. Source: IRS 990-PF.
Smallest Grant
$500
Median Grant
$9K
Average Grant
$27K
Largest Grant
$190K
Based on 10 grants from the most recent 990-PF filing.
No program descriptions are available for this foundation. Many private foundations report program activities in their annual 990-PF filings — check the Tax Filings section below for the most recent filing.
Matthew Zell Family Foundation primarily funds organizations in the area of philanthropy & grantmaking. Based on available records, the foundation has funded 64 grants. Its grantmaking reaches organizations primarily in WI, IL, VA.
Matthew Zell Family Foundation has distributed a total of $3.4M across 64 grants. The median grant size is $10K, with an average of $54K. Individual grants have ranged from $1K to $1.5M.
Matthew Zell Family Foundation typically selects its grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals.
Matthew Zell Family Foundation is headquartered in CHICAGO, IL. While based in IL, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 9 states.
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| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Zell | PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Philip Tinkler | VICE PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Joseph Miron | VICE PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Lucille Mcfarland | VICE PRESIDENT & SECRETARY | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| James Bunegar | VICE PRESIDENT & TREASURER | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Aaron Zell | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Rina Zell | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Rachel Zell | DIRECTOR | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
N/A
Total Assets
$49.6M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
$48.7M
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
N/A
Distribution Amount
N/A
Total Grants
64
Total Giving
$3.4M
Average Grant
$54K
Median Grant
$10K
Unique Recipients
27
Most Common Grant
$10K
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savanna InstituteSustainability | Madison, WI | $1.5M | 2023 |
| The Nature ConservancySustainability | Arlington, VA | $500K | 2023 |
| Camp Ramah In Wisconsin IncCultural and Religious | Chicago, IL | $118K | 2023 |
| Imagine H2o IncSustainability | San Fransisco, CA | $113K | 2023 |
| Blue Forest Finance IncSustainability | Sacramento, CA | $50K | 2023 |
| National Kidney Foundation Of IllinoisHealth | Chicago, IL | $20K | 2023 |
| Jewish United Fund Of Metropolitan ChicagoCultural and Religious | Chicago, IL | $10K | 2023 |
| Maot ChitimCultural and Religious | Northbrook, IL | $10K | 2023 |
| North Suburban Synagogue Beth ElCultural and Religious | Highland Park, IL | $10K | 2023 |
| Rochelle Zell Jewish High SchoolCultural and Religious | Deerfield, IL | $10K | 2023 |
| The ArkCultural and Religious | Chicago, IL | $10K | 2023 |
| Ida Crown Jewish AcademyCultural and Religious | Skokie, IL | $5K | 2023 |
| Carmel Catholic High SchoolEducation | Mundelein, IL | $5K | 2023 |
| American Modeling Teachers Association (Amta)Education | Boothwyn, PA | $5K | 2023 |
| Inheritance Project LtdCultural and Religious | New York, NY | $5K | 2023 |
| Museum Of Science And IndustryEducation | Chicago, IL | $5K | 2023 |
| Imagination Productions Inc (Dba Opendor Media)Cultural and Religious | Sunrise, FL | $1K | 2023 |
| Medication Induced Suicide Education Foundation (Missd)Health | Chicago, IL | $1K | 2023 |
| Maot Chitim Of Greater Chicago IncGeneral Operating Support | Northbrook, IL | $10K | 2022 |
| Jewish Federation Of Metropolitan ChicagoSupport for The Dina and Eli Field EZRA Multi-Service Center | Chicago, IL | $10K | 2022 |
| Inheiritance Project LtdGeneral Operating Support | New York, NY | $5K | 2022 |