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.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$20.0M
+9.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$245K
+881.8% YoY
Grant Count
2
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$123K
+881.8% YoY
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.
About Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation
Based on IRS filings
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.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $19,962,917 | $18,271,734 | $18,065,355 |
| Revenue | $214,482 | $426,041 | $33,568 |
| Expenses | $427,530 | $214,817 | $177,599 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $372,762 | $178,989 | $145,968 |
| Net Investment Income | $158,070 | $115,941 | $23,211 |
| Distributable Amount | $402,158 | $278,159 | $155,770 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Friends of Idc ($240,445), Junior Economic Club of Chicago ($5,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| JUNIOR ECONOMIC CLUB OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT THE GENERATION OF LEADERS BY FOSTERING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENT | $5,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF IDC NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT THE GENERATION OF LEADERS BY FOSTERING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS AND STUDENT | $240,445 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELLEN HAVDALA | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| SCOTT R PEPPET | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| LUCILLE MCFARLAND | VICE PRESIDENT & SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL SHINER | VICE PRESIDENT & TREASURER | 1 | — |
| PHILIP G TINKLER | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| JOSEPH MIRON | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| AARON ZELL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
How large is Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation?
As of 2024, Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation holds $20.0M in total assets with $214K in annual revenue. It awarded 2 grants totaling $245K in 2024.
Where does Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation operate?
Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois, Michigan, New York.
What size grants does Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation award?
In 2024, Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation awarded 2 grants totaling $245K — an average of about $123K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation reported a distributable amount of $402K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Charles Russell Wellons Foundation
DURHAM, NC
Assets
$8.2M
Grants
24
Total Given
$195K
Sentry Insurance Foundation Inc
STEVENS POINT, WI
Assets
—
Grants
271
Total Given
$7.3M
David Mitchell Marcus Foundation
CARBONDALE, CO
Assets
$325K
Grants
6
Total Given
$30K
The Farbman Family Foundation
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI
Assets
—
Grants
4
Total Given
$53K
Mental Research Institute
MENLO PARK, CA
Assets
$10.4M
Grants
12
Total Given
$326K
The Schlanger Family Foundation Inc
BOCA RATON, FL
Assets
$7.4M
Grants
22
Total Given
$357K
United Jewish Foundation
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Assets
$674.9M
Grants
280
Total Given
$44.2M
William R Lathers Charitable Trust
MEARS, MI
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
23
Total Given
$89K
Empowerment Foundation
SIMPSONVILLE, KY
Assets
—
Grants
4
Total Given
$74K
The Merops Foundation 6178-01-16
PHILADELPHIA, PA
Assets
—
Grants
15
Total Given
$604K
Dr Pauline G Stitt Charitable Trust
HONOLULU, HI
Assets
$787K
Grants
3
Total Given
$46K
Peggy Pollock Foundation
LOS ANGELES, CA
Assets
$421K
Grants
1
Total Given
$400K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
What could you do with Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation to a real strategy.