Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc

BOSTON, MA EIN: 46-2134297

The Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Established in 2014, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic giving across multiple states and communities.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

Annual Giving

$1.4M

+6.5% YoY

Grant Count

12

-14.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$116K

+24.3% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's primary funding focuses include:

  • Education and higher education grants
  • Science and STEM education
  • Scholarships and student support initiatives
  • Information technology and graphic design scholarships
  • General support for educational institutions
  • Human services
  • Expansion of learning initiatives for student support

Grantmaking

The foundation is open to new applicants.

Grant Range

$379

Average Grant

$379

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation supports organizations and communities across multiple states, with primary focus areas including:

  • Massachusetts (including Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Bedford, Framingham, and Wayland)
  • Texas (including Conroe)
  • Nebraska
  • New York

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Cities

BEDFORDBOOKLINEBOSTONBOSTON MABROOKLINECAMBRIDGECAMBRIDGEMCONROE TXFRAMINGHAMHOUSTONNEW YORKRENOWEST ROXBURY

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2024:

  • Total assets: $21,973,684
  • Total revenue: $1,737,131
  • Total expenses: $1,687,407
  • Total liabilities: $0
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.120202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$374K$749K$1M$1M14 grants202013 grants202113 grants202214 grants202312 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

BUNKER HILL COMMUNITY CO…$250KCAMBRIDGE HOUSING FOUNDA…$245KNORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY$180KTRUCKEE MEADOWS COMMUNIT…$165KMASSBAY FOUNDATION$150KJEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF…$125KHACK DIVERSITY INC$95KCAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY LEAR…$62KALRAY TAYLOR SECONDCHANCE$60KCAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY FOUN…$25K

Grant Size Distribution

66 grants across all recorded years

19<$50K21$50–100K21$100–250K5$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bunker Hill Community College Foundaiton ($250,000), Cambridge Housing Foundation ($245,000), Northeastern University ($180,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
MASSBAY FOUNDATION FRAMINGHAM, MAINFORMATION TECHONOLOGY$150,000
NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY BOSTON, MAGENERAL$180,000
TRUCKEE MEADOWS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDA RENO, NEGENERAL$165,000
JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF METROWEST FRAMINGHAM, MAGENERAL$125,000
BUNKER HILL COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDAITON BOSTON, MAEXPANSION OF THE LEARN &$250,000
CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION CAMBRIDGE, MAGENERAL$25,000
CAMBRIDGE COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER CAMBRIDGE, MAGENERAL$62,175
CAMBRIDGE HOUSING FOUNDATION CAMBRIDGE, MAGENERAL$245,000
ALRAY TAYLOR SECONDCHANCE BOSTON, MAGENERAL$60,000
STEPS TO SUCCESS BROOKLINE, MAFOR STUDENT SUPPORT FUND$15,000

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

  • Jill Jacobs – President, Secretary, and Director
  • Carl Whittaker – Vice President, Treasurer, and Director
  • Deborah S. Kay – Director

All directors serve without compensation.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
JILL JACOBSPRES, SEC & DIR.2
CARL WHITTAKERVP, TREAS. & DIR.2
DEBORAH S KAYDIRECTOR1

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2022

The Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation received recognition from the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) in October 2022, selected as a recipient of NACCE's Lifetime Achievement Award alongside the Fish Family Foundation. The award recognized the foundation's commitment to promoting entrepreneurship through community colleges.

Scholarships from Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation - News

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation's primary funding focuses include: • Education and higher education grants • Science and STEM education • Scholarships and student support initiatives • Information technology and graphic design scholarships • General support for educational institutions • Human services • Expansion of learning initiatives for student support

How do I apply for a grant from Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc?

**Grant Activity:** • Total giving: $1,397,175 (2024) • Typical award range: $15,000–$300,000 • Average grant size: $379 • Total grants awarded: 14 grants (2024) • Percentage of new applicants funded: 12% **Recent Grants (2024):** • Northeastern University: $180,000 (general support) • Jewish Family Service of Metrowest: $125,000 (general support) • Hack Diversity: $95,000 (general support) The foundation is open to new applicants.

Where does Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc make grants?

The foundation supports organizations and communities across multiple states, with primary focus areas including: • Massachusetts (including Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Bedford, Framingham, and Wayland) • Texas (including Conroe) • Nebraska • New York

What size grants does Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc awarded 12 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $116K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

What is Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc's EIN?

Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-2134297. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.

Explore Open Grants

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Related Funders

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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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