David and Geri Epstein
David and Geri Epstein is a private foundation based in Westport, Connecticut. Its 2024 filing lists grants to charitable organizations, with stated grant purposes of general support for the recipients shown.
David and Geri Epstein at a glance
In short: David and Geri Epstein gave $1.0M across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $68K), top state Connecticut. 13% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,025,000
- +3.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $68,333
- +3.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $31,524,223
- +58.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 13% first-time grantees (2 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Connecticut (41% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to David and Geri Epstein
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. The filing lists application forms and materials as not applicable, deadlines as not applicable, and restrictions on awards as none.
- Contact
Application contact: David And Geri Epstein Private Fnd
Mailing address: PO Box 456, Westport, CT 06881
Phone: (203) 803-3978
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who David and Geri Epstein funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center ($250K). Together the top 10 received $935K.
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 34 grants of 80 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went to recipients in Connecticut (41%), New York (24%), Indiana (12%), North Carolina (10%), and Oklahoma (5%). The listed grants also included recipients in Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
Cities
Is David and Geri Epstein open to new grantees?
13%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 15 grantees (13%) were first-time recipients. With only 15 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $28K; repeat grants $75K. How we count
Medians: $28K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 87% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 87% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $930K (2022) to $1.2M (2020). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center New York, NY | General Support | $250,000 |
| Connecticut Children's Foundation Hartford, CT | General Support | $185,000 |
| University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, IN | General Support | $125,000 |
| Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NC | General Support | $100,000 |
| Achievement First Bridgeport Academy New Haven, CT | General Support | $50,000 |
| Birdies for Charity First Tee -CT Cromwell, CT | General Support | $50,000 |
| Folds of Honor Foundation Owasso, OK | General Support | $50,000 |
| Lafayette College-John Cooper Easton, PA | General Support | $50,000 |
| Staples Tuition Grants Westport, CT | General Support | $50,000 |
| Connecticut Science Center Hartford, CT | General Support | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $31,524,223 | $12,928,411 | $1,435,812 | $1,025,000 | 15 | $1,065,760 | $12,556,054 | $1,219,938 |
| 2023 | $19,834,598 | $1,403,901 | $1,402,446 | $995,000 | 15 | $1,054,689 | $1,056,144 | $1,031,874 |
| 2022 | $19,681,178 | $1,055,056 | $1,255,614 | $930,000 | 15 | $971,795 | $784,247 | $978,141 |
| 2021 | $20,510,758 | $1,793,754 | $1,297,475 | $956,000 | 16 | $998,024 | $1,234,303 | $972,861 |
| 2020 | $20,010,458 | $488,607 | $1,642,976 | $1,230,000 | 19 | — | $143,122 | $996,907 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, David and Geri Epstein reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants went to a range of organizations. Connecticut Children’s Foundation describes its work as supporting Connecticut Children’s through resources for people, research, technology, and equipment. Achievement First Bridgeport Academy says it serves students from low-income households and aims to build students’ academic and character skills. Horizons Bridgeport describes its mission as developing students’ academic, social, and emotional skills and resilience.
Other grantees describe their work as including higher education (Wake Forest University), educational scholarships for eligible families of military service members and first responders (Folds of Honor Foundation), interactive science learning (Connecticut Science Center), and children’s literacy and family support (Read to Grow).
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 15 grants totaling $1,025,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $250,000, with a median of $50,000. Among the largest grants were $250,000 to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, $185,000 to Connecticut Children’s Foundation, $125,000 to the University of Notre Dame, and $100,000 to Wake Forest University. Each of these grants was listed for general support. Other listed grants included $50,000 to Achievement First Bridgeport Academy, $50,000 to Folds of Honor Foundation, and $25,000 each to Connecticut Science Center and Horizons Bridgeport.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Karen Hess as president and Robert Hess and Michael Connell as trustees.
David and Geri Epstein is led by Karen Hess, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 3 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Karen Hess
President
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$60K (2020) → $60K (2024)
Michael Connell
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert Hess
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $60K, to Karen Hess (President).
Frequently asked questions about David and Geri Epstein
How much does David and Geri Epstein give each year?
David and Geri Epstein gave $1.0M across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $995K across 15 grants.
What is David and Geri Epstein's typical grant size?
David and Geri Epstein's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $68,333, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from David and Geri Epstein that year got $28K on average.
Where does David and Geri Epstein give grants?
David and Geri Epstein's top state is Connecticut, with 41% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (24%) and Indiana (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Hartford, CT (2 grants) and Westport, CT (2 grants).
Does David and Geri Epstein give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of David and Geri Epstein's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (15 of 15) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are David and Geri Epstein's largest grantees?
David and Geri Epstein's largest 2024 grantees include Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center ($250,000), Connecticut Children's Foundation ($185,000) and University of Notre Dame ($125,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is David and Geri Epstein?
David and Geri Epstein reported $31.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does David and Geri Epstein fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2024 grants went to a range of organizations. Connecticut Children’s Foundation describes its work as supporting Connecticut Children’s through resources for people, research, technology, and equipment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from David and Geri Epstein?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is David and Geri Epstein's EIN?
David and Geri Epstein's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1069019. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does David and Geri Epstein accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). David and Geri Epstein funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/david-and-geri-epstein-morg_077289c643c54632943d6c55e06c613f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_201069019_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{David and Geri Epstein funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/david-and-geri-epstein-morg_077289c643c54632943d6c55e06c613f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from David and Geri Epstein's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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