Esserman Family Foundation
The Esserman Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Miami, Florida. Its 2023 filing is marked as a final return, so the foundation appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
Esserman Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Esserman Family Foundation gave $125K across 14 grants in 2023 (avg $9K), mostly in Florida. 23% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $124,975
- +3.1% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 14
- +27.3% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $8,927
- -19.0% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $8,738
- Total assets
- $2,047,201
- +27.6% vs 2022
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (3 of 13, 2023; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Florida (54% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Esserman Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing instructs interested applicants to contact Charlene Esserman about application materials, deadlines, and award restrictions. It does not specify a process or current application cycle.
- Contact
Application contact: Charlene Esserman
Mailing address: 10455 Nw 12Th Street, Miami, FL 33172
Phone: (305) 477-4001
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Esserman Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was Greater Miami Jewish Federation ($20K). Together the top 10 received $118K.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 43 grants of 43 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2023, 54% of grant dollars went to recipients in Florida, 24% to California, 12% to Maryland, and 4% each to New Jersey and Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Esserman Family Foundation open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 3 of 13 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $9K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $9K repeat.
- 77% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- Giving grew 24% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2023 it paid out 165% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2023). 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $101K (2020) to $125K (2023). In 2023 it made 14 grants totaling $125K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Miami Jewish Federation Miami, FL | Meet the needs and safeguard the freedoms of all. | $20,000 |
| UCSF Director's Circle San Francisco, CA | Support the University's work locally, nationally. | $20,000 |
| American Jewish Committee Miami, FL | Works to impact policy and opinion on some of the most important issues facing the Jewish people. | $15,000 |
| University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation Baltimore, MD | Serve the University community. | $15,000 |
| Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative San Francisco, CA | To improve human health for all through personalized medicine | $10,000 |
| Zoo Miami Foundation Miami, FL | Fosters community pride and involvement with Zoo Miami and secures financial support for the zoo. | $10,000 |
| Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation Miami, FL | Connect our community to the performing arts and to each other. | $10,000 |
| Temple Beth Am Pinecrest, FL | General and Judaic Studies, enhance the academic and religious development of our children. | $7,475 |
| ACLU of Florida New York, NJ | Defend and preserve individual rights and liberties. | $5,000 |
| Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence Washington, DC | Create an America free from gun violence. | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Esserman 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2,047,201 | $465,225 | $138,507 | $124,975 | 14 | $124,975 | $453,209 | $75,732 |
| 2022 | $1,603,983 | $63,850 | $145,470 | $121,195 | 11 | $122,270 | $47,128 | $94,065 |
| 2021 | $1,685,603 | $491,320 | $115,345 | $100,500 | 9 | — | $476,475 | $86,808 |
| 2020 | $1,414,979 | $53,511 | $119,068 | $100,500 | 9 | — | $35,067 | $79,615 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Esserman Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $76K for 2023 — 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 is stated in the available information. Its 2023 grants included support for organizations whose own missions include serving Jewish communities, advancing healthcare research, presenting performing arts, inspiring nature conservation, and preventing gun violence.
For example, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation describes its work as mobilizing resources to serve Jewish people in Miami, Israel, and elsewhere, and to strengthen Jewish education and community life. Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative describes its mission as supporting healthcare research organizations, particularly in breast cancer research and treatment. The Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation says it raises private contributions to help present performances and educational programs for South Florida’s diverse community.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $124,975. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $8,738.
Among the largest reported grants were $20,000 each to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation and UCSF Director’s Circle; $15,000 each to the American Jewish Committee and University of Maryland Baltimore Foundation; and $10,000 each to Quantum Leap Healthcare Collaborative, Zoo Miami Foundation, and the Adrienne Arsht Center Foundation. Other listed recipients included Temple Beth Am ($7,475), ACLU of Florida ($5,000), and Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence ($5,000).
The 2023 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It directs interested applicants to contact the foundation regarding application materials, deadlines, and award restrictions. Because the filing is marked as a final return, these instructions should not be treated as current application guidance.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists the following directors: Estate of Ron Esserman, James N Esserman, Laura J Esserman, Lisa E Esserman, Susan G Esserman, and Charlene Esserman.
Esserman Family Foundation's 2023 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Charlene Esserman
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Estate of Ron Esserman
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
James N Esserman
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Laura J Esserman
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Lisa E Esserman
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Susan G Esserman
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Esserman Family Foundation
How much does Esserman Family Foundation give each year?
Esserman Family Foundation gave $125K across 14 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $121K across 11 grants.
What is Esserman Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Esserman Family Foundation's median grant in 2023 was $8,738, and its average grant was $8,927, across 14 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Esserman Family Foundation that year got $11K on average.
Where does Esserman Family Foundation give grants?
Esserman Family Foundation gives mostly in Florida: 54% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were California (24%) and Maryland (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Miami, FL (7 grants) and San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does Esserman Family Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of Esserman Family Foundation's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Esserman Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Esserman Family Foundation's largest 2023 grantees include Greater Miami Jewish Federation ($20,000), UCSF Director's Circle ($20,000) and American Jewish Committee ($15,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is Esserman Family Foundation?
Esserman Family Foundation reported $2.0M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $125K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $76K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Esserman Family Foundation fund?
No foundation mission is stated in the available information. Its 2023 grants included support for organizations whose own missions include serving Jewish communities, advancing healthcare research, presenting performing arts, inspiring nature conservation, and preventing gun violence. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Esserman Family Foundation?
The filing instructs interested applicants to contact Charlene Esserman about application materials, deadlines, and award restrictions. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Esserman Family Foundation's EIN?
Esserman Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2074738. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
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 2020–2023
Live grants for the work Esserman Family Foundation funds
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Esserman Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?