The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family is a private foundation based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It reported giving $151,200 through 24 grants in 2023 to charitable organizations, including arts and cultural institutions, community organizations, and other nonprofits.
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family at a glance
In short: The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family gave $151K across 24 grants in 2023 (avg $6K), mostly in Pennsylvania. 25% of 2023 grantees were new. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $151,200
- -11.1% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 24
- -22.6% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $6,300
- +14.8% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $1,250
- Total assets
- $2,125,987
- +7.0% vs 2022
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (6 of 24, 2023; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (81% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 501 Grant Street 200, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 562-8879
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was The Carnegie Museums of Art ($46K). Together the top 10 received $140K.
Grant Size Distribution
87 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 87 grants of 87 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2023, 81% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania, 13% to Virginia, 4% to New York, and 1% to Washington, DC. New Mexico is listed at 0%. The filing also reports a $250 grant to the University of New Mexico Foundation.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2023 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2023
In 2023, 6 of 24 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $967; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $900 first-time, $2K repeat.
- 71% of 2023 grantees were also funded in 2022. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2020 to 2023 (+0%). Method
- In 2023 it paid out 146% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2023). 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 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $127K (2021) to $170K (2022). In 2023 it made 24 grants totaling $151K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Carnegie Museums of Art Pittsburgh, PA | Charitable Gift to General Fund | $46,000 |
| United Jewish Federation - Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Annual Fund | $25,000 |
| United Way Alexandria, VA | Tocqueville Society | $20,000 |
| The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Annual Fund | $12,000 |
| Pittsburgh Glass Center Pittsburgh, PA | Charitable Gift | $10,000 |
| The Pittsburgh Promise Pittsburgh, PA | Charitable Gift | $10,000 |
| Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Charitable Gift | $6,800 |
| Make the Road New York Brooklyn, NY | Charitable Gift | $5,000 |
| Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition Pittsburgh, PA | Charitable Gift | $2,500 |
| The Friendship Circle Pittsburgh, PA | Charitable Gift | $2,500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2,125,987 | $314,187 | $175,335 | $151,200 | 24 | $156,775 | $295,627 | $107,678 |
| 2022 | $1,987,135 | $239,334 | $204,444 | $170,050 | 31 | $175,625 | $141,180 | $109,798 |
| 2021 | $1,952,245 | $912,470 | $151,396 | $127,400 | 15 | $133,000 | $643,996 | $100,504 |
| 2020 | $1,191,171 | $315,164 | $167,311 | $151,600 | 17 | — | $303,143 | $65,416 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family reported a distributable amount of $108K for 2023 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants included support for organizations whose stated missions span several areas. For example, Pittsburgh Glass Center says it teaches, creates, promotes, and supports glass art; Make the Road New York says it builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice; and the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition says it works to preserve, improve, and celebrate quality of life in its Pittsburgh neighborhood.
Other 2023 grantees describe work in aging services, theater, contemporary art education, ballet, and support for the University of New Mexico.
Grantmaking
In 2023, the foundation made 24 grants totaling $151,200. Grants ranged from $250 to $46,000, with a median grant of $1,250. Its largest reported grants included $46,000 to The Carnegie Museums of Art for its general fund, $25,000 to United Jewish Federation–Pittsburgh for its annual fund, and $20,000 to United Way in Alexandria, Virginia, for the Tocqueville Society. Other notable grants included $12,000 to The Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, $10,000 each to Pittsburgh Glass Center and The Pittsburgh Promise, and $6,800 to the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2023 filing lists Ellen P. Kessler as director and chairperson and Jack J. Kessler as vice-president.
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family is led by Ellen P. Kessler, Director & Chairperson on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2023 report compensation.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Ellen P. Kessler
Director & Chairperson
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jack J. Kessler
Vice President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2023. "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 Ellen and Jack Kessler Family
How much does The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family give each year?
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family gave $151K across 24 grants in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $170K across 31 grants.
What is The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family's typical grant size?
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family's median grant in 2023 was $1,250, and its average grant was $6,300, across 24 grants on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family that year got $967 on average.
Where does The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family give grants?
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Virginia (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Pittsburgh, PA (18 grants).
Does The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family give general operating support?
Yes: 21% of The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family's 2023 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Charitable Gift" (18 grants).
Who are The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family's largest grantees?
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family's largest 2023 grantees include The Carnegie Museums of Art ($46,000), United Jewish Federation - Pittsburgh ($25,000) and United Way ($20,000), according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 60% of its itemized 2023 grant dollars.
How large is The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family?
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $157K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $108K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2023 grants included support for organizations whose stated missions span several areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family's EIN?
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1362043. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2023.
Does The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
Live grants for the work The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
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Browse active grant opportunities in The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family's focus areas in our free grants database
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