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Mr And Mrs Nelson Rusche Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.0M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,000,000
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $525,000
  • Grant Median: $23,000
  • Geographic Focus: Texas (primarily Austin and Houston areas)
  • Total Assets: $38,000,000+
  • Number of Grants (2023): 44

Contact Details

Address: 9582 Escondido Dr, Willis, TX 77318

Phone: (936) 228-2226

Email: Not publicly available

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or funding requests.

Overview

The Mr And Mrs Nelson Rusche Foundation was established in 2000 as a private family foundation honoring the legacy of Albert Nelson "J Bo" Rusche and his wife. Nelson Rusche (1924-2013) was a prominent Texas businessman who founded A.N. Rusche Distributing Company, which grew to a 250-million-gallon-a-year distributor, and Mister Car Wash. A 1949 graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration, Rusche served on the SFA Board of Regents from 1986 to 1989 and endowed the Nelson Rusche College of Business at his alma mater in 2002. A Purple Heart recipient from his World War II service, Rusche demonstrated a lifelong commitment to education, community service, and supporting Texas institutions. The foundation has grown to hold over $38 million in assets and distributes approximately $2 million annually through 44 grants to preselected charitable organizations, focusing primarily on education, healthcare, community support, and youth programs in Texas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, with grants awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees. There are no formal grant programs with set application cycles or deadlines.

Grant Range: $5,000 - $525,000 (median: $23,000)

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking patterns, the foundation supports:

  • Education: Scholarships, student emergency aid programs, and educational institutions (particularly Stephen F. Austin State University)
  • Healthcare: Women's health initiatives, hospital capital campaigns, and medical facilities
  • Religious Organizations: Church operations and building maintenance
  • Youth and Family Services: Programs supporting children, families, and vulnerable populations
  • Community Development: Historic preservation and community infrastructure projects
  • Military and Veterans: Support for veterans' causes

Notable Recent Grant Recipients (2023)

  • SFASU Foundation: $525,000 for scholarships and student emergency aid program
  • First United Methodist Church of Houston: $150,000 for operations
  • The Seton Fund: $125,000 for Women First Campaign and Dell Seton Medical Center
  • Battleship Texas Foundation: $100,000 for ship restoration capital campaign
  • Snowdrop Foundation: $100,000 for general support

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, the foundation's giving pattern suggests they do not fund:

  • Organizations outside of Texas
  • International programs
  • Political causes or advocacy
  • Organizations without established track records

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by a small family board with close ties to the Rusche family legacy:

Suzanne R. Jefferys - President/Treasurer/Director (1 hour/week, volunteer)

  • Leads the foundation's strategic direction
  • Related to the Rusche family

Holly Michele Rosas - Executive Director/Vice President/Secretary/Director (15 hours/week, $43,250-$47,164 annual compensation)

  • Manages day-to-day operations and grant administration
  • Serves as primary point of contact

Jordan Brooke Jefferys - Vice President/Director (1 hour/week, volunteer)

  • Family board member

The small board structure allows for flexible, family-directed grantmaking that honors Nelson Rusche's legacy and philanthropic values.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation makes contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded through:

  • Trustee Discretion: Board members identify and select organizations aligned with the foundation's mission and the Rusche family's values
  • Pre-existing Relationships: Many grants go to organizations with historical ties to the Rusche family or their business interests
  • Invitation Only: Organizations must be invited by the board to receive funding

The foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation where grantmaking decisions are made internally by family trustees based on their knowledge of and connections to charitable organizations in Texas.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As grants are awarded by trustee discretion rather than through a formal application cycle, there is no standard timeline.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - organizations do not apply or reapply. Grant decisions are made at the discretion of the board of trustees.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, the key factors for receiving support appear to be:

  • Connection to the Rusche Family Legacy: Organizations that align with Nelson Rusche's values, including his alma mater (Stephen F. Austin State University), business community connections, and Texas institutions
  • Geographic Focus: Strong preference for Texas-based organizations, particularly in the Willis, Houston, and Austin areas where the family had business and personal ties
  • Established Track Record: The foundation supports well-established organizations with proven impact rather than startup initiatives
  • Education Priority: The largest single grant consistently goes to SFASU Foundation, reflecting Nelson Rusche's commitment to education and his alma mater
  • Community Impact: Organizations that serve broad community needs, including religious institutions, healthcare facilities, and youth services
  • Long-term Relationships: Many recipients receive repeat funding year after year, suggesting the foundation values ongoing relationships with trusted partners
  • Capital Campaigns: The foundation has supported significant capital projects such as the Battleship Texas restoration and the Seton Women's Hospital

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant application methods - they select their own grantees
  • Family-Directed Giving: The foundation honors the legacy of Nelson Rusche through grants that reflect his values: education, Texas community support, and established institutions
  • Education is Top Priority: Nearly 25% of annual giving goes to SFASU Foundation, reflecting the founder's deep commitment to his alma mater
  • Texas-Focused: All identified grants support Texas organizations, primarily in Houston, Austin, and East Texas regions
  • Long-term Partnerships: The foundation appears to maintain ongoing relationships with select organizations rather than funding new groups each year
  • Modest Staff: With only one part-time paid staff member, the foundation operates efficiently with low overhead
  • Relationship-Based: Organizations connected to the Rusche family business network, their religious community, or their educational institutions are most likely to receive support

References

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