Lee Ann and Melvin H Jacobs Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker CHICAGO, IL EIN: 36-6080570

The Lee Ann and Melvin H Jacobs Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1958, it operates as a 501(c)(3) organization and maintains tax-exempt status. The foundation is structured as an independent foundation focused on grantmaking activities.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

Annual Giving

$342K

+1.9% YoY

Grant Count

54

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$6K

+1.9% YoY

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, the foundation supports organizations in the following areas:

  • Education
  • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
  • Human Services

Grantmaking

The foundation made 43 grants totaling $342,275 in its most recent fiscal year. Notable recent grants include:

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in three primary states:

  • California
  • Illinois
  • Virginia

Grant Distribution by State

23states
+15 more states

Cities

ALBERT LEAALBUQUERQUEALEXANDRIABEREABETHESDABIRMINGHAMBOSTONBROOKLYNCHICAGOCINCINATTICINCINNATICOLUMBUSDECATURDES MOINESDUARTEEUGENEEVANSTONFAIRFIELDGARDEN VALLEYHARRISBURG

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of Fiscal Year Ending May 2024:

  • Total Assets: $7,009,465
  • Total Revenues: $444,010
  • Total Expenses: $373,266
  • Total Liabilities: $0
  • Total Giving: $342,275

Revenue Composition (FY 2024):

  • Grants and Contributions: $30,000
  • Investment Income and Dividends: $312,363

Year-over-Year Changes (FY 2024 vs. FY 2023):

  • Grants and contributions decreased 40% (from $50,000 to $30,000)
  • Investment income increased 15.4% (from $270,787 to $312,363)
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.12021202220232024
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$92K$183K$275K$366K36 grants202159 grants202254 grants202354 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

BEREA COLLEGE$20KLA RABIDA CHILDRENS HOSP…$20KCYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION$15KSUPPLIES OVER SEAS$13KGOOD SHEPARD CENTER FOR …$10KMD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER$10KMEDSHARE$10KNOURISHING HOPE$10KPAINTED TURTLE CAMP$10KPATERSON HABITAT FOR HUM…$10K

Grant Size Distribution

186 grants across all recorded years

186<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Berea College ($20,000), La Rabida Childrens Hospital ($20,000), Cystic Fibrosis Foundation ($15,000).

RecipientPurposeAmount
A SENSE OF HOME HAWTHORNE, CAIRS APPROVED CHARITY$2,000
ALICE'S KIDS MOUNT VERNON, VAIRS APPROVED CHARITY$2,000
ALL HANDS AND HEARTS MATTAPOISETT, MAIRS APPROVED CHARITY$4,000
BEREA COLLEGE BEREA, KYIRS APPROVED CHARITY$20,000
BETTER BASICS BIRMINGHAM, ALIRS APPROVED CHARITY$2,000
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO CHICAGO, ILIRS APPROVED CHARITY$2,500
CALIFORNIA NURSES FOUNDATION OAKLAND, CAIRS APPROVED CHARITY$3,000
CASA OF LOS ANGELES MONTEREY PARK, CAIRS APPROVED CHARITY$3,000
CATHOLIC CHARITIES ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, ILIRS APPROVED CHARITY$3,500
CENTRAL DOWNTOWN FOOD BASKET SACRAMENTO, CAIRS APPROVED CHARITY$2,500

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Lisa Nemeroff is listed as a contact person for the foundation.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
LISA NEMEROFFDIRECTOR, MANAGING12

Contact Information

Address: 129 E Bellevue Pl Apt 1005, Chicago, IL 60611-5308

Telephone: 312-543-5108

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Lee Ann and Melvin H Jacobs Foundation fund?

The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, based on its grantmaking patterns, the foundation supports organizations in the following areas: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services

How do I apply for a grant from Lee Ann and Melvin H Jacobs Foundation?

**Grant Amounts:** The foundation typically awards grants ranging from $1,000 to $27,000. **Recent Grant Activity (Fiscal Year Ending May 2024):** The foundation made 43 grants totaling $342,275 in its most recent fiscal year. Notable recent grants include: • Zion Grove Baptist Church: $27,000 • La Rabida Children's Hospital: $20,000 • Berea College: $20,000 Additional grantees mentioned in the foundation's history include the Corpus Christi Art Center, Girls in the Game, Jewish Council on Urba…

Where does Lee Ann and Melvin H Jacobs Foundation make grants?

The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in three primary states: • California • Illinois • Virginia

What size grants does Lee Ann and Melvin H Jacobs Foundation award?

In 2024, Lee Ann and Melvin H Jacobs Foundation awarded 54 grants totaling $342K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

What is Lee Ann and Melvin H Jacobs Foundation's EIN?

Lee Ann and Melvin H Jacobs Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6080570. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.

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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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