Sam Roosth Foundation
The Sam Roosth Foundation is a private foundation established in 1953 and based in Tyler, Texas. The foundation supports a range of community-focused initiatives with particular emphasis on Jewish life, learning, and community enrichment.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$8.6M
+0.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$457K
-4.5% YoY
Grant Count
24
+71.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$19K
-44.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sam Roosth Foundation reported a distributable amount of $520K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding priorities include:
- Community enrichment
- Tornado relief
- Support for Shabbat and holiday meals
- Jewish life and learning initiatives
- Employment services programs
- Scholarships
Grantmaking
The foundation made 24 grants in 2023.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates primarily in Texas, with a base in Tyler.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $8,540,487
- Total Revenues: $570,555
- Total Expenses: $512,786
- Number of Employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $8,597,895 | $8,540,487 | $8,482,718 |
| Revenue | $545,377 | $570,555 | $457,377 |
| Expenses | $487,969 | $512,786 | $549,488 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $466,275 | $488,947 | $498,155 |
| Net Investment Income | $525,591 | $544,729 | $419,846 |
| Distributable Amount | $519,774 | $476,200 | $479,876 |
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
96 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Jewish Joint Distribution ($70,000), East Texas Communities Foundation ($65,000), Jewish Agency for Israel ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DALLAS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM DALLAS, TX | INCREASE THE EAST TEXAS INITIATIVE MUSEUM EXPERIENCE FUND ENDOWMENT | $11,375 |
| BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | SUPPORT IN SENDING PARTICIPANTS FROM TEXAS ON BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL TRIPS | $15,000 |
| JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL NEW YORK, NY | FUNDS TO PROVIDE FLIGHTS TO ISRAEL AND SUPPORT ISRAEL EMERGENCY FUND | $50,000 |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICES OF GREATER D DALLAS, TX | FOOD PANTRY PROGRAM | $13,500 |
| PATH TYLER, TX | FUNDING TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO THE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED IN SMITH AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES | $15,000 |
| TEXAS AM HILLEL FOUNDATION COLLEGE STATION, TX | SUPPORT THE SHABBAT AND HOLIDAY MEALS | $15,000 |
| EAST TEXAS COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION TYLER, TX | EAST TEXAS INITIATIVE ENDOWMENT FUND AT THE DALLAS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM | $65,000 |
| CONGREGATION AHAVATH ACHIM TYLER, TX | SAFETY AND SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS TO BUILDING AND UNDERWRITING FOR OFF-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS | $33,400 |
| URJ GREENE FAMILY CAMP BRUCEVILLE, TX | SCHOLARSHIPS FOR CHILDREN'S SUMMER CAMP | $10,000 |
| SHAARE ZEDEK MEDICAL CENTER IN JERU BEVERLY HILLS, CA | PURCHASE OF A MOBILE ULTRASOUND MACHINE FOR THE PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY ROOM | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation was named after Sam Roosth (1888-1949), a Polish-born businessman who immigrated to America at age 19. Roosth established himself in Tyler in 1910, initially operating a bakery before transitioning to dry goods merchandising. He was a dedicated Zionist and member of Congregation Ahavath Achim in Tyler. In the early 1930s, Roosth formed a partnership with A.S. Genecov to establish the Roosth & Genecov Production Company, an oil production venture.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEVEN C ROOSTH | President | — | — |
| KENNETH ROOSTH | Director | — | — |
| CELIA SCHOENBRUN | Director | — | — |
| MARLEEN SWERDLOW | Vice President | — | — |
| TONI ROOSTH | SECRETARY/TREAS | — | — |
| ANN MELAMED | Director | — | — |
| STACY BURK | ASST SECRETARY | — | — |
Contact Information
- Address: PO Box 8300, Tyler, TX 75711-8300
- Telephone: 903-593-8333
- EIN: 75-6023828
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sam Roosth Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding priorities include: • Community enrichment • Tornado relief • Support for Shabbat and holiday meals • Jewish life and learning initiatives • Employment services programs • Scholarships
How do I apply for a grant from Sam Roosth Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 24 grants in 2023. **Recent Grants (2023):** • The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee: $125,000 (Humanitarian Support) • Jewish Agency for Israel - North American Council: $75,000 (Funds to Provide Flights to Israel and Support Israel Emergency Fund) • Congregation Ahavath Achim Cemetery Corporation: $65,255 (Safety and Security Improvements to Building and Underwriting for Off-Duty Police Officers) **Grantees:** Recent recipients have included …
Where does Sam Roosth Foundation make grants?
The foundation operates primarily in Texas, with a base in Tyler.
What size grants does Sam Roosth Foundation award?
In 2024, Sam Roosth Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $457K — an average of about $19K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sam Roosth Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sam Roosth Foundation reported a distributable amount of $520K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Sam Roosth Foundation's EIN?
Sam Roosth Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 75-6023828. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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