About Zell Family Foundation
The Zell Family Foundation concentrates large, strategic gifts to higher education, Jewish K–12 institutions in Chicago, and major cultural organizations. Grants frequently strengthen endowments, eliminate institutional debt, and fund graduate-student support, indicating a preference for long-term institutional sustainability over small program-level awards. While the foundation’s giving is centered in Chicago’s Jewish and arts sectors, it also makes sizable investments in leading universities outside Illinois.
Focus Areas
Endowment-building and debt relief for Jewish day and high schools in ChicagoGraduate student support and named funds at major research universitiesSupport for elite business and professional schools (e.g., Kellogg)Philanthropic support for major cultural institutions (e.g., symphony orchestra)
Who They Fund
graduate students and visiting facultystudents and participants in entrepreneurship programsartists and performing arts organizationsJewish educational communities
About Zell Family Foundation
A defining thread in Zell Family Foundation giving is long-term institutional support: the foundation has made $35,000,000 and $30,000,000 grants to the University of Michigan for the Helen Zell Writers Fund and the Samuel Zell and Robert H. Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies, while also committing $24,000,000 to Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School for the Zell Family Fund for Jewish Education. Those awards show a funder comfortable with very large, named commitments tied to endowments, graduate support, education, and institutional stability. The foundation also backs major civic and cultural institutions through sizable general support and campaign gifts. Chicago Symphony Orchestra has received multiple grants, including $8,300,000 in 2025 and earlier support for its season and campaign work. Chicago-based education and Jewish institutions are another recurring focus, with Rochelle Zell Jewish High School receiving both a $10,000,000 grant and a separate $9,500,000 debt-elimination and endowment gift. The pattern points to a foundation that favors concentrated, high-dollar investments in organizations it appears to know well, rather than broad small-grant distribution.
What Zell Family Foundation Funds
In higher education, Zell Family Foundation has supported research universities and professional schools with large named funds. University of Michigan received $4,100,000 for the Helen Zell Expendable Fund for Graduate Student Support, while Northwestern University-Kellogg received $25,000,000 for general support. Entrepreneurship is another visible theme. The foundation gave $2,000,000 to Zell Entrepreneurship Foundation for entrepreneurship education and $1,400,000 to American Friends of Reichman University for a pledge to support and endow the Zell Entrepreneurship Program. Its cultural giving is also substantial. Chicago Symphony Orchestra received $1,307,000 for its 2023 season gift and $800,000 for the Cello Gift, and Steppenwolf Theatre Company received $730,000 for lead productions sponsorship, new play development, and its 2023 gala. On the civic and advocacy side, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression received $1,350,000 in 2025 for general support.
How Zell Family Foundation Gives
Typical grants are large: the p25 size is $50,000, the median is $187,500, and the p75 is $650,000. The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across 2024 and 2025, including the University of Michigan, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Start Early, and Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts. Zell Family Foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not make program-related investments. The available record also shows a preference for general support, named funds, endowment strengthening, and debt relief over small project-only awards.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$68.6M
Total Assets
$119.6M
Total Revenue
$44.1M
Total Expenses
$69.3M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $50K and $650K, with a median of $188K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$188K
75th Percentile
$650K
Geographic Reach
Regional9 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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