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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Camp for All ($250,000), Grandfather Mountain Stewardship ($250,000), Episcopal High School ($200,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALAQUA ANIMAL REFUGE FREEPORT, FL | TO FUND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $125,000 |
| CAMP FOR ALL HOUSTON, TX | TO FUND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $250,000 |
| EPISCOPAL HIGH SCHOOL ALEXANDRIA, VA | TO FUND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $200,000 |
| EMERALD COAST WILDLIFE REFUGE NAVARRE, FL | TO FUND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $50,000 |
| GREAT SPRINGS PROJECT AUSTIN, TX | TO FUND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $50,000 |
| KIPP TEXAS HOUSTON, TX | TO FUND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $125,000 |
| SCENIC WALTON MIRAMAR BEACH, FL | TO FUND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $25,000 |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY WINTER PARK, FL | TO FUND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $55,000 |
| ADVENTURE FOR ALL SARASOTA, FL | TO FUND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $30,000 |
| THE NATURE SCHOOL SANTA ROSE BEACH, FL | TO FUND CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES | $25,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation fund?
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 tha…
How do I apply for a grant from Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation?
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. The foundation emphasizes an agile approach to grantmaking, aiming to provide a streamlined and responsive process that quickly supports teams making positive community impact. Eligible applicants include registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits and for-profit entities aligned with the foundation's charitable programs. The foundation ma…
Where does Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Texas, Florida, and Virginia, with a particular emphasis on local partnerships within these regions.
What size grants does Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation award?
In 2024, Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation awarded 30 grants totaling $2.4M — an average of about $80K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1587228. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Jesse W Couch Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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