The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in PITTSBURGH, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $2.1M in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 24 grants totaling $151K. Net investment income was $296K.
Financial Overview
From 2023 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.1M
+7.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$151K
-11.1% YoY
Grant Count
24
-22.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+14.8% YoY
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.
About The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family
Based on IRS filings
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in PITTSBURGH, PA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2023. As of 2023, the organization holds $2.1M in total assets. In 2023, it awarded 24 grants totaling $151K. Net investment income was $296K.
Focus Areas
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,125,987 | $1,987,135 | $1,952,245 |
| Revenue | $314,187 | $239,334 | $912,470 |
| Expenses | $175,335 | $204,444 | $151,396 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $156,775 | $175,625 | $133,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $295,627 | $141,180 | $643,996 |
| Distributable Amount | $107,678 | $109,798 | $100,504 |
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 2023
Grant Size Distribution
87 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2023 grants, the largest include The Carnegie Museums of Art ($46,000), United Jewish Federation - Pittsburgh ($25,000), United Way ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM PITTSBURGH, PA | CHARITABLE GIFT | $1,500 |
| ART21 NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL FUND | $1,000 |
| CONTEMPORARY CRAFT PITTSBURGH, PA | CHARITABLE GIFT | $800 |
| J STREET PAC WASHINGTON, DC | CHARITABLE GIFT | $1,800 |
| JEWISH ASSOCIATION ON AGING PITTSBURGH, PA | CHARITABLE GIFT | $1,000 |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH PITTSBURGH, PA | CHARITABLE GIFT | $6,800 |
| MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK BROOKLYN, NY | CHARITABLE GIFT | $5,000 |
| MATTRESS FACTORY PITTSBURGH, PA | CHARITABLE GIFT | $1,000 |
| PEDANTIC ARTS RESIDENCY PITTSBURGH, PA | CHARITABLE GIFT | $1,000 |
| PITTSBURGH ARTS & LECTURES PITTSBURGH, PA | CHARITABLE GIFT | $250 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
From 2023 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELLEN P KESSLER | DIRECTOR/CHAIRPERSON | 2 | — |
| JACK J KESSLER | VICE-PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family?
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in PITTSBURGH, PA. It holds $2.1M in total assets as of 2023.
How large is The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family?
As of 2023, The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family holds $2.1M in total assets with $314K in annual revenue. It awarded 24 grants totaling $151K in 2023.
Where does The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family operate?
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family has awarded grants in District of Columbia, Florida, Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia.
What size grants does The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family award?
In 2023, The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family awarded 24 grants totaling $151K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2023, The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family reported a distributable amount of $108K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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