The Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation concentrates its funding on education and learning — spanning higher education, education research/policy, and early childhood program delivery — with occasional support for arts-in-education. Grants are few but large, directed to major universities, education policy institutes, and long-standing program partners rather than a broad array of small nonprofits. The foundation favors evidence-producing institutions and implementation organizations that can influence practice and policy at scale.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small set of repeat grantees and prominent institutions; mix of university research support and multi-grant relationships with education providers and policy institutes rather than many small, one-off awards.
Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation C/o Eve Fugiel makes large, repeated general-support grants to a small set of universities and education organizations. Harvard University received $5,825,000 in 2023 and $3,575,000 in 2023, while Stanford University received $3,980,000 in 2025 and $3,280,000 in 2024. That pattern points to a funder that backs major institutional players over many years rather than spreading smaller gifts across many nonprofits. Education work is the through line. The foundation’s recent grants also include substantial support for the James B. Hunt Jr Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundation, Start Early, Johns Hopkins University, and Arts for Learning Maryland. Those recipients span higher education, policy and leadership, early childhood systems, and arts-in-education. The grant list shows more than one mode of support within that education focus. Some gifts underwrite university research and public-service initiatives, while others support early learning and arts organizations that work directly in practice. The foundation also makes grants to film-related initiatives through its Zaentz Innovation Fund, which adds an arts and media dimension to its otherwise education-centered portfolio. Across the record, the funding style is institutional, multi-year, and oriented toward organizations with reach beyond a single local program.
In higher education, the foundation backed Harvard University with $5,825,000 in 2023 and Johns Hopkins University with $1,034,000 in 2025, along with additional support for Harvard’s Public Service Impact Fund. These awards suggest interest in university-based research and public-service infrastructure. Early childhood education is another clear strand. The James B. Hunt Jr Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundation received $2,000,000 in 2023 and $1,575,000 in 2023, while Start Early received $1,125,000 in 2023 and $1,001,000 in 2023. Arts-in-education appears in grants such as $652,986 to Arts for Learning Maryland in 2025 and $476,700 to Young Audiences of Maryland in 2023. The foundation also gave $500,000 to Berkeley Film Foundation in both 2024 and 2025, showing that its arts support extends beyond classroom programming into film access and development.
$9.5M
$89.4M
$3.9M
$15M
Most grants fall between $40K and $350K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$40K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$350K
About 20% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Notable grantees: Harvard University, The James B. Hunt Jr. Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy, Start Early, Stanford University, Arts for Learning Maryland
The recent grant list shows a wide spread between smaller and larger gifts, with a 25th percentile of $40,244, a median grant of $100,000, and a 75th percentile of $350,000. The top end is much higher, driven by multi-million-dollar awards to universities. Grants recur across multiple years to the same recipients, including Harvard University, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, Start Early, Arts for Learning Maryland, and the James B. Hunt Jr Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundation. The pattern fits a foundation that favors sustained institutional support. The foundation is a charitable foundation with general grantmaking and supported initiatives, and the active programs listed are not open to unsolicited applications. It also does not make program-related investments or grants to individuals.
Grants are national and all recent recipients in the country distribution are in the US. The strongest state concentration is Colorado, where recipients include Telluride Foundation in Telluride and other Colorado-based awards. Illinois accounts for 17% of grants, with Chicago recipients such as Start Early and Tmw Center for Early Learning Public Health. Other repeated recipient hubs include Baltimore, with Johns Hopkins University, Arts for Learning Maryland, Young Audiences of Maryland, and Mercy Health Foundation Inc, and Cambridge, with Harvard University and Harvard College. Durham also appears through the James B. Hunt Jr Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundation.
The recent grants point to education-focused institutions: Harvard University, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, the James B. Hunt Jr Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundation, Start Early, and Arts for Learning Maryland. The foundation also supports film and media access through Berkeley Film Foundation and the Zaentz Innovation Fund.
Yes. Harvard University appears multiple times, as do Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, Start Early, Arts for Learning Maryland, the James B. Hunt Jr Institute for Educational Leadership and Policy Foundation, and Berkeley Film Foundation. The repeated awards suggest ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts.
The distribution is broad but centered in the six-figure range: p25 is $40,244, median grant size is $100,000, and p75 is $350,000. Recent grants also include several multi-million-dollar awards, especially to universities.
No. The foundation gives nationally, and recipients are concentrated outside the headquarters state as well. Illinois recipients account for 17% of grants, while Colorado is the top state by grant count. Recent grants also went to organizations in Massachusetts, California, Maryland, and North Carolina.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STANFORD UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $3,980,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $1,034,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE JAMES B HUNT JR INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY FOUNDAT | DURHAM, NC | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARTS FOR LEARNING MARYLAND | BALTIMORE, MD | $652,986 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BERKELEY FILM FOUNDATION | BERKELEY, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TMW CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING PUBLIC HEALTH | CHICAGO, IL | $465,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE IMPACT FUND | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $350,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GLIDE FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $333,333 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER BALTIMORE CULTURAL ALLIANCE | BALTIMORE, MD | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| START EARLY | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GRATEFUL GATHERINGS | BERKELEY, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JERRY WEISS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND (UIC) | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTER ON CHILD AND FAMILY POLICY | TOWSON, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FAMILIES AND WORK INSTITUTE INC | PALISADES, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN-CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LINK UNLIMITED SCHOLARS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORKING IN THE SCHOOLS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MICKEY HAMMERMAN LEGACY FUND INC | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DIGESTIVE DISEASE RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OASIS FOUNDATION | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THREE OAKS FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY | STANFORD, CA | $3,280,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $1,034,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| START EARLY | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ARTS FOR LEARNING MARYLAND | BALTIMORE, MD | $568,372 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TELLURIDE FOUNDATION | TELLURIDE, CO | $550,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BERKELEY FILM FOUNDATION | BERKELEY, CA | $500,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TMW CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING PUBLIC HEALTH | CHICAGO, IL | $465,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE IMPACT FUND | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $350,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GLIDE FOUNDATION | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $300,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FIRST FIVE YEARS FUND | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER BALTIMORE CULTURAL ALLIANCE | BALTIMORE, MD | $125,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SONIA SHANKMAN ORTHOGENIC SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JERRY WEISS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND (UIC) | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORKING IN THE SCHOOLS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARYLAND FILM FESTIVAL | BALTIMORE, MD | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PASS THROUGH FROM SZ COMPANY | VARIOUS, CA | $40,244 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TRU RESCUE | JACKSONVILLE, MD | $35,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GRATEFUL GATHERINGS | BERKELEY, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BERKELEY COMMUNITY SCHOLARS | BERKELEY, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST COLETTA OF WISCONSIN | JEFFERSON, WI | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $5,825,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $3,575,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE JAMES B HUNT JR INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY FOUNDAT | DURHAM, NC | $2,000,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE JAMES B HUNT JR INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY FOUNDAT | DURHAM, NC | $1,575,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| START EARLY | CHICAGO, IL | $1,125,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| START EARLY | CHICAGO, IL | $1,001,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY | BALTIMORE, MD | $595,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
$3,980,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$1,034,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE JAMES B HUNT JR INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY FOUNDAT
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ARTS FOR LEARNING MARYLAND
$652,986GENERAL SUPPORT
BERKELEY FILM FOUNDATION
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TMW CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING PUBLIC HEALTH
$465,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE IMPACT FUND
$350,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GLIDE FOUNDATION
$333,333GENERAL SUPPORT
GREATER BALTIMORE CULTURAL ALLIANCE
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
START EARLY
$200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GRATEFUL GATHERINGS
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JERRY WEISS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND (UIC)
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CENTER ON CHILD AND FAMILY POLICY
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FAMILIES AND WORK INSTITUTE INC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN-CHICAGO
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
LINK UNLIMITED SCHOLARS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORKING IN THE SCHOOLS CHICAGO
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MICKEY HAMMERMAN LEGACY FUND INC
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
DIGESTIVE DISEASE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OASIS FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THREE OAKS FOUNDATION
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE LELAND STANFORD JUNIOR UNIVERSITY
$3,280,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$1,034,000GENERAL SUPPORT
START EARLY
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ARTS FOR LEARNING MARYLAND
$568,372GENERAL SUPPORT
TELLURIDE FOUNDATION
$550,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BERKELEY FILM FOUNDATION
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
TMW CENTER FOR EARLY LEARNING PUBLIC HEALTH
$465,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE IMPACT FUND
$350,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GLIDE FOUNDATION
$300,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN WRITERS MUSEUM
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FIRST FIVE YEARS FUND
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GREATER BALTIMORE CULTURAL ALLIANCE
$125,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SONIA SHANKMAN ORTHOGENIC SCHOOL
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JERRY WEISS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND (UIC)
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORKING IN THE SCHOOLS CHICAGO
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MARYLAND FILM FESTIVAL
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
PASS THROUGH FROM SZ COMPANY
$40,244GENERAL SUPPORT
TRU RESCUE
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GRATEFUL GATHERINGS
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BERKELEY COMMUNITY SCHOLARS
$20,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST COLETTA OF WISCONSIN
$6,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
$5,825,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
$3,575,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE JAMES B HUNT JR INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY FOUNDAT
$2,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE JAMES B HUNT JR INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND POLICY FOUNDAT
$1,575,000GENERAL SUPPORT
START EARLY
$1,125,000GENERAL SUPPORT
START EARLY
$1,001,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
$595,000GENERAL SUPPORT