Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation
The Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Glenview, Illinois. Founded in 1997, it makes charitable contributions to public charities, primarily for educational advancement, and describes its work as focused on innovation, education, and opportunity.
Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation gave $9.5M across 22 grants in 2024 (avg $431K), mostly in California. 36% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $9,487,319
- +4.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 22
- +4.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $431,242
- -0.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $150,000
- Total assets
- $89,427,535
- -10.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (8 of 22, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (52% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It states that it supports preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2700 Patriot Boulevard 400, Glenview, IL 60026
Phone: (847) 729-0600
Website: https://saulzaentzfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Stanford University ($4.0M). Together the top 10 received $8.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
159 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 50 grants of 159 (31%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars went primarily to organizations in California (52%), Maryland (20%), North Carolina (11%), Illinois (9%), and Massachusetts (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 22 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. With only 22 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $516K; repeat grants $383K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $292K repeat.
- 55% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+1%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 249% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $9.0M (2020) to $13.0M (2022). In 2024 it made 22 grants totaling $9.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stanford University Stanford, CA | General Support | $3,980,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | General Support | $1,034,000 |
| The James B Hunt Jr Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundat Durham, NC | General Support | $1,000,000 |
| Arts for Learning Maryland Baltimore, MD | General Support | $652,986 |
| Berkeley Film Foundation Berkeley, CA | General Support | $500,000 |
| TMW Center for Early Learning Public Health Chicago, IL | General Support | $465,000 |
| President and Fellows of Harvard College for Public Service Impact Fund Cambridge, MA | General Support | $350,000 |
| Glide Foundation San Francisco, CA | General Support | $333,333 |
| American Writers Museum Washington, DC | General Support | $250,000 |
| Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance Baltimore, MD | General Support | $250,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $89,427,535 | $3,925,028 | $14,956,444 | $9,487,319 | 22 | $10,601,263 | $3,081,295 | $4,249,404 |
| 2023 | $100,365,092 | $37,805,900 | $18,920,025 | $9,103,616 | 21 | $14,615,518 | $2,040,338 | — |
| 2022 | $81,479,217 | $92,529,541 | $42,196,034 | $12,979,113 | 19 | $41,464,079 | $60,950 | — |
| 2021 | $31,204,978 | $8,995,660 | $11,211,383 | $9,421,743 | 43 | $10,403,638 | $2,048,785 | $1,370,021 |
| 2020 | $33,574,349 | $4,491,916 | $11,226,577 | $8,983,602 | 54 | — | $545,560 | $1,139,778 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it aims to create opportunities for dignity and success, with a commitment to fairness and a level playing field for people living in poverty and adversity. It supports high-quality early childhood learning, improved K–12 and college graduation rates, and innovations in scientific teaching methods and best practices. Its website says it generally supports organizations in these fields that can scale up their activities and adapt their strategies to changing circumstances.
The 2024 grants were reported as general support. Examples of grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported: Start Early says it advances quality early learning for families with young children; Arts for Learning Maryland says it connects educators, professional artists, and communities to transform young people’s lives and education through the arts; and Glide Foundation says it works to fight systemic injustice and create pathways out of poverty and crisis. Berkeley Film Foundation describes its work as supporting independent filmmakers and the local film community.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 22 grants totaling $9,487,319. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $3,980,000, with a median of $150,000. Its largest grants included Stanford University ($3,980,000), Johns Hopkins University ($1,034,000), The James B. Hunt Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundation ($1,000,000), Arts for Learning Maryland ($652,986), and Berkeley Film Foundation ($500,000). Each was listed for general support.
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Elliot G. Steinberg as president and director, Marvin J. Garbis as vice president and director, and Daniel A. Fortman as chairman and director.
Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation is led by Elliot G. Steinberg, President & Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Elliot G. Steinberg
President & Director
Director → President, 2021
President → President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$220K (2020) → $350K (2024)
Daniel A. Fortman
Chairman & Director
Director → Chairman & Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$120K (2022) → $250K (2024)
Marvin J. Garbis
Vice President & Director
Director → Vice President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
$130K (2020) → $175K (2024)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Alan H. Hammerman (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Frank Noonan (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $350K, to Elliot G Steinberg (President & Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation
How much does Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation give each year?
Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation gave $9.5M across 22 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $9.1M across 21 grants.
What is Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $150,000, and its average grant was $431,242, across 22 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation that year got $516K on average.
Where does Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation give grants?
Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation gives mostly in California: 52% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (20%) and North Carolina (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (7 grants), Baltimore, MD (3 grants) and Berkeley, CA (2 grants).
Does Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (22 of 22) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Stanford University ($3,980,000), Johns Hopkins University ($1,034,000) and The James B Hunt Jr Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundat ($1,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation?
Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation reported $89.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $10.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $4.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation fund?
The foundation says it aims to create opportunities for dignity and success, with a commitment to fairness and a level playing field for people living in poverty and adversity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-1005952. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/saul-zaentz-charitable-foundation-morg_9afe01fa1e6c47efa491d198dc867432
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_471005952_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/saul-zaentz-charitable-foundation-morg_9afe01fa1e6c47efa491d198dc867432},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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