Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation
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.
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.
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.
Ready to take the next step with Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation?
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
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
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
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
The most common grant size was under $50K: 87 grants of 98 (89%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Federation of Cleveland Cleveland, OH | Community Security Initiative, Project 120, 2025 Campaign | $360,000 |
| Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland Ohio Pepper Pike, OH | General Support | $27,500 |
| National Council of Jewish Women Incorporated Warrensville Heights, OH | National Office, Cleveland Section: General Support | $24,000 |
| American Jewish Committee New York, NY | Cleveland Office: General Support | $18,500 |
| Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life Kent, OH | General Support | $12,500 |
| Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Inc Cleveland, OH | General Support | $12,500 |
| Greater Cleveland Food Bank Inc Cleveland, OH | General Support | $12,000 |
| Park Synagogue Pepper Pike, OH | General Support | $12,000 |
| College Now Greater Cleveland Inc Cleveland, OH | General Support | $10,000 |
| Facing History and Ourselves Inc Boston, MA | General 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 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?