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Zell Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$133.0M
Grant Range
$100K - $50.0M

Zell Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $133 million (FY 2023)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $50,000,000
  • Geographic Focus: Greater Chicago area (60%), with national grants to select institutions
  • Assets: $144.2 million (2023)
  • Application Process: No public application process; invitation-only

Contact Details

Foundation Information:

  • Location: Chicago, IL
  • EIN: 36-3487811
  • Type: Private family foundation

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website and does not accept unsolicited grant requests.

Overview

The Zell Family Foundation was established in 1986 by billionaire real estate investor Sam Zell and his wife Helen. Following Sam's death in May 2023, the foundation received a $159 million infusion from his estate, dramatically increasing its grantmaking capacity. In fiscal year 2023, the foundation disbursed 70 grants totaling $133 million—a 505% increase over its previous four-year average of $22 million annually. Now led by Helen Zell as president, with the couple's three children (Kellie, Matthew, and JoAnn) serving as vice presidents, the foundation focuses on education, arts and culture, medical research, and Jewish causes. The foundation is known for making transformational gifts to institutions with which the family has long-standing relationships, particularly in the Greater Chicago area. Helen Zell's leadership extends beyond the foundation—she serves on the boards of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, Steppenwolf Theatre, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, and was the first female board chair of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (2015-2020).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Instead, it makes strategic investments in organizations aligned with the family's philanthropic interests. Recent major grants include:

  • Transformational Gifts ($25M - $50M): Reserved for flagship institutions such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra ($50M in 2024) and Northwestern University's Kellogg School ($25M in 2024)
  • Major Institutional Support ($5M - $25M): To educational institutions, particularly those named for family members, such as Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School ($24M) and Rochelle Zell Jewish High School ($9.5M)
  • Significant Grants ($1M - $5M): To established cultural and educational organizations
  • Standard Grants ($100K - $1M): To various Chicago-area nonprofits in aligned focus areas

Priority Areas

Education: A cornerstone of the foundation's giving, including:

  • Higher education institutions (University of Michigan received three grants totaling $75M in 2023)
  • Jewish day schools and educational institutions
  • Educational equity initiatives (Chicago Public Education Fund, $1M; Teach for America, $750K)
  • Entrepreneurship education programs

Arts & Culture: Strong focus on Chicago's cultural landscape:

  • Major performing arts organizations (Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Joffrey Ballet)
  • Museums and theaters (Steppenwolf Theatre, Museum of Contemporary Art)
  • Public cultural resources (Chicago Public Library Foundation)

Medical Research: Support for cancer research and healthcare institutions

Jewish Causes: Significant support for Jewish educational institutions, Israel-focused organizations (American Friends of Reichman University, $1.4M; Birthright Israel Foundation, $1.25M), and Jewish cultural preservation

Civil Rights & Public Policy: Including the ACLU Foundation ($100K), Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression ($1.35M), University of Chicago's Zell Series on academic freedom ($2.2M), and A Better Chicago ($200K)

What They Don't Fund

Based on grantmaking patterns, the foundation does not appear to fund:

  • Organizations outside their established network of relationships
  • Short-term projects or pilot programs
  • Small grassroots organizations without institutional track record
  • Organizations outside their core focus areas (education, arts, medical research, Jewish causes)
  • General operating support for organizations without long-standing relationships

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Helen Zell, President

  • Widow of founder Sam Zell
  • First female board chair of Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (2015-2020)
  • Currently serves as vice chair of CSOA board
  • Board member of Steppenwolf Theatre and Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
  • Chaired the Music Director Search Committee that appointed Klaus Mäkelä as CSO's 11th music director
  • Known for hands-on involvement with supported organizations

Quote from Helen Zell: "The generosity of donors will ensure the long-term sustainability of our great cultural institutions that add vitality and beauty to our lives."

Vice Presidents: Sam and Helen's three children—Kellie, Matthew, and JoAnn Zell

Founder's Legacy

Sam Zell (1941-2023) was a pioneering real estate investor who built his fortune through contrarian investments. His philanthropic philosophy focused on making a difference in "very narrow fields" including higher education, arts and culture, and medical research. He created several named programs including:

  • Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at University of Michigan
  • Zell Fellows Program at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management
  • Various named facilities and programs at institutions he supported

Quote from Sam Zell: Reflecting on his giving, Zell stated, "Everybody's worried about the inequality; [the] reality is I'm going to give away this money, and I'm going to give away billions of dollars."

The foundation has nine officers, none of whom receive compensation, suggesting a lean operational structure with grantmaking decisions made at the trustee level.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Zell Family Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited grant requests. The foundation lacks a public website or published application guidelines.

Grants are made to organizations with which the family has established, long-standing relationships. Grantmaking decisions appear to be made at the discretion of the foundation's leadership, particularly Helen Zell and the family trustees, based on their personal connections to and involvement with recipient organizations.

Getting on Their Radar

The foundation's grantmaking pattern reveals specific pathways through which organizations have received support:

Board Leadership Connections: Helen Zell's board service creates direct relationships with organizations. Her positions include:

  • Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association (former board chair, current vice chair)
  • Steppenwolf Theatre (board member)
  • Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (board member)

Organizations where foundation leadership serves in governance roles appear to be primary beneficiaries of major grants.

Family Legacy Institutions: Organizations bearing the Zell family name or honoring Sam's parents receive substantial support:

  • Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School (named for Sam's father)
  • Rochelle Zell Jewish High School (named for Sam's mother)
  • Programs at University of Michigan (both Sam and Helen's alma mater)

Established Chicago Cultural Institutions: The foundation has a documented pattern of supporting Chicago's major cultural organizations, particularly those where the family has demonstrated long-term engagement beyond just financial support.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, analyzing the foundation's giving patterns reveals what the foundation values:

Institutional Excellence and Leadership

The foundation's largest grants go to organizations recognized as leaders in their fields. The $50 million gift to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra emphasized "preserving the CSO's future" and supporting the organization's long-term sustainability, not short-term projects.

Strategic, Transformational Impact

Helen Zell's comment about the CSO gift focused on ensuring "the long-term sustainability of our great cultural institutions." The foundation appears to favor gifts that:

  • Address fundamental institutional needs (reducing debt, strengthening endowments, supporting retirement benefits)
  • Enable organizations to maintain excellence over time
  • Support both immediate needs and future capacity

Multi-Dimensional Support Priorities

The CSO's $50 million gift illustrates the foundation's approach to comprehensive institutional support, funding:

  • Debt reduction
  • Endowment strengthening
  • Musician and staff retirement benefits
  • Domestic and international touring
  • Special artistic projects
  • Digital content initiatives

Family Connection and Values

The foundation prioritizes:

  • Entrepreneurship education: Gifts to Kellogg School and University of Michigan's Zell Lurie Institute reflect Sam Zell's business philosophy
  • Jewish education and culture: Substantial support for Jewish day schools and Israel-focused organizations
  • Academic freedom: The University of Chicago's Zell Series on academic freedom received $2.2M, and the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression received $1.35M, reflecting the family's commitment to free expression

Long-Term Relationship Building

The foundation's giving reveals decades-long relationships with recipient organizations. Helen Zell's involvement with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra dates back to 2007, demonstrating that major grants culminate long periods of engagement rather than representing first-time relationships.

Geographic Focus with Strategic Exceptions

Approximately 60% of grants support Greater Chicago organizations, with the remaining 40% going to:

  • Alumni institutions (University of Michigan)
  • National organizations aligned with family values (Teach for America, ACLU)
  • Jewish causes with national or international scope

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited applications accepted: This is strictly an invitation-only funder with no public application process. Traditional grant seeking will not be effective.

  • Board relationships are the primary pathway: Organizations where Helen Zell serves in leadership positions receive the foundation's largest grants. Trustee involvement typically precedes major funding by many years.

  • Transformational giving model: The foundation makes fewer, larger grants rather than numerous small awards. Recent giving shows grants ranging from $100,000 to $50 million, with a clear preference for major institutional support.

  • Chicago focus with selective exceptions: 60% of funding goes to Greater Chicago organizations, with major exceptions for the University of Michigan (alma mater) and select national organizations aligned with family values.

  • Legacy-driven priorities: The dramatic increase to $133 million in FY 2023 following Sam Zell's death suggests the foundation is fulfilling his philanthropic vision. The family's commitment to entrepreneurship education, Jewish causes, arts and culture, and academic freedom reflects deeply held values.

  • Long-term sustainability emphasis: Helen Zell's statements emphasize preserving institutions' futures rather than funding short-term projects. The foundation appears to value endowment building, debt reduction, and structural stability.

  • Family foundation in transition: With Helen Zell now leading and the next generation (Kellie, Matthew, and JoAnn) serving as vice presidents, the foundation's future giving patterns may evolve, though current priorities remain rooted in Sam and Helen's established relationships.

References

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