Zemsky Family Foundation
The Zemsky Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1987 and based in Buffalo, New York. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since August 1987. The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations through unrestricted grants and project support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.2M
-10.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$861K
+35.1% YoY
Grant Count
32
-20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
+68.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Zemsky Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $349K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities include:
- Arts and culture
- Education
- Health and medical research
- Human services and social services
- Community development
- Jewish organizations
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$250–$240,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds nonprofit organizations in the Buffalo, New York area and has funding interests in New York and Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024
- Total assets: $6,191,216
- Total revenues: $297,875
- Total expenses: $947,656
- Total liabilities: $0
- Net income: -$649,781
Revenue Breakdown (2024)
- Contributions received: $10,673
- Investment income and dividends: $175,060
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $112,142
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,191,216 | $6,938,820 | $6,650,745 |
| Revenue | $297,875 | $937,880 | $1,878,950 |
| Expenses | $947,656 | $649,805 | $753,925 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $861,384 | $637,800 | $742,250 |
| Net Investment Income | $286,952 | $170,106 | $316,200 |
| Distributable Amount | $348,889 | $331,617 | $287,936 |
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
160 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Kaleida Health Foundation ($240,000), American Friends of Magen David Adom ($115,000), Temple Beth Zion ($101,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM NEW YORK, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $115,000 |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION PITTSBURGH, PA | UNRESTRICTED | $500 |
| BUFFALO JEWISH FEDERATION GETZVILLE, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $36,000 |
| BUFFALO NIAGARA WATERKEEPER BUFFALO, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $500 |
| BUFFALO STATE COLLEGE FOUNDATION BUFFALO, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $100,000 |
| BUFFALO URBAN LEAGUE BUFFALO, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
| BURCHFIELD-PENNEY ART CENTER BUFFALO, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $1,000 |
| CANOPY OF NEIGHBORS BUFFALO, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $2,000 |
| COLEBROOKDALE RAILROAD PRESERVATION TRUST BOYERTOWN, PA | UNRESTRICTED | $30,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR GREATER BUFFALO BUFFALO, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $750 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAYLA ZEMSKY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| HOWARD ZEMSKY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 726 Exchange Street, Suite 412, Buffalo, NY 14210-1469
Phone: 716-566-2990
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Zemsky Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities include: • Arts and culture • Education • Health and medical research • Human services and social services • Community development • Jewish organizations
How do I apply for a grant from Zemsky Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2024)** • Total giving: $861,384 • Number of grants: 28 • Grant range: $250–$240,000 • Types of support: General operating support and project support **Recent Grantees (2024)** • Kaleida Health Foundation: $240,000 (unrestricted) • American Friends of Magen David Adom: $115,000 (unrestricted) • Buffalo State College Foundation: $100,000 (unrestricted)
Where does Zemsky Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds nonprofit organizations in the Buffalo, New York area and has funding interests in New York and Pennsylvania.
What size grants does Zemsky Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Zemsky Family Foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $861K — an average of about $27K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Zemsky Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Zemsky Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $349K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Zemsky Family Foundation's EIN?
Zemsky Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 11-2867625. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Zemsky 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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