JVZ Foundation is a private independent foundation based in New York, NY, established in 2007. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization focused on philanthropic grantmaking and voluntarism.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$25.2M
+284.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.2M
+48.1% YoY
Grant Count
28
-31.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$115K
+116.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education & Youth: Support for educational institutions and youth-focused programs
- New York City Community: Community development and civic engagement in New York
- Arts & Culture: Including support for cultural institutions
- Human Services: Various human services initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation typically selects grantees rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. It makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
Grant Range
$10,000
Average Grant
award: $52,000
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in New York, with secondary focus areas in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. These three states account for approximately 83% of all grants. Grantmaking reaches organizations across 10 states total.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024:
- Total Assets: $25.2 million
- Annual Revenue: $20.1 million
- Annual Expenses: $3.23 million
- Net Income: $16.9 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
Asset Growth: Total assets have grown from $83,000 in 2011 to $25.2 million in 2024.
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since June 2007. Contributions to the foundation are tax-deductible.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,161,286 | $6,538,079 | $8,065,411 |
| Revenue | $20,109,012 | $188,565 | $199,574 |
| Expenses | $3,233,402 | $2,184,529 | $1,271,100 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,230,397 | $2,183,322 | $1,262,413 |
| Net Investment Income | $147,868 | $187,358 | $198,387 |
| Distributable Amount | $539,714 | $413,266 | $383,219 |
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
128 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Principal Officer: James C. Zelter
James Zelter holds an economics degree from Duke University. He began his career as a high yield trader at Goldman Sachs, later joined Citicorp in 1994, and joined Apollo Global Management in 2006, where he serves as managing director of Apollo's credit business and CEO and director of Apollo Investment Corporation.
Co-Founder: Vivian Zelter
James and Vivian Zelter direct the foundation's philanthropic activities together.
Contact Information: The JVZ Foundation c/o James C. Zelter 990 Fifth Avenue Ste. 10 New York, NY 10075 Phone: (561) 368-6860
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES C ZELTER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| VIVIAN ZELTER | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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