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Zell Family Foundation is a private corporation based in CHICAGO, IL. The foundation received its IRS ruling in 1987. It holds total assets of $119.6M. Annual income is reported at $53.7M. Total assets have grown from $30.7M in 2011 to $119.6M in 2024. The foundation is governed by 9 officers and trustees. 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, New York and Michigan. According to available records, Zell Family Foundation has made 157 grants totaling $162M, with a median grant of $150K. Annual giving has grown from $26.9M in 2022 to $133.1M in 2023. Individual grants have ranged from $2K to $35M, with an average award of $1M. The foundation has supported 108 unique organizations. The foundation primarily supports organizations in Michigan, Illinois, New York, which account for 85% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 11 states. Contributions to this foundation are tax-deductible.
Smallest Grant
$4K
Median Grant
$138K
Average Grant
$275K
Largest Grant
$2M
Based on 80 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.
Zell Family Foundation is a private foundation that provides grants to eligible organizations. Based on available records, the foundation has funded 157 grants. Its grantmaking reaches organizations primarily in MI, IL, NY.
Zell Family Foundation has distributed a total of $162M across 157 grants. The median grant size is $150K, with an average of $1M. Individual grants have ranged from $2K to $35M.
Zell Family Foundation typically selects its grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals.
Zell Family Foundation is headquartered in CHICAGO, IL. While based in IL, the foundation distributes grants to organizations across 11 states.
| Name | Title | Compensation | Benefits | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samuel Zell | PRESIDENT (THRU 5/18/23) | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Joseph Miron | SECRETARY/ VICE PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Kellie Zell | VICE PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Helen H Zell | EXEC DIR/VP TO 9/24, PRES FROM 9/24 | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Lucille Mcfarland | VICE PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Matthew M Zell | VICE PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Philip Tinkler | VICE PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Michael Shiner | TREASURER/VICE PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
| Joann L Zell | VICE PRESIDENT | $0 | $0 | N/A |
Total Giving
N/A
Total Assets
$119.6M
Fair Market Value
N/A
Net Worth
N/A
Grants Paid
N/A
Contributions
N/A
Net Investment Income
N/A
Distribution Amount
N/A
Total Grants
157
Total Giving
$162M
Average Grant
$1M
Median Grant
$150K
Unique Recipients
108
Most Common Grant
$50K
of 2023 grantees were first-time recipients
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zell Entrepreneurship FoundationENTREPRENEURSHIP EDUCATION - OUT OF CORPUS | Chicago, IL | $2M | 2023 |
| University Of MichiganHELEN ZELL WRITERS FUND | Ann Arbor, MI | $35M | 2023 |
| Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day SchoolZELL FAMILY FUND FOR JEWISH EDUCATION | Chicago, IL | $24M | 2023 |
| Rochelle Zell Jewish High SchoolTO ELIMINATE DEBT AND STRENGTHEN ENDOWMENT | Deerfield, IL | $9.5M | 2023 |
| University Of ChicagoZELL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION SERIES | Chicago, IL | $2M | 2023 |
| American Friends Of Reichman University (Fka-Idc)2015 PLEDGE TO SUPPORT AND ENDOW THE ZELL ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM | New York, NY | $1.4M | 2023 |
| Foundation For Individual Rights And Expression Inc (Fire)GENERAL SUPPORT | Philadelphia, PA | $1.4M | 2023 |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra2023 SEASON GIFT | Chicago, IL | $1.3M | 2023 |
| Start EarlyOUNCE OF PREVENTION | Chicago, IL | $1M | 2023 |
| Birthright Israel FoundationGENERAL SUPPORT | New York, NY | $1M | 2023 |
| Teach For AmericaGENERAL SUPPORT | New York, NY | $750K | 2023 |
| Steppenwolf Theatre CompanyLEAD PRODUCTIONS SPONSOR, NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT, & 2023 GALA | Chicago, IL | $730K | 2023 |
| University Of Michigan-Ross Zell Lurie InstituteZELL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND LAW PROGRAM FUND | Ann Arbor, MI | $700K | 2023 |
| Museum Of Contemporary ArtGENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $500K | 2023 |
| University Of Colorado Foundation-Pkd ResearchPKD RESEARCH FUND | Greeley, CO | $500K | 2023 |
| Chicago Public Education FundGENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $500K | 2023 |
| Chiarts FoundationCREATIVE WRITING PROGRAM | Chicago, IL | $415K | 2023 |
| Mayo ClinicGENERAL SUPPORT | Rochester, MN | $400K | 2023 |
| ImentorGENERAL SUPPORT | New York, NY | $350K | 2023 |
| Lyric OperaFIDDLER ON THE ROOF & CHAMPION | Chicago, IL | $350K | 2023 |
| Teach For AllGENERAL SUPPORT | New York, NY | $250K | 2023 |
| Us Holocaust Memorial MuseumGENERAL SUPPORT | Washington, DC | $200K | 2023 |
| University Of Michigan-Hz Writer'S ProgramTO HIRE A VISITING PROFESSOR IN POETRY FOR ONE ACADEMIC YEAR | Ann Arbor, MI | $200K | 2023 |
| A Better ChicagoGENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $200K | 2023 |
| Hold On To Your MusicGENERAL SUPPORT | Los Angeles, CA | $175K | 2023 |
| Young Chicago AuthorsGENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $165K | 2023 |
| The Point MagazineGENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $160K | 2023 |
| University Of Colorado Foundation-Curriculum InnovationGENERAL SUPPORT | Greeley, CO | $150K | 2023 |
| Facing History And OurselvesGENERAL SUPPORT | Boston, MA | $150K | 2023 |
| Intrinsic SchoolsGENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $100K | 2023 |
| The Joffrey Ballet2023 SPECIAL EVENT | Chicago, IL | $100K | 2023 |
| American Civil Liberties Union FoundationREPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM PROJECT OF THE ACLU | New York, NY | $100K | 2023 |
| Ann & Robert H Lurie Children'S HospitalGAL FINER | Chicago, IL | $100K | 2023 |
| Chicago West Community Music CenterGENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $100K | 2023 |
| National Ramah CommissionGENERAL SUPPORT | New York, NY | $86K | 2023 |
| Classical Music ChicagoGENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $80K | 2023 |
| MarwenDESIGN TO PRINT | Chicago, IL | $75K | 2023 |
| The Arts Club Of ChicagoGENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $75K | 2023 |