The Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation concentrates its giving on Greater Cleveland Jewish communal life, local health care and human services, and civic/cultural institutions. They favor organizations that support Jewish identity, security and campus life while also funding local health initiatives (including fertility/IVF and community health workers), food security, and museums/arts. Grants frequently support capital campaigns, program/general support, and community security or antisemitism-response work.
A $492,000 grant to Jewish Federation of Cleveland in 2025 anchors the Dan and Ellen Zelman Family Foundation’s recent giving and shows the scale at which it backs Cleveland Jewish communal priorities. That award supported Cleveland Stands with Israel, a community security initiative, sponsorship, and Israel @ 75 campaign activities, placing security and communal visibility near the center of the foundation’s work. The foundation also makes large gifts to institutions serving Jewish campus life, local cultural life, health care, and food access. Recent examples include $262,500 to Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life and another $262,500 to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Inc, alongside substantial support for Cleveland health systems and food security organizations. Its grant history points to a funder that uses a mix of capital, general, and program support to reinforce organizations tied to Jewish life, civic infrastructure, and selected local service providers. Repeated grants to several recipients across multiple years suggest ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards, especially in Cleveland-area institutions and Jewish communal organizations.
Jewish communal infrastructure is a major theme. The foundation gave $26,500 in 2025 to Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland Ohio for general support, and it has funded Park Synagogue and Menorah Park in multiple years. Community security and antisemitism response also appear prominently: in 2024, Jewish Federation of Cleveland received $322,500 for a community security initiative and an emergency rescue fund tied to Ukraine and Ethiopia. Campus and young-family engagement is another strand. Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life received $262,500 in 2025 for a capital campaign and general support, while Jewish Family Experience received $12,000 for director of young families. Health-related work includes $250,000 to University Hospitals Health Systems Inc for expanding access to IVF and $250,000 to Cleveland Clinic Foundation for the Center for Community Health Workers.
Typical grants cluster in the five-figure range, with p25 at $10,000, a median of $11,750, and p75 at $24,000. The pattern is relationship-based: Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland Ohio appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025 at the same $26,500 level, while American Jewish Committee and National Council of Jewish Women Incorporated also recur across years. The foundation is organized as a family foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Recent awards mix operating support, capital campaigns, sponsorships, and project-specific grants rather than a single grant style.
$3.1M
$7M
$509K
$1.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $24K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$24K
About 88% of grants go to recipients in NY.
KARI BLUMENTHAL
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Concentrated, repeat support to a core set of Greater Cleveland organizations (multiple multi-year gifts to the Jewish Federation, Hillel, hospitals and local nonprofits), with a mix of several large gifts (six-figure) for capital/campaigns and many mid-to-smaller grants for program/general support.
Notable grantees: Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, University Hospitals Health Systems Inc, Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
Giving is local and heavily centered in Ohio, with 88% of grants to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state. Cleveland is the main city in the portfolio, with additional grants in Pepper Pike, Warrensville Heights, Oxford, and University Heights. The top state by grant count is New York, driven by a smaller number of recipients such as American Jewish Committee in New York, NY. All recorded grants in the dataset go to US recipients.
The foundation gives most often to Jewish communal organizations, Cleveland-area health and human services providers, and civic or cultural institutions. Recent grants include Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland Ohio, University Hospitals Health Systems Inc, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Greater Cleveland Food Bank Inc, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Inc.
Yes. Jewish Family Service Association of Cleveland Ohio received $26,500 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025. American Jewish Committee appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025 as well, and National Council of Jewish Women Incorporated received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is centered in the low five figures: p25 is $10,000, median grant size is $11,750, and p75 is $24,000. Larger awards do appear, including grants above $250,000 to several Cleveland institutions.
Ohio receives the clear majority of grants, with 88% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Cleveland is the main recipient city, and the portfolio also includes Pepper Pike, Warrensville Heights, Oxford, and University Heights. Outside Ohio, New York appears among recipient locations.
Recent grants show several recurring themes: Jewish community infrastructure, community security and antisemitism response, campus and young-family engagement, reproductive health and IVF access, community health worker programs, and food access. Examples include funding for Jewish Federation of Cleveland, Hillel the Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, University Hospitals Health Systems Inc, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and Greater Cleveland Food Bank Inc.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $492,000 | 2025 | CLEVELAND STANDS WITH ISRAEL, COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE, SPONSORSHIP, ISRAEL @ 75, CAMPAIGN |
| HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE | OXFORD, OH | $262,500 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $262,500 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: DRUM STUDIO, GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $250,000 | 2025 | CENTER FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS |
| UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS HEALTH SYSTEMS INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $250,000 | 2025 | FERTILITY CENTER: EXPANDING ACCESS TO IVF |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND OHIO | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $26,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN INCORPORATED | WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH | $24,000 | 2025 | NATIONAL OFFICE, CLEVELAND SECTION: SHARE WHAT YOU WEAR & GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $17,500 | 2025 | CLEVELAND OFFICE: GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FAMILY EXPERIENCE | UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, OH | $12,000 | 2025 | DIRECTOR OF YOUNG FAMILIES |
| PARK SYNAGOGUE | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $12,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | HERITAGE AWARD, EXHIBIT EXPENSES |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER OHIO | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MENORAH PARK FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | SHINING STAR CLE |
| COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES INC | BOSTON, MA | $9,000 | 2025 | CLEVELAND: STRATEGIC GROWTH PLAN |
| ORT AMERICA INC | BEACHWOOD, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | CLEVELAND REGION: GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MANDEL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF CLEVELAND | BEACHWOOD, OH | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT, INCLUSION FACILITATORS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS |
| ANTI DEFAMATION LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $6,000 | 2025 | OHIO KENTUCKY ALLEGHENY REGIONAL OFFICE: GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $322,500 | 2024 | COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE, UKRAINE/ETHIOPIA EMERGENCY RESCUE FUND, ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, CAMPAIGN |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND OHIO | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $26,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS HEALTH SYSTEMS INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2024 | IVF SECOND CHANCE FUND |
| UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2024 | BROADWAY RISING CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN INCORPORATED | WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH | $24,000 | 2024 | NATIONAL OFFICE, CLEVELAND SECTION: SHARE WHAT YOU WEAR & GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MENORAH PARK CENTER FOR SENIOR LIVING | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT, SHINING STAR CLE |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | CLEVELAND OFFICE: GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $12,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PARK SYNAGOGUE | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $12,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $12,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE | KENT, OH | $11,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE | BEACHWOOD, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | HERITAGE AWARD, EXHIBIT EXPENSES |
| YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND OHIO | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | CLEVELAND: NURTURING INDEPENDENCE AND ASPIRATIONS |
| COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HEALTHNETWORK FOUNDATION | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER OHIO | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES INC | BOSTON, MA | $9,000 | 2024 | CLEVELAND: STRATEGIC GROWTH PLAN |
| RAINEY INSTITUTE | CLEVELAND, OH | $8,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $7,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ORT AMERICA INC | BEACHWOOD, OH | $7,500 | 2024 | CLEVELAND REGION: GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MANDEL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF CLEVELAND | BEACHWOOD, OH | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT, INCLUSION FACILITATORS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $280,000 | 2023 | COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE, UKRAINE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND, CAMPAIGN |
| GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $262,000 | 2023 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND OHIO | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $26,500 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS HEALTH SYSTEMS INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $25,000 | 2023 | FUND FOR TRAUMA INDUCED CARE |
| NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN INCORPORATED | WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT, CLEVELAND SECTION: SHARE WHAT YOU WEAR, CLEVELAND SECTION: GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MENORAH PARK FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT, SHINING STAR CLE |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | CLEVELAND OFFICE: GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $12,500 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PARK SYNAGOGUE | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $12,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE | KENT, OH | $11,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND
$492,000CLEVELAND STANDS WITH ISRAEL, COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE, SPONSORSHIP, ISRAEL @ 75, CAMPAIGN
HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE
$262,500CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, GENERAL SUPPORT
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM INC
$262,500CAPITAL CAMPAIGN: DRUM STUDIO, GENERAL SUPPORT
CLEVELAND CLINIC FOUNDATION
$250,000CENTER FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS HEALTH SYSTEMS INC
$250,000FERTILITY CENTER: EXPANDING ACCESS TO IVF
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND OHIO
$26,500GENERAL SUPPORT
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN INCORPORATED
$24,000NATIONAL OFFICE, CLEVELAND SECTION: SHARE WHAT YOU WEAR & GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE
$17,500CLEVELAND OFFICE: GENERAL SUPPORT
GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK INC
$12,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JEWISH FAMILY EXPERIENCE
$12,000DIRECTOR OF YOUNG FAMILIES
PARK SYNAGOGUE
$12,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
$10,000HERITAGE AWARD, EXHIBIT EXPENSES
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER OHIO
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MENORAH PARK FOUNDATION
$10,000SHINING STAR CLE
COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES INC
$9,000CLEVELAND: STRATEGIC GROWTH PLAN
ORT AMERICA INC
$7,500CLEVELAND REGION: GENERAL SUPPORT
MANDEL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF CLEVELAND
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT, INCLUSION FACILITATORS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
ANTI DEFAMATION LEAGUE
$6,000OHIO KENTUCKY ALLEGHENY REGIONAL OFFICE: GENERAL SUPPORT
JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND
$322,500COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE, UKRAINE/ETHIOPIA EMERGENCY RESCUE FUND, ISRAEL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, CAMPAIGN
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND OHIO
$26,500GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS HEALTH SYSTEMS INC
$25,000IVF SECOND CHANCE FUND
UNIVERSITY SETTLEMENT INC
$25,000BROADWAY RISING CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN INCORPORATED
$24,000NATIONAL OFFICE, CLEVELAND SECTION: SHARE WHAT YOU WEAR & GENERAL SUPPORT
MENORAH PARK CENTER FOR SENIOR LIVING
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT, SHINING STAR CLE
AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE
$15,000CLEVELAND OFFICE: GENERAL SUPPORT
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM INC
$12,500GENERAL SUPPORT
PARK SYNAGOGUE
$12,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK INC
$12,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE
$11,500GENERAL SUPPORT
MALTZ MUSEUM OF JEWISH HERITAGE
$10,000HERITAGE AWARD, EXHIBIT EXPENSES
YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND OHIO
$10,000CLEVELAND: NURTURING INDEPENDENCE AND ASPIRATIONS
COLLEGE NOW GREATER CLEVELAND INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HEALTHNETWORK FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF GREATER OHIO
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES INC
$9,000CLEVELAND: STRATEGIC GROWTH PLAN
RAINEY INSTITUTE
$8,500GENERAL SUPPORT
LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND
$7,500GENERAL SUPPORT
ORT AMERICA INC
$7,500CLEVELAND REGION: GENERAL SUPPORT
MANDEL JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF CLEVELAND
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT, INCLUSION FACILITATORS FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND
$280,000COMMUNITY SECURITY INITIATIVE, UKRAINE EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND, CAMPAIGN
GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK INC
$262,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN, GENERAL SUPPORT
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND OHIO
$26,500GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS HEALTH SYSTEMS INC
$25,000FUND FOR TRAUMA INDUCED CARE
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN INCORPORATED
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT, CLEVELAND SECTION: SHARE WHAT YOU WEAR, CLEVELAND SECTION: GENERAL SUPPORT
MENORAH PARK FOUNDATION
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT, SHINING STAR CLE
AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE
$15,000CLEVELAND OFFICE: GENERAL SUPPORT
ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM INC
$12,500GENERAL SUPPORT
PARK SYNAGOGUE
$12,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HILLEL THE FOUNDATION FOR JEWISH CAMPUS LIFE
$11,000GENERAL SUPPORT