The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation

What The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation does

The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private philanthropic foundation established in 1961 in Houston, Texas, by Jacob W. and Terese T. Hershey. The foundation makes grants to nonprofit organizations operating primarily in Texas, with emphasis on greater Houston and central Texas. Its programmatic focus areas are environmental justice and conservation, reproductive rights and justice, parks and open space, environmental education, and animal welfare — priorities traceable to the founders' commitments to the interdependent relationship between humans and the natural world.

The foundation operates three principal grantmaking vehicles: a semi-annual Regular Grantmaking Program (Spring and Fall cycles, operating/project/capital grants up to two-year terms, administered through the Grant Interface online portal), the Latitude Fund (quick-turnaround $2,500–$7,500 capacity-building grants for Texas grassroots organizations, decided by a committee of grassroots leaders), and the Texas Coastal Frontline Fund (a participatory grantmaking vehicle distributing environmental settlement proceeds — $1.635M to 30+ Gulf Coast nonprofits in 2024–2025). It also offers short-term bridge loans for mission-aligned conservation real estate transactions. Go-to-market is sales-led in the sense that prospective grantees submit Letters of Inquiry through the online portal and are encouraged to contact program staff (Elizabeth Love, CEO; Carolina Salmeron, Program Officer) before applying.

The foundation is governed by a board that combines family members (Jeffrey Hershey as President since 2017, Dr. Olive Hershey as longest-serving Director since 1993, Amie Rodnick as Secretary since 1995) with independent members (Dr. Kimberly Baker as Vice President, Dr. Andrew Sansom as Treasurer, Dr. Bakeyah Nelson, Angelica Razo). Revenue is derived from investment returns on the foundation's endowment and is not publicly disclosed. The organization runs lean, with 6–8 staff including a CEO, Program Officer, Director of Finance, Director of Operations and Grants Management, and Executive Assistant.

Name

The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation

Legal name

The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation

Website

https://jthershey.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation is a Houston-based private philanthropic foundation making grants to Texas nonprofits working on environmental justice, reproductive rights, conservation, parks, environmental education, and animal welfare since 1961.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Foundation Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM), Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN)

Keywords

• Private foundation grantmaking
• Environmental justice philanthropy
• Reproductive rights funding
• Nonprofit grant programs
• Community conservation grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Houston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Grantmaking from endowment: The foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation that has been operating since 1961. It distributes grants to nonprofits working on environmental issues, reproductive rights, and nature conservation. Revenue is derived from investment returns on the foundation's endowment assets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation that distributes grants to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charities and public institutions in Texas. It operates the Regular Grantmaking Program (semi-annual cycles, terms up to two years), the Latitude Fund (quick-turnaround grants of $2,500-$7,500 for grassroots groups), the Texas Coastal Frontline Fund (participatory grantmaking distributing environmental settlement funds), and short-term bridge loans for mission-aligned conservation projects.

Product overview

The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation operates as a private philanthropic grantmaking foundation rather than a technology product company. Its service offerings center on grantmaking programs including the core Regular Grantmaking Program (semi-annual cycles), the Latitude Fund (rapid-response grants of $2,500-$7,500 for grassroots organizational capacity), and the Texas Coastal Frontline Fund (settlement fund distribution). The Foundation also provides short-term bridge loans for mission-aligned conservation projects. All programs focus on environmental protection, reproductive rights, parks/open space, environmental education, and animal welfare, primarily in Texas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Latitude Fund Quick-turnaround grantmaking program providing $2,500 to $7,500 grants to Texas-based grassroots organizations working on environmental issues and reproductive rights to support unbudgeted internal capacity needs. Eligible applicants include grassroots, community-based groups based in Texas with budgets of approximately $500,000 or less. Latitude Fund committee of grassroots leaders makes award decisions.
• Texas Coastal Frontline Fund Participatory grantmaking fund that distributes environmental settlement proceeds to resident-led nonprofits along the Texas Gulf Coast working on environmental and climate justice, with $1.635 million distributed to over 30 nonprofits including grassroots community groups, Indigenous-led organizations, and legal advocates.
• Regular Grantmaking Program Semi-annual grant cycles (Spring and Fall) supporting organizations in focus areas including Environmental Justice & Conservation, Reproductive Rights & Justice, Parks & Open Space, Environmental Education, and Animal Welfare, with grant terms of up to two years. Funds operating, project, and capital grants.
• Bridge Loans Short-term bridge loans offered for mission-aligned projects that meet certain criteria, particularly for conservation projects requiring quick real estate transactions.

Quantifiable outcome

• $1.635 million distributed to 30+ nonprofits through Texas Coastal Frontline Fund
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Texas Coastal Frontline Fund Grantees (30+ organizations)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Participatory grantmaking initiative distributing $1.635 million in environmental settlement funds to resident-led nonprofits along the Texas Gulf Coast working on environmental and climate justice. Includes grassroots community groups, Indigenous-led organizations, and legal advocates.
• Latitude Fund Committee MemberscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Committee composed of grassroots leaders including Dave Cortez (Sierra Club Lone Star Chapter), Tricia Cortez (Rio Grande International Study Center), Chrishelle Palay (Palay & Co.), and Frances Valdez (Houston in Action) charged with making Latitude Fund grant award decisions.
• Manatt HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned by the foundation to conduct study examining how Texas abortion laws are impacting OB/GYN physician workforce and reproductive healthcare pipeline. Study revealed significant impacts on physician practice and retention.
• URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender EquitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization building network of activists across Texas campuses including HBCUs and community colleges, offering training on reproductive health and empowering civic engagement.
• Young InvinciblescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner amplifying young adult voices in policymaking through Young Advocates Program recruiting and training young leaders on civic engagement and reproductive rights.
• MOVE Texas Civic FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner mobilizing youth across 20 campus chapters in Texas to advance decarbonization strategies and energy democracy through voter engagement.
• Jolt InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner training young Latinos on organizing strategies and voter participation across 13 college campuses to advance climate change mitigation policies.
• AliefVotesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLatitude Fund grantee founded in 2022 to empower youth civic engagement in Southwest Houston through environmental justice lens. Received funding for staff training and development.
• Madres del ParqueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLatitude Fund grantee advancing park equity and access in Gulfton neighborhood of Houston. Accessed funding to set up accounting systems during transition from fiscal sponsor.
• Clean Energy Fund of TexasflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBIPOC-led nonprofit green bank building capacity to provide low-cost financing for energy efficiency, weatherization, and water conservation. Preparing to deploy $100 million+ in federal Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund resources.
• Great Springs ProjectflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation initiative conserving 50,000 acres between Austin and San Antonio with 100-mile trail network. Foundation provided bridge loan for land purchase in Schertz.
• Channelview ISDflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhole-district approach to environmental education and outdoor learning. Foundation supporting outdoor learning center construction at 15-acre forest and curriculum development across pre-K through high school.
• Hill Country AllianceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading Conservation Accelerator Project with goal to conserve 550,000 acres over 10 years. Partner includes Hill Country Conservancy, Texas Land Trust Council, and Land Trust Alliance.
• Meadows Center for Water and the EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner at Texas State University providing guidance to groundwater conservation districts on modifying rules and developing policy recommendations for groundwater governance reform.
• Harris County Office of SustainabilityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on development of Harris County Climate Justice Plan adopted by Commissioners Court, prioritizing actions across ecology, infrastructure, economy, community and culture themes.
• Coalition for Environment, Equity and Resilience (CEER)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit advocating for public and private investment to protect communities from environmental hazards. Partner in climate resilience planning and AirMail expansion.
• Air Alliance HoustonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirMail program notifying residents within 3-mile radius of permit applications. Spurred over 5,100 public comments. Coalition expanding to 9 additional Texas counties.
• Texas AppleseedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFiled civil rights complaint with FHWA against TxDOT I-45 expansion, leading to 2-year project pause and voluntary resolution agreement for more equitable treatment.
• Sissy Farenthold Reproductive Justice Defense Resource ProjectflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeeded by foundation at UT Law School Rapoport Center. Resource hub for attorneys defending against attacks on reproductive rights, tracking prosecutions, providing legal counsel.
• Coalition for Green CapitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational consortium sharing best practices on clean energy financing. Clean Energy Fund of Texas partnership for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund eligibility.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Kresge Foundation: Large national private foundation with environmental and health equity programs including work in Gulf Coast and Texas. Broader scope and significantly larger endowment make it a frequent co-funder and potential convener for JTHF's environmental justice grantees, but with a national rather than Texas-place-based focus.
• Bloomberg Philanthropies: Large national foundation with significant environmental and public health programs. JTHF board member Dr. Bakeyah Nelson previously served as Initiative Director supporting Bloomberg Philanthropies, signaling overlap in environmental justice networks and potential co-funding relationships.

Direct peers

• Pisces Foundation: Private foundation focused on climate change and clean energy solutions, particularly in Texas. Direct peer in environmental grantmaking strategy with shared focus on building movement infrastructure, similar to JTHF's Clean Energy Fund of Texas partnership work.
• Houston Endowment: Houston's largest private foundation, also focused on Texas-place-based grantmaking with environmental and health priorities. JTHF CEO Elizabeth Love previously served as Senior Program Officer here for 11 years, making it the closest institutional analog and a natural collaborator or competitor for Texas-focused philanthropic capital.
• The Cynthia and George Mitchell Foundation: Texas-based private foundation with explicit focus on environmental sustainability, energy, and education. Direct peer in environmental grantmaking strategy and Texas geographic focus, often funding overlapping organizations in Gulf Coast conservation and clean energy.
• Episcopal Health Foundation: Houston-area private foundation focused on health equity and community health in Texas. Shares overlap with JTHF on environmental justice's health dimensions and frequently partners on Texas-focused health and equity initiatives.
• The Meadows Foundation: Texas-based private foundation funding arts, environment, education, and health. Comparable family governance structure and statewide Texas grantmaking footprint make it a direct peer in scale and approach, often co-funding similar Texas nonprofit partners.
• Greater Houston Community Foundation: Houston-based community foundation managing donor-advised funds and competitive grant programs. While structurally different (community foundation vs. private foundation), it competes for similar Texas-focused nonprofit partnerships and donor relationships in the same Houston philanthropic ecosystem.
• Albert and Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation: Houston-based private foundation where JTHF's Director of Finance Alan Chang previously served as Controller for 14 years. Comparable scale, family governance, and Houston-area grantmaking focus, making it the closest operational analog and a natural peer for staff and governance benchmarking.

Regional players

• Texas Water Foundation: Texas-based foundation focused exclusively on water resource issues statewide. Comparable in Texas geographic focus and JTHF-adjacent subject matter (Meadows Center for Water and the Environment grantee partnerships), making it a peer for water-focused grantmaking decisions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/jacob-&-terese-hershey-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation