The Debra and Jeffrey Geller
The Debra and Jeffrey Geller is a private foundation based in Watermill, New York. It supports charitable organizations through grants; its 2025 filing states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
The Debra and Jeffrey Geller at a glance
In short: The Debra and Jeffrey Geller gave $102K across 19 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in New York. 21% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $102,400
- +1.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 19
- -5.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,389
- +6.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $635,790
- -1.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (4 of 19, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Debra and Jeffrey Geller
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Its filing describes written requests that explain the proposed use of the gift and the applying organization’s history; it lists no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Jeffrey Geller 914-238-6712
Mailing address: 71 Carolyn Pl, Chappaqua, NY 10514
Phone: (914) 345-3232
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Debra and Jeffrey Geller funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Solomon Guggenheim Foundation ($25K). Together the top 10 received $95K.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 79 grants of 79 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 6% to Massachusetts, 3% to Illinois, and less than 1% to the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 19 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Debra and Jeffrey Geller open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 19 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. With only 19 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $875; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 79% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 138% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 338% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $43K (2022) to $102K (2025). In 2025 it made 19 grants totaling $102K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Solomon Guggenheim Foundation New York, NY | Charitable Gift | $25,000 |
| Whitney Museum of American Art New York, NY | Charitable Gift | $20,000 |
| American Jewish Committee New York, NY | Charitable Gift | $18,800 |
| The Clark Fund Worcester, MA | Charitable Gift | $6,000 |
| United Jewish Appeal New York, NY | Charitable Gift | $6,000 |
| Public Theater New York, NY | Charitable Gift | $5,500 |
| Public Art Fund New York, NY | Charitable Gift | $5,000 |
| Northern Westchester Hospital Mt Kisco, NY | Charitable Gift | $3,500 |
| University of Chicago School of Business Chicago, IL | Charitable Gift | $3,000 |
| Central Park Conservancy New York, NY | Charitable Gift | $2,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Debra and Jeffrey Geller?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $635,790 | $94,332 | $105,389 | $102,400 | 19 | $102,400 | $93,093 | $30,291 |
| 2024 | $646,847 | $80,741 | $104,317 | $101,378 | 20 | $101,378 | $77,802 | $31,357 |
| 2023 | $670,423 | $75,560 | $86,625 | $83,803 | 16 | $83,803 | $74,490 | $32,256 |
| 2022 | $681,488 | $69,165 | $45,590 | $43,000 | 10 | $43,000 | $66,675 | $32,056 |
| 2021 | $657,913 | $66,295 | $83,276 | $80,695 | 14 | $80,695 | $65,945 | $30,485 |
| 2020 | $674,894 | $19,398 | $76,290 | $73,640 | 18 | — | $18,598 | $28,846 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Debra and Jeffrey Geller reported a distributable amount of $30K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its 2025 grants included support for museums and arts organizations, Jewish and civic organizations, a hospital, a university business school, and community services. These examples describe the recipients, not a stated foundation focus.
The Whitney Museum of American Art says it presents and collects art of the United States and fosters creativity, community, and the exchange of ideas. The American Jewish Committee says it works to enhance the wellbeing of the Jewish people and Israel and advance human rights and democratic values. Public Art Fund says it brings contemporary art to broad audiences through free exhibitions. The Jacob Burns Film Center says it gathers audiences, students, and filmmakers to experience and learn about film. The Metropolitan Museum of Art says it collects, studies, conserves, and presents art across times and cultures. Cancer Support Community says it supports people impacted by cancer and works to break down barriers to care.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 19 grants totaling $102,400. Grant amounts ranged from $460 to $25,000, with a median of $2,500.
Largest reported grants included $25,000 to the Solomon Guggenheim Foundation, $20,000 to the Whitney Museum of American Art, $18,800 to the American Jewish Committee, $6,000 each to The Clark Fund and United Jewish Appeal, $5,500 to the Public Theater, and $5,000 to Public Art Fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Jeffrey Geller and Debra Geller are listed as trustees on the 2025 filing.
The Debra and Jeffrey Geller's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Debra Geller
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Geller
Trustee
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Debra and Jeffrey Geller
How much does The Debra and Jeffrey Geller give each year?
The Debra and Jeffrey Geller gave $102K across 19 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $101K across 20 grants.
What is The Debra and Jeffrey Geller's typical grant size?
The Debra and Jeffrey Geller's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $5,389, across 19 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Debra and Jeffrey Geller that year got $875 on average.
Where does The Debra and Jeffrey Geller give grants?
The Debra and Jeffrey Geller gives mostly in New York: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (9 grants).
Does The Debra and Jeffrey Geller give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 19 grants with a stated purpose on The Debra and Jeffrey Geller's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Gift" (19 grants).
Who are The Debra and Jeffrey Geller's largest grantees?
The Debra and Jeffrey Geller's largest 2025 grantees include Solomon Guggenheim Foundation ($25,000), Whitney Museum of American Art ($20,000) and American Jewish Committee ($18,800), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Debra and Jeffrey Geller?
The Debra and Jeffrey Geller reported $636K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $102K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $30K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Debra and Jeffrey Geller fund?
The foundation’s filing does not state a mission. Its 2025 grants included support for museums and arts organizations, Jewish and civic organizations, a hospital, a university business school, and community services. These examples describe the recipients, not a stated foundation focus. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Debra and Jeffrey Geller?
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 The Debra and Jeffrey Geller's EIN?
The Debra and Jeffrey Geller's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 13-4138500. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Debra and Jeffrey Geller 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The Debra and Jeffrey Geller funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Debra and Jeffrey Geller's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Strong Foundation of New York
New York, NY
The foundation supports education, arts and culture, community services, food access, and conservation, with most of its 2026 grant dollars going to New York organizations and additional funding in several other states. Grants ranged from $250 to $75,000, with a median of $2,500. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.2M
Grants
131
Total Given
$811K
Charina Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Charina Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations across varied fields, with most 2025 grant dollars going to recipients in New York and Massachusetts. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $750,000, with a median of $7,500. It funds preselected organizations only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$10.1M
Grants
279
Total Given
$3.8M
Mutual of America Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$136K
Grants
539
Total Given
$839K
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in New York
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Debra and Jeffrey Geller funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-debra-and-jeffrey-geller-morg_2401a062c9714b28b693536fd296326f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_134138500_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Debra and Jeffrey Geller funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-debra-and-jeffrey-geller-morg_2401a062c9714b28b693536fd296326f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. 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 The Debra and Jeffrey Geller'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.
The Debra and Jeffrey Geller down — hundreds of funders to go?