Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation
The Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Houston, Texas. Established to honor the legacy of Jesse W. Couch (1921–2015), a WWII veteran, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, the foundation is dedicated to spreading good fortune in the world through preservation and empowerment of the human spirit. The foundation operates with a commitment to partnering with local organizations that understand the communities they serve.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$27.5M
+4.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+17.4% YoY
Grant Count
30
-3.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$80K
+21.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to spread good fortune in the world through preservation and empowerment of the human spirit. The foundation focuses on four primary areas:
- Preservation: Environmental protection, conservation and preservation initiatives, and saving historical architecture that preserves community heritage
- Education: Providing and furthering education for all communities, including support for science teachers and early childhood education
- Wellness: Initiatives that promote wellness and mental health
- Wildlife Conservation: Supporting animal wellbeing and outdoor activities
Grantmaking
The foundation awards grants ranging from $2,500 to $400,000, with typical awards in this range. Recent total giving was reported at approximately $2.4 million annually.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas, Florida, and Virginia, with a particular emphasis on local partnerships within these regions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $26.3–$27.5 million
- Annual Revenue: $1.32 million
- Annual Expenses: $2.54 million
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Giving: $2.4–$2.5 million annually
The foundation has been tax-exempt since June 2017 and is classified as a 501(c)(3) private grantmaking foundation.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $27,498,230 | $26,293,248 | $27,531,078 |
| Revenue | $4,106,396 | $1,318,596 | $775,539 |
| Expenses | $2,905,932 | $2,539,221 | $3,633,886 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,707,060 | $2,167,759 | $3,438,494 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,912,599 | $1,165,130 | $596,670 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,243,555 | $1,969,297 | $2,132,926 |
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
192 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sean Couch – President & Co-Trustee
- Larry Maddox – Co-Trustee (Horizon Wealth Advisors)
- Kate Norris – Co-Trustee (Lone Oak Trust Company)
- Jennifer Youngblood – Co-Trustee (Maddox, Thomson & Associates, P.C.)
- Joanna Puente – Corporate Co-Trustee (Houston Trust Company)
- Doug Clarke – Foundation Attorney (Ford + Bergner LLP)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEAN COUCH | TRUSTEE | 40 | $120,000 |
| LARRY MADDOX | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HOUSTON TRUST COMPANY | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JENNIFER YOUNGBLOOD | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KATHERINE NORRIS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In Q1 2025, the foundation announced the latest round of grant awards under the theme "Fueling Change, Protecting Beauty," reflecting its ongoing commitment to environmental protection, community wellness, and educational initiatives.
Q1 2025: Fueling Change, Protecting Beauty: J.W. Couch Foundation AwardsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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