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.
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
States
Cities
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.
| 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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc fund?
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.
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.
What is Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc's EIN?
Gemsy Zay Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-2135417. 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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