Joy Foundation | Foundation Profile

GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like Joy Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.

EIN: 36-4410533

Foundation Overview

Based in Aspen, CO, Joy Foundation has awarded 167 grants totaling $4,584,757 to organizations in New York, District of Columbia and 8 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $180 to $300,000, with a median award of $5,000.

Latest Tax Year
2024
Total Giving (all years)
$4,584,757
Total Assets
$8,109,410
Median Grant (all grants)
$5,000

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
18
Median Grant
$5,000
% Median Grant Decline
-9% (vs previous year)
Data extracted from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Last filing year: February 2026

Foundation Intelligence

Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies

New Applicant Friendliness
Relationship-Focused: 17%

3 of 18 recipients (17%) were new grantees. Foundation strongly favors organizations with proven track records. New partnerships develop slowly over time.

Geographic Focus
Illinois

Grants are geographically diversified with 25% in Illinois and funding distributed across 10 total locations. This foundation values broad geographic impact and diverse community partnerships. Within Illinois, funding concentrates in Chicago (98%), Rolling Meadows (2%).

Funding Trajectory
+160%

Strong 160% growth in annual giving over 8 years indicates expanding philanthropic capacity and increasing opportunities for grant seekers. This upward trajectory suggests growing foundation resources and commitment.

Program Areas
Community Projects + General Purposes

Dual focus on community projects (67%) and general purposes, indicating strategic concentration in complementary program areas.

Where is The Money Going?

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Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into Joy Foundation's funding preferences, organizational priorities, and grant making patterns. This historical data helps potential applicants understand the foundation's strategic focus and identify successful funding approaches.

Name Amount Location Purpose Year
American Friends Of The Ocean Cleanup Foundation $500 New York, NY, US General Support 2024
Feeding America $1,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2024
Sea Shepard $2,500 Alexandra, VA, US General Support 2024
Human Rights Watch $2,800 New York, NY, US General Support 2024
Merit School Of Music $3,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2024
School Year Abroad $4,000 North Andover, MA, US General Support 2024
Milton Academy $4,300 Milton, MA, US General Support 2024
Fairvote $5,000 Silver Spring, MD, US General Support 2024
Social And Environmental Entrepreneurs $5,000 Calabasas, CA, US General Support 2024
Sixth & I Synagogue $5,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2024
Oceana $10,200 Washington, DC, US General Support 2024
Pitzer College $10,400 Claremont, CA, US General Support 2024
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen $16,000 Aspen, CO, US General Support 2024
Natural Resources Defense Council $22,100 Hagerstown, MD, US General Support 2024
Aspen Institute $75,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2024
Mayo Clinic $100,000 Rochester, MN, US General Support 2024
American Academy In Berlin $150,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2024
Inernational Rescue Committee $257,200 New York, NY, US General Support 2024
Merit School Of Music $3,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2023
Camp For All Kids $4,000 St Louis, MO, US General Support 2023
School Year Abroad $4,000 North Andover, MA, US General Support 2023
Rush University $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2023
Fairvote $5,000 Silver Spring, MD, US General Support 2023
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen $6,000 Aspen, CO, US General Support 2023
American Academy In Berlin $50,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2023
Aspen Institute $75,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2023
Mayo Clinic $100,000 Rochester, MN, US General Support 2023
Inernational Rescue Committee $300,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2023
American Academy In Berlin $50,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2022
Aspen Institute $50,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2022
Better Angels Society $125,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2022
Camp For All Kids $3,000 St Louis, MO, US General Support 2022
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen $5,000 Aspen, CO, US General Support 2022
Council On Foreign Relations $5,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2022
Hias Chicago $2,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2022
Human Rights Watch $1,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2022
Inernational Rescue Committee $200,000 Alberta Lea, MN, US General Support 2022
Merit School Of Music $3,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2022
Milton Academy $2,500 Milton, MA, US General Support 2022
Natural Resources Defense Council $9,000 Hagerstown, MD, US General Support 2022
Oceana $3,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2022
Pitzer College $4,500 Claremont, CA, US General Support 2022
School Year Abroad $4,000 North Andover, MA, US General Support 2022
Sea Shepard $3,000 Alexandra, VA, US General Support 2022
American Associates Of The National Theatre $940 New York, NY, US General Support 2022
Jewish Women International $1,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2022
Anti-defamation League $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2022
Chicago Historial Society $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2022
Social And Environmental Entrepreneurs $20,000 Calabasas, CA, US General Support 2022
American Academy In Berlin $50,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2022
Aspen Institute $50,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2022
Better Angels Society $125,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2022
Camp For All Kids $3,000 St Louis, MO, US General Support 2022
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen $5,000 Aspen, CO, US General Support 2022
Council On Foreign Relations $5,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2022
Hias Chicago $2,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2022
Human Rights Watch $1,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2022
Inernational Rescue Committee $200,000 Alberta Lea, MN, US General Support 2022
Merit School Of Music $3,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2022
Milton Academy $2,500 Milton, MA, US General Support 2022
Natural Resources Defense Council $9,000 Hagerstown, MD, US General Support 2022
Oceana $3,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2022
Pitzer College $4,500 Claremont, CA, US General Support 2022
School Year Abroad $4,000 North Andover, MA, US General Support 2022
Sea Shepard $3,000 Alexandra, VA, US General Support 2022
American Associates Of The National Theatre $940 New York, NY, US General Support 2022
Jewish Women International $1,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2022
Anti-defamation League $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2022
Chicago Historial Society $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2022
Social And Environmental Entrepreneurs $20,000 Calabasas, CA, US General Support 2022
American Academy In Berlin $50,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2021
Aspen Institute $60,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2021
Camp For All Kids $3,500 St Louis, MO, US General Support 2021
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen $6,000 Aspen, CO, US General Support 2021
Council On Foreign Relations $5,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2021
Girls Who Code $4,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2021
Human Rights Watch $1,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2021
Inernational Rescue Committee $250,000 Alberta Lea, MN, US General Support 2021
Merit School Of Music $3,500 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2021
Milton Academy $3,000 Milton, MA, US General Support 2021
Natural Resources Defense Council $9,000 Hagerstown, MD, US General Support 2021
Onegoal $2,500 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2021
Pitzer College $5,000 Claremont, CA, US General Support 2021
School Year Abroad $5,000 North Andover, MA, US General Support 2021
Youth Guidance $2,500 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2021
Better Angels Society $125,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2021
Aspen Center For Envrionmental Studies $180 Basalt, CO, US General Support 2021
Act Now Coalition $1,500 Walnut, CA, US General 2021
Hias Chicago $2,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2021
Sea Shepard $2,500 Alexandra, VA, US General Support 2021
Oceana $2,500 Washington, DC, US General Support 2021
American Academy In Berlin $50,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2020
Aspen Institute $50,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2020
Camp For All Kids $3,500 St Louis, MO, US General Support 2020
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen $6,000 Aspen, CO, US General Support 2020
Council On Foreign Relations $5,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2020
Gardeneers $750 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2020
Girls Who Code $3,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2020
Inernational Rescue Committee $250,000 Alberta Lea, MN, US General Support 2020
Mayo Clinic $250,000 Rochester, MN, US General Support 2020
Merit School Of Music $3,500 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2020
New American Foundation $35,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2020
Onegoal $2,500 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2020
President & Fellows Of Harvard College $50,000 Cambridge, MA, US General Support 2020
School Year Abroad $5,000 North Andover, MA, US General Support 2020
Share Our Strengthno Kid Hungry $5,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2020
The Chicago Council On Global Affairs $100,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2020
Youth Guidance $2,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2020
American Academy In Berlin $25,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2018
Aspen Strategy Group $50,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2018
Camp For All Kids $3,500 St Louis, MO, US General Support 2018
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen $6,000 Aspen, CO, US General Support 2018
Council On Foreign Relations $5,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2018
Gardeneers $750 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2018
Girls Who Code $3,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2018
Harvard University $50,000 Boston, MA, US General Support 2018
Merit School Of Music $3,500 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2018
Onegoal $2,500 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2018
School Year Abroad $5,000 North Andover, MA, US General Support 2018
The Chicago Council On Global Affairs $125,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2018
The School Of Choice $3,600 Rolling Meadows, IL, US General Support 2018
Women's Bean Project $500 Denver, CO, US General Support 2018
Youth Guidance $2,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2018
Share Our Strengthno Kid Hungry $2,500 Washington, DC, US General Support 2017
New American Foundation $45,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2017
The Chicago Council On Global Affairs $210,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2017
The International Rescue Committee $10,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2017
Kipp Chicago Schools $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2017
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen $56,000 Aspen, CO, US General Support 2017
American Academy In Berlin $10,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2017
Ira Sohn Conference Foundation $1,347 New York, NY, US General Support 2017
The President & Fellows Of Harvard University $50,000 Cambridge, MA, US General Support 2017
Friends Of Arava Institute $5,000 Newton Center, MA, US General Support 2017
School Year Abroad $5,000 North Andover, MA, US General Support 2017
Merit School Of Music $3,500 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2017
Council On Foreign Relations $5,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2017
Camp For All Kids $3,500 St Louis, MO, US General Support 2017
Onegoal $2,500 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2017
Gardeneers $750 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2017
University Of Chicago $3,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2017
Youth Guidance $2,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2017
Milton Academy $3,000 Milton, MA, US General Support 2017
Natural Resources Defense Council $10,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2017
Pitzer College $5,000 Claremont, CA, US General Support 2017
Windy City Playhouse $2,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2017
Hebrew Immigrant Aid $3,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2017
Human Rights Watch $1,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2017
350org $1,000 Brooklyn, NY, US General Support 2017
350org $1,000 Brooklyn, NY, US General Support 2016
American Academy In Berlin $5,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2016
Camp For All Kids $3,000 St Louis, MO, US General Support 2016
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen $12,000 Aspen, CO, US General Support 2016
Council On Foreign Relations $5,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2016
Harvard Alumni Assocation $5,000 Cambridge, MA, US General Support 2016
Hebrew Immigrant Aid $2,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2016
Merit School Of Music $2,500 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2016
Milton Academy $2,000 Milton, MA, US General Support 2016
National Assoc For Urban Debate Leagues $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2016
Natural Resources Defense Council $10,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2016
Pitzer College $2,000 Claremont, CA, US General Support 2016
Propublica $1,000 New York, NY, US General Support 2016
School Year Abroad $5,000 North Andover, MA, US General Support 2016
The Aspen Institute $50,000 Aspen, CO, US General Support 2016
The Chicago Council On Global Affairs $90,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2016
The President & Fellows Of Harvard University $50,000 Cambridge, MA, US General Support 2016
Usa For Unhcr $2,000 Washington, DC, US General Support 2016
Windy City Playhouse $2,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2016

Foundations Similar to Joy Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($7,844,241-$8,313,136), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in CO that may also align with your organization's funding needs and grant seeking strategy.

Foundation Name Total Assets Typical Grant Size Service Area Similarity Match

EIN: 31-1715049 | 92 grants awarded
$8,080,516
(≈ Similar)
$5,000
median grant
Colorado Springs, CO
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 84-6029641 | 462 grants awarded
$8,167,546
(≈ Similar)
$6,000
median grant
Littleton, CO
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 47-1316801 | 97 grants awarded
$8,274,868
(≈ Similar)
$10,000
median grant
Telluride, CO
Same state
99%
Excellent match

EIN: 45-3942962 | 297 grants awarded
$8,313,136
(≈ Similar)
$10,000
median grant
Denver, CO
Same state
99%
Excellent match

EIN: 04-6771029 | 234 grants awarded
$7,844,241
(≈ Similar)
$5,000
median grant
Louisville, CO
Same state
98%
Excellent match

Contact Information

Official contact details for Joy Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.

EIN 36-4410533
Website N/A
Address 335 GLEN EAGLES DRIVE Aspen, CO 81611-0000

Key People (3)

Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee Joy Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.

President Leah Joy Zell
Vice President/secretary Jenny Wanger
Vice President/treasurer Elise Wanger Zell

Forms 990-PF

IRS Form 990-PF filings provide comprehensive financial information, grant details, and operational data. These documents are essential resources for understanding foundation capacity, giving patterns, and strategic priorities.

Form 990-PF Research Tips
  • Review Part XV for detailed grant recipient information and funding purposes
  • Check Part I for total assets, annual giving amounts, and payout requirements
  • Examine Part VIII for key personnel compensation and board structure
  • Look for trends across multiple years to understand giving patterns

About This Foundation Profile

This comprehensive foundation profile for Joy Foundation is powered by Grant Bay's advanced foundation research platform. Our system analyzes IRS Form 990-PF filings, grant histories, and philanthropic patterns to provide nonprofit organizations with actionable intelligence for grant seeking success.

Data Sources & Accuracy

All information is derived from official IRS filings and public records. Grant Bay processes thousands of Form 990-PF documents to extract grant details, financial data, and organizational information. Data accuracy depends on foundation reporting quality and IRS filing completeness.

Research Applications

Use this profile for prospect research, grant strategy development, application preparation, and relationship building. Combine this data with additional research on foundation priorities, application processes, and board member backgrounds for comprehensive grant seeking strategies.

Data Currency: Last updated February 2026 based on IRS Form 990-PF filings. Foundation information reflects most recent available tax year data.