The Jesselson Foundation is a family foundation incorporated in New York in 1955 and designated as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization since July 1957. Based in New York City, the foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in the New York City metropolitan area, with a particular focus on Jewish organizations and educational institutions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.0M
-10.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$549K
+180.1% YoY
Grant Count
7
-22.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$78K
+260.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jesselson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $225K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding areas include:
- Jewish organizations
- Educational institutions
- General operating support
- Project support
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$1,800 to $453,000
Review Cycle
- No stated restrictions
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation concentrates its grantmaking in the New York City metropolitan area.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending April 2024:
- Total Assets: $7,040,011
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Revenue: -$201,150
- Expenses: $601,000
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,040,011 | $7,842,299 | $8,497,878 |
| Revenue | $-201,150 | $-448,864 | $548,443 |
| Expenses | $601,138 | $224,715 | $29,711 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $555,168 | $201,020 | $10,460 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $225,312 | $246,948 | $236,825 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 7 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Pef Israel Endowment Fds ($453,450), Sar Academy ($45,000), Center for Jewish History ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FDS NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $453,450 |
| CENTER FOR JEWISH HISTORY NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $25,000 |
| SAR ACADEMY RIVERDALE, NY | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $45,000 |
| MOMA NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $15,000 |
| CHABAD OF KEY BISCAYNE KEY BISCAYNE, FL | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $1,800 |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $6,000 |
| CENTER FOR JEWISH LIFE NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL CHARITABLE | $2,300 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and Key Personnel:
- Michael Jesselson — President
- Ted Mirvis — Vice President
- Claire Strauss — Secretary/Treasurer
- Steven Chill — Director
All listed board members report zero hours per week and zero compensation, indicating limited paid staffing.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLAIRE STRAUSS | SECY/TREASURER | — | — |
| STEVEN CHILL | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| TED MIRVIS | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| MICHAEL JESSELSON | PRESIDENT | — | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 445 Park Ave, Suite 1502, New York City, NY 10022-8637
- Telephone: 212-751-3666
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jesselson Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding areas include: • Jewish organizations • Educational institutions • General operating support • Project support
How do I apply for a grant from Jesselson Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Recent grant activity is documented in current filings • Grant range: $1,800 to $453,000 • Median grant: $15,000 • 7 grants reported in recent tax filings **Application Process:** • Application instructions: Typed format • No stated deadlines • No stated restrictions • The foundation is indicated as possibly open to applications **Annual Giving:** • Total annual giving: $548,550
Where does Jesselson Foundation make grants?
The foundation concentrates its grantmaking in the New York City metropolitan area.
What size grants does Jesselson Foundation award?
In 2024, Jesselson Foundation awarded 7 grants totaling $549K — an average of about $78K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Jesselson Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Jesselson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $225K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Jesselson Foundation's EIN?
Jesselson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-6075098. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Jesselson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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