Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc

BALTIMORE, MD EIN: 52-2135417

Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc is a private family foundation based in Baltimore, Maryland. Established in 1999, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status. The foundation is a small grantmaker with limited staffing and operates on a preselected basis, meaning it does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$92K

-6.7% YoY

Annual Giving

$111K

-36.5% YoY

Grant Count

100

-10.7% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$1K

-28.9% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $5K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's giving focuses primarily on Jewish organizations and Jewish education. Additional funding interests include Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services, with particular emphasis on organizations in the Jewish community.

Grantmaking

The foundation operates on a preselected-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds. Prospective grantees must be invited to apply.

Grant Range

$213–$500 (varies by reporting year)

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily makes grants to organizations in New York, Maryland, and New Jersey, with a concentration in the Baltimore, Maryland area.

Grant Distribution by State

Maryland $290K (65%)

New York $127K (29%)

Pennsylvania $11K (2%)

New Jersey $6K (1%)

Illinois $4K (1%)

Michigan $3K (1%)

Florida $2K (0%)

Ohio $1K (0%)

+11 more states

States

California Colorado District of Columbia Florida Illinois Kentucky Maryland Michigan Missouri North Carolina Nebraska New Jersey New York Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island Texas Virginia Wisconsin

Cities

AirmontAirmonthBalimoreBaltimoreBerkleyBrooklyBrooklynBroolynChesterfieldChicagoCincinnattiCleveland HeightsDenverEdisonFar RockawayFlushingForest HillsFort LauderdaleHoustonJackson

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Most Recent Financial Data (2024):

Total Assets: $92,095
Total Revenue: $104,622
Total Expenses: $111,250
Total Giving: $111,250

Historical Assets (2023):

Total Assets: $99,000
Total Giving: $154,000–$175,000

The foundation's giving rate exceeds its asset base annually, indicating it distributes more than its investment returns in most years.

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$92,095	$98,723	$1,929
Revenue	$104,622	$272,158	$130,223
Expenses	$111,250	$175,364	$145,041
Qualifying Distributions	$111,250	$175,323	$145,082
Net Investment Income	$7	—	$2
Distributable Amount	$4,699	$2,479	$460

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

250 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bhoh- Bais Haknesses Ohr Hachaim ($26,000), Talmudical Academy ($15,875), Agudath Israel of Greenspring ($10,865).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
BAIS ULPANABAIS ARON BROOKLYN, NY	EDUCATION	$200
BAIS MEDRASH & MESIVTA OF BALTIMORE BALTIMORE, MD	EDUCATION	$2,200
AFO KINDESS AND CHARITY BROOKLYN, NY	RELIGIOUS	$180
AFO TAHARAS HAMISHPACHA BROOKLYN, NY	RELIGIOUS	$500
AGUDAH OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE, MD	RELIGIOUS	$1,240
AGUDATH ISRAEL CHARITY FUND BALTIMORE, MD	CHARITY	$5,838
AGUDATH ISRAEL OF AMERICA NEW YORK, NY	RELIGIOUS	$72
AGUDATH ISRAEL OF BALTIMORE BALTIMORE, MD	RELGIOUS	$68
AGUDATH ISRAEL OF GREENSPRING BALTIMORE, MD	RELIGIOUS	$10,865
AHAVAS ISRAEL CHARITY FUND PIKESVILLE, MD	CHARITY	$331

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Zvi Guttman – Director (unpaid position, 0 hours per week compensation reported)

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
ZVI GUTTMAN	DIRECTOR	—	—

Contact Information

Address: PO Box 32308, Baltimore, MD 21282-2308

Phone: 410-580-0500

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc fund?

How do I apply for a grant from Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc?

**Grant Activity:** • Median grant size: $213–$500 (varies by reporting year) • Grant range: $10–$35,203 • Annual grant count: 39–112 grants depending on the year • Total annual giving: $111,250–$175,000 (varies by year) **Application Process:** The foundation operates on a preselected-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications for funds. Prospective grantees must be invited to apply.

Where does Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc make grants?

The foundation primarily makes grants to organizations in New York, Maryland, and New Jersey, with a concentration in the Baltimore, Maryland area.

What size grants does Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc awarded 100 grants totaling $111K — an average of about $1K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $5K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.