The Zelniker Scherr Foundation
The Zelnicker Scherr Foundation is a private foundation based in Syosset, New York. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including synagogues, civic organizations, and organizations associated with medical research.
The Zelniker Scherr Foundation at a glance
In short: The Zelniker Scherr Foundation gave $32K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in New York. 25% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $31,609
- -9.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- -15.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,976
- +7.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,227
- Total assets
- $577,035
- +13.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 25% first-time grantees (4 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- New York (80% 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 Zelniker Scherr 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: 30 Belvedere Drive, Syosset, NY 11791
Phone: (800) 645-7032
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Zelniker Scherr Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was North Shore Synagogue ($9K). Together the top 10 received $30K.
Grant Size Distribution
121 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 121 grants of 121 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 80% of grant dollars went to recipients in New York, 8% to Maryland, 8% to Oklahoma, 2% to Florida, and 1% to Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Zelniker Scherr Foundation open to new grantees?
25%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 16 grantees (25%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $653; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $357 first-time, $2K repeat.
- 75% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 39% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 89% 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 (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $32K (2025) to $60K (2021). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $32K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| North Shore Synagogue Syosset, NY | Religious Furtherance | $9,200 |
| Sutton Place Synagogue New York, NY | Religious Furtherance | $5,000 |
| UJA Federation of New york Syosset, NY | Civic | $3,200 |
| PS3 Charrette School New York, NY | Civic | $2,600 |
| Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Bethesda, MD | Medical Research | $2,564 |
| American Cancer Society Oklahoma City, OK | Medical Research | $2,510 |
| The Community Synagogue Port Washington, NY | Religious Furtherance | $1,810 |
| Congregation Emanuel New York, NY | Religious Furtherance | $1,800 |
| Jafco Sunrise, FL | Religious | $653 |
| Northwell Health Foundation New Hyde Park, NY | Medical Research | $550 |
Ready to take the next step with The Zelniker Scherr 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 | $577,035 | $114,038 | $47,467 | $31,609 | 16 | $31,609 | $108,571 | $35,686 |
| 2024 | $510,464 | $251,640 | $46,007 | $34,970 | 19 | $34,970 | $246,205 | $33,639 |
| 2023 | $304,831 | $177,835 | $52,922 | $43,893 | 26 | $43,893 | $171,444 | $32,609 |
| 2022 | $179,918 | $49,484 | $62,276 | $52,096 | 30 | $52,096 | $42,362 | $38,958 |
| 2021 | $192,710 | $24,863 | $69,620 | $59,517 | 30 | $59,017 | $17,450 | $45,512 |
| 2020 | $237,467 | $27,266 | $60,172 | $51,296 | 43 | — | $21,434 | $36,455 |
| 2019 | $270,373 | $25,158 | $41,206 | $31,738 | 46 | — | $19,274 | $35,615 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Zelniker Scherr Foundation reported a distributable amount of $36K 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 include support for religious, civic, and medical research purposes. The Northwell Health Foundation describes its own mission as helping donors, patients, and leaders direct philanthropic support toward the underserved and uninsured, medical technology and research, and Northwell Health facilities and programs. Play for Pink Inc describes its mission as supporting research into the causes, cures, and prevention of breast cancer.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 16 grants totaling $31,609. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $9,200, with a median of $1,226. Among the largest grants were $9,200 to North Shore Synagogue, $5,000 to Sutton Place Synagogue, $3,200 to UJA Federation of New York, $2,600 to PS3 Charrette School, $2,564 to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and $2,510 to the American Cancer Society. Other reported recipients included Northwell Health Foundation ($550) and Play for Pink Inc ($159).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ilene Zelnicker as Director and President, Jeff Scherr as Director, and Jan Scherr as Director.
The Zelniker Scherr Foundation is led by Ilene Zelniker, Director & President since 2022 (on filings since 2019); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ilene Zelniker
Director & President
Director → Director & President, 2022
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Jan Scherr
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Jeff Scherr
Director
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Elaine Zelniker (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Mark Zelniker (2019–2021) — Director & President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Zelniker Scherr Foundation
How much does The Zelniker Scherr Foundation give each year?
The Zelniker Scherr Foundation gave $32K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $35K across 19 grants.
What is The Zelniker Scherr Foundation's typical grant size?
The Zelniker Scherr Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,227, and its average grant was $1,976, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Zelniker Scherr Foundation that year got $653 on average.
Where does The Zelniker Scherr Foundation give grants?
The Zelniker Scherr Foundation gives mostly in New York: 80% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Maryland (8%) and Oklahoma (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (7 grants) and Syosset, NY (2 grants).
Does The Zelniker Scherr Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on The Zelniker Scherr Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Medical Research" (8 grants) and "Religious Furtherance" (5 grants).
Who are The Zelniker Scherr Foundation's largest grantees?
The Zelniker Scherr Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include North Shore Synagogue ($9,200), Sutton Place Synagogue ($5,000) and UJA Federation of New york ($3,200), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 55% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Zelniker Scherr Foundation?
The Zelniker Scherr Foundation reported $577K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $32K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $36K (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 Zelniker Scherr Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for religious, civic, and medical research purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Zelniker Scherr 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 Zelniker Scherr Foundation's EIN?
The Zelniker Scherr Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1514242. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does The Zelniker Scherr 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
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 17, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 24, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work The Zelniker Scherr Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Zelniker Scherr Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in New York
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 Ford Foundation
New York, NY
The Ford Foundation funds organizations and initiatives working to reduce inequality and advance social justice, including work on civic engagement, civil rights, climate justice, disability rights, and technology and society. In 2024, its grants ranged from $45 to $15 million, with a median of $100,000, supporting work in the U.S. and internationally. It says most grants are identified by the foundation and it does not accept unsolicited proposals by mail, email, or phone; limited opportunities may be offered separately.
Assets
$17.5B
Grants
4,007
Total Given
$844.7M
The New York Community Trust
New York, NY
The New York Community Trust funds nonprofit programs in areas such as arts, education, health, the environment, workforce development, and youth development, including projects that improve services, build organizational capacity, or advance policy and systems change. Its competitive grants mainly serve New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, with some national and international environmental funding; the 2024 median grant was $20,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.5B
Grants
2,748
Total Given
$193.8M
The Simons Foundation Inc
New York, NY
The Simons Foundation funds research and public engagement in mathematics and the physical, life, autism, and neuroscience sciences. In 2024, it made 1,727 grants, with a median award of $72,000 and amounts ranging from $1,480 to $20 million, supporting organizations in the U.S. and internationally. It states that it funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.5B
Grants
1,727
Total Given
$272.0M
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
New York, NY
LISC funds affordable housing, community development, small businesses, and related efforts that strengthen inclusive communities, providing grants as well as loans, equity, and technical assistance across the country. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $40,000, though amounts varied widely. Application access is program-specific: for its Rhode Island child care facilities planning grants, applicants are instructed to consult program staff before submitting a request.
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
1,119
Total Given
$102.8M
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund Inc
New York, NY
Wellspring Philanthropic Fund supports human rights and social and economic justice, including work on climate, the environment, civic engagement, and Jewish causes, in the United States and internationally. Its 2024 grants had a median of $200,000, with amounts ranging from $500 to $9.75 million. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests; it plans to end grantmaking by the end of 2028.
Assets
$134.4M
Grants
1,101
Total Given
$326.0M
More Funders in New York
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Zelniker Scherr 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 Zelniker Scherr Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?