What does Richard O Jacobson Foundation fund?

The foundation has focused for more than 45 years on supporting: • Education at all levels • Youth development programs • Medical research • Healthcare expansion and improvement

How do I apply for a grant from Richard O Jacobson Foundation?

**Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $50,000 - $1,100,000 • Average grant size: approximately $6,000 • Application method: No formal deadline or application form; direct contact preferred • Open to new applicants: Yes • Percentage of new applicants funded: 12% **Recent Grant Activity:** • 2024: 3 grants awarded totaling $4.2 million • 2024 grant example: $100,000 to Pinellas Education Foundation • Previous year: 1,126 total grants awarded **Contact for Grant Inquiries:** • BKD LLP, 1401 50…

Where does Richard O Jacobson Foundation make grants?

The foundation funds projects in: • Iowa (primary focus) • Minnesota • Florida (particularly Pinellas County) • Specific cities include: Belmond, Clearwater, Des Moines, Iowa City, Largo, and Saint Peter

Richard O Jacobson Foundation

DES MOINES, IA EIN: 51-0192624

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The Richard O Jacobson Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1976 by Richard Orrin "Dick" Jacobson, a distinguished businessman and philanthropist. Based in Des Moines, Iowa, the foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of its founder, who built The Jacobson Companies into one of the largest privately-owned warehouse organizations in the nation with more than 9,000 employees and 194 locations before his death in April 2016 at age 79.

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$66.7M

+202.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$370K

-91.2% YoY

Grant Count

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$123K

-91.2% YoY

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

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation has focused for more than 45 years on supporting:

Education at all levels
Youth development programs
Medical research
Healthcare expansion and improvement

Grantmaking

Grant Range

$50,000 - $1,100,000

Average Grant

approximately $6,000

Review Cycle

or application form; direct contact preferred

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation funds projects in:

Iowa (primary focus)
Minnesota
Florida (particularly Pinellas County)
Specific cities include: Belmond, Clearwater, Des Moines, Iowa City, Largo, and Saint Peter

Grant Distribution by State

Iowa $21.8M (88%)

Minnesota $2.2M (9%)

Florida $755K (3%)

States

Florida Iowa Minnesota

Cities

AmesBelmondClearwaterDes MoinesIowa CityLargoSaint Peter

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Most Recent (Fiscal Year Ending October 2024):

Total Assets: $66,699,452
Total Revenue: $45,000,589
Total Expenses: $384,397
Total Liabilities: $0
Total Giving: $370,125

Revenue Breakdown (FY 2024):

Grants and contributions: $42,659,555
Investment income and dividends: $2,341,034

Historical Context (2020):

Total Assets: $12.5 million
Annual Giving: $8.8 million

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$66,699,452	$22,083,260	$24,841,991
Revenue	$45,000,589	$1,486,333	$13,826,505
Expenses	$384,397	$4,245,064	$8,888,601
Qualifying Distributions	$376,785	$4,223,835	$8,865,479
Net Investment Income	$2,340,549	$485,906	$72,503
Distributable Amount	$3,041,571	$1,210,994	$1,125,150