Houston Jewish Community Foundation
The Houston Jewish Community Foundation (HJCF) is a public charity based in Houston, Texas. Established in 1985, it administers charitable funds donated by individuals and organizations and supports qualified charitable organizations, with an emphasis on meeting community needs in lasting ways.
Houston Jewish Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Houston Jewish Community Foundation gave $24.7M across 269 grants in 2025 (avg $92K), mostly in Texas. 33% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $24,685,683
- +4.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 269
- +8.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $91,768
- -4.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $14,000
- Total assets
- $179,861,943
- -31.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 33% first-time grantees (90 of 269, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Texas (72% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Houston Jewish Community Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
HJCF accepts unsolicited requests for community grants. Organizations are invited to complete a Grant Abstract; HJCF reviews abstracts and invites selected organizations to submit a more comprehensive Grant Application for funding consideration. The stated eligibility is nonprofit organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5603 South Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77096
Phone: (346) 699-4523
Website: https://hjcf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Houston Jewish Community Foundation
Who Houston Jewish Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Baylor College of Medicine ($3.8M). Together the top 10 received $15.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,135 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 883 grants of 1,135 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
HJCF describes its work as benefiting the Greater Houston community, locally and nationally. In filing year 2025, 72% of grant dollars went to Texas recipients, 11% to Pennsylvania, 7% to New York, and 1% each to Oregon and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 269 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Houston Jewish Community Foundation open to new grantees?
33%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 90 of 269 grantees (33%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $127K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $16K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $13.1M (2019) to $24.7M (2025). In 2025 it made 269 grants totaling $24.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX | General Support | $3,792,500 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Houston, TX | General Support | $3,454,832 |
| Washington and Jefferson College Washington, PA | General Support | $2,500,000 |
| Joan and Stanford Alexander Jewish Family Service Houston, TX | General Support | $1,598,679 |
| Holocaust Museum Houston Houston, TX | General Support | $1,151,490 |
| Emery-Weiner Center for Jewish Education Houston, TX | General Support | $702,940 |
| Congregation Emanu El Houston, TX | General Support | $558,107 |
| Jewish Federations of North America New York, NY | General Support | $477,500 |
| Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services Houston, TX | General Support | $416,747 |
| Congregation Beth Israel Houston, TX | General Support | $375,975 |
Ready to take the next step with Houston Jewish Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $179,861,943 | $32,520,743 | $30,363,068 | $24,685,683 | 269 | $6,602,609 |
| 2024 | $260,698,520 | $33,365,368 | $32,736,661 | $23,695,872 | 248 | $4,168,762 |
| 2023 | $222,086,626 | $35,186,276 | $29,412,350 | $15,922,626 | 241 | $7,153,781 |
| 2022 | $202,144,299 | $32,520,347 | $22,203,974 | $16,420,632 | 207 | $4,105,667 |
| 2021 | $219,913,135 | $24,014,170 | $18,829,589 | $15,667,990 | 170 | $5,004,520 |
| 2020 | $183,224,607 | $34,839,727 | $18,852,508 | $15,785,681 | 190 | $14,020,852 |
| 2019 | $165,879,187 | $31,629,448 | $15,841,758 | $13,104,495 | 171 | $2,961,915 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
HJCF’s mission is to serve as a central resource and advocate for charitable giving, stewarding funds for the present and future benefit of qualified charitable organizations while promoting tzedakah and tikkun olam.
Its community grant areas include innovative and creative projects, unrestricted support, youth, elderly people, education, basic needs in Houston, Israel programming, health and nutrition, and supporting community needs. Examples of funded projects include teaching students about southern Jewish experiences and history, creating rituals for lifecycle events, and training faith leaders to respond to hate-based incidents.
The grantees reflect a range of organizational missions. Baylor College of Medicine says it advances human health through patient care, research, education, and community services. The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston says it strengthens the Houston Jewish community, connections with Israel, and support for Jews around the world. Jewish Family Service says it empowers individuals, families, and communities through compassion, innovation, and Jewish values. Holocaust Museum Houston says it educates about the Holocaust and uses its lessons to teach about the dangers of hatred, prejudice, and apathy. Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services says it provides care for aged persons, primarily of the Jewish faith.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, HJCF reported 269 grants totaling $24,685,683. Grant amounts ranged from $5,100 to $3,792,500, with a median of $14,000. The largest grants included $3,792,500 to Baylor College of Medicine, $3,454,832 to the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, $2,500,000 to Washington and Jefferson College, $1,598,679 to Joan and Stanford Alexander Jewish Family Service, and $1,151,490 to Holocaust Museum Houston. These grants were reported for general support.
Separately, HJCF’s website reports that it awarded more than $227,000 through its competitive grants cycle in 2024 to 30 organizations. Listed recipients included Chabad of West Houston, Congregation Emanu El, Jewish Family Service, Seven Acres Jewish Senior Care Services, and Moishe House Houston.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing include Ann Baker Ronn, Chair; Jacob Leon, Vice Chair and Secretary; and Brad Brookner, Treasurer. Trustees listed are Brian Cororve, Jennifer Costa, Linda P Davis, Carol Desenberg, Jason Feldman, Les Fox, and Emily Freedman.
Houston Jewish Community Foundation is led by Roberta Herman-Dietrich, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 2 of 32 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Roberta Herman-Dietrich
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$155K (2023) → $173K (2025)
Ann Baker Ronn
Chair
Trustee → Non-Voting Trustee, 2024
Non-Voting Trustee → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Esther Polland
Non-Voting Trustee
Trustee → Non-Voting Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lewis Kalmans
Trustee
Vice Chair & Treasurer → Chair, 2023
Chair → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rick Stein
Trustee
Chair → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jay Kaplan
Trustee
Vice Chair → Chair, 2021
Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan P Gordon
Trustee
Treasurer → Non-Voting Trustee, 2024
Non-Voting Trustee → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Gilbert
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alan Orkin
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Courtney Garson
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Freedman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Feldman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jason Gordon
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Costa
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Les Fox
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Levy
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian Cororve
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eugene Tunitsky
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kevin Steinhart
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Rauch
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carol Desenberg
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Hoodis
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David Morris
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Etan Mirwis
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eve Lapin
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hy Penn
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda P Davis
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ronnie Yambra
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tom Samuels
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Weaver
CFO
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$117K (2023) → $138K (2025)
Brad Brookner
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacob Leon
Vice Chair & Secretary
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (47)
- Former: Haya Varon (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Rob Shoss (2019–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Audrey Fersten (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: David Aaronson (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Angela Odensky (2023–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Joy Kaplan (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Jody Proler (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Leah Gross (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Mark Katz (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Mark Laskin (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Tracy Stein (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Adam Finn (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Benjamin Warren (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Edward Schreiber (2019–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Mark Brookner (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Rubenstein (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Goodfriend (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Susan Bass (2019–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas Fish (2019–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Jack Polatsek (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Kevin Steinberg (2023) — Trustee
- Former: David Breslauer (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Donald Freedman (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Donald M Graubart (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Gerald Merfish (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Joe L Williams (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Rosanne Kaufman (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Sam Stolbun (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Vikki Evans (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Steven J Finkelman (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Elise Newman (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Benjamin D Rosenberg (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Ben Rosenberg (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Gaby Braun (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Lauren Kaufman Blachman (2019–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Irene Weingarten (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Barry Lewis (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Daniel P Gordon (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Rebecca Fein Luks (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Roberta Herman Dietrich (2019–2020) — Executive Director
- Former: Zach Silverman (2019–2020) — Trustee
- Former: Debbie Karakowsky (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Linda Susman (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Sachs (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Robin Stein (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Stephen J Finkelman (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Yakov Jack Polatsek (2019) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $173K, to Roberta Herman-Dietrich (Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Houston Jewish Community Foundation
How much does Houston Jewish Community Foundation give each year?
Houston Jewish Community Foundation gave $24.7M across 269 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $23.7M across 248 grants.
What is Houston Jewish Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Houston Jewish Community Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $14,000, and its average grant was $91,768, across 269 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Houston Jewish Community Foundation that year got $22K on average.
Where does Houston Jewish Community Foundation give grants?
Houston Jewish Community Foundation gives mostly in Texas: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (11%) and New York (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Houston, TX (92 grants), New York, NY (25 grants), Austin, TX (11 grants) and Washington, DC (10 grants).
Does Houston Jewish Community Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Houston Jewish Community Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (269 of 269) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Houston Jewish Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Houston Jewish Community Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Baylor College of Medicine ($3,792,500), Jewish Federation of Greater Houston ($3,454,832) and Washington and Jefferson College ($2,500,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Houston Jewish Community Foundation?
Houston Jewish Community Foundation reported $179.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $32.5M.
What does Houston Jewish Community Foundation fund?
HJCF’s mission is to serve as a central resource and advocate for charitable giving, stewarding funds for the present and future benefit of qualified charitable organizations while promoting tzedakah and tikkun olam. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Houston Jewish Community Foundation?
HJCF accepts unsolicited requests for community grants. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Houston Jewish Community Foundation's EIN?
Houston Jewish Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0187329. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Houston Jewish Community Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS February 3, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS July 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 14, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 9, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Houston Jewish Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Albert & Ethel Herzstein
Houston, TX
The foundation supports qualified nonprofits working in education, community strengthening, helping people overcome adversity, heritage preservation, and related efforts to help people reach their potential. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $1 million, with a median of $10,000; it favors Houston-area and other Texas organizations, though it also funds elsewhere. It accepts proposals through an online portal on a rolling basis, with no more than one request per organization in any 12-month period.
Assets
$132.3M
Grants
320
Total Given
$5.9M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
The Brown Foundation Inc
Houston, TX
The Brown Foundation funds education, arts and culture, healthcare, human services, and civic assets, with education and the arts as top priorities and public education giving focused almost exclusively on greater Houston. Its 2025 grants ranged from $20,000 to $11 million, with a median of $50,000; it primarily supports Houston organizations and selectively funds distinctive opportunities elsewhere in Texas and beyond.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
222
Total Given
$84.3M
Greater Houston Community Foundation
Houston, TX
The Foundation makes grants through donor-advised and other donor-established funds for public benefit, human services, education, and health, including initiatives addressing economic mobility and poverty in Harris County. In 2024, its median grant was $25,000; it serves Greater Houston, while grants also go to recipients elsewhere in Texas and beyond. It does not accept proposals for the upcoming High-Impact Grantmaking cycle and plans to invite selected organizations or collaboratives to apply.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,724
Total Given
$232.3M
Jewish Federation of Cleveland
Cleveland, OH
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland funds social-welfare, religious, educational, security, and community programs, with a focus on Cleveland and Ohio as well as Jewish needs in Israel and around the world. Its 2025 grants had a median of $22,250, though amounts varied widely; the available information does not specify whether it accepts unsolicited institutional requests.
Assets
$680.2M
Grants
425
Total Given
$72.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Houston Jewish Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/houston-jewish-community-foundation-morg_66374875f4344cfcbb6d77c44cfbe692
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_760187329_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Houston Jewish Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/houston-jewish-community-foundation-morg_66374875f4344cfcbb6d77c44cfbe692},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Houston Jewish Community 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.
Houston Jewish Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?