The Joan and George Kessel Foundation
The Joan and George Kessel Foundation is a private foundation based in Park Ridge, New Jersey. In its 2025 filing, it reported 11 grants totaling $62,000 to charitable organizations.
The Joan and George Kessel Foundation at a glance
In short: The Joan and George Kessel Foundation gave $62K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in New York. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $62,000
- +3.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- -31.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,636
- +50.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $1,713,675
- -3.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (79% 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 Joan and George Kessel Foundation
- 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: C/O Steve Kessel211 Bearwoods Road, Park Ridge, NJ 07656
Phone: (201) 384-0098
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Joan and George Kessel Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was ASPCA ($19K). Together the top 10 received $62K.
Grant Size Distribution
76 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 76 grants of 76 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grants went to recipients in five states or jurisdictions: New York received 79% of grant dollars, New Jersey 10%, Illinois 8%, Pennsylvania 2%, and Washington, DC 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Joan and George Kessel Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 11 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. How we count
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 24% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $60K (2024) to $83K (2020). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $62K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASPCA New York, NY | General Support | $19,000 |
| Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America New York, NY | General Support | $15,000 |
| St Jude Children's Research New York, NY | General Support | $9,000 |
| Melanoma Research Foundation Hillsborough Township, NJ | General Support | $5,000 |
| The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy Buffalo Grove, IL | General Support | $5,000 |
| Wounded Warrior Project New York, NY | General Support | $2,500 |
| Jewish Insititute for the Blind New York, NY | General Support | $2,500 |
| Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge Oakland, NJ | General Support | $1,500 |
| Jewish National Fund - USA New York, NY | General Support | $1,000 |
| Shriners Hospital Philadelphia, PA | General Support | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Joan and George Kessel 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,713,675 | $67,627 | $124,968 | $62,000 | 11 | $83,665 | $30,324 | $88,085 |
| 2024 | $1,771,016 | $213,032 | $120,427 | $60,000 | 16 | $82,658 | $175,263 | $85,358 |
| 2023 | $1,678,411 | $52,725 | $141,738 | $71,000 | 17 | $93,150 | $4,637 | $83,082 |
| 2022 | $1,767,424 | $29,857 | $156,593 | $82,108 | 16 | $104,203 | — | $90,747 |
| 2021 | $1,894,160 | $128,882 | $147,847 | $77,000 | 16 | $96,474 | $77,509 | $101,690 |
| 2020 | $1,913,125 | $71,084 | $151,201 | $82,500 | 15 | — | $21,263 | $98,356 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Joan and George Kessel Foundation reported a distributable amount of $88K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included organizations working in animal welfare, medical research and support, children’s health, disability services, and nature conservation. These are areas reflected by the listed grantees, not stated foundation priorities.
The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy says its mission is to improve the lives of people with peripheral neuropathy, including through medical research, clinical investigations, and education. Ramapo-Bergen Animal Refuge says it provides education, shelter, medical services, and behavioral therapy for homeless and abandoned animals while they await adoption, and operates a “no kill” facility. World Wildlife Fund says its mission is to conserve nature and reduce the most pressing threats to the diversity of life on Earth.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave 11 grants totaling $62,000. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $19,000, with a median grant of $2,500. The largest grants included:
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joan Kessel as president and treasurer, Steven Kessel as secretary, Jeffrey Kessel as vice president, and Stan Bekrisky and Gene K Glasser as trustees.
The Joan and George Kessel Foundation is led by Joan Kessel, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; 3 of 5 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Joan Kessel
President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Gene K. Glasser
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$3K (2020) → $4K (2025)
Stan Bekrisky
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$2K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Jeffrey Kessel
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $14K (2025)
Steven Kessel
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2020) → $14K (2025)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $14K, to Steven Kessel (Secretary). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Joan and George Kessel Foundation
How much does The Joan and George Kessel Foundation give each year?
The Joan and George Kessel Foundation gave $62K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $60K across 16 grants.
What is The Joan and George Kessel Foundation's typical grant size?
The Joan and George Kessel Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $5,636, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Joan and George Kessel Foundation give grants?
The Joan and George Kessel Foundation gives mostly in New York: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New Jersey (10%) and Illinois (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (6 grants).
Does The Joan and George Kessel Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Joan and George Kessel Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Joan and George Kessel Foundation's largest grantees?
The Joan and George Kessel Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include ASPCA ($19,000), Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America ($15,000) and St Jude Children's Research ($9,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Joan and George Kessel Foundation?
The Joan and George Kessel Foundation reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $84K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $88K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Joan and George Kessel Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included organizations working in animal welfare, medical research and support, children’s health, disability services, and nature conservation. These are areas reflected by the listed grantees, not stated foundation priorities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Joan and George Kessel Foundation?
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 Joan and George Kessel Foundation's EIN?
The Joan and George Kessel Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 65-6463253. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Joan and George Kessel 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 2, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 1, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 22, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Joan and George Kessel Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New Jersey
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
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Princeton, NJ
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funds efforts to improve health and health equity in the United States, including systems change addressing structural barriers to health. In 2024, its grants ranged from $125 to $12.15 million, with a median of $40,000. It typically funds through targeted programs and partnerships; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$13.4B
Grants
3,093
Total Given
$622.6M
Community Foundation of New Jersey
Morristown, NJ
The Community Foundation of New Jersey supports a broad range of causes, including arts, education, health, human services, and the environment, through donor-directed and other charitable funds. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $19,759, with awards ranging widely; its current health grant opportunity serves Morris and Somerset counties. Eligible New Jersey nonprofits may apply to specific grant opportunities, subject to each opportunity’s guidelines.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
1,321
Total Given
$93.8M
Crane Fund for Widows and Children
Englewood Cliffs, NJ
The Crane Fund for Widows and Children supports charitable organizations, including those working in healthcare and social services, children’s services, recreation, and basic needs, with grants across multiple states. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $45,000, with a median of $4,500; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.6M
Grants
985
Total Given
$4.5M
The Hyde and Watson Foundation
Warren Township, NJ
The Hyde and Watson Foundation funds capital projects in human services, education, health, arts and culture, and the environment. Most awards are $5,000–$20,000, with a 2024 median of $10,000, for eligible nonprofits in New York City and Essex, Morris, and Union counties in New Jersey. It accepts applications through an online portal during its stated application periods; the profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$88.2M
Grants
611
Total Given
$6.1M
Princeton Area Community Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The foundation supports nonprofits and community programs in areas such as basic needs, education, health, housing, arts, and the environment, with competitive grants focused on under-resourced communities and women and girls. Its 2024 grants had a median of $15,000, and its discretionary grantmaking primarily serves Mercer County and nearby parts of New Jersey and eastern Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The profile describes competitive programs but does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$279.6M
Grants
515
Total Given
$31.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in New Jersey
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Joan and George Kessel Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-joan-and-george-kessel-foundation-morg_2fd839fb570943ec9bf59c37050937ca
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_656463253_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Joan and George Kessel Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-joan-and-george-kessel-foundation-morg_2fd839fb570943ec9bf59c37050937ca},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Joan and George Kessel 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.
The Joan and George Kessel Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?