The Charles M and Esther Zell

Private foundation · Grantmaker Stamford, CT EIN: 22-2481402

The Charles M and Esther Zell is a private foundation, based in Stamford, CT. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $7K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $4K. Net investment income was $487.

Key facts about The Charles M and Esther Zell

In short: The Charles M and Esther Zell gave $4K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
22-2481402
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$4,000
Grants made (2024)
2
Average grant
$2,000
Median grant
$2,000
Total assets
$6,828
Primary geography
New York (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$7K

-34.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$4K

+0.0% YoY

Grant Count

2

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$2K

+0.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Charles M and Esther Zell reported a distributable amount of $506 for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How The Charles M and Esther Zell gives

  • Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+0%). Method
  • In 2024 it paid out 791% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

1state

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.

States

Cities

BronxYorktown Heights

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1K$2K$3K$4K2 grants2020 2 grants2021 2 grants2022 2 grants2023 2 grants2024

From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $4K (2020) to $4K (2024). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $4K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 2 recipients in 2024

Guiding Eyes for the Blind: $2KGuiding Eyes for the Blind$2KWildlife Conservation Society: $2KWildlife Conservation Society$2K

The largest 2024 recipient was Guiding Eyes for the Blind ($2K). Together the top 2 received $4K.

Grant Size Distribution

10 grants across all recorded years

10<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 10 grants of 10 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Guiding Eyes for the Blind Yorktown Heights, NYProvision of Guide Dogs for the Blind.$2,000
Wildlife Conservation Society Bronx, NYProvision for Care of Wild Animals$2,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$2K$4K$6K2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$6,828$10,341$14,201
Revenue$487$643$210
Expenses$4,000$4,503$4,000
Qualifying Distributions$4,000$4,000$4,000
Net Investment Income$487$643$210
Distributable Amount$506$704$877

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

The Charles M and Esther Zell is led by David H. Zell, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • David H. Zell

    President

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

  • Cheryl O. Zell

    Secretary

    On filings since 2020

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Frank Paccetti (2020) — Treasurer

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.

Frequently asked questions about The Charles M and Esther Zell

How much does The Charles M and Esther Zell give each year?

The Charles M and Esther Zell gave $4K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4K across 2 grants.

How large is The Charles M and Esther Zell?

The Charles M and Esther Zell reported $7K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $506 (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

Where does The Charles M and Esther Zell operate?

The Charles M and Esther Zell has awarded grants in New York.

What is The Charles M and Esther Zell's EIN?

The Charles M and Esther Zell's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 22-2481402. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

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