Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation

Public charity · Grantmaker Cleveland, OH EIN: 38-3876650

The Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation is a Cleveland, Ohio-based public charity formed in 2012. It makes grants to 501(c)(3) organizations to support the charitable, educational, and religious purposes of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.

Key facts about Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation

In short: Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation gave $565K across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $31K), mostly in Ohio. 11% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.

EIN
38-3876650
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$565,000
Grants made (2025)
18
Average grant
$31,389
Median grant
$10,000
New grantees (estimate)
11% first-time grantees (2 of 18, 2025)
Total assets
$7,725,157
Primary geography
Ohio (94% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$7.7M

+10.6% YoY

Annual Giving

$565K

-66.6% YoY

Grant Count

18

-5.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$31K

-64.7% YoY

Is Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation open to new grantees?

11%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 2 of 18 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $35K. How we count

Medians: $6K first-time, $11K repeat.

  • 83% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving fell 27% from 2022 to 2025. Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation states that its mission is to further the charitable, educational, and religious purposes of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. Its program description says it makes grants to 501(c)(3) organizations for those purposes.

The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland says it provides individuals and families with solutions to life’s challenges. The Greater Cleveland Food Bank says it provides food and essential resources to neighbors facing hunger. College Now Greater Cleveland describes its work as increasing postsecondary educational attainment through advising, financial aid counseling, scholarships, and retention services. These are grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation reported 18 grants totaling $565,000. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $360,000, with a median of $10,000.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation is based in Cleveland, Ohio. In 2025, 94% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio, 4% to recipients in New York, and 2% to recipients in Massachusetts.

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.

Cities

ClevelandBeachwoodPepper PikeNew YorkWarrensville HeightsColumbusKentBrooklineBostonOxfordChagrin FallsUniversity Heights

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M14 grants2019 20 grants2020 20 grants2021 20 grants2022 21 grants2023 19 grants2024 18 grants2025

From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $565K (2025) to $1.7M (2024). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $565K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Jewish Federation of Cleveland: $360KJewish Federation of Cleveland$360KJewish Family Service Association of Cleveland Ohio: $28KJewish Family ServiceAssociation of Cleveland Ohio$28KNational Council of Jewish Women Incorporated: $24KNational Council of JewishWomen Incorporated$24KAmerican Jewish Committee: $19KAmerican Jewish Committee$19KHillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life: $13KHillel the Foundation forJewish Campus Life$13KRock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Inc: $13KRock and Roll Hall of Fame andMuseum Inc$13KGreater Cleveland Food Bank Inc: $12KGreater Cleveland Food BankInc$12KPark Synagogue: $12KPark Synagogue$12KCollege Now Greater Cleveland Inc: $10KCollege Now Greater ClevelandInc$10KFacing History and Ourselves Inc: $10KFacing History and OurselvesInc$10K

The largest 2025 recipient was Jewish Federation of Cleveland ($360K). Together the top 10 received $499K.

Grant Size Distribution

98 grants across all recorded years

87<$50K$50–100K1$100–250K10$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 87 grants of 98 (89%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Jewish Federation of Cleveland Cleveland, OHCommunity Security Initiative, Project 120, 2025 Campaign$360,000
Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland Ohio Pepper Pike, OHGeneral Support$27,500
National Council of Jewish Women Incorporated Warrensville Heights, OHNational Office, Cleveland Section: General Support$24,000
American Jewish Committee New York, NYCleveland Office: General Support$18,500
Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life Kent, OHGeneral Support$12,500
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Inc Cleveland, OHGeneral Support$12,500
Greater Cleveland Food Bank Inc Cleveland, OHGeneral Support$12,000
Park Synagogue Pepper Pike, OHGeneral Support$12,000
College Now Greater Cleveland Inc Cleveland, OHGeneral Support$10,000
Facing History and Ourselves Inc Boston, MAGeneral Support$10,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

The foundation’s filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grant total Grant count
2025 $7,725,157 $971,494 $740,876 $565,000 18
2024 $6,986,698 $509,301 $1,839,764 $1,689,500 19
2023 $6,850,370 $491,873 $741,312 $594,500 21
Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$1M$2M$3M2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$7,725,157$6,986,698$6,850,370
Revenue$971,494$509,301$491,873
Expenses$740,876$1,839,764$741,312
Net Investment Income$73,714$89,094$74,630

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
  2. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Daniel Zelman as trustee and president; Kara Rosen as trustee and vice president; Ellen Zelman as vice president; and Michelle Hirsch, Andrew Hoffmann, and Gregory Marcus as trustees. It lists Mozelle Jackson as treasurer, Kari Blumenthal as assistant treasurer, and Tal Rothstein as secretary as of November 21, 2024. Ann Garson is listed as secretary until November 21, 2024.

Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation is led by Daniel Zelman, Trustee & President on every filing since 2019; none of the 10 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Daniel Zelman

    Trustee & President

    On filings since 2019

    0.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Andrew Hoffmann

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Gregory Marcus

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Michelle Hirsch

    Trustee

    On filings since 2019

    0.1 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kara Rosen

    Trustee & Vice President

    Trustee & V. President → Trustee & Vice President, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    0.3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ann Garson

    Secretary

    On filings since 2019

    0.2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Ellen Zelman

    Vice President

    On filings since 2019

    0.2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kari Blumenthal

    Assistant Treasurer

    On filings since 2019

    0.2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Mozelle Jackson

    Treasurer

    On filings since 2023

    0.2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Tal Rothstein

    Secretary

    Assistant Secretary → Secretary, 2025

    On filings since 2024

    0.2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (4)
  • Former: Barry Reis (2019–2023) — Treasurer
  • Former: Jessica Bruder (2019–2021) — Assistant Secretary
  • Former: Brett Zelman (2019–2020) — Trustee & V. President
  • Former: Jennifer Schwarz (2019) — Assistant Treasurer to

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Contact

Mailing address: 25701 Science Park Drive, Cleveland, OH 44122-7302
Phone: (216) 593-2900

Frequently asked questions about Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation

How much does Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation give each year?

Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation gave $565K across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.7M across 19 grants.

What is Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $31,389, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation that year got $6K on average.

Where does Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation give grants?

Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (8 grants), Beachwood, OH (3 grants), Pepper Pike, OH (2 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).

Does Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 83% of Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 18) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.

Who are Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Jewish Federation of Cleveland ($360,000), Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland Ohio ($27,500) and National Council of Jewish Women Incorporated ($24,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation?

Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation reported $7.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $971K.

What does Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation fund?

The foundation states that its mission is to further the charitable, educational, and religious purposes of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. Its program description says it makes grants to 501(c)(3) organizations for those purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation?

Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.

What is Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation's EIN?

Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-3876650. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Jewish Federation of Cleveland

Cleveland, OH

The Jewish Federation of Cleveland funds social-welfare, religious, educational, security, and community programs, with a focus on Cleveland and Ohio as well as Jewish needs in Israel and around the world. Its 2025 grants had a median of $22,250, though amounts varied widely; the available information does not specify whether it accepts unsolicited institutional requests.

Assets

$680.2M

Grants

425

Total Given

$72.7M

The Cleveland Foundation

Cleveland, OH

The Cleveland Foundation funds nonprofits working on community needs and long-term priorities, including education, health, arts and culture, economic development, neighborhoods, and human services in Cuyahoga, Lake, and Geauga counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of about $30,700, though amounts varied widely. Its general application is open year-round, so it accepts unsolicited requests through that process.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$3.3B

Grants

1,016

Total Given

$184.2M

Jack Joseph & Morton Mandel Foundation

Cleveland, OH

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation supports leadership and nonprofit management, the humanities, Jewish life, and urban and community development, primarily through its own programs and selected grants in the United States and Israel. Its 2024 grants had a median of $10,500, though awards ranged widely; it does not accept unsolicited requests and grants by invitation only.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$3.6B

Grants

284

Total Given

$77.0M

David & Inez Myers Foundation

Cleveland, OH

The foundation supports the charitable, educational, and religious purposes of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, including Jewish education, community services, and student programs. In 2024, grants ranged from $7,000 to $3,971,350, with a median of $27,500; 84% of grant dollars went to Ohio and 16% to New York. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$247.9M

Grants

46

Total Given

$7.5M

James and Susan Ratner Family Foundation

Shaker Heights, OH

The foundation supports scholarships, arts and cultural organizations, Jewish community groups, humanitarian relief, and community initiatives, with most of its giving in Ohio. Grants ranged from $500 to $250,000 in 2025, with a median of $5,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Assets

$2.1M

Grants

70

Total Given

$1.0M

The Chicago Community Trust

Chicago, IL

The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$7.1B

Grants

4,316

Total Given

$1.2B

Marbeach Foundation

Solon, OH

Assets

$521K

Grants

43

Total Given

$30K

Columbus Foundation

Columbus, OH

The Columbus Foundation supports nonprofits and community initiatives in areas including arts and culture, education, youth, neighborhoods, basic needs, and capacity building, with a median 2024 grant of about $21,500. Its focus is Central Ohio, though it also funds organizations elsewhere; most grants are donor-directed and not application-based, but some programs accept applications.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$2.8B

Grants

1,747

Total Given

$242.7M

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Cincinnati, OH

The Greater Cincinnati Foundation supports education, affordable housing, arts and culture, community well-being, neighborhood development, and basic needs, with responsive grants focused on its eight-county Greater Cincinnati service area. Its 2024 grants had a median of $20,000, while specific opportunities range from small awards to grants of up to $450,000. It offers open RFP and LOI opportunities; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests outside those opportunities.

Assets

$1.0B

Grants

1,408

Total Given

$184.4M

The Scripps Howard Foundation

Cincinnati, OH

The Scripps Howard Foundation supports journalism education and related programs, including fellowships and investigative and open-source reporting, with 2024 grants concentrated in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Arizona, Ohio, and Colorado. Its median 2024 grant was $1,250, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether the Foundation accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$69.4M

Grants

819

Total Given

$7.4M

Nisource Charitable Foundation

Columbus, OH

The NiSource Charitable Foundation supports nonprofits addressing safety, workforce and economic development, environmental stewardship, STEM and energy education, and basic needs in communities across Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Its 2024 grants ranged from $60 to $2.1 million, with a median of $3,000. The filing directs applicants to contact the Foundation for application materials and deadlines; it does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$43.0M

Grants

683

Total Given

$7.5M

Dayton Foundation Depository

Dayton, OH

The Dayton Foundation supports eligible nonprofits working in arts and culture, health, education, human services and community building, including capacity building, capital projects and program expansions, primarily in Greater Dayton and nearby counties. Its 2025 itemized grants ranged from $5,020 to $1,792,990, with a median of $12,000. It accepts applications for its discretionary grant program through an online portal.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$42.3M

Grants

677

Total Given

$22.7M

More Funders in Ohio

Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?