Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation Grant

Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation
Last Updated: December 02, 2025

Summary

The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation provides grants focused on environmental justice, reproductive rights, and community parks in Texas and southwestern Colorado. They accept letters of inquiry year-round, with cycles in Spring and Fall. Their funding supports diverse initiatives including project grants, operating grants, and capital grants, emphasizing investments that enhance the well-being of both people and nature, particularly in underserved communities.

Overview

NOTE: The foundation carries out two grant-making cycles each year. Grant applications first require submission of a letter of inquiry (LOI) via our online portal, which may be submitted at any time of the year.LOIs received by January 9, 2026 will be considered during our Spring 2026 grantmaking cycle. LOIs received after this date will be considered during the Fall 2026 grantmaking cycle. Grantmaking Strategies Since 1961, the Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation has supported the health of our environment, reproductive justice, and the nurture of nature in Texas and Colorado. We are primarily interested in making investments that benefit one or more of the following geographic regions: greater Houston, central Texas and southwestern Colorado, as well as efforts of statewide significance in Texas. We provide different types of support, including operating, project and capital grants, and are open to providing operating and project grants for terms of up to two years at a time. Our grantmaking reflects our belief that the well-being of humans and nature are linked. We believe that our support of nature and natural spaces; the dignity, health, worth, and power of people — especially those under threat — is in direct service of the vision for a healthy and harmonious world. With commitment, focus and a long-term vision, we invest toward environmental justice & conservation, reproductive rights & justice, parks & open space, environmental literacy, and animal care facilities. Priorities Environmental Justice & Conservation The health and well-being of our communities, natural spaces, and critical species are inextricably linked and essential to one another. Key threats in our region include the pace and scale of new development, an expanding industrial footprint and continued reliance on gray infrastructure, all with few regulatory safeguards, contributing to climate change, biodiversity loss, urban flooding, inadequate water supply, and air and water pollution. Communities of color and those with low incomes are disproportionately burdened by these environmental harms. The Foundation invests in efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce harmful emissions; protect and steward land and water resources; and improve habitat and recover species of concern. The Foundation supports advocacy initiatives, community organizing, legal strategies and on-the-ground conservation, and values work that centers the vision and voices of those most impacted. Reproductive Rights & Justice Everyone should have reproductive autonomy and access to the full spectrum of reproductive care, no matter their income or the place they call home. However, access to reproductive services has become increasingly difficult, especially in Texas, and the lack of comprehensive care leads to unintended pregnancies and births. Unintended pregnancy, including teen pregnancy, is associated with a range of adverse outcomes for pregnant youth, adults, their families, and communities. The Foundation invests in efforts to advance reproductive justice such as advocacy initiatives, community organizing and legal strategies, and values work that centers the vision and voices of those most burdened by restrictions on reproductive rights. Parks & Open Space Parks, trails and open spaces provide places for children, families and communities to connect with nature and each other. Parks provide opportunities for physical activity, support mental well-being and allow people to gain appreciation for the natural world. However, many residents within the Foundation’s geographies of interest do not live within the recommended 10-minute walk of a park, and there are disparities in the quality of local parks across communities. The Foundation invests in efforts to develop and improve community parks and trail networks in central Texas, greater Houston and southwestern Colorado. The Foundation values park initiatives that benefit neighborhoods with a history of disinvestment, as well as efforts that engage residents in their design and implementation. Environmental Literacy Along with building critical thinking skills and improving academic achievement, environmental education enhances connections with nature and encourages future environmental stewardship. Ensuring that all children and youth have access to high-quality environmental education – particularly in the outdoors – will build knowledge, skills and motivation to tackle environmental challenges of today and tomorrow. The Foundation invests in evidence-based environmental education programs, and values efforts that incorporate experiential learning, highlight local ecosystems, emphasize principles of environmental justice and are designed to benefit youth who have limited access to nature and are contending with environmental harms. Animal Care Facilities To maintain a healthy ecological balance, it is vital that we protect and care for animals, both domestic and wild. However, the built environment and human activity present hazards to wildlife within the Foundation’s geographic areas of interest, and challenges related to stray dogs and cats, animal cruelty, and pet ownership are pervasive. The Foundation invests in organizations within central Texas, greater Houston and southwestern Colorado that rehabilitate ill or injured wildlife, as well as facilities that provide comprehensive, low-cost services for domestic animals. In addition, the Foundation is interested in efforts to create a more coordinated and efficient system of animal care in our communities.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The Foundation’s primary areas of geographic focus are Texas and southwestern Colorado. We accept LOIs for work outside these regions by invitation only. If the work you are proposing is not in these areas, but you feel the work aligns strongly with the Foundation’s goals, you may contact Elizabeth Love here. Additionally, in its work to support community parks and animal care facilities, the Foundation focuses on greater Houston, central Texas and southwestern Colorado and accepts LOIs from outside these areas by invitation only.

Ineligibility

The foundation typically does not fund:Galas and fundraising events Grants, scholarships or memorials for individuals Endowment funds Religious activities Ongoing maintenance and operations for parks and park conservancies Work outside of Texas without prior invitation Community parks and animal welfare initiatives outside of greater Houston or central Texas Species-specific animal rescue and transport efforts