Zidell Family Foundation
The Zidell Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Portland, Oregon. It envisions a vibrant, creative, and healthy community and says its purpose is to provide means, education, and tools that help people overcome obstacles and promote self-sufficiency and self-empowerment.
Zidell Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Zidell Family Foundation gave $240K across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $15K), mostly in Oregon. 6% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $239,650
- -26.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 16
- -23.8% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $14,978
- -3.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $6,351,502
- +7.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (1 of 16, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Oregon (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Zidell Family Foundation
- Review Cycle
- None listed on the 2024 filing.
- Deadline
- None listed on the 2024 filing.
- Contact
Application contact: Jay Zidell
Mailing address: 2020 Sw 4Th Avenue Suite 600, Portland, OR 97201
Phone: (503) 228-8961
Website: https://zidellfp.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Zidell Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Portland Art Museum ($52K). Together the top 10 received $185K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
108 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 107 grants of 108 (99%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars listed for 2024 went to recipients in Oregon. The 2024 recipients included organizations in Portland and Beaverton.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Zidell Family Foundation open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 16 grantees (6%) 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 $10K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 81% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 27% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 72% 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 (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $240K (2024) to $365K (2022). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $240K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Portland Art Museum Portland, OR | PIANO:PUSH:PLAY & Oam Capital Campaign Pledge | $51,500 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $25,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities Portland, OR | 2024 Hoperaiser Matching Challenge Incentive | $25,000 |
| Patricia Reser Center for the Arts Beaverton, OR | 2024 Operational Support | $20,000 |
| B'nai Brith Camp Beaverton, OR | Zidell Field House | $18,000 |
| End of Life Choices Oregon Portland, OR | 2024 General Operating Support | $15,000 |
| Profile Theatre Portland, OR | Portland Youth of Color Play | $15,000 |
| Lift Urban Portland Pantry Portland, OR | Gray's Landing Sponsorship 2024 | $10,000 |
| Oregon Music Hall of Fame Portland, OR | Aaron Meyer School of Music 2024 Support | $10,000 |
| Rose Haven Portland, OR | Advocacy and Mental Health Program | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Zidell Family 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $6,351,502 | $859,799 | $426,716 | $239,650 | 16 | $243,805 | $839,083 | $339,260 |
| 2023 | $5,918,419 | $145,120 | $369,034 | $326,000 | 21 | $332,323 | $268,492 | $293,959 |
| 2022 | $6,142,333 | $-54,837 | $465,668 | $365,380 | 26 | $430,487 | $175,863 | $313,784 |
| 2021 | $6,662,838 | $864,205 | $374,144 | $328,500 | 20 | $343,656 | $842,959 | $383,941 |
| 2020 | $6,172,777 | $115,850 | $363,070 | $296,381 | 25 | — | $126,396 | $349,296 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Zidell Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $339K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to help create a vibrant, creative, and healthy community where all persons are inspired to reach their full potential. Its website also identifies inclusiveness as a guiding principle and says it is committed to advancing equity and diversity.
The 2024 grantees’ own mission statements illustrate the kinds of organizations supported. The Portland Art Museum says it engages diverse communities through art and film and collects, preserves, and educates for the enrichment of present and future generations. An individual recipient says it engages readers, supports writers, and inspires the next generation with literature. Oregon Music Hall of Fame says it preserves and promotes Oregon’s musical heritage and provides music education and scholarships to Oregon students. Store to Door says it supports independent living for homebound seniors and adults with disabilities through food access, food security, social connection, and community support. End of Life Choices Oregon says it provides information, education, and volunteer support regarding legal end-of-life options.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 16 grants totaling $239,650. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $51,500, with a median of $10,000. The largest award was $51,500 to the Portland Art Museum for Piano: Push: Play and an OAM capital campaign pledge. Other notable grants included $25,000 to an individual recipient for the Portland Book Festival, $25,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities for a matching-challenge incentive, and $20,000 to Patricia Reser Center for the Arts for operational support.
The 2024 filing says applications should be made in writing and state how the funds will be used. It names Jay Zidell as the contact, lists no deadlines, and states no restrictions on awards. The foundation’s website says its letter-of-inquiry process is currently on pause.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jay Zidell, Matthew French, and Charlene Zidell as directors.
Zidell Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Charlene Zidell
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jay Zidell
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Matthew French
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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 Zidell Family Foundation
How much does Zidell Family Foundation give each year?
Zidell Family Foundation gave $240K across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $326K across 21 grants.
What is Zidell Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Zidell Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,978, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Zidell Family Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Zidell Family Foundation give grants?
Zidell Family Foundation gives mostly in Oregon: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (12 grants) and Beaverton, OR (2 grants).
Does Zidell Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 44% of Zidell Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Zidell Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Zidell Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Portland Art Museum ($51,500), Ronald McDonald House Charities ($25,000) and Patricia Reser Center for the Arts ($20,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Zidell Family Foundation?
Zidell Family Foundation reported $6.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $244K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $339K (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 Zidell Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to help create a vibrant, creative, and healthy community where all persons are inspired to reach their full potential. Its website also identifies inclusiveness as a guiding principle and says it is committed to advancing equity and diversity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Zidell Family Foundation?
Zidell Family Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check zidellfp.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Zidell Family Foundation's EIN?
Zidell Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3968120. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Zidell Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Holzman Foundation
Eagan, MN
The Holzman Foundation supports arts, education, humanitarian, religious, health, and youth organizations, primarily in the Greater Portland area. Grants are generally $500–$10,000, though awards vary. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$5.7M
Grants
24
Total Given
$180K
The Swigert Foundation
Portland, OR
The Swigert Foundation supports a broad range of work, including education, veteran services, conservation, end-of-life care, food relief, forestry, and the arts, primarily in Oregon and also in Washington. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,000 to $252,000, with a median of $10,000. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; an application is available upon request, and awards are limited to 501(c)(3) organizations.
Assets
$12.4M
Grants
59
Total Given
$877K
Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund
Bend, OR
The Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund supports Oregon nonprofits in cultural arts, education, human services, medical services, and public benefit, with particular interest in children and youth. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $366,950, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; organizations must be preselected and sponsored by a board member.
Assets
$129.3M
Grants
165
Total Given
$7.2M
Rose E Tucker Charitable Trust
Milwaukee, WI
The Rose E Tucker Charitable Trust funds education, health and welfare, community development, social services, and arts and culture, with an emphasis on the Portland metropolitan area; most recent grants went to Oregon organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $250,000, with a median of $7,500. The 2024 filing says there are no deadlines and directs applicants to contact the trust; it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$15.8M
Grants
107
Total Given
$1.6M
Hoover Family Foundation
Indianapolis, IN
The Hoover Family Foundation funds direct-service nonprofit programs in social services, mental health, and enriched education that promote self-sufficiency and improve quality of life, mainly in the Indianapolis and Portland metropolitan areas. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,000 to $10,500, with a median of $8,000. Its guidelines invite applications and say giving is not limited to preselected organizations.
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
75
Total Given
$581K
Hwirwin & DCH Irwin Fdnferg
Milwaukee, WI
The foundation supports youth and families, education, older adults, and social services that promote independence and self-reliance; it does not fund medical research or individuals. Recent grants were typically $3,000–$7,500 (median $5,000), mainly to Oregon organizations, especially in Portland, with a small share going to Minnesota. It accepts proposals from qualified 501(c)(3) organizations and directs applicants to contact its designated representative for application materials and deadlines.
Assets
$3.3M
Grants
53
Total Given
$244K
More similar funders
More Funders in Oregon
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Zidell Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/zidell-family-foundation-morg_ee57d67666584ea882b9b19966506fb8
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_203968120_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Zidell Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/zidell-family-foundation-morg_ee57d67666584ea882b9b19966506fb8},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 Zidell Family 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.
Zidell Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?