Skip to content
The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family Foundation C/O Jj Kessler at a glance

· Private foundation

The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family Foundation C/O Jj Kessler

Its FY2023 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$151k
Granted FY2023
24
Grants FY2023
5
States reached
$46k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2018 to 2023.

Arts & Culture$252kPhilanthropy$221kEducation$172kHuman Services$107kYouth Development$39kHealth$25kCivil Rights$11kPublic Benefit$5kOther$0
02FY2023 · 24 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2023

  • Under $10k18 grants · $28k
  • $10k–50k6 grants · $123k
$1,500
Median grant
5
States reached
$2.1M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
THE CARNEGIE MUSEUMS OF ART$46,000
UNITED JEWISH FEDERATION - PITTSBURGH$25,000
UNITED WAY$20,000
THE CARNEGIE MUSEUMS OF PITTSBURGH$12,000
THE PITTSBURGH PROMISE$10,000
PITTSBURGH GLASS CENTER$10,000
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH$6,800
MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK$5,000
THE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE$2,500
SQUIRREL HILL URBAN COALITION$2,500
J STREET PAC$1,800
ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM$1,500
MATTRESS FACTORY$1,000
JEWISH ASSOCIATION ON AGING$1,000
QUANTUM THEATRE$1,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY18–23, $103k) land where the poverty rate runs at 11%, against an area that typically sits at 13%. 0% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Its grants skew toward lower-need ZIPs.

area typical 13%JEWISH ASSOCIATION ON AGING: $1k → 11%JEWISH ASSOCIATION ON AGING: $1k → 11%JEWISH ASSOCIATION ON AGING: $1k → 11%JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH: $53k → 11%JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH: $28k → 11%JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH: $7k → 11%JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH: $7k → 11%JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH: $5k → 11%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

NY
MA
PA
VA
NM
TN
DC
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

97%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$819k · 26 repeat orgs$27k to everyone else

26 repeat relationships: 18 still active in FY2023, 8 since wound down; 6 grantees were first funded in FY2023 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

26
13

Total granted

$819k
$21k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+8%
+52%

Still filing today

65%
62%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2023, 96% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $6k went to new ones.

50%100%’18’19’20’21’22’23
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’18’19’20’21’22’23
Arts & CultureHealthHuman ServicesCommunity ImprovementEducationPhilanthropyOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • CI
    CARNEGIE INSTITUTE
    6× · 2018–2023 · $105k · revenue +28%
  • YM
    YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN'S HEBREW ASSOCIATION AND IRENE KAUFMANN CENT
    5× · 2018–2023 · $100k · revenue +24%
  • PG
    PITTSBURGH GLASS CENTER INC
    4× · 2020–2023 · $28k · revenue +97%

Funded once

  • MO
    MEANINGS OF OCTOBER 27TH
    one grant, 2021 · $5k
  • CM
    Carnegie Mellon Universitygraduated
    one grant, 2019 · $5k · revenue +52%
  • VO
    VIOLINS OF HOPE GREATER PITTSBURGH
    one grant, 2022 · $5k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Point Park University

Provides innovative education in a dynamic urban setting. dedicated to academic excellence and community engagement,we prepare students of diverse backgrounds with the knowledge, skill,and experience to lead meaningful lives as informed…

—
2
Philadelphia Contemporary

We connect the people and places of philadelphia through art and partnership. the organization is a free-standing platform that endeavors to show forward-thinking, high-quality contemporary visual and performance art in the city. the…

Human Services
3
The Trustees of Princeton University

Research, education and general - princeton university is a private not-for-profit, non-sectarian institution of higher learning with approximately 5,700 undergraduate and 3,300 graduate students. 2,500 students graduated in the 2024-2025…

Education
4
Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania

The trustees of the university of pennsylvania (the "university") sees itself as having a public service mission. in such regard, the university aims to provide a rich and diverse educational environment for its students; to pioneer…

Education
5
Pittsburgh Filmmakers Inc

The corporation advances excellence in the arts, including studio, media, and creative writing. to achieve its mission, the corporation provides equipment and facilities for individual artists, conducts educational programs, and stimulates…

—
6
Pittsburgh Cultural Trust

Presenting diverse, quality performing & visual art; managing arts facilities; advancing arts education; and creating & developing pittsburgh's cultural district as a destination for entertainment, business, and urban living, thus…

Arts & Culture
7
Pittsburgh Entertainment Project

To create a vibrant, responsible, and sustainable film and digital media sector in southwestern pennsylvania.

—
8
Pennsylvania Academic Library Consortium Inc

To support education and research at college, university, and research libraries.

Education
9
Pittsburgh Council On Higher Education

To provide a means for sharing resources and information among members, engage in joint projects, and offer a common voice on educational matters.

Education
10
Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

By sharing resources and fostering meaningful relationships that strengthen the region's creative community, the greater pittsburgh arts council builds a more resourced, connected, and informed arts sector, empowering artists and arts…

Arts & Culture
11
Zoological Society of Pittsburgh

The zoological society of pittsburgh is dedicated to being a leader in, and significant contributor to, the conservation of endangered and threatened species. the society provides an enjoyable family experience that fosters understanding,…

Animals
12
Wilson College

Wilson college empowers students to be confident and critical thinkers, creative visionaries, effective communicators, honorable leaders, and agents of justice.

Education
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is University of Pittsburgh; the most unlike its peers is Blood Cancer United Inc. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

31 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 31 of the 46 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
4
Early backer (in before they grew)
31/31
Grantees still filing
22/31
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

THE CARNEGIE MUSEUMS OF ART: $215,000 · OtherTHE CARNEGIE MUSEUMS OF ARTUNITED JEWISH FEDERATION - PITTSBURGH: $132,100 · OtherUNITED JEWISH FEDERATION - PITTSBURGHUNITED WAY: $80,000 · OtherUNITED WAYTHE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE: $38,600 · OtherTHE FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE+21 more: $72,100 · Other+21 moreCARNEGIE INSTITUTE: $105,000 · Arts & CultureCARNEGIE INSTITUTEPITTSBURGH GLASS CENTER INC: $27,500 · Arts & CulturePITTSBURGH GLASS CE…ART21 INC: $6,500 · Arts & Culture+8 more: $8,050 · Arts & Culture+8 moreYOUNG MEN AND WOMEN'S HEBREW ASSOCIATION AND IRENE KAUFMANN CENT: $99,500 · Human ServicesYOUNG MEN AND…+1 more: $3,000 · Human ServicesBLOOD CANCER UNITED INC: $20,000 · HealthPLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WESTERN PA INC: $4,000 · Health+2 more: $800 · HealthTHE PITTSBURGH PROMISE FOUNDATION: $21,600 · PhilanthropyMake the Road New York: $10,000 · Crime & LegalSquirrel Hill Urban Coalition: $2,500 · Community ImprovementNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN INCORPORATED: $500 · Community Improvement
Other$537,800Arts & Culture$147,050Human Services$102,500Health$24,800Philanthropy$21,600Crime & Legal$10,000Community Improvement$3,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetCARNEGIE INSTITUTE: $105,000 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetYOUNG MEN AND WOMEN'S HEBREW ASSOCIATION AND IRENE KAUFMANN CENT: $99,500 over 5y, 0.2% of budgetPITTSBURGH GLASS CENTER INC: $27,500 over 4y, 0.2% of budgetTHE PITTSBURGH PROMISE FOUNDATION: $21,600 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetBLOOD CANCER UNITED INC: $20,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetMake the Road New York: $10,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetART21 INC: $6,500 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetCOMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL: $5,400 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetCarnegie Mellon University: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPERSAD CENTER INC: $4,500 over 3y, 0.1% of budgetPLANNED PARENTHOOD OF WESTERN PA INC: $4,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetART CREATES US INC: $3,500 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetJEWISH ASSOCIATION ON AGING: $3,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetSquirrel Hill Urban Coalition: $2,500 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetTHE MATTRESS FACTORY LTD: $1,250 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetNEW ISRAEL FUND: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFAMILYAID BOSTON INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAMERICAN COUNCIL ON GERMANY INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetQUANTUM THEATRE INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH: $1,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE SOCIETY FOR ART IN CRAFTS: $800 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWESTMORELAND MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART: $750 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetPITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE INC: $550 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetPITTSBURGH ARTS & LECTURES INC: $500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF PITTSBURGH FOUNDATION: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNATIONAL COUNCIL OF JEWISH WOMEN INCORPORATED: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $300 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFILM PITTSBURGH: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetUNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO FOUNDATION INC: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetRIVERLIFE: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPITTSBURGH PUBLIC THEATER CORPORATION: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

Hillman Family Founda…The Fine FoundationThe Grable FoundationThe Heinz EndowmentsThe Benter FoundationGiant Eagle FoundationThe Jack Buncher Foun…The Pittsburgh Founda…Richard King Mellon F…The Buhl FoundationMcKinney Charitable F…Arts Equity & Educati…
Hillman Family FoundationsPA35.5× affinity15 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Hillman Family Foundations · The Fine Foundation · The Grable Foundation · The Heinz Endowments · The Benter Foundation · Giant Eagle Foundation · The Jack Buncher Foundation · The Pittsburgh Foundation · Richard King Mellon Foundation · The Buhl Foundation · McKinney Charitable Foundation · Arts Equity & Education Fund

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family Foundation C/O Jj Kessler funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family Foundation C/O Jj Kessler. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%0%1%3%5%funder's share of their income ↑0%5%10%15%20%share of the org’s income from government →median 4%
  • Familyaid Boston Inc: 4% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
0get no government money at all
9report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
⤢ axis zoomed · 0–20%
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
05Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family Foundation C/O Jj Kessler?

Find your warmest path to The Ellen and Jack Kessler Family Foundation C/O Jj Kessler through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 46 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2023, released 2023. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Ellen and Jack Kessler Family Foundation C/O Jj Kessler’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home