Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation
Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $20.0M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $245K. Net investment income was $158K.
Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation at a glance
In short: Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation gave $245K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $123K), mostly in New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $245,445
- +881.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $122,723
- +881.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $122,723
- Total assets
- $19,962,917
- +9.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Friends of IDC ($240K). Together the top 2 received $245K.
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 9 (56%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
Cities
How Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+9%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $20K (2022) to $406K (2020). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $245K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Friends of IDC New York, NY | Support the generation of leaders by fostering meaningful connections between business professionals and student | $240,445 |
| Junior Economic Club of Chicago Chicago, IL | Support the generation of leaders by fostering meaningful connections between business professionals and student | $5,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $19,962,917 | $214,482 | $427,530 | $245,445 | 2 | $372,762 | $158,070 | $402,158 |
| 2023 | $18,271,734 | $426,041 | $214,817 | $25,000 | 2 | $178,989 | $115,941 | $278,159 |
| 2022 | $18,065,355 | $33,568 | $177,599 | $20,000 | 1 | $145,968 | $23,211 | $155,770 |
| 2021 | $18,607,362 | $13,275 | $346,706 | $225,000 | 2 | $347,764 | $15,504 | $93,173 |
| 2020 | $18,940,793 | $19,451,480 | $563,598 | $406,314 | 2 | — | — | $48,370 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation reported a distributable amount of $402K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation is led by Scott R. Peppet, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Scott R. Peppet
President
Vice President & Director → Director, 2022
Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Aaron Zell
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Havdala
Director
Vice President & Director → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Miron
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lucille McFarland
Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Philip G. Tinkler
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Shiner
Vice President & Treasurer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Samuel Zell (2020–2023) — President & Special Director
- Former: James Bunegar (2020–2021) — Vice President & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation
How much does Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation give each year?
Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation gave $245K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $25K across 2 grants.
How large is Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation?
Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation reported $20.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $373K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $402K (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 is Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation?
Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $20.0M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation operate?
Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois, Michigan, New York.
What is Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation's EIN?
Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3480255. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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