The Rubenstein Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Houston, Texas, established in 2018. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a grantmaking foundation focused on philanthropic activities.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$16.0M
-0.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$388K
-36.3% YoY
Grant Count
12
-45.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$32K
+16.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Rubenstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Grantmaking
The foundation maintains substantial assets and an active grantmaking program. Based on recent filings:
Grant Range
**: Typical awards range from $1,000 to $606,589
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds projects primarily in Texas, with documented giving in Houston and Dallas. Additional funding has been directed to projects in Maryland and Mississippi.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $16,000,000
- Annual Revenue: $383,000
- Annual Expenses: $616,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Expense Ratio: 160.9% of annual revenue
The foundation's expenses exceed its annual revenue, indicating it draws from its asset base to support its grantmaking activities.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $15,986,696 | $16,039,189 | $16,272,240 |
| Revenue | $347,493 | $382,687 | $4,134,416 |
| Expenses | $399,986 | $615,738 | $1,097,475 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $387,767 | $609,026 | $1,097,475 |
| Net Investment Income | $344,743 | $382,687 | $334,416 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,098,037 | $944,784 | $820,768 |
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Evelyn's Park Conservancy ($149,501), City of Bellaire ($125,766), The Fay School ($25,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Evelyn's Park Conservancy Bellaire, TX | Donation | $149,501 |
| The Jewish Federation Houston, TX | Donation | $10,000 |
| The EmeryWeiner School Houston, TX | Donation | $5,000 |
| The Fay School Houston, TX | Donation | $25,500 |
| JFS Dallas Dallas, TX | Donation | $20,000 |
| The Chai House of Dallas Dallas, TX | Donation | $10,000 |
| Congregation Emanu El Houston, TX | Donation | $7,000 |
| Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum Dallas, TX | Donation | $10,000 |
| Temple Shalom Dallas, TX | Donation | $10,000 |
| Congregation Beth Yeshurun Houston, TX | Donation | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is managed by a board of trustees composed entirely of family members:
- Keith Rubenstein (Trustee)
- Scott Rubenstein (Trustee)
- Jason Rubenstein (Trustee)
- Rusty Rubenstein (Trustee)
- Carolyn Rubenstein (Trustee)
- Jeri Lyn Sebert (Trustee)
All trustees contribute minimal time (2 hours per week) and receive no compensation for their roles.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keith Rubenstein | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Scott Rubenstein | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Jason Rubenstein | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Rusty Rubenstein | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Carolyn Rubenstein | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Jeri Lyn Sebert | Trustee | 2 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a grant from Rubenstein Foundation?
The foundation maintains substantial assets and an active grantmaking program. Based on recent filings: • **Total Assets**: Approximately $16 million • **Annual Giving**: $387,767 to $609,000 (varies by year) • **Grant Range**: Typical awards range from $1,000 to $606,589 • **Grant Activity**: The foundation awarded 22 grants in 2024, with a median grant size of $5,000 and maximum grant of $130,000 • **Primary Focus Areas**: Education, Philanthropy/Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Health Care
Where does Rubenstein Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds projects primarily in Texas, with documented giving in Houston and Dallas. Additional funding has been directed to projects in Maryland and Mississippi.
What size grants does Rubenstein Foundation award?
In 2025, Rubenstein Foundation awarded 12 grants totaling $388K — an average of about $32K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Rubenstein Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Rubenstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Rubenstein Foundation's EIN?
Rubenstein Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-5256528. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Rubenstein 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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