Zell Family Foundation Inc
Zell Family Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, and the foundation stated in its 2023 filing that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations.
Zell Family Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Zell Family Foundation Inc gave $140K across 21 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in California. 86% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $140,000
- +27.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 21
- +23.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,667
- +3.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $1,009,183
- -5.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 86% first-time grantees (18 of 21, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (50% 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 Zell Family Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated in its 2023 filing that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 230 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02110
Phone: (617) 523-6531
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Zell Family Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was To Rise up Industries ($56K). Together the top 10 received $126K.
Grant Size Distribution
75 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 74 grants of 75 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, California recipients received 50% of grant dollars and Oregon recipients received 38%. Massachusetts and New York each received 4%, and Pennsylvania received 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Zell Family Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
86%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 18 of 21 grantees (86%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $7K; repeat grants $4K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 14% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 31% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 105% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $60K (2019) to $140K (2025). In 2025 it made 21 grants totaling $140K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| To Rise up Industries San Diego, CA | General | $56,000 |
| Golden Rule Reentry Ashland, OR | General | $16,000 |
| Women First Transition and Referral Center Portland, OR | General | $15,000 |
| Freedom Farms Gold Hill, OR | General | $11,000 |
| Beyond These Walls Portland, OR | General | $10,000 |
| Give a Beat Foundation Laguna Beach, CA | General | $6,000 |
| It Takes a Village Huntington, MA | General | $3,000 |
| To Leap to Success Carlsbad, CA | General | $3,000 |
| The Doe Fund New York, NY | General | $3,000 |
| GSL Rescue West Hollywood, CA | General | $3,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Zell Family Foundation Inc?
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 | $1,009,183 | $114,448 | $175,244 | $140,000 | 21 | $146,025 | $87,708 | $139,041 |
| 2024 | $1,069,979 | $162,015 | $146,232 | $110,000 | 17 | $119,061 | $121,544 | $150,670 |
| 2023 | $1,054,196 | $90,940 | $138,367 | $114,000 | 15 | $117,352 | $66,205 | $112,791 |
| 2022 | $1,101,623 | $34,006 | $158,695 | $106,500 | 13 | $129,042 | $11,649 | $117,352 |
| 2021 | $1,226,312 | $312,819 | $129,994 | $92,000 | 9 | — | $285,189 | $129,042 |
| 2019 | $1,093,086 | $214,598 | $103,752 | $60,000 | 15 | — | $196,636 | $90,048 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Zell Family Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $139K 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 included organizations whose own missions address reentry and support for people affected by incarceration. For example, Golden Rule ReEntry describes itself as a trauma-informed, community-based organization assisting formerly incarcerated people through connection, classes, services, and personal and professional growth. Beyond These Walls says it provides housing and advocacy for LGBTQ people impacted by incarceration in Oregon. GIVE A BEAT Foundation describes using music as a pathway to healing and opportunity for people impacted by the criminal justice system.
Other 2025 recipients describe work addressing homelessness and related challenges. The Doe Fund says it helps people break cycles of homelessness, substance use, and criminal justice involvement through services that include transitional work, career training, housing, and support. English for New Bostonians says it provides access to English classes for adult immigrants.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 21 grants totaling $140,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $56,000, with a median of $2,000. Among the largest grants were $56,000 to Rise Up Industries in San Diego, California; $16,000 to Golden Rule ReEntry in Ashland, Oregon; $15,000 to Women First Transition and Referral Center in Portland, Oregon; $11,000 to Freedom Farms in Gold Hill, Oregon; and $10,000 to Beyond These Walls in Portland, Oregon. The stated purpose for these grants was general. Other reported 2025 grants included $6,000 to GIVE A BEAT Foundation and $3,000 to The Doe Fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Alison Ellsworth as president; Laura Norfolk as vice president; Margot Doucette as treasurer; and Melissa Zell Andrews as secretary. Board members listed are Amy Zell Ellsworth, Jennifer Fis Menache, Judith Faust, Sarah Hamilton, Adam Ellsworth, and Kendal Blank.
Zell Family Foundation Inc is led by Alison Ellsworth, President since 2025 (on filings since 2019); none of the 10 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Alison Ellsworth
President
President → Board Member, 2023
Board Member → President, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Ellsworth
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Zell Ellsworth
Board Member
Co- Secretaries → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Fis Menache
Board Member
Board Member → Co-President, 2023
Co-President → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judith Faust
Board Member
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kendal Blank
Board Member
Treasurer → Co-Treasurer, 2022
Co-Treasurer → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Laura Norfolk
Vice President
Vice President → Co-President, 2023
Co-President → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Margot Doucette
Treasurer
Secretary & Recording Clerk → Co-Treasurer, 2022
Co-Treasurer → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Zell Andrews
Secretary
Board Member → Co- Secretaries, 2022
Co- Secretaries → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Hamilton
Board Member
Vice President → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 Zell Family Foundation Inc
How much does Zell Family Foundation Inc give each year?
Zell Family Foundation Inc gave $140K across 21 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $110K across 17 grants.
What is Zell Family Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Zell Family Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $6,667, across 21 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Zell Family Foundation Inc that year got $7K on average.
Where does Zell Family Foundation Inc give grants?
Zell Family Foundation Inc gives mostly in California: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Oregon (38%). The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (3 grants), New York, NY (3 grants), Boston, MA (2 grants) and Philadelphia, PA (2 grants).
Does Zell Family Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Zell Family Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Zell Family Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Zell Family Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include To Rise up Industries ($56,000), Golden Rule Reentry ($16,000) and Women First Transition and Referral Center ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 62% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Zell Family Foundation Inc?
Zell Family Foundation Inc reported $1.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $146K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $139K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Zell Family Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included organizations whose own missions address reentry and support for people affected by incarceration. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Zell Family Foundation Inc?
The foundation stated in its 2023 filing that it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Zell Family Foundation Inc's EIN?
Zell Family Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-2767470. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Zell Family Foundation Inc 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 17, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 21, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 19, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 19, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 19, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 18, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Zell Family Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/zell-family-foundation-inc-morg_8f71421e1b934512a4ec8154736aa47b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_042767470_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Zell Family Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/zell-family-foundation-inc-morg_8f71421e1b934512a4ec8154736aa47b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-24. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Zell Family Foundation Inc'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.
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