The Zachs Family Foundation Inc
The Zachs Family Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1987 by Henry M. Zachs, a prominent Hartford businessman and telecommunications pioneer. Based in Hartford, Connecticut, the foundation supports over 100 nonprofit organizations annually through strategic charitable giving, with a particular emphasis on Jewish community institutions and education.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$29.3M
-2.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
+32.4% YoY
Grant Count
138
-4.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+39.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Zachs Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.7M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on charitable giving with a focus on:
- Jewish agencies and temples in the Greater Hartford region
- Higher education, particularly Hillel programs at universities
- General charitable causes in the Greater Hartford area
- Connecticut and national Jewish institutions
The foundation maintains an emphasis on strengthening the Jewish community while supporting broader charitable work in the Greater Hartford region.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funds. All funding decisions are made on an invitation-only basis to preselected charitable organizations with which the family has established relationships. The foundation operates on a highly selective basis with no formal grant programs.
Grant Range
$100 - $362,384
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic focus is the Greater Hartford, Connecticut region, with additional support for Connecticut and national Jewish institutions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue:
- Total assets: $29.3 million (2025); $29.9 million (2024); $35 million (2023)
- Annual giving: $1.5 million (2023); $1.475 million (2023)
- Total revenues: $2.65 million (2024); $1.3 million (2025)
- Total expenses: $2.56 million (2025); $2.04 million (2024)
Tax Status:
- EIN: 06-1157320
- Tax-exempt since January 1987
- Designated as 501(c)(3)
- Required to file IRS Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,319,171 | $29,966,308 | $29,455,054 |
| Revenue | $1,304,761 | $2,652,195 | $11,859,295 |
| Expenses | $2,563,244 | $2,045,926 | $1,638,216 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,033,432 | $1,514,270 | $1,475,637 |
| Net Investment Income | $780,100 | $2,126,858 | $11,715,135 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,735,321 | $1,568,451 | $1,311,202 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Camp Laurelwood ($638,200), Solomon Schecher Day School ($151,000), Wadsworth Atheneum ($141,840).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Cancer Society Loudonville, NY | GENERAL USE | $600 |
| The Bushnell HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL USE | $23,000 |
| Charter Oak Cultural Center HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL USE | $3,000 |
| CPTV HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL USE | $500 |
| Ct Museum of Culture and History HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL USE | $20,000 |
| Hadassah WEST HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL USE | $1,000 |
| Hartford Public Library HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL USE | $2,000 |
| Hill-Stead Museum FARMINGTON, CT | GENERAL USE | $2,000 |
| Mandell Jewish Community Center WEST HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL USE | $16,000 |
| REAL ART WAYS HARTFORD, CT | GENERAL USE | $8,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Henry M. Zachs - Founder and President; Trinity College alumnus with an MBA from Wharton; recognized with the Eigenbrodt Cup from Trinity College for outstanding contributions and service
- Judith M. Zachs - Vice President/Secretary
- Eric Zachs - Director
- William Zachs - Director
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henry M Zachs | President | — | — |
| Judith M Zachs | VPresident/Secr | — | — |
| Eric Zachs | Director | — | — |
Contact Information
Address: 40 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT 06105-2327
Phone: (860) 727-5733
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Zachs Family Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation's mission centers on charitable giving with a focus on: • **Jewish agencies and temples** in the Greater Hartford region • **Higher education**, particularly Hillel programs at universities • **General charitable causes** in the Greater Hartford area • **Connecticut and national Jewish institutions** The foundation maintains an emphasis on strengthening the Jewish community while supporting broader charitable work in the Greater Hartford region.
How do I apply for a grant from The Zachs Family Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $1.5 million (2023) • Number of grants: 145 grants (2023); 129 grants (2024) • Grant range: $100 - $362,384 • Grant median: $1,500 **Recent Grants (2024):** • Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford: $362,384 • Camp Laurelwood: $82,800 • Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art: $30,500 **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or requests for funds. All funding decisions are made on an invitation-only basis to preselected …
Where does The Zachs Family Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's primary geographic focus is the Greater Hartford, Connecticut region, with additional support for Connecticut and national Jewish institutions.
What size grants does The Zachs Family Foundation Inc award?
In 2025, The Zachs Family Foundation Inc awarded 138 grants totaling $2.0M — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Zachs Family Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, The Zachs Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Zachs Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Zachs Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-1157320. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Zachs Family Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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