The Jacobson Family Foundation directs most of its dollars through a donor-advised vehicle while otherwise funding Houston-area direct service organizations focused on basic needs. Outside of a large pass‑through to a charitable gift fund, its local giving concentrates on hunger relief (both large food bank support and meal programs) and crisis services for women. Grants are practical, operational support to front-line nonprofits serving vulnerable Houstonians.
A $2,947,741 grant to BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund shows how The Jacobson Family Foundation uses a donor-advised vehicle as a major part of its giving. Alongside that pass-through structure, the foundation directs operating support to Houston-area nonprofits working on basic needs, health, and community services. The recent record shows a steady preference for practical grants rather than large, program-specific awards. Hunger relief is a recurring anchor. The foundation gave $100,000 to Houston Food Bank for food insecurity resources and $60,000 to Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston for Meals on Wheels and AniMeals, both aimed at food access for people who need home-delivered support. Crisis services for women are another visible thread: Houston Area Women's Center received $65,000 for women's crisis shelter and services. Other gifts reach into health, education, Jewish community organizations, and support for vulnerable populations, showing a portfolio built around direct-service needs in Houston.
In food security, The Jacobson Family Foundation backed Houston Food Bank with $100,000 for food insecurity resources, and it supported Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston with $60,000 for Meals on Wheels and AniMeals. Those awards point to a focus on both broad food distribution and meal delivery for seniors and homebound residents. Women’s services appear through Houston Area Women's Center, which received $65,000 for women's crisis shelter and services. The foundation also gave $40,000 to Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast for women's health and family planning and $25,000 to The Rose for women's health care services and support, indicating a health-and-crisis support lane for women. The portfolio also includes $40,000 to Anti-Defamation League for anti-bias training, education and security, and $15,000 to Avenue CDC for affordable housing and community development.
Grant sizes cluster in the middle of the range: p25 is $2,500, the median is $10,000, and p75 is $25,000. That profile fits a pattern of many modest operating grants, plus a much larger donor-advised pass-through gift. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, The Rose, Avenue CDC, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, and The Shlenker School, which suggests recurring support rather than one-time awards. The foundation is a family foundation and also makes grants through a donor-advised charitable gift fund. It funds individuals, and the recent grant record shows no program-related investments.
$3.1M
$0
$753K
$3.1M
Most grants fall between $3K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
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A highly concentrated portfolio: one very large pass‑through grant to a donor‑advised/charitable gift fund plus several modest, repeat operating grants to local Houston direct‑service providers. Emphasis on a few core local partners rather than broad, diversified giving.
Notable grantees: BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund (donor‑advised / pass‑through), Houston Food Bank, Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, Houston Area Women's Center
The Jacobson Family Foundation gives locally, with 83% of grants going to recipients in Texas. Houston is the main recipient city across the recent grant list, including awards to Houston Food Bank, Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, and MD Anderson Cancer Center. A few grants go to other Texas cities, such as Dallas for Houston Area Women's Center. Outside Texas, the largest recent grant went to Boston’s BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund. All recent grants in the provided sample went to U.S. recipients.
The recent record centers on direct-service nonprofits in Houston. Frequent themes include food insecurity, meal delivery for seniors and homebound people, women’s crisis services, women’s health, anti-bias education, affordable housing, and community support organizations.
The foundation’s grant sizes are usually modest: the 25th percentile is $2,500, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $25,000. The recent list also includes one much larger donor-advised pass-through grant.
Yes. Several organizations appear across multiple years in the recent grants list, including Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, The Rose, Avenue CDC, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, and The Shlenker School. That pattern suggests repeated support over time.
Most of its grants go to Texas recipients, and 83% land in the foundation’s HQ state of Texas. The sample also includes a recent grant to BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund in Boston, showing some giving outside Texas within a largely local scope.
Yes. The largest recent grant, $2,947,741 to BNY Mellon Charitable Gift Fund, was made to support charitable activities through a donor-advised fund maintained by a public charity. That indicates donor-advised grantmaking is a major channel for the foundation.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BNY MELLON CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | BOSTON, MA | $2,947,741 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE ACTIVIITIES THORUGH A DONOR ADVISED FUND MAINTAINED BY A PUBLIC CHAIRTY. |
| THE SHLENKER SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $47,000 | 2025 | EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP & CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | HOLOCAUST EDUCATION |
| THE ROSE | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND SUPPORT |
| MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $20,000 | 2025 | CANCER RESEARCH |
| AVENUE CDC | HOUSTON, TX | $15,000 | 2025 | AFFORDABLE HOUSING |
| ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | RESEARCH AND SUPPORT SERVICES |
| THE TEXAS TRIBUNE | AUSTIN, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | NON PROFIT INVESTIGATIVE NEWS REPORTING |
| A PURPOSEFUL RESCUE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | DOG RESCUE AND REHABILITAION |
| THE GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $3,090 | 2025 | RURAL WOMEN'S HEALTH STUDY |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,500 | 2025 | RESEARCH AND MEDICAL CARE FOR CHILDREN |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | HOUSTON, TX | $2,500 | 2025 | FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ILL CHILDREN |
| ANTI- DEFAMATION LEAGUE | HOUSTON, TX | $2,500 | 2025 | ANTI BIAS TRAINING, EDUCATION AND SECURITY |
| GALVESTON BAY FOUNDATION | KEMAH, TX | $1,050 | 2025 | BAY CONSERVATION |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, TX | $1,000 | 2025 | LAND CONSERVATION |
| HOUSTON FOOD BANK | HOUSTON, TX | $100,000 | 2024 | FOOD INSECURITY RESOURCE |
| HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER | DALLAS, TX | $65,000 | 2024 | WOMEN'S CRISIS SHELTER AND SERVICES |
| INTERFAITH MINISTRIES OF GREATER HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $60,000 | 2024 | MEALS ON WHEELS AND ANIMEALS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD GULF COAST | HOUSTON, TX | $40,000 | 2024 | WOMEN'S HEALTH AND FAMILY PLANNING |
| ANTI- DEFAMATION LEAGUE | HOUSTON, TX | $30,000 | 2024 | ANTI BIAS TRAINING, EDUCATION AND SECURITY |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | ISRAEL SOCIAL AND MEDICAL SUPPORT |
| EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| THE ROSE | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND SUPPORT |
| THE ALBERT SCHWEITZER FELLOWSHIP | HOUSTON, TX | $15,000 | 2024 | TRAINING MEDICAL POPULATION TO REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITY |
| AVENUE CDC | HOUSTON, TX | $15,000 | 2024 | AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES |
| SEVEN ACRES JEWISH SENIOR CARE SERVICES | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | SENIOR CARE SERVICES |
| THE SHLENKER SCHOOL | HOUSTON, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP |
| THE TEXAS TRIBUNE | AUSTIN, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | NEWS REPORTING AND INVESTIGATIVE SUPPORT |
| HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | HOUSTON METHODIST JOHNSON CENTER FOR CELLULAR THERAPUETICS |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $2,500 | 2024 | RESEARCH AND MEDICAL CARE FOR CHILDREN |
| GIVING BACK FUND | BOSTON, MA | $2,500 | 2024 | NEW APPROACHES THINK TANK ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE OF COMBATING ANTISEMITISM AND HATE SPEECH ONLINE |
| NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, TX | $2,500 | 2024 | LAND CONSERVATION |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | HOUSTON, TX | $2,500 | 2024 | FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES FOR ILL CHILDREN |
| IEDUCATE | BELLAIRE, TX | $2,500 | 2024 | STUDENT TUTORIAL IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
| MEMORIAL PARK CONSERVANCY | HOUSTON, TX | $2,500 | 2024 | MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR PARK |
| ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $2,500 | 2024 | RESEARCH AND SUPPORT SERVICES |
| BO'S PLACE | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2024 | GRIEF COUNSELING |
| JUNG CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2024 | CONTINUING EDUCATION PSYCHOLOGICAL & ARTISTIC TOPICS |
| ACLU | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | CIVIL LIBERTIES SUPPORT |
| HOUSTON PUBLIC MEDIA FOUNDATION | HOUSTON, TX | $1,000 | 2024 | PUBLIC MEDIA |
| INTERFAITH MINISTRIES OF GREATER HOUSTON | HOUSTON, TX | $60,000 | 2023 | MEALS ON WHEELS AND ANIMEALS |
| HOUSTON FOOD BANK | HOUSTON, TX | $50,000 | 2023 | FOOD INSECURITY RESOURCE |
| ANTI- DEFAMATION LEAGUE | HOUSTON, TX | $40,000 | 2023 | ANTI BIAS TRAINING, EDUCATION AND SECURITY |
| THE ROSE | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2023 | WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND SUPPORT |
| EVELYN RUBENSTEIN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | HOUSTON, TX | $25,000 | 2023 | COMMUNITY PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HEART | HOUSTON, TX | $23,000 | 2023 | TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED ADULTS |
| THE ALBERT SCHWEITZER FELLOWSHIP | HOUSTON, TX | $20,000 | 2023 | PROFESSIONAL TRAINING TO ASSIST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD GULF COAST | HOUSTON, TX | $20,000 | 2023 | WOMEN'S HEALTH AND FAMILY PLANNING |
| AVENUE CDC | HOUSTON, TX | $15,000 | 2023 | AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
BNY MELLON CHARITABLE GIFT FUND
$2,947,741TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE ACTIVIITIES THORUGH A DONOR ADVISED FUND MAINTAINED BY A PUBLIC CHAIRTY.
THE SHLENKER SCHOOL
$47,000EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP & CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
THE ROSE
$25,000WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND SUPPORT
MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER
$20,000CANCER RESEARCH
AVENUE CDC
$15,000AFFORDABLE HOUSING
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION
$5,000RESEARCH AND SUPPORT SERVICES
ST JUDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$2,500RESEARCH AND MEDICAL CARE FOR CHILDREN
THE ROSE
$25,000WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND SUPPORT
THE ALBERT SCHWEITZER FELLOWSHIP
$15,000TRAINING MEDICAL POPULATION TO REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITY
THE SHLENKER SCHOOL
$10,000EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP
HOUSTON METHODIST JOHNSON CENTER FOR CELLULAR THERAPUETICS
NEW APPROACHES THINK TANK ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGE OF COMBATING ANTISEMITISM AND HATE SPEECH ONLINE
ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION
$2,500RESEARCH AND SUPPORT SERVICES
JUNG CENTER
$1,000CONTINUING EDUCATION PSYCHOLOGICAL & ARTISTIC TOPICS
THE ROSE
$25,000WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE SERVICES AND SUPPORT
HEART
$23,000TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR INTELLECTUALLY DISABLED ADULTS
THE ALBERT SCHWEITZER FELLOWSHIP
$20,000PROFESSIONAL TRAINING TO ASSIST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS