Esler Family Foundation
The Esler Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Saratoga Springs, New York. Established in 2019 by John and Jeanne Esler, it supports organizations working in mental health, youth opportunity, and economic mobility, with local, national, and international partnerships.
Esler Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Esler Family Foundation gave $1.3M across 15 grants in 2024 (avg $85K), top state Massachusetts. 47% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,277,200
- +20.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 15
- -50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $85,147
- +141.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $11,406,417
- +8.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 47% first-time grantees (7 of 15, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (37% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Esler Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for its contributions. Worcester County organizations may apply to the Inspiring Generosity Match Fund through the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. For national and international giving, organizations may submit a letter of inquiry; applications are by invitation only.
- Contact
Mailing address: 321 Broadway Suite 202, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Phone: (518) 867-3313
Website: https://eslerfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Esler Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Tesseract Research Center ($300K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
107 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 77 grants of 107 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes partnerships with local, national, and international organizations. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts (37%), Washington, DC (25%), Pennsylvania (20%), Florida (8%), and Colorado (8%). Its Inspiring Generosity Match Fund is specifically for work serving Worcester County residents.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 15 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Esler Family Foundation open to new grantees?
47%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 15 grantees (47%) 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 $96K; repeat grants $75K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 33% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 22% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 213% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $221K (2020) to $1.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 15 grants totaling $1.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tesseract Research Center Washington, DC | General charitable | $300,000 |
| Mindful Philanthropy Philadelphia, PA | General Charity | $250,000 |
| Nativity School of Worcester Inc Worcester, MA | General charitable | $250,000 |
| Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL | General charitable | $106,000 |
| Young Life Colorado Springs, CO | General Charitable | $97,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club Worcester Worcester, MA | General charitable | $55,000 |
| Ma Women of Color Coalition Worcester, MA | General charitable | $50,000 |
| United Way of Central Massachusetts Worcester, MA | General charitable | $50,000 |
| Rank the Vote Leominster, MA | General charitable | $50,000 |
| Patriotic Millionaires Washington, DC | General Charity | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Esler Family Foundation?
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 | $11,406,417 | $2,454,740 | $1,334,835 | $1,277,200 | 15 | $1,277,200 | $741,371 | $600,473 |
| 2023 | $10,529,058 | $2,063,094 | $1,188,340 | $1,058,664 | 30 | $1,058,664 | $218,277 | $503,954 |
| 2022 | $10,433,986 | $1,701,616 | $1,550,461 | $1,361,810 | 25 | $1,361,810 | $418,595 | $523,405 |
| 2021 | $11,091,928 | $5,180,139 | $1,275,413 | $1,043,547 | 24 | $1,043,547 | $2,480,137 | $476,524 |
| 2020 | $8,765,155 | $2,703,139 | $304,398 | $221,369 | 13 | — | $1,854,113 | $358,409 |
| 2019 | $5,594,565 | $5,595,107 | $542 | — | — | — | $13,855 | $755 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Esler Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $600K 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
The foundation’s mission is “healing minds and strengthening spirits” in partnership with changemakers. Its focus areas are mental health services, research, and education; educational and supplemental opportunities for young people; and strategies addressing barriers to economic mobility.
Its 2024 grants included a range of organization types. For example, Tesseract Research Center describes its work as promoting public-policy knowledge through research, publications, and events. Mindful Philanthropy describes itself as a field catalyst for funding systems change related to mental health, addiction, and well-being. Nativity School of Worcester says it provides a high-quality education through a co-divisional model.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 15 grants totaling $1,277,200. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $300,000, with a median of $50,000. The largest awards included $300,000 to Tesseract Research Center, $250,000 to Mindful Philanthropy, $250,000 to Nativity School of Worcester, $106,000 to Nova Southeastern University, and $97,000 to Young Life. Other listed grants included $55,000 to Boys and Girls Club Worcester; $50,000 each to MA Women of Color Coalition, United Way of Central Massachusetts, and Rank the Vote; and $25,000 to Patriotic Millionaires.
For Worcester County nonprofits, the foundation offers the Inspiring Generosity Match Fund through the Greater Worcester Community Foundation. The fund is open to 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally sponsored projects based in and serving Worcester County, with average annual revenue under $5 million over the prior three years. Applicants must align with at least one of the foundation’s three focus areas. The foundation committed $1 million over two years to the fund; in March 2026, 38 nonprofits received grants of up to $25,000, each requiring a dollar-for-dollar match by December 31, 2026.
For national and international partnerships, the foundation says they are by invitation only. Organizations that believe they align with its mission and criteria may submit a letter of inquiry; the foundation may then invite them to apply.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists John Esler as treasurer, clerk, and director, and Jeanne Esler as president and director.
Esler Family Foundation is led by Jeanne Esler, President & Director on every filing since 2019; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jeanne Esler
President & Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
John Esler
Treasurer, Clerk & Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Esler Family Foundation
How much does Esler Family Foundation give each year?
Esler Family Foundation gave $1.3M across 15 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 30 grants.
What is Esler Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Esler Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $85,147, across 15 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Esler Family Foundation that year got $96K on average.
Where does Esler Family Foundation give grants?
Esler Family Foundation's top state is Massachusetts, with 37% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were District of Columbia (25%) and Pennsylvania (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Worcester, MA (5 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does Esler Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Esler Family Foundation'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 Esler Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Esler Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Tesseract Research Center ($300,000), Mindful Philanthropy ($250,000) and Nativity School of Worcester Inc ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Esler Family Foundation?
Esler Family Foundation reported $11.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $600K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Esler Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is “healing minds and strengthening spirits” in partnership with changemakers. Its focus areas are mental health services, research, and education; educational and supplemental opportunities for young people; and strategies addressing barriers to economic mobility. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Esler Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests for its contributions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Esler Family Foundation's EIN?
Esler Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3919029. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does Esler Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 10, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Esler Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Esler Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Esler Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/esler-family-foundation-morg_cf4360b47a30426da1d758b107310e82
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_843919029_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Esler Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/esler-family-foundation-morg_cf4360b47a30426da1d758b107310e82},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 Esler Family Foundation'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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