The Rudi Lazarus Foundation
The Rudi Lazarus Foundation is a private foundation, based in Naples, FL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $5.3M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $415K. Net investment income was $39K.
The Rudi Lazarus Foundation at a glance
In short: The Rudi Lazarus Foundation gave $415K across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $138K), mostly in Florida. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $415,000
- -6.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $138,333
- -6.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $150,000
- Total assets
- $5,298,663
- +2.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Florida (90% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Rudi Lazarus Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ringling School of Art & ($225K). Together the top 3 received $415K.
Grant Size Distribution
15 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 10 grants of 15 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Rudi Lazarus Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 146% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $415K (2025) to $445K (2024). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $415K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ringling School of Art & Sarasota, FL | Section 501(C)(3) Activities | $225,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Sara Sarasota, FL | Section 501(C)(3) Activities Se | $150,000 |
| Mount Holyoke College South Hadley, MA | Section 501(C)(3) Activities | $40,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $5,298,663 | $689,108 | $581,869 | $415,000 | 3 | $415,000 | $38,986 | $283,422 |
| 2024 | $5,191,424 | $335,085 | $607,324 | $445,000 | 3 | $445,000 | — | $257,695 |
| 2023 | $5,145,347 | $258,404 | $607,504 | $445,000 | 3 | $500,000 | $33,503 | $241,299 |
| 2022 | $5,089,762 | $546,470 | $595,932 | $440,000 | 3 | $495,000 | $37,241 | $255,439 |
| 2021 | $5,139,224 | $313,730 | $594,239 | $430,000 | 3 | — | $43,319 | $277,726 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Rudi Lazarus Foundation reported a distributable amount of $283K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Rudi Lazarus Foundation is led by Richard Zelisko, President on every filing since 2021; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Richard Zelisko
President
On filings since 2021
$40K (2021) → $40K (2025)
Laura Lytton
Secretary
On filings since 2021
$15K (2021) → $15K (2025)
Michael V. Buzzeo
Treasurer & Vice President
On filings since 2021
$40K (2021) → $40K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $40K, to Richard Zelisko (President). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Rudi Lazarus Foundation
How much does The Rudi Lazarus Foundation give each year?
The Rudi Lazarus Foundation gave $415K across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $445K across 3 grants.
What is The Rudi Lazarus Foundation's typical grant size?
The Rudi Lazarus Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $150,000, and its average grant was $138,333, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Rudi Lazarus Foundation give grants?
The Rudi Lazarus Foundation gives mostly in Florida: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Sarasota, FL (2 grants).
Does The Rudi Lazarus Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on The Rudi Lazarus Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
How large is The Rudi Lazarus Foundation?
The Rudi Lazarus Foundation reported $5.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $415K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $283K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Rudi Lazarus Foundation's EIN?
The Rudi Lazarus Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 59-2621678. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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