Private foundation · Aspen, CO

Joy Foundation

View org profile →Find similar funders →Invitation only
Typical grant size
$3K – $5K – $15K
25th · median · 75th percentile
Unique recipients
44
Repeat grantees
23
funded 2+ years

Application procedures · from 2024 990-PF

Leadership · from 2024 990-PF

Leah Joy Zell
PRESIDENT
Jenny Wanger
VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY
Elise Wanger Zell
VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part VII. Officers, directors, and trustees as reported by the foundation.

Payout rate · TY 2024
8.3%
grants paid ÷ assets · ~5% IRS minimum
'17
'18
'19
'20
'21
'22
'23
'24
209
Total grants awarded
$5.8M
Total amount
$28K
Average grant
$300K
Largest grant

Giving by year

2024
$674K
18 grants
2023
$552K
10 grants
2022
$502K
21 grants
2021
$544K
21 grants
2020
$821K
17 grants
2019
$879K
21 grants
2018
$285K
15 grants
2017
$445K
25 grants
2016
$260K
19 grants
2015
$364K
19 grants
2014
$464K
23 grants

Top recipients

Inernational Rescue Committee
6 grants · NY
$1.5M
7 grants · IL · ✓ Exact match
$1.1M
4 grants · MN · ≈ likely match
$700K
9 grants · NY · ✓ Exact match
$465K
6 grants · DC · ✓ Exact match
$360K
2 grants · DC · ✓ Exact match
$250K
4 grants · MA · ≈ likely match
$200K
New American Foundation
4 grants · DC
$155K
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen
9 grants · CO
$119K
The President & Fellows of Harvard University
2 grants · MA
$100K

Recipient names are as reported on the 990-PF. ✓ Exact match = EIN matched to IRS records by exact name + state; ≈ likely match = EIN inferred from a closely similar name. The recipient EIN is never stated on the form — it is DoubleNine’s match.

Recent grants · most recent filings first

Inernational Rescue Committee
GENERAL SUPPORT
NY · TY 2024
$257K
American Academy in Berlin
GENERAL SUPPORT
NY · TY 2024
$150K
Mayo Clinic
GENERAL SUPPORT
MN · TY 2024
$100K
Aspen Institute
GENERAL SUPPORT
DC · TY 2024
$75K
Natural Resources Defense Council
GENERAL SUPPORT
MD · TY 2024
$22K
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen
GENERAL SUPPORT
CO · TY 2024
$16K
Pitzer College
GENERAL SUPPORT
CA · TY 2024
$10K
Oceana
GENERAL SUPPORT
DC · TY 2024
$10K
Fairvote
GENERAL SUPPORT
MD · TY 2024
$5K
Sixth & I Synagogue
GENERAL SUPPORT
DC · TY 2024
$5K
Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs
GENERAL SUPPORT
CA · TY 2024
$5K
Milton Academy
GENERAL SUPPORT
MA · TY 2024
$4K
School Year Abroad
GENERAL SUPPORT
MA · TY 2024
$4K
Merit School of Music
GENERAL SUPPORT
IL · TY 2024
$3K
Human Rights Watch
GENERAL SUPPORT
NY · TY 2024
$3K
Sea Shepard
GENERAL SUPPORT
VA · TY 2024
$3K
Feeding America
GENERAL SUPPORT
IL · TY 2024
$1K
American Friends of the Ocean Cleanup Foundation
GENERAL SUPPORT
NY · TY 2024
$500
Inernational Rescue Committee
GENERAL SUPPORT
NY · TY 2023
$300K
Mayo Clinic
GENERAL SUPPORT
MN · TY 2023
$100K
Aspen Institute
GENERAL SUPPORT
DC · TY 2023
$75K
American Academy in Berlin
GENERAL SUPPORT
NY · TY 2023
$50K
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen
GENERAL SUPPORT
CO · TY 2023
$6K
Rush University
GENERAL SUPPORT
IL · TY 2023
$5K
Fairvote
GENERAL SUPPORT
MD · TY 2023
$5K
Camp for All Kids
GENERAL SUPPORT
MO · TY 2023
$4K
School Year Abroad
GENERAL SUPPORT
MA · TY 2023
$4K
Merit School of Music
GENERAL SUPPORT
IL · TY 2023
$3K
Inernational Rescue Committee
GENERAL SUPPORT
MN · TY 2022
$200K
Better Angels Society
GENERAL SUPPORT
DC · TY 2022
$125K
Aspen Institute
GENERAL SUPPORT
DC · TY 2022
$50K
American Academy in Berlin
GENERAL SUPPORT
NY · TY 2022
$50K
Social and Environmental Entrepreneurs
GENERAL SUPPORT
CA · TY 2022
$20K
Natural Resources Defense Council
GENERAL SUPPORT
MD · TY 2022
$9K
Council on Foreign Relations
GENERAL SUPPORT
NY · TY 2022
$5K
Chabad Jewish Community Center Aspen
GENERAL SUPPORT
CO · TY 2022
$5K
Anti-defamation League
GENERAL SUPPORT
IL · TY 2022
$5K
Chicago Historial Society
GENERAL SUPPORT
IL · TY 2022
$5K
Pitzer College
GENERAL SUPPORT
CA · TY 2022
$5K
School Year Abroad
GENERAL SUPPORT
MA · TY 2022
$4K
Sea Shepard
GENERAL SUPPORT
VA · TY 2022
$3K
Oceana
GENERAL SUPPORT
DC · TY 2022
$3K
Merit School of Music
GENERAL SUPPORT
IL · TY 2022
$3K
Camp for All Kids
GENERAL SUPPORT
MO · TY 2022
$3K
Milton Academy
GENERAL SUPPORT
MA · TY 2022
$3K
Hias Chicago
GENERAL SUPPORT
IL · TY 2022
$2K
Jewish Women International
GENERAL SUPPORT
DC · TY 2022
$1K
Human Rights Watch
GENERAL SUPPORT
NY · TY 2022
$1K
American Associates of the National Theatre
GENERAL SUPPORT
NY · TY 2022
$940
Inernational Rescue Committee
GENERAL SUPPORT
MN · TY 2021
$250K

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV. Up to 50 most recent grants shown.