The Carl M Jacobs Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2016, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Named for Carl M. Jacobs III (1915-2008), a Cincinnati native and pioneering photography collector, the foundation continues his philanthropic legacy by supporting arts and cultural institutions with a particular emphasis on photography programs and museum collections. The foundation is managed by Fifth Third Bank as trustee.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$14.8M
+7.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$750K
+0.0% YoY
Grant Count
26
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$29K
+0.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Carl M Jacobs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $830K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports established cultural institutions with strategic institutional support grants, with a particular focus on:
- Photography programs and acquisitions
- Museum collections and research
- Arts and cultural institutions
Recent documented grants include support for the Cincinnati Art Museum's photography collection and the Jacobs Research Center, as well as the Museum of Modern Art's Department of Photography.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $35,000 to $285,000
Invitation Only
** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only and determined by trustee discretion.
Ready to take the next step with Carl M Jacobs Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation makes strategic grants primarily to established cultural institutions in:
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- New York City
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $14.8 million (as of 2024)
Annual Giving: $750,000 to $780,000
Revenue (2024): $1,940,603
Expenses (2024): $972,449
Net Income (2024): $968,154
Giving Rate: 5.1% of assets
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $14,803,713 | $13,829,014 | $14,161,044 |
| Revenue | $1,940,603 | $601,212 | $582,092 |
| Expenses | $972,449 | $923,165 | $1,015,252 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $779,982 | $774,017 | $854,171 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,762,403 | $458,803 | $436,187 |
| Distributable Amount | $829,748 | $765,921 | $794,999 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
134 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cincinnati Museum Association ($285,000), Museum of Modern Art ($70,000), New York Public Library ($35,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION NEW YORK, NY | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART NEW YORK, NY | ANNUAL FUND | $25,000 |
| METROPOLITAN OPERA ASSOCIATION NEW YORK, NY | ANNUAL FUND | $25,000 |
| MUSEUM OF MODERN ART NEW YORK, NY | ANNUAL FUND & | $70,000 |
| ENTERTAINMENT COMMUNITY FUND NEW YORK, NY | ANNUAL FUND | $15,000 |
| LINCOLN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS NEW YORK, NY | ANNUAL FUND | $15,000 |
| BALLET THEATRE FOUNDATION INC NEW YORK, NY | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY NEW YORK, NY | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| CARNEGIE HALL CORPORATION NEW YORK, NY | ANNUAL FUND | $20,000 |
| PLAYWRIGHTS HORIZONS INC NEW YORK, NY | PROJECT/PROGRAM SUPPORT | $15,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Trustee: Fifth Third Bank, N.A. (Foundation Office)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFTH THIRD BANK N A | TRUSTEE | 1 | $193,648 |
Contact Information
Address: PO Box 630858, Cincinnati, OH 45263-0858
Phone: 513-534-5310
Email: foundationoffice@53.com
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Carl M Jacobs Foundation fund?
The foundation supports established cultural institutions with strategic institutional support grants, with a particular focus on: • Photography programs and acquisitions • Museum collections and research • Arts and cultural institutions Recent documented grants include support for the Cincinnati Art Museum's photography collection and the Jacobs Research Center, as well as the Museum of Modern Art's Department of Photography.
How do I apply for a grant from Carl M Jacobs Foundation?
**Grant Range:** $35,000 to $285,000 **Annual Giving:** Approximately $750,000 to $780,000 **Grant Activity:** The foundation made 26 grants in 2024 with a median grant size of $15,000 **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grantmaking is by invitation only and determined by trustee discretion. **Recent Grants:** • Cincinnati Art Museum: $285,000 (photography acquisitions and Jacobs Research Center) • Museum of Modern Art: $70,000 (Department of Photog…
Where does Carl M Jacobs Foundation make grants?
The foundation makes strategic grants primarily to established cultural institutions in: • Cincinnati, Ohio • New York City
What size grants does Carl M Jacobs Foundation award?
In 2024, Carl M Jacobs Foundation awarded 26 grants totaling $750K — an average of about $29K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Carl M Jacobs Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Carl M Jacobs Foundation reported a distributable amount of $830K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Carl M Jacobs Foundation's EIN?
Carl M Jacobs Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-3376722. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Carl M Jacobs Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Cooper Tire Foundation Inc
AKRON, OH
Assets
$71K
Grants
2
Total Given
$67K
Auburn Education Foundation
CONCORD TOWNSHIP, OH
Assets
$352K
Grants
2
Total Given
$214K
Galpin-white Ta
BROOKLYN, OH
Assets
$16K
Grants
1
Total Given
$887
The Cleveland Superior Arts
CLEVELAND, OH
Assets
$5K
Grants
1
Total Given
$251K
Mary E H Rutter Tr Para 28
BROOKLYN, OH
Assets
$401K
Grants
1
Total Given
$26K
Carrie Peska Memorial Scholarship Fund
ANDOVER, OH
Assets
$19K
Grants
1
Total Given
$4K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Carl M Jacobs Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Carl M Jacobs Foundation to a real strategy.