Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc
Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc is a private foundation, based in Cornwall, VT. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $1.5M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $1.7M. Net investment income was $346K.
Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc gave $1.7M across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $209K), top state North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,669,305
- +1127.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- -20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $208,663
- +1434.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $210,000
- Total assets
- $1,548,664
- -46.2% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (25% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Vermont Community Foundation ($400K). Together the top 8 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
27 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 22 grants of 27 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 3610% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $10K (2021) to $1.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $1.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Community Foundation Middlebury, VT | General Fund | $400,000 |
| Triangle Community Foundation Research Triangle Park, NC | General Fund | $400,000 |
| The National Philanthropic Trust Jenkintown, PA | General Fund | $400,000 |
| NFS Fidelity Charitable Foundation Boston, MA | General Fund | $400,000 |
| Grand Teton National Park Jackson, WY | General Fund | $20,000 |
| American Dance Festival Durham, NC | General Fund | $19,305 |
| Round River Conservation Studies Salt Lake City, UT | General Fund | $15,000 |
| Dar a Luz Birth & Health Center Los Ranchos De Albuque, NM | General Fund | $15,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,548,664 | $367,538 | $1,698,822 | $1,669,305 | 8 | $1,674,194 | $345,662 | $151,690 |
| 2024 | $2,879,948 | $172,961 | $158,424 | $136,000 | 10 | $140,873 | $157,724 | $154,813 |
| 2023 | $2,865,411 | $133,280 | $146,741 | $123,815 | 5 | $128,675 | $117,247 | $151,637 |
| 2022 | $2,878,872 | $84,434 | $67,410 | $45,000 | 3 | $49,846 | $68,170 | $152,614 |
| 2021 | $2,861,848 | $90,879 | $30,992 | $10,000 | 1 | $14,834 | $74,795 | $156,189 |
| 2020 | $2,801,961 | $75,356 | $135,445 | $114,500 | 11 | — | $59,353 | $149,935 |
| 2019 | $2,862,050 | $116,916 | $1,229,137 | $1,187,500 | 9 | — | $84,540 | $170,900 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $152K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc is led by Melissa Seligmann, President & Trustee on the 2025 filing; none of the 8 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Melissa Seligmann
President & Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Henry Peterson
Sec'y. & Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Walker
Treasurer & Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Balter
V.p. & Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Seligmann
Former President
President & Trustee → Former President, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Seligmann
Former Secretary
Sec'y. & Trustee → Former Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monica Seligmann
Former Treasurer
Treasurer & Trustee → Former Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Seligmann
Former Vice President
V.p. & Trustee → Former Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc
How much does Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc give each year?
Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc gave $1.7M across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $136K across 10 grants.
What is Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $210,000, and its average grant was $208,663, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc give grants?
Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc's top state is North Carolina, with 25% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Vermont (24%) and Pennsylvania (24%).
Does Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Vermont Community Foundation ($400,000), Triangle Community Foundation ($400,000) and The National Philanthropic Trust ($400,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 72% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc?
Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $152K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc's EIN?
Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-3565747. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 23, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Esther and Otto Seligmann Foundation Inc funds
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