The Zankel Scala Family Foundation
The Zankel Scala Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. Established in 2022, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting educational and cultural initiatives, with particular emphasis on music, performing arts, and scholarship programs.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.7M
-3.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$701K
+0.8% YoY
Grant Count
48
-7.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$15K
+9.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Zankel Scala Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $760K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily funds:
- Education — including general and unrestricted educational support
- Performing Arts — particularly music programming and theater initiatives
- Scholarships — family scholarship funds and endowed residencies
- Music Programming — including the Zankel Music Center and music-related social change initiatives
- Human Services
The foundation maintains a specific focus on the Zankel Music Center programming, Zankel endowed residency programs, Zankel family scholarship funds, and theater department support.
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in:
- New York
- District of Columbia
- Connecticut
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $15,128,367
- Total revenues: $340,139
- Total expenses: $987,547
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $14,665,621
- Total giving: $701,005
The foundation operates with no employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,665,621 | $15,128,367 | $15,775,275 |
| Revenue | $539,921 | $340,139 | $2,762,861 |
| Expenses | $1,002,667 | $987,547 | $984,594 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $923,119 | $917,033 | $915,718 |
| Net Investment Income | $466,220 | $475,553 | $232,996 |
| Distributable Amount | $760,133 | $711,543 | $733,854 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
184 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Saint Anns School ($200,000), Skidmore College ($200,000), Whyhunger Inc ($45,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABORTION CARE NETWORK WASHINGTON, DC | Keep Our Clinics Program | $8,000 |
| ABORTION CARE NETWORK WASHINGTON, DC | General & Unrestricted | $8,000 |
| BETHEL WOODS CENTER FOR THE ARTS INC LIBERTY, NY | ZANKEL MUSIC FUND FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF MUSIC AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR SOCIAL CHANGE | $15,000 |
| BREAKTHROUGH T1D HAGERSTOWN, MD | GREATER NY METRO CHAPTER | $2,500 |
| BRIDGE FUND OF NEW YORK INC NEW YORK, NY | General & Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| BRIGID ALLIANCE INC NEW YORK, NY | General & Unrestricted | $8,000 |
| BROOKLYN ACADEMY OF MUSIC INC BROOKLYN, NY | Zankel Music Fund - "Sharing In The Groove" & "MacBeth In Stride" | $2,500 |
| CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER INC WASHINGTON, DC | General & Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF DIOCESE OF ALBANY ALBANY, NY | General & Unrestricted | $1,695 |
| CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CHARLOTTESVLE, VA | Soulshine Concert Fund | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pia Scala-Zankel | Co- Pres, Dir, Sec | 2 | $7,000 |
| James D Zankel | Co- Pres, Dir, Treas | 40 | $140,000 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation's grantmaking reflects a strong commitment to music and performing arts education. The substantial grants to Skidmore College and Saint Ann's School in 2023 demonstrate ongoing support for institutions with significant music and performing arts programs. The grant to WhyHunger indicates an interest in using music as a vehicle for social change and community engagement.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Zankel Scala Family Foundation fund?
The foundation primarily funds: • **Education** — including general and unrestricted educational support • **Performing Arts** — particularly music programming and theater initiatives • **Scholarships** — family scholarship funds and endowed residencies • **Music Programming** — including the Zankel Music Center and music-related social change initiatives • **Human Services** The foundation maintains a specific focus on the Zankel Music Center programming, Zankel endowed residency programs, Zan…
How do I apply for a grant from The Zankel Scala Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: $701,005 • Number of grants made in 2023: 36 grants • Typical award range: $250–$200,000 **Recent Grantees (2023):** • Skidmore College: $200,000 (supporting the Zankel Experience Network, Zankel Family Scholarships, Skidmore Fund Scholarships, Endowed Residency in Performing Arts, and Arthur Zankel Music Center) • Saint Ann's School: $200,000 (Annual Fund and Saint Ann's 20/20 Campaign) • WhyHunger: $55,000 (Zankel Music Fund for the Employment of Mu…
Where does The Zankel Scala Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in: • New York • District of Columbia • Connecticut
What size grants does The Zankel Scala Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Zankel Scala Family Foundation awarded 48 grants totaling $701K — an average of about $15K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Zankel Scala Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Zankel Scala Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $760K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Zankel Scala Family Foundation's EIN?
The Zankel Scala Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-3005046. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Zankel Scala Family Foundation'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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