Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation
The Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation is a private foundation based in Waco, Texas. Established in 1987, it says it has dedicated more than $70 million in grants to improve the social fabric of life. Its funding priorities include arts and culture, community building and social services, democracy and civic participation, education, and health.
Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation at a glance
In short: Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation gave $2.0M across 41 grants in 2025 (avg $49K), mostly in Texas. 32% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,020,399
- -21.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 41
- -4.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $49,278
- -17.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $26,477
- Total assets
- $64,857,565
- +3.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (12 of 37, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (70% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit an LOI through the online grant portal during an open cycle. A written application and IRS determination letter are required for invited full applications; applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations.
- Review Cycle
- For the 2026 spring cycle, LOIs were due February 9, 2026, and invited final applications were due April 6, 2026. The Foundation lists the 2026 fall schedule as to be announced, with the portal tentatively opening in August.
- Deadline
- For the 2026 spring cycle, LOIs were due February 9, 2026, and invited final applications were due April 6, 2026.
- Contact
Application contact: Mark Hobbs
Mailing address: 5400 Bosque Blvd Suite 302, Waco, TX 76710
Phone: (254) 741-0510
Website: https://rapoportfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation
Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation Grant
Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling
Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation Grant
Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Rapoport Service Scholarship (UT Austin)
Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation
Amount
$10K
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Texas at Austin ($337K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
191 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 122 grants of 191 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
By policy, one-third of annual grant funds are designated for projects and programs located in Waco, Texas. Another one-third is discretionary and may support projects and programs throughout Texas and the United States. The remaining one-third is obligated to the University of Texas at Austin Rapoport Service Scholarship program, the Jerusalem Foundation, and Jewish Federations of North America.
The Foundation says it does not typically fund direct-service programs outside Waco/McLennan County or programs benefiting a small geographic area or narrow audience outside that area. In 2025, 70% of grant dollars went to Texas recipients, 18% to New York, 8% to the District of Columbia, 2% to Kentucky, and 1% to Rhode Island.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 12 of 37 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $68K; repeat grants $47K. How we count
Medians: $43K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 43% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−12%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.9M (2023) to $2.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 41 grants totaling $2.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX | Cola Rapoport Service Scholarship | $336,733 |
| Jerusalem Foundation New York, NY | Support for Projects in Israel | $168,367 |
| Jewish Federations of North America New York, NY | Support for Projects in Israel | $168,367 |
| Central Texas Food Bank Austin, TX | Support for Commercial Kitchen in Waco Facility | $100,000 |
| Civic Nation Washington, DC | Support for Electoral Engagement Reserach Project | $100,000 |
| La Vega Pirates Education Foundation Waco, TX | Support for Teacher Preparation Program | $60,000 |
| Waco Family Medicine Waco, TX | Support for Wisd on-Campus Behavioral Health Initiative | $55,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas Dallas, TX | Support for Health Equity Fund - Waco Clinic | $50,605 |
| Cafe Momentum National Dallas, TX | Capital Support of Dallas Flagship Campus | $50,000 |
| Lone Star Justice Alliance Austin, TX | Support for Justsentencing Project | $50,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $64,857,565 | $3,526,422 | $3,356,363 | $2,020,399 | 41 | $2,914,382 | $3,123,270 | $3,157,349 |
| 2024 | $62,428,919 | $10,377,912 | $3,377,588 | $2,564,094 | 43 | $3,365,521 | $10,048,635 | $2,851,699 |
| 2023 | $58,428,773 | $1,802,476 | $3,334,053 | $1,941,495 | 39 | $2,681,244 | $1,472,427 | $2,751,717 |
| 2022 | $54,159,789 | $984,542 | $3,286,815 | $2,292,426 | 37 | $3,037,751 | $816,549 | $2,843,083 |
| 2021 | $65,417,976 | $4,442,563 | $3,195,347 | $2,016,803 | 31 | $2,729,590 | $4,089,808 | $3,134,313 |
| 2020 | $61,881,351 | $1,639,405 | $2,880,736 | $2,043,642 | 28 | — | $1,245,497 | $2,728,007 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.2M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is “to meet basic human needs while building individual and social resiliency.” Its five primary areas are Arts & Culture, Community Building & Social Services, Democracy & Civic Participation, Education, and Health.
For arts and culture, it supports programs encouraging participation by children and disadvantaged community members. Its education interests include early learning through elementary years, adult education and training, college and career readiness, and initiatives that strengthen public-school teachers and other professionals.
Recent grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Central Texas Food Bank describes its work as increasing food access through nutritious food, advocacy, programs, education, and other solutions. La Vega Pirates Education Foundation says it raises and distributes resources for creative and innovative programs to enhance students’ educational programs. Civic Nation describes using organizing, engagement, and public awareness to address national challenges. Lone Star Justice Alliance describes addressing systemic justice-system failures through advocacy and evidence-based programs for youth and emerging adults.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Foundation reported 41 grants totaling $2,020,399. The itemized grants ranged from $10,000 to $336,733, with a median of $26,477. Recent larger grants included $336,733 to the University of Texas at Austin for the Rapoport Service Scholarship; $168,367 each to the Jerusalem Foundation and Jewish Federations of North America for projects in Israel; and $100,000 each to Central Texas Food Bank for support for a commercial kitchen in its Waco facility and Civic Nation for an electoral-engagement research project. Other 2025 awards included $60,000 to La Vega Pirates Education Foundation for a teacher-preparation program and $55,000 to Waco Family Medicine for a WISD on-campus behavioral health initiative.
The Foundation considers requests through two open cycles per year. Applicants generally begin with a letter of inquiry (LOI); after review, organizations are notified whether they are declined, deferred, or invited to submit a full application. The full application phase is by invitation. The filing states that applicants must be a 501(c)(3) organization and submit a written application with an IRS determination letter through the online grant portal. The website says it has no standing policy on general operating versus program/project support.
The Foundation does not consider direct social services outside Waco/McLennan County, programs with a narrow audience or geographic benefit outside that area, direct donations to individuals, projects exclusively serving religious purposes or involving proselytizing, unsolicited international funding requests, political campaigns, or legislative lobbying efforts. Capital requests may be considered in limited instances in Waco/McLennan County.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Dr. Ronald Rapoport as chairman and trustee. Trustees listed are Patricia Rapoport, Ambassador Lyndon Olson Jr., William A. Nesbitt (secretary and treasurer), Dr. Joel Schwartz, Dr. James Chesney, Dr. Rick Battistoni, Emily Rapoport, Rebecca A. Rapoport-Baker, and Samuel Baker.
Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation is led by Ronald Rapoport, Chairman & Trustee on every filing since 2020; all 10 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ronald Rapoport
Chairman & Trustee
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2025)
Ambassador Lyndon Olson Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $9K (2025)
Emily Rapoport
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $9K (2025)
James Chesney
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $5K (2025)
Joel Schwartz
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2025)
Mrsrebecca A. Rapoport-Baker
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2025)
Patricia Rapoport
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2025)
Rick Battistoni
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2025)
Samuel Baker
Trustee
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2025)
William A. Nesbitt
Secretary, Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
3.5 hrs/week
$11K (2020) → $11K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Mark Hobbs (2020–2025) — Executive Director · Filing note: Resigned 101721
- Former: Tom Stanton (2020–2022) — Executive Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $260K, to Mr Mark Hobbs (Executive Director). 11 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation
How much does Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation give each year?
Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation gave $2.0M across 41 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.6M across 43 grants.
What is Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation's typical grant size?
Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $26,477, and its average grant was $49,278, across 41 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation that year got $68K on average.
Where does Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation give grants?
Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (18%) and District of Columbia (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Waco, TX (16 grants), Austin, TX (10 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Dallas, TX (3 grants).
Does Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 29% of Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (12 of 41) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation's largest grantees?
Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Texas at Austin ($336,733), Jerusalem Foundation ($168,367) and Jewish Federations of North America ($168,367), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation?
Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation reported $64.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is “to meet basic human needs while building individual and social resiliency.” Its five primary areas are Arts & Culture, Community Building & Social Services, Democracy & Civic Participation, Education, and Health. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation?
Submit an LOI through the online grant portal during an open cycle. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation's EIN?
Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 74-2479712. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 16, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 21, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bernard-and-audre-rapoport-foundation-morg_62a25c921fa945538b9c3e40662213d9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_742479712_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Bernard \& Audre Rapoport Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bernard-and-audre-rapoport-foundation-morg_62a25c921fa945538b9c3e40662213d9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-21. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Bernard & Audre Rapoport Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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