Jake Foundation Inc.

The Jake Foundation is a preselected-only private foundation that does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It operates publicly as Jake Collective with a primary mission focused on neurodivergent youth mental health. The foundation distributes approximately $684,500 annually across 44 recipients (2024). Its grantmaking spans two distinct areas: (1) mission-aligned research into adolescent brain development and neurodivergent youth wellbeing, and (2) broader philanthropic support for elite educational institutions (Williams, Smith, Bowdoin, Amherst colleges), environmental conservation organizations (Ocean Conservancy, American Forests, Earth Island Institute), animal welfare (Humane Rescue Alliance, Humane Society of Sarasota), and arts (Arena Stage). The most viable approach for potential grantees would be to establish relationships through the Schreiber family network or through organizations already in the foundation's grantee portfolio. Research institutions working on adolescent neurodivergence and suicide prevention may find alignment with the foundation's core mission. The foundation also makes impact investments in mental health startups, creating an additional pathway for social enterprises in this space.

The foundation has demonstrated steady growth from $6.6M in assets (2011) to $15.1M (2024). Grant activity has increased substantially: 16-22 awards annually (2019-2021) growing to 38 awards (2023) and 44 awards (2024), indicating an expanding grantmaking program. Total giving in 2024 was $684,500 with charitable disbursements of $686,067 representing 87.7% of total expenses. Revenue sources include contributions ($1.2M, 66.8%), asset sales ($406K, 22.2%), and dividends ($203K, 11.1%). The typical grant ranges from $2,500 to $200,000, with a median of approximately $10,000. Williams College is the largest single recipient, receiving multiple grants totaling $400,000 in 2023 alone for educational programs. The foundation maintains a multi-state giving footprint spanning California (11 grants), Washington DC (9 grants), Massachusetts (5 grants), and Florida (4 grants), with additional grants in Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Virginia, and Canada. Administrative costs are minimal with only $12,000 in officer compensation.

Jake Foundation occupies a distinctive niche as a private family foundation focused specifically on neurodivergent youth with complex intelligence profiles. While smaller than national suicide prevention organizations, its combined approach of research funding, impact investing, and legislative advocacy is unusual among private foundations of its size. Its dual focus on core mission (neurodivergent youth mental health) and broader philanthropy (elite education, environment, arts) reflects a hybrid family foundation model.

The foundation has significantly expanded its grantmaking in recent years, growing from 16-17 awards annually (2019-2022) to 38 awards in 2023 and 44 awards in 2024. In 2024, total revenue reached $1.83M including $1.22M in new contributions, suggesting continued donor commitment. The Jake Collective website and brand identity were recently developed by Launchworthy over a 2-month engagement, establishing a polished public presence emphasizing emotional clarity and the mission of supporting neurodivergent youth. The foundation's most recent 990-PF filing was October 10, 2024. Major 2023 grants included $200,000 and two $100,000 grants to Williams College, $50,000 each to Smith College and Arena Stage, and 39 additional grants ranging from $2,500 to $45,000 to organizations spanning education, environment, animal welfare, and conservation.

The Jake Foundation explicitly states it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. This is a family-directed foundation with no public application process or grant portal. Organizations seeking funding should consider: (1) Building relationships through the Schreiber family network or through existing grantee organizations like Williams College, Arena Stage, or conservation groups already in the portfolio; (2) Research institutions working on adolescent neurodivergence, complex intelligence profiles, and youth suicide prevention align most closely with the core mission; (3) Mental health startups may find opportunities through the foundation's impact investing arm rather than traditional grantmaking; (4) The foundation has shown willingness to fund across multiple states (CA, DC, MA, FL, and others) and even internationally (Canada), so geography is not a strict limitation; (5) The typical grant size ranges from $2,500 to $200,000 with most grants clustering around $10,000, though flagship educational institution grants can reach $100,000-$200,000.