Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc
The Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Boston, Massachusetts. Its 2024 grants supported organizations including colleges, community and educational organizations, and human and social services providers.
Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc gave $1.4M across 12 grants in 2024 (avg $116K), mostly in Massachusetts. 8% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,397,175
- +6.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 12
- -14.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $116,431
- +24.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $110,000
- Total assets
- $21,973,684
- +0.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (1 of 12, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (86% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1 Post Office Sq Fl 25, Boston, MA 02109
Phone: (617) 482-1776
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Bunker Hill Community College Foundaiton ($250K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
66 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 21 grants of 66 (32%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 86% of grant dollars went to recipients in Massachusetts, 12% to recipients in Nebraska, and 2% to recipients in Texas.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 1 of 12 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $25K; repeat grants $125K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $125K repeat.
- 92% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 94% 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 (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.3M (2023) to $1.5M (2021). In 2024 it made 12 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bunker Hill Community College Foundaiton Boston, MA | Expansion of the Learn & | $250,000 |
| Cambridge Housing Foundation Cambridge, MA | General | $245,000 |
| Northeastern University Boston, MA | General | $180,000 |
| Truckee Meadows Community College Founda Reno, NE | General | $165,000 |
| Massbay Foundation Framingham, MA | Information Techonology | $150,000 |
| Jewish Family Service of Metrowest Framingham, MA | General | $125,000 |
| Hack Diversity Inc Boston, MA | General Support | $95,000 |
| Cambridge Community Learning Center Cambridge, MA | General | $62,175 |
| Alray Taylor Secondchance Boston, MA | General | $60,000 |
| Cambridge Community Foundation Cambridge, MA | General | $25,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $21,973,684 | $1,737,131 | $1,687,407 | $1,397,175 | 12 | $1,519,288 | $1,600,866 | $1,612,581 |
| 2023 | $21,932,375 | $1,515,182 | $1,564,983 | $1,311,348 | 14 | $1,422,595 | $1,394,885 | $1,457,082 |
| 2022 | $21,986,410 | $1,243,529 | $1,699,098 | $1,427,400 | 13 | $1,539,782 | $1,115,270 | $1,476,765 |
| 2021 | $22,420,286 | $1,713,198 | $1,777,862 | $1,497,100 | 13 | $1,622,651 | $1,587,454 | $1,697,516 |
| 2020 | $22,475,801 | $1,183,208 | $1,659,187 | $1,388,960 | 14 | — | $1,033,202 | $1,509,582 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included general support, an information technology purpose, and student support. Among its grantees, Jewish Family Service of Metrowest says it provides social, health, and community services to people in need. Hack Diversity says it runs a fellowship for technologists underrepresented in the innovation sector, and Steps to Success says it supports the educational journeys of students from low-income families in Brookline.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 12 grants totaling $1,397,175. Individual grants ranged from $15,000 to $250,000, with a median of $110,000. Its largest grants included $250,000 to Bunker Hill Community College Foundation for the stated purpose “EXPANSION OF THE LEARN &,” $245,000 to Cambridge Housing Foundation for general purposes, and $180,000 to Northeastern University for general purposes. Other recipients included Truckee Meadows Community College Foundation ($165,000, general), MassBay Foundation ($150,000, information technology), and Jewish Family Service of Metrowest ($125,000, general).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jill Jacobs as president, secretary, and director; Carl Whittaker as vice president, treasurer, and director; and Deborah S. Kay as director.
Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc is led by Jill Jacobs, President, Secretary & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jill Jacobs
President, Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carl Whittaker
Vice President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deborah S. Kay
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc
How much does Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc give each year?
Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc gave $1.4M across 12 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.3M across 14 grants.
What is Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc's median grant in 2024 was $110,000, and its average grant was $116,431, across 12 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc that year got $25K on average.
Where does Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc give grants?
Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc gives mostly in Massachusetts: 86% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Nebraska (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (4 grants), Cambridge, MA (3 grants) and Framingham, MA (2 grants).
Does Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Bunker Hill Community College Foundaiton ($250,000), Cambridge Housing Foundation ($245,000) and Northeastern University ($180,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 48% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc?
Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc reported $22.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.6M (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 Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included general support, an information technology purpose, and student support. Among its grantees, Jewish Family Service of Metrowest says it provides social, health, and community services to people in need. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Does Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 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 October 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 25, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/herb-and-maxine-jacobs-foundation-inc-morg_10586b03dc3f4452b24be141408e1fc4
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_462134297_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/herb-and-maxine-jacobs-foundation-inc-morg_10586b03dc3f4452b24be141408e1fc4},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Herb and Maxine Jacobs Foundation Inc'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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