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Turning Leaf Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$0.5M
Grant Range
$13K - $0.2M

Turning Leaf Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $537,071 (2024); $118,000 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $15,256,190 (2024)
  • Grant Range: $13,000 - $168,554
  • Number of Grants: 2-6 grants annually
  • Geographic Focus: Massachusetts and California (primary)
  • Foundation Type: Private Family Foundation

Contact Details

  • Address: 190 North Main Street, Natick, MA 01760-2057
  • Phone: (508) 545-8400
  • EIN: 04-3397818

No website or email publicly available.

Overview

Turning Leaf Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1998 in Massachusetts. The foundation is classified as a private non-operating foundation under section 501(c)(3). With total assets of approximately $15.3 million as of 2024, the foundation has grown significantly and distributed over $537,000 in grants in its most recent fiscal year.

The foundation's stated mission is "to provide opportunities for post-secondary education to students for whom such education would not otherwise be available, through grants to 501(c)(3) or equivalent organizations." While originally focused primarily on education and scholarships, the foundation's recent giving indicates expanded focus areas including Education, Health Care, and Arts, Culture & Humanities.

The foundation operates as a family foundation with the Jacobson family at its helm. One notable director, Joseph C. Jacobson, is an MIT Media Lab professor and co-inventor of E Ink technology used in e-readers. The foundation receives substantial contributions (approximately $3.3 million in 2024) in addition to investment income.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation makes a small number of grants each year, typically 2-6 awards:

  • Grant Range: $13,000 - $168,554 per award
  • 2024: 6 awards totaling $537,071
  • 2023: 2 awards totaling $118,000
  • 2022: 2 awards
  • 2021: 4 awards

Priority Areas

  • Education: Primary focus on post-secondary education access
  • Scholarships & Student Financial Aid: Supporting students who would not otherwise have educational opportunities
  • Health Care: Secondary funding area
  • Arts, Culture & Humanities: Secondary funding area

Geographic Focus

  • Massachusetts (primary)
  • California (secondary)

What They Don't Fund

As a private foundation making grants specifically to 501(c)(3) organizations, the foundation is unlikely to fund:

  • Individuals directly (grants go to organizations providing scholarships)
  • For-profit entities
  • Organizations without 501(c)(3) or equivalent status

Governance and Leadership

Officers and Directors

  • Michael J. Jacobson - President, Secretary & Director
  • Nancy L. Jacobson - Treasurer & Director
  • Joseph C. Jacobson - Director (MIT Media Lab Professor, co-inventor of E Ink technology, National Inventors Hall of Fame inductee)
  • Thomas M. Vaubel - Director

The foundation reports $0 in officer compensation, indicating all trustees serve in a volunteer capacity.

Administrative Support

The foundation is administered through Schofer Dillberg & Co, a professional services firm based at the foundation's Natick address.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, grants appear to be made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations known to them or aligned with their interests.

There is no publicly available:

  • Grant application form
  • Online application portal
  • Published RFP (Request for Proposals)
  • Grant guidelines document

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's focus on post-secondary education access and its connection to MIT through Joseph C. Jacobson:

  • Organizations providing educational opportunities to underserved students may align with their mission
  • The MIT and Massachusetts academic community connections may be relevant channels
  • Direct inquiry to the foundation at (508) 545-8400 may provide guidance on whether they consider unsolicited proposals

Decision Timeline

Not publicly documented. As a small family foundation making 2-6 grants per year, decisions are likely made at trustee meetings.

Reapplication Policy

No public information available regarding reapplication policies.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this family foundation, success factors are likely to include:

  • Mission Alignment: Strong focus on providing post-secondary education access to students who would not otherwise have educational opportunities
  • Organizational Credibility: 501(c)(3) status is required; established track record in education access
  • Geographic Relevance: Organizations operating in Massachusetts or California appear to receive priority
  • Relationship Building: As with most family foundations, personal connections to trustees or their networks may be important
  • Clear Impact: Demonstrated ability to expand educational access for underserved populations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Private Family Foundation: This is not a foundation with a public application process. Grants are made at trustee discretion, typically to 2-6 organizations per year.
  • Substantial Capacity: With $15+ million in assets and recent giving of $500,000+, the foundation has meaningful resources when they do make grants.
  • Education Focus: The core mission centers on post-secondary education access for students who would not otherwise have opportunities.
  • High-Net-Worth Family: The Jacobson family includes Joseph Jacobson, an MIT professor and successful entrepreneur (E Ink), suggesting connections to innovation, technology, and academic communities.
  • Direct Inquiry Recommended: Organizations seeking funding should contact the foundation directly at (508) 545-8400 to inquire about their grantmaking process.
  • Professional Administration: Managed through Schofer Dillberg & Co, suggesting formal financial and administrative practices.
  • No Officer Compensation: All trustees serve voluntarily, indicating personal commitment to the foundation's mission.

References

Information compiled December 2025 from publicly available IRS 990 filings and nonprofit databases.

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