Matthew Zell Family Foundation | Foundation Profile

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

EIN: 83-2650859

Foundation Overview

Based in Chicago, IL, Matthew Zell Family Foundation has awarded 130 grants totaling $8,155,715 to organizations in Kentucky, Illinois and 9 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $500 to $1,483,022, with a median award of $10,000.

Latest Tax Year
2024
Total Giving (all years)
$8,155,715
Total Assets
$49,602,566
Median Grant (all grants)
$10,000

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
22
Median Grant
$10,000
% No Significant Change
0% (vs previous year)
Data extracted from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Last filing year: March 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: 23%

5 of 22 recipients (23%) were new grantees. Foundation strongly favors organizations with proven track records. New partnerships develop slowly over time.

Geographic Focus
Illinois

65% of grants are awarded in Illinois, with additional funding distributed across 10 other locations. The foundation balances regional focus with broader geographic diversity. Within Illinois, funding concentrates in Chicago (55%), Mundelein (9%), Skokie (9%).

Funding Trajectory
+536%

Strong 536% growth in annual giving over 4 years indicates expanding philanthropic capacity and increasing opportunities for grant seekers. This upward trajectory suggests growing foundation resources and commitment.

Program Areas
Community Projects + 4 others

Diversified giving across multiple program areas with primary emphasis on community projects (47%). This broad approach suggests openness to various causes and innovative cross-sector solutions.

Where is The Money Going?

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Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into Matthew Zell Family 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 Modeling Teachers Association $5,000 Boothwyn, PA, US Education 2024
Blue Forest Finance Inc $50,000 Sacramento, CA, US Sustainability 2024
Camp Ramah In Wisconsin Inc $118,000 Chicago, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2024
Carmel Catholic High School $5,000 Mundelein, IL, US Education 2024
Ida Crown Jewish Academy $5,000 Skokie, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2024
Imagination Productions Inc (Dba Opendor Media) $1,000 Sunrise, FL, US Cultural And Religious 2024
Imagine H2o Inc $325,000 San Fransisco, CA, US Sustainability 2024
Inheiritance Project Ltd $5,000 New York, NY, US Cultural And Religious 2024
Jewish United Fund Of Metropolitan Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2024
Maot Chitim $10,000 Northbrook, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2024
Medication Induced Suicide Education Foundation $1,000 Chicago, IL, US Health 2024
Medicine Fish Corp $50,000 Gresham, WI, US Sustainability 2024
Museum Of Science And Industry $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Education 2024
National Kidney Foundation Of Illinois $20,000 Chicago, IL, US Health 2024
National Ramah Commission Inc $60,000 New York, NY, US Cultural And Religious 2024
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El $10,000 Highland Park, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2024
Powell Gardens Inc $250,000 Kingsville, MO, US Sustainability 2024
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School $10,000 Deerfield, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2024
Savanna Institute $200,000 Madison, WI, US Sustainability 2024
The Ark $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2024
The Aspen Institute Inc $50,000 Washington, DC, US Sustainability 2024
The Nature Conservancy $500,000 Arlington, VA, US Sustainability 2024
American Modeling Teachers Association (Amta) $5,000 Boothwyn, PA, US Education 2023
Blue Forest Finance Inc $50,000 Sacramento, CA, US Sustainability 2023
Camp Ramah In Wisconsin Inc $118,000 Chicago, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Carmel Catholic High School $5,000 Mundelein, IL, US Education 2023
Ida Crown Jewish Academy $5,000 Skokie, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Imagination Productions Inc (Dba Opendor Media) $1,000 Sunrise, FL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Imagine H2o Inc $112,500 San Fransisco, CA, US Sustainability 2023
Inheritance Project Ltd $5,000 New York, NY, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Jewish United Fund Of Metropolitan Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Maot Chitim $10,000 Northbrook, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Medication Induced Suicide Education Foundation (Missd) $1,000 Chicago, IL, US Health 2023
Museum Of Science And Industry $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Education 2023
National Kidney Foundation Of Illinois $20,000 Chicago, IL, US Health 2023
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El $10,000 Highland Park, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School $10,000 Deerfield, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Savanna Institute $1,483,022 Madison, WI, US Sustainability 2023
The Ark $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
The Nature Conservancy $500,000 Arlington, VA, US Sustainability 2023
American Modeling Teachers Association (Amta) $5,000 Boothwyn, PA, US Education 2023
Blue Forest Finance Inc $50,000 Sacramento, CA, US Sustainability 2023
Camp Ramah In Wisconsin Inc $118,000 Chicago, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Carmel Catholic High School $5,000 Mundelein, IL, US Education 2023
Ida Crown Jewish Academy $5,000 Skokie, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Imagination Productions Inc (Dba Opendor Media) $1,000 Sunrise, FL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Imagine H2o Inc $112,500 San Fransisco, CA, US Sustainability 2023
Inheritance Project Ltd $5,000 New York, NY, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Jewish United Fund Of Metropolitan Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Maot Chitim $10,000 Northbrook, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Medication Induced Suicide Education Foundation (Missd) $1,000 Chicago, IL, US Health 2023
Museum Of Science And Industry $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Education 2023
National Kidney Foundation Of Illinois $20,000 Chicago, IL, US Health 2023
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El $10,000 Highland Park, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School $10,000 Deerfield, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
Savanna Institute $1,483,022 Madison, WI, US Sustainability 2023
The Ark $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Cultural And Religious 2023
The Nature Conservancy $500,000 Arlington, VA, US Sustainability 2023
American Modeling Teachers Association (Amta) $5,000 Shelbyville, KY, US General Operating Support 2022
Camp Ramah In Wisconsin Inc $118,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support, Specifically To Support And Improve Camper And Staff Experience And Needs 2022
Carmel Catholic High School $5,000 Mundelein, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Ida Crown Jewish Academy $5,000 Skokie, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Imagination Productions Inc (Dba Opendor Media) $1,000 Sunrise, FL, US General Operating Support 2022
Imagine H2o Inc $112,500 San Francisco, CA, US Alumni Engagement & Support Hiring And Operations 2022
Inheiritance Project Ltd $5,000 New York, NY, US General Operating Support 2022
Jewish Federation Of Metropolitan Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Support For The Dina And Eli Field Ezra Multi-service Center 2022
Maot Chitim Of Greater Chicago Inc $10,000 Northbrook, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Medication Induced Suicide Education Foundation (Missd) $1,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Museum Of Science And Industry $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
National Kidney Foundation Of Illinois $20,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El $10,000 Highland Park, IL, US Renovations And Improvements On Educational Wing 2022
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School $10,000 Deerfield, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
The Ark $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Savanna Institute $75,000 Madison, WI, US General Operating Support 2022
American Modeling Teachers Association (Amta) $5,000 Shelbyville, KY, US General Operating Support 2022
Camp Ramah In Wisconsin Inc $118,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support, Specifically To Support And Improve Camper And Staff Experience And Needs 2022
Carmel Catholic High School $5,000 Mundelein, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Ida Crown Jewish Academy $5,000 Skokie, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Imagination Productions Inc (Dba Opendor Media) $1,000 Sunrise, FL, US General Operating Support 2022
Imagine H2o Inc $112,500 San Francisco, CA, US Alumni Engagement & Support Hiring And Operations 2022
Inheiritance Project Ltd $5,000 New York, NY, US General Operating Support 2022
Jewish Federation Of Metropolitan Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Support For The Dina And Eli Field Ezra Multi-service Center 2022
Maot Chitim Of Greater Chicago Inc $10,000 Northbrook, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Medication Induced Suicide Education Foundation (Missd) $1,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Museum Of Science And Industry $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
National Kidney Foundation Of Illinois $20,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El $10,000 Highland Park, IL, US Renovations And Improvements On Educational Wing 2022
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School $10,000 Deerfield, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
The Ark $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Savanna Institute $75,000 Madison, WI, US General Operating Support 2022
American Modeling Teachers Association (Amta) $5,000 Shelbyville, KY, US General Operating Support 2022
Camp Ramah In Wisconsin Inc $118,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support, Specifically To Support And Improve Camper And Staff Experience And Needs 2022
Carmel Catholic High School $5,000 Mundelein, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Ida Crown Jewish Academy $5,000 Skokie, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Imagination Productions Inc (Dba Opendor Media) $1,000 Sunrise, FL, US General Operating Support 2022
Imagine H2o Inc $112,500 San Francisco, CA, US Alumni Engagement & Support Hiring And Operations 2022
Inheiritance Project Ltd $5,000 New York, NY, US General Operating Support 2022
Jewish Federation Of Metropolitan Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Support For The Dina And Eli Field Ezra Multi-service Center 2022
Maot Chitim Of Greater Chicago Inc $10,000 Northbrook, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Medication Induced Suicide Education Foundation (Missd) $1,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Museum Of Science And Industry $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
National Kidney Foundation Of Illinois $20,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El $10,000 Highland Park, IL, US Renovations And Improvements On Educational Wing 2022
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School $10,000 Deerfield, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
The Ark $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Operating Support 2022
Savanna Institute $75,000 Madison, WI, US General Operating Support 2022
American Modeling Teachers Association $5,000 Shelbyville, KY, US General Support 2021
Camp Ramah In Wisconsin Inc $100,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2021
Carmel Catholic High School $5,000 Mundelein, IL, US General Support 2021
Current Innovation Nfp $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2021
Ida Crown Jewish Academy $5,000 Skokie, IL, US General Support 2021
Imagine H20 Inc $25,000 San Fransisco, CA, US General Support 2021
Jewish Federation Of Metropolitan Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2021
Maot Chitim Of Greater Chicago $10,000 Northbrook, IL, US General Support 2021
Museum Of Science & Industry $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2021
National Kidney Foundation Of Illinois $20,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2021
National Kidney Foundation Of Illinois $20,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2021
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School $10,000 Deerfield, IL, US General Support 2021
The Ark $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Support 2021
Usa Hockey Foundation $10,000 Colorado Springs, CO, US General Support 2021
Camp Ramah In Wisconsin Inc $190,000 Chicago, IL, US Support Camp Operations 2020
Museum Of Science And Industry $5,000 Chicago, IL, US General Use 2020
American Modeling Teachers Association $8,000 Shelbyville, KY, US Covid-2019 Emergency Giving And General Use 2020
Ida Crown Jewish Academy $5,000 Skokie, IL, US General Use 2020
Rochelle Zell Jewish High School $23,671 Deerfield, IL, US Covid-19 Hardship Giving And General Use 2020
Carmel Catholic High School $5,000 Mundelein, IL, US General Use 2020
Jewish Federation Of Metropolitan Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Juf Uptown Cafe 2020
American Friends Of Livnot U'lehibanot $500 Boca Raton, FL, US General Use 2020
Maot Chitim Of Greater Chicago $10,000 Northbrook, IL, US General Use 2020
The Ark $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Use 2020

Foundations Similar to Matthew Zell Family Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($47,744,186-$49,819,210), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in IL 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: 36-4330990 | 974 grants awarded
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$10,000
median grant
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Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 36-6109757 | 824 grants awarded
$49,813,861
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$15,000
median grant
Northbrook, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 36-6054751 | 306 grants awarded
$49,819,210
(≈ Similar)
$10,000
median grant
Chicago, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 36-4074862 | 174 grants awarded
$49,124,321
(≈ Similar)
$6,250
median grant
Lake Forest, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 20-0478557 | 283 grants awarded
$47,744,186
(≈ Similar)
$9,000
median grant
Chicago, IL
Same state
98%
Excellent match

Contact Information

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

EIN 83-2650859
Website N/A
Address TWO N RIVERSIDE PLAZA 600 Chicago, IL 60606-0000

Key People (8)

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

President
Vice President
Vice President
Vice President & Secretary
Director

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 Matthew Zell Family 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 March 2026 based on IRS Form 990-PF filings. Foundation information reflects most recent available tax year data.