The David and Geri Epstein Private Foundation is a private foundation based in Westport, Connecticut. Established in 2004, the foundation operates as a trust structure and focuses on providing general support to charitable organizations across multiple states, with particular emphasis on health, education, and community service initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$31.5M
+58.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.0M
+3.0% YoY
Grant Count
15
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$68K
+3.0% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission emphasizes contributions to health, education, and community service. Primary funding areas include:
- Health and medical services, particularly cancer research centers
- Education and educational institutions
- Community health and wellness
- Youth development programs
- Pediatric healthcare
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on an invite-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. Prospective grantees are expected to have established relationships with the foundation, its trustees, or current grantees, or to receive referrals from existing connections.
Grant Range
$10,000–$250,000
Average Grant
amount: $64,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Connecticut, New York, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Connecticut and New York account for the majority of grantmaking activity. The foundation's funding extends across eight states.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Income (Most Recent Data):
- Total assets: $31,524,223 (2024)
- Total assets: $19,834,598 (2023)
- Total giving: $1,025,000 (2024)
- Total giving: $995,000 (2023)
- Investment income and dividends: $250,247 (2023)
- Annual income: $14.4 million
Asset Growth: Total assets have grown from $4.8 million in 2011 to $31.5 million in 2024, demonstrating significant growth in the foundation's endowment over the past decade.
Giving Rate: Approximately 5.0% of assets distributed annually.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $31,524,223 | $19,834,598 | $19,681,178 |
| Revenue | $12,928,411 | $1,403,901 | $1,055,056 |
| Expenses | $1,435,812 | $1,402,446 | $1,255,614 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,065,760 | $1,054,689 | $971,795 |
| Net Investment Income | $12,556,054 | $1,056,144 | $784,247 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,219,938 | $1,031,874 | $978,141 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
80 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Memorial Sloan-kettering Cancer Center ($250,000), Connecticut Children's Foundation ($185,000), University of Notre Dame ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACHIEVEMENT FIRST BRIDGEPORT ACADEMY NEW HAVEN, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| BIRDIES FOR CHARITY FIRST TEE -CT CROMWELL, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| CONNECTICUT CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $185,000 |
| CONNECTICUT SCIENCE CENTER HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| FOLDS OF HONOR FOUNDATION OWASSO, OK | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| HORIZONS BRIDGEPORT BRIDGEPORT, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| LAFAYETTE COLLEGE-JOHN COOPER EASTON, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| LEVITT PAVILION WESTPORT, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER CENTER NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| READ TO GROW BRANFORD, CT | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Karen C. Hess: Spokesperson for The David and Geri Epstein Private Foundation
- Robert Hess: Principal Officer
- The foundation is governed by three officers and trustees
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT HESS | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| MICHAEL CONNELL | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| KAREN HESS | PRESIDENT | 5 | $60,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In a significant recent commitment, the David and Geri Epstein Private Foundation announced a $1 million gift to Connecticut Children's Foundation to support the hospital's Westport Specialty Clinic and pediatric research with statewide and nationwide impact. In recognition of this gift, the infusion center at the new Westport Specialty Clinic was named the Geri Epstein Infusion Center. This commitment reflects the foundation's deepening partnership with Connecticut Children's to improve health and wellness in the community.
Chapter Scholarships - First Tee \u2013 ConnecticutSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does David and Geri Epstein fund?
The foundation's mission emphasizes contributions to health, education, and community service. Primary funding areas include: • Health and medical services, particularly cancer research centers • Education and educational institutions • Community health and wellness • Youth development programs • Pediatric healthcare
How do I apply for a grant from David and Geri Epstein?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $10,000–$250,000 • Median grant size: $50,000 • Average grant amount: $64,000 • Annual giving: Approximately $930,000–$1,025,000 **Application Process:** The foundation operates on an invite-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications. Prospective grantees are expected to have established relationships with the foundation, its trustees, or current grantees, or to receive referrals from existing connections. **Recent Grants (2023):** • Connec…
Where does David and Geri Epstein make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Connecticut, New York, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Connecticut and New York account for the majority of grantmaking activity. The foundation's funding extends across eight states.
What size grants does David and Geri Epstein award?
In 2024, David and Geri Epstein awarded 15 grants totaling $1.0M — an average of about $68K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is David and Geri Epstein required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, David and Geri Epstein reported a distributable amount of $1.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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