One8 Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $52,946,000 (2022)
• Total Assets: $848 million (2022)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $6,800,000
• Median Grant: $50,000
• Number of Grants: 200 annually
• Geographic Focus: National (U.S.) with preference for Massachusetts; Israel
• Application Method: Invitation only (except Massachusetts school grants)

Contact Details

Website: https://one8.org/

Massachusetts School Grants: https://one8appliedlearninghub.org/grants/

Phone: Available through website contact

Email: Available through website contact

Overview

The One8 Foundation was established in 1997 by Jonathon Jacobson, founder of Highfields Capital Management LP, and his wife Joanna Jacobson. Formerly known as the Jacobson Family Foundation, the organisation operates as both a venture philanthropy and pro bono consultancy. With assets of $848 million as of 2022, the foundation pursues a highly selective approach to grantmaking, identifying a limited number of grantees to support with meaningful funding and deep strategic engagement. The foundation grounds its work in Jewish principles of "human dignity, social justice, repairing the world and building robust caring communities of meaning and purpose." One8 combines grant-making and pro bono consulting with key strategic grantees, with teams drawn from top consulting firms. The foundation's mission centres on the belief that "education is the doorway to individual success and self-determination."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

General Grantmaking (Invitation Only)

• Range: $1,000 - $6,800,000
• Typical Amount: $25,000 - $50,000 median
• Method: Invitation only; does not accept unsolicited proposals
• Focus: Education, Jewish causes and Israel, Community Giving, Epilepsy

Massachusetts Applied Learning Hub Grants (Public Application)

• Project Lead The Way (PLTW): K-12 engineering, computer science, and biomedical science programmes
• OpenSciEd: Grades 6-8 NGSS-aligned science curriculum
• Democratic Knowledge Project: Grade 8 project-based civics curriculum
• Investigating History: Grades 3-7 culturally responsive, inquiry-based history curriculum
• Eligibility: All public schools in Massachusetts; competitive preference for schools with 15%+ low-income students
• Support: Offsets costs of teacher training, durable equipment, technology, and professional learning

Priority Areas

Education Excellence for All (U.S. K-12)

• Applied learning experiences preparing students for technological change
• Support for at-risk youth
• Programmes with proven results and scalability
• Recent major recipients: Year Up Inc ($3.0M), Thread Inc ($2.5M)

Jewish Community and Israel

• Building vibrant Jewish communities of meaning and purpose
• Supporting Israel as a thriving democratic state
• Reducing antisemitism through research-based initiatives
• K-12 education on Jewish identity and history
• Recent major recipients: Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston ($6.8M), Honeymoon Israel Foundation ($3.5M), Jewish Federations of North America ($2.7M)

Community Giving

• Direct support in greater Boston area
• Local services for those in need

Epilepsy

• Clinical and scientific research
• Strategic initiatives improving care for people with epilepsy

What They Don't Fund

• Organisations without 501(c)(3) certification
• Unsolicited proposals (except Massachusetts school grants)
• Universities and government agencies receive maximum 2.5% overhead cap on grants

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Jonathon S. Jacobson: Co-founder and trustee; founded Highfields Capital Management LP in 1998
• Joanna Jacobson: President & Trustee; passionate about giving others access to opportunities and partnering with leaders with vision and implementation capabilities. Former co-founder and Managing Partner of Strategic Grant Partners (2002-2021); former President of Keds Corporation and SVP Marketing at Converse Corporation. Education: University of Pennsylvania (BA), Harvard University (MBA)

Leadership Team

• Vanessa Lipschitz: Vice President, Education
• Tova Katz: Director, Jewish Life
• Michal Steinman: Director, Israel
• Katherine Skrivan: Director, One8 Applied Learning Hub
• Anna Sikorsky: Director, Operations & Administration
• Sissela Tucker: Director of Educator Network Design

Portfolio Managers

• Alyssa Bogdanow Arens (Senior Portfolio Manager, Antisemitism)
• Hannah Coleman (Portfolio Manager, Education)
• Austin Velte (Portfolio Manager)
• Linor Zeilig (Portfolio Manager, Jewish Life & Israel Engagement)

Key Quote from Leadership

Joanna Jacobson emphasises the foundation's commitment to "partnering with leaders with the vision and implementation capabilities to effect true social change."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

General Grantmaking: No Public Application Process

The One8 Foundation explicitly states: "Our foundation does not consider unsolicited grant proposals." The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, identifying potential grantees through research, expert networks, and strategic partnerships. The foundation may periodically invite small grant proposals for specific endeavours, but applicants should not submit unrequested applications.

Massachusetts School Grants: Public Application Process

The One8 Applied Learning Hub accepts applications from Massachusetts public schools for specific applied learning programmes:

• Application Method: Online applications through One8 Applied Learning Hub website
• Timeline: Applications typically open in autumn for following school year implementation
• Typical Process: Applications due in winter months; interviews conducted 1-2 months after deadline; awards announced approximately 1-2 weeks after interviews

Getting on Their Radar (for Invitation-Only Grantmaking)

Strategic Approach

Based on the foundation's documented practices, organisations seeking invitation-only funding should understand that One8 conducts extensive due diligence and develops relationships through:

• Expert Networks: The foundation prioritises developing relationships with field experts and gathering diverse perspectives
• Research-Informed Identification: One8 actively researches organisations demonstrating excellence in their priority areas
• Board and Staff Connections: The foundation's portfolio managers and directors work within specific sectors (Education, Jewish Life, Israel, Antisemitism) and identify promising organisations through sector engagement

Massachusetts Connection: While the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals, it maintains a particular focus on Massachusetts-based organisations and those serving the greater Boston area, which may provide better visibility opportunities.

Important Note: Even Boston-based grantseekers will need to network to get on One8's radar, as the foundation does not maintain an open application portal for general grantmaking.

Decision Timeline

General Grantmaking: Not publicly disclosed; varies by relationship and due diligence requirements

Massachusetts School Grants:

• Interviews conducted 1-2 months after application deadline
• Award decisions typically 1-2 weeks after interviews
• Full cycle approximately 2-3 months from application to award notification

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed for invitation-only grantmaking. For Massachusetts school grants, the foundation partners with over 725 schools across the Commonwealth, suggesting a robust acceptance rate for well-aligned school applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed for invitation-only grantmaking. The foundation emphasises long-term relationships and multi-year funding for strategic partners, suggesting that successful grantees often receive sustained support rather than requiring annual reapplication.

Application Success Factors

What One8 Foundation Looks For (Based on Documented Principles)

1. Excellent Leadership with Growth Mindset The foundation explicitly prioritises "highly effective leaders with a growth mindset who are committed to excellence in their work." They seek teams with "dogged execution" capabilities.

2. Data-Driven Outcomes and Measurement One8 invests in initiatives where "outputs and outcomes are measured and data is used to achieve continual improvement and results." Organisations must demonstrate commitment to measurement and outcome-focused management.

3. Strong Organisational Capacity The foundation seeks organisations with:

• Solid strategic plans and detailed annual implementation plans (required for multi-year funding)
• Sustainable financial models beyond grant dependency
• Well-articulated theories of change and business plans
• Strong leadership with decisive capability

4. Alignment with Foundation Priorities Organisations must align with specific focus areas: K-12 education excellence, at-risk youth, Jewish continuity, Israel understanding, antisemitism reduction, or epilepsy research.

5. Proven Programmes with Scalability The foundation uses four strategic levers:

• Pilot exemplars demonstrating possibilities
• Scale proven programmes with established results
• Develop leader capacity for dramatic impact
• Support research enabling evaluation and improvement

Recent Grant Examples Demonstrating Priorities

• Year Up Inc ($3.0M, 2023): Youth development organisation providing young adults with skills training
• Thread Inc ($2.5M, 2023): Youth development organisation using community-based mentoring
• Honeymoon Israel Foundation ($3.5M, 2023): Strengthening Jewish identity and community
• Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston ($6.8M, 2023): Local Jewish community support

Foundation's Language and Approach

One8 describes itself as providing "meaningful funding and deep strategic engagement," emphasising they are "active partners who provide strategic support, working side-by-side to develop detailed strategy and implementation plans." They view nonprofits—not the foundation itself—as "the agents of change."

For Massachusetts School Applicants

Schools should demonstrate:

• Commitment to full programme adoption for all students
• Adequate time allocation for curriculum implementation (e.g., 105+ minutes/week for social studies programmes)
• Multi-school pathways or Innovation Career Pathway designation (advantageous)
• Significant low-income student population (15%+ provides competitive preference)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-Only Model: Do not submit unsolicited proposals for general grantmaking—the foundation identifies potential grantees through research and expert networks. Focus networking efforts on becoming visible in your sector and to field experts.

• Massachusetts Schools Exception: Public schools in Massachusetts have direct access through the One8 Applied Learning Hub for specific applied learning programmes—this is the only public application pathway.

• Venture Philanthropy Approach: One8 seeks deep partnerships, not transactional grants. They provide both funding and pro bono consulting, expecting multi-year strategic engagement with a limited number of carefully vetted organisations.

• Data and Outcomes Are Essential: Organisations must demonstrate commitment to measurement, data-driven decision-making, and continuous improvement. Vague impact claims will not succeed with this funder.

• Leadership Quality Matters Most: The foundation explicitly prioritises "excellent leaders" with growth mindsets and "dogged execution." Demonstrating strong organisational leadership is critical.

• Research-Informed Funding: One8 develops relationships with field experts and prioritises research-based approaches. Organisations should emphasise evidence-based methodologies and expert validation of their work.

• Patient Capital for Proven Models: The foundation focuses on scaling proven programmes rather than experimental initiatives. Organisations should demonstrate track record of success and readiness to scale.

References

• One8 Foundation Official Website - Accessed December 2024
• One8 Foundation Grant Making Page - Accessed December 2024
• One8 Foundation Our Principles - Accessed December 2024
• One8 Foundation Our Team - Accessed December 2024
• One8 Applied Learning Hub Grants Page - Accessed December 2024
• Inside Philanthropy - One8 Foundation Profile - Accessed December 2024
• Inside Philanthropy - Here's What You Need to Know About the one8 Foundation - Accessed December 2024
• GuideStar - One8 Foundation Profile - Accessed December 2024
• GrantExec - One8 Foundation - Accessed December 2024
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - One8 Foundation - Accessed December 2024
• Charity Navigator - One8 Foundation - Accessed December 2024
• Instrumentl - One8 Foundation 990 Report - Accessed December 2024