Jacarlene Foundation Grant

The Jacarlene Foundation Grant, established in 1988, supports philanthropic endeavors across Florida, focusing on education, animal welfare, and the arts. The foundation prioritizes grants for tax-exempt organizations that align with its mission, ensuring funds are used within Florida. It does not accept requests from religious or political organizations. Notable grants include one million dollars to Zoo Tampa. The foundation embodies Jackie Preis's mantra of community support, aiming to enhance Florida's cultural and environmental landscape.

Note: Letter of Inquiries are accepted on a quarterly rolling basis.
On a late September Tampa afternoon in 1987, John Howley and Aleen Steinberg met with Jacqueline (Jackie) Preis to discuss the idea of using a four million dollar inheritance from Jackie’s mother's estate to establish a philanthropic foundation in Florida. A year later, on the 15th of November, John and Aleen joined by Byron Smith, met in Jackie’s living room and held the first official Jacarlene Foundation board meeting.
JACARLENE, the name of Jackie’s family’s grove in Seffner, Florida, combines the names of Jacqueline, her father Carl, and her mother Helene. Upon Jackie’s death in 2022, The Jacarlene Foundation became the beneficiary of her estate and trust.
Since 1988, The Jacarlene Foundation has considered all grants, large and small, within its areas of interest, with the exception of political organizations or efforts, and churches or religious organizations promoting their faith. To date, the Foundation’s largest grant was one million dollars to Zoo Tampa, and the smallest grant was $450.00 made to a school to treat head lice in a 4th grade classroom. The Jacarlene Foundation focuses only on philanthropic enveavors in Florida.
Areas Of Interest
Scholarships & Education: The Jacarlene Foundation funds scholarships, educational programs, educational awareness, and access to academic opportunities and programs that will provide community enrichment and quality learning.
Animal/Wildlife Welfare: Through the funding of their care, protection, and preservation of habitats, The Jacarlene Foundation protects and preserves the rich diversity of animals in Florida.
The Arts: Through artistic endeavors of program support, scholarships, and community engagement, The Jacarlene Foundation strives to promote the arts and accessibility to all Floridians

Eligibility

Distributions shall be made only in the state of Florida and shall stay in the state of Florida. If a distribution is made to a national organization, such organization must agree to use the funds only within the state of Florida.
Recipients must be tax-exempt organizations whose purposes are described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that are public charities described in Sections 509(a) and are in good standing with the state or jurisdiction of Florida.
Organizational programs and services must align with The Jacarlene Foundation’s mission.
Organizational programs and services must fulfill at least one of the Foundation’s areas of interest.
Applicants must demonstrate that the goals of the request are measurable and sustainable.

Ineligibility

The Foundation will not accept requests for the following:
From any church or religious organization, unless the request is for a secular project that aligns with one or more of the Foundation's areas of interest.From any organization for political purpose, including lobbying, on behalf or in opposition to any candidate for political office, for voter education or voter registration, or for the carrying on of propagandaFrom community foundationsFrom individuals for direct fundingBudgetary shortfalls or debt reductionPrograms that discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, creed, gender, sexual orientation, or disabilityPolitical causes, lobbying, or political campaignsType III functionally integrated supporting organizations (as classified by the IRS form 990, Schedule A, Part 1)