One8 Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 1997 by Jonathon and Joanna Jacobson. Formerly known as the Jacobson Family Foundation, it operates as both a venture philanthropy organization and pro bono consultancy, working directly with grantee partners to create social change. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the state.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$401.1M
-5.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$48.8M
-13.0% YoY
Grant Count
188
-6.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$259K
-7.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, One8 Foundation reported a distributable amount of $43.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
One8 Foundation describes itself as "using venture philanthropy to propel outstanding leaders with compelling ideas that deliver scaled, sustainable impact." The foundation anchors its work in Jewish values of human dignity, social justice, repairing the world, and building robust caring communities.
The foundation operates across four strategic issue areas:
Education
- Support for educators to expand high-quality applied learning experiences in K-12 and postsecondary classrooms
- Focus on STEM, engineering, computer science, and biomedical science programs
- Preparation of students for a rapidly changing, high-tech world
- Postsecondary work-based learning and alternative pathways
- Partnerships with over 725 Massachusetts schools
Jewish Community and Israel
- Building vibrant Jewish communities
- Supporting the democratic state of Israel to thrive
- Reducing antisemitism
- Supporting non-profit leaders pursuing initiatives that strengthen a cohesive, equitable, democratic, and just society for all Israel's citizens
- Focus on helping Israel's marginalized populations find gainful employment
- Building greater understanding of Israel and Israelis among thought leaders and emerging leaders in the U.S.
Community Giving
- Providing vital local support and direct services to those in need
Epilepsy
- Supporting research and other initiatives improving the lives and care of people with epilepsy
Grantmaking
The foundation employs a venture philanthropy model that includes identifying breakthrough ideas, providing multi-year financial support, and offering strategic consulting. One8 Applied Learning Hub, created in 2017, serves as the implementation team supporting schools in high-quality implementation of proven applied learning programs. The hub provides professional development, educator learning communities, student competitions, and showcase events where students receive feedback from industry professional volunteers.
Grant Range
$25,000 to $3,000,000
Average Grant
of $259,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Massachusetts and Israel are the primary geographic focus areas for grantmaking.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets
- 2024: $401.1 million
- 2023: $424.8 million
- 2022: $443.7 million
Annual Giving
- 2024: $48.8 million
- 2023: $56.0 million
- 2022: $47.1 million in qualifying distributions
Revenue & Expenses
- 2024 Revenue: $64.5 million
- 2024 Expenses: $63.3 million
- 2024 Total Liabilities: $8,480
Tax Status Tax-exempt since December 1997 (EIN: 04-6836735). Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $401,126,023 | $424,847,249 | $443,726,530 |
| Revenue | $64,486,255 | $52,544,456 | $12,297,548 |
| Expenses | $63,259,703 | $71,493,609 | $52,266,267 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $57,744,475 | $65,726,512 | $47,112,633 |
| Net Investment Income | $74,980,776 | $92,941,998 | $48,100,057 |
| Distributable Amount | $43,492,769 | $39,521,842 | $42,161,732 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Israel Education Foundation ($3,000,000), Community Initiatives ($2,997,000), Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston Inc ($1,861,800).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A WIDER BRIDGE NEW YORK, NY | COMMUNITY | $250,000 |
| ALEXANDER TWILIGHT ACADEMY BOSTON, MA | EDUCATION | $50,000 |
| AMERICA-ISRAEL FRIENDSHIP LEAGUE INC NEW YORK, NY | GLOBAL | $45,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF JORDAN RIVER VILLAGE FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | GLOBAL | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION WASHINGTON, DC | GLOBAL | $3,000,000 |
| AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE INC NEW YORK, NY | GLOBAL | $10,000 |
| AMUTAT HAMOVILIM LEMADA AND TECHNOLOGY (RA) | GLOBAL | $25,000 |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE BOSTON, MA | COMMUNITY | $350,000 |
| ASSOCIATED JEWISH COMMUNITY FEDERATION OF BALTIMORE INC BALTIMORE, MD | COMMUNITY | $25,000 |
| ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY WEST POINT, NY | COMMUNITY | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Joanna Jacobson — President & Trustee
Other Team Members:
- Alyssa Bogdanow Arens — Senior Portfolio Manager, Antisemitism
- Hannah Coleman — Portfolio Manager, Education
- Vanessa Lipschitz — Vice President, Education
- Tova Katz — Director, Jewish Life
The foundation also includes portfolio associates, teaching and learning managers, and administrative staff supporting its various initiatives.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JONATHON JACOBSON | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| JOANNA JACOBSON | PRESIDENT & TRUSTEE | 40 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
One8 Foundation and Baker-Polito announced a $1.93 million grant
One8 Foundation And Baker-Polito Announce $1.93 Grant | PLTWPBLWorks received a $2.5 million grant from One8 Foundation
One8 Foundation And Baker-Polito Announce $1.93 Grant | PLTWStacy Middle School in Milford, Massachusetts received a $12,000 grant for a Medical Detectives course
Ford Middle School receives grant for new STEM programFord Middle School received a grant for a new STEM program
Ford Middle School receives grant for new STEM programContact Information
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does One8 Foundation fund?
One8 Foundation describes itself as "using venture philanthropy to propel outstanding leaders with compelling ideas that deliver scaled, sustainable impact." The foundation anchors its work in Jewish values of human dignity, social justice, repairing the world, and building robust caring communities. The foundation operates across four strategic issue areas: **Education** • Support for educators to expand high-quality applied learning experiences in K-12 and postsecondary classrooms • Focus on …
How do I apply for a grant from One8 Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics** • Grant range: $25,000 to $3,000,000 • Most common grant size: $25,000 • Application method: Invitation only—no unsolicited proposals • Multi-year strategic grants combined with hands-on consulting support **Recent Activity** • 2024: 188 grants awarded; $48.8 million in annual giving; average grant size of $259,000 • 2023: 200 awards; $56.0 million in annual giving • 2022: $47.1 million in qualifying distributions **Approach** The foundation employs a venture philanthr…
Where does One8 Foundation make grants?
Massachusetts and Israel are the primary geographic focus areas for grantmaking.
What size grants does One8 Foundation award?
In 2024, One8 Foundation awarded 188 grants totaling $48.8M — an average of about $259K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is One8 Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, One8 Foundation reported a distributable amount of $43.5M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is One8 Foundation's EIN?
One8 Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-6836735. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in One8 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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