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Matthew Zell Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.7M
Grant Range
$1K - $1.5M

Matthew Zell Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,740,000 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $1,483,022
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin; extends to other U.S. states
  • Application Status: Does not accept unsolicited applications

Contact Details

Zell Family Office 2 N. Riverside Plaza, Suite 600 Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: 312-454-1800

Note: The foundation does not maintain a separate website or public contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Matthew Zell Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2019 and based in Chicago, Illinois. With assets of approximately $49.6 million as of 2024, the foundation made charitable disbursements of $1.74 million during its most recent fiscal year. The foundation is led by Matthew Zell, son of the late real estate billionaire Sam Zell, and operates as one of five affiliated foundations under the Zell Family Office umbrella. The foundation focuses its grantmaking on education, human services, and philanthropy-related causes, primarily supporting organizations in Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin, though grants have extended to other states including California, Colorado, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. The foundation has shown steady growth since its founding, with assets increasing from approximately $8.7 million in 2020 to nearly $50 million in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Matthew Zell Family Foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than formal grant programs. Grants are awarded on an invitation-only basis to preselected organizations.

Grant Activity:

  • 22 grants awarded in 2024
  • 18 grants awarded in 2023
  • Average grant size: approximately $79,000 (based on 2024 data)
  • Grant range: $1,000 to $1,483,022

Priority Areas

Based on IRS filings and grant distribution patterns, the foundation prioritizes:

Education:

  • Jewish day schools and academies
  • Summer camps with educational components
  • Teaching associations and educational advancement
  • University and higher education support

Human Services:

  • Youth development programs
  • Community service organizations
  • Family support services

Environmental and Climate:

  • Water conservation initiatives
  • Regenerative agriculture projects
  • Climate change solutions

Philanthropy & Grantmaking:

  • Support for other foundations and philanthropic initiatives
  • Community-based grantmaking organizations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation has indicated it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations. This means they do not fund:

  • Unsolicited applications from organizations
  • Organizations without existing relationships to the foundation or its leadership
  • International organizations (grants appear to be U.S.-focused)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors and Officers

Matthew Zell - President Matthew Zell is the son of the late Sam Zell, legendary real estate investor and philanthropist who founded Equity Group Investments and the Zell Family Foundation. Matthew also serves as vice president of the larger Zell Family Foundation.

Philip Tinkler - Vice President

Joseph Miron - Vice President

Lucille McFarland - Vice President & Secretary

Aaron Zell - Director

Rina Zell - Director

All officers serve without compensation according to the foundation's IRS filings.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Matthew Zell Family Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

This means:

  • There is no application form or online portal
  • The foundation does not accept letters of inquiry
  • Grant decisions are made through trustee discretion
  • Organizations are selected based on existing relationships and priorities identified by the foundation leadership

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations working in their priority areas (education, human services, environmental initiatives) in Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin may benefit from:

Zell Family Office Connection: The foundation operates under the Zell Family Office (312-454-1800), which administers five affiliated foundations. Understanding the broader Zell family philanthropic interests may provide context, though this does not guarantee consideration for funding.

Jewish Community Connections: Several grants have supported Jewish educational institutions and camps, including Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, Ida Crown Jewish Academy, and Carmel Catholic High School (which has Jewish students). Organizations serving the Jewish community in the Midwest may align with the foundation's interests.

Board Member Networks: With directors and officers including multiple Zell family members, organizations with connections to the real estate, private equity, or Chicago business communities may have indirect pathways to foundation awareness.

Focus on Innovation: Past grants to organizations like Blue Forest Finance (environmental finance innovation) and American Modeling Teachers Association suggest interest in innovative approaches to education and environmental challenges.

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not disclose decision timelines. As grants are awarded through trustee discretion to preselected organizations, there is no standard application-to-decision timeframe.

Success Rates

Not applicable. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, making traditional success rate metrics irrelevant.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable. Organizations cannot apply or reapply as the foundation does not have an application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their grantmaking patterns reveals:

Relationship-Driven Giving: The foundation's model is based entirely on trustee-identified opportunities and existing relationships. Organizations that receive grants typically have pre-existing connections to the Zell family or foundation leadership.

Consistent Support: Review of 990 filings suggests some organizations receive grants in multiple years (e.g., Camp Ramah in Wisconsin), indicating the foundation values ongoing relationships with grantees who demonstrate impact.

Range of Grant Sizes: With grants ranging from $5,000 to over $1 million, the foundation appears flexible in grant sizing based on project scope and organizational capacity, rather than adhering to rigid funding tiers.

Geographic Concentration: While the foundation has made grants across multiple states, there is clear emphasis on the Midwest, particularly Illinois and Wisconsin, reflecting the family's Chicago roots.

Mission Alignment with Zell Family Values: The Zell Family Office emphasizes values including "Shem Tov" (integrity and transparency), growth, self-awareness, connection, and loyalty. Organizations embodying these values may align with foundation priorities.

Educational Focus: A significant portion of grants support educational institutions, particularly those serving Jewish communities, reflecting family philanthropic traditions.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, making it unavailable for most grant-seeking organizations without pre-existing relationships.

  • Invitation-Only Grantmaking: All grants are awarded through trustee discretion to preselected organizations, typically those with existing connections to the Zell family or foundation leadership.

  • Substantial Assets, Modest Distribution: With nearly $50 million in assets but approximately $1.7 million in annual giving, the foundation maintains a conservative distribution rate of roughly 3.5%.

  • Growth Trajectory: The foundation has grown significantly since its 2019 establishment, with assets increasing nearly six-fold from 2020 to 2024, suggesting potential for increased grantmaking in future years.

  • Part of Larger Ecosystem: As one of five Zell family foundations, organizations may have multiple potential funding sources within the family's philanthropic network, though each foundation operates independently.

  • Midwest Focus with National Reach: While primarily focused on Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin, the foundation has demonstrated willingness to fund projects in other states when they align with priorities.

  • Not a Target for Cold Outreach: Grant writers should not invest time pursuing this foundation unless their organization has direct connections to the Zell family, board members, or grantees who can facilitate an introduction.

References

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