← Back to US Funders Directory

Jacarlene Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.7M
Grant Range
$0K - $1.0M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,738,706 (2023)
  • Average Grant Size: $72,071
  • Grant Range: $450 - $1,000,000
  • Number of Awards: 38 awards (2023)
  • Assets: $96.5 million
  • Geographic Focus: Florida only
  • Application Method: Rolling quarterly basis (Letter of Inquiry)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.jacarlene.org

Telephone: 321-527-7835

Address: 250 S Park Ave Ste 410, Winter Park, FL 32789

Online Application Portal: Available through FoundationSource (Bank of America platform)

Overview

The Jacarlene Foundation was established in 1988 through a four million dollar inheritance from the estate of Jackie Preis's mother, Helene. The foundation's name combines the names of Jacqueline (Jackie), her father Carl, and her mother Helene. With current assets of $96.5 million and annual giving of approximately $2.7 million, the foundation has maintained its commitment to building stronger communities in Florida for over 35 years. Following founder Jackie Preis's death in 2022, the foundation became the beneficiary of her estate and trust, significantly expanding its resources. The foundation is managed by Bank of America Private Bank and operates with the mantra "what can we do for you" to strengthen Florida through three primary areas: the arts, the environment, and education. In 2023, the foundation made 38 awards totaling $2,738,706.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation accepts Letters of Inquiry on a rolling quarterly basis for projects aligned with its three focus areas. Grant amounts range from $450 to $1,000,000, with an average grant size of $72,071. Organizations that have not completed a year of operation or annual audit may be limited to funding requests of $25,000 or less.

Application Method: Two-stage process - initial Letter of Inquiry (LOI) followed by invitation to submit full application for selected projects.

Priority Areas

Education: The foundation funds scholarships, educational programs, educational awareness, and access to academic opportunities and programs that provide community enrichment and quality learning. Recent example: $150,000 to South Florida State College Foundation (2024) for students in trade programs.

Animal/Wildlife Welfare (Environment): Through funding their care, protection, and preservation of habitats, the foundation protects and preserves the rich diversity of animals in Florida. Notable example: $1,000,000 to Zoo Tampa for the Jacarlene Animal Care Campus featuring the Catherine Lowry Straz Veterinary Hospital and the Tiedemann-Cotton Animal Care Annex (largest grant in foundation history).

The Arts: Through artistic endeavors of program support, scholarships, and community engagement, the foundation strives to promote the arts and accessibility to all Floridians.

What They Don't Fund

  • Political organizations or efforts
  • Churches or religious organizations promoting their faith (unless the request is for a secular project that aligns with the foundation's areas of interest)
  • Projects or organizations outside Florida
  • Organizations not in good standing with the state of Florida

Governance and Leadership

Jacquelyn Rogow - President and Trustee (works 10 hours/week, compensation $115,000 annually)

Thomas J. Hughes II - Secretary and Treasurer (works 10 hours/week, compensation $115,000 annually)

Both trustees were appointed to the board in 2010 by founder Jackie Preis. Following Jackie's death in 2022, they continue to lead the foundation with a commitment to her vision of strengthening Florida communities.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

  1. Eligibility Quiz: Prospective applicants must first complete an online eligibility quiz
  2. Letter of Inquiry (LOI): Submit online LOI through the foundation's portal (no paper or other electronic submissions accepted)
  3. Rolling Quarterly Basis: LOIs accepted year-round on a rolling quarterly basis
  4. Foundation Response: The foundation responds via email to LOIs within the yearly quarter of submission
  5. Invitation to Full Application: Selected applicants receive an email invitation with a link to the full online grant application and application deadline date
  6. Submit Full Application: Invited applicants should submit applications well in advance of the stated deadline

Important: If an organization received a previous grant from the foundation, a grant evaluation report must be submitted for Trustee Review prior to submitting a new LOI.

Applicant Dashboard: LOI forms can be saved at any time and accessed later through the Applicant Dashboard link.

Decision Timeline

Responses to LOIs are provided within the yearly quarter of submission. Full application deadlines are provided to invited applicants. Specific timeframes from full application to final decision are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

38 awards were made in 2023 and 15 in 2022. Specific application volume and success rates are not publicly disclosed.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's specific reapplication policy for unsuccessful applicants is not publicly disclosed. Applicants should contact the foundation directly for guidance on reapplication waiting periods or restrictions.

Application Success Factors

Demonstrate Measurability and Sustainability: Applicants must demonstrate that the goals of the request are measurable and sustainable - this is explicitly stated as a requirement.

Be Realistic in Funding Requests: The foundation encourages applicants to "be realistic by requesting only the amount that is needed for a project to be successful."

Align with Foundation Priorities: Organizational programs and services must align with the foundation's mission and fulfill at least one of the foundation's areas of interest (arts, environment, or education).

Florida-Specific Impact: All distributions must be made only in the state of Florida and stay in the state of Florida. If applying as a national organization, you must agree to use funds only within Florida.

Maintain Good Standing: Recipients must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charities described in Sections 509(a) and in good standing with the state of Florida.

Range of Project Sizes: The foundation has funded everything from a $450 grant to treat head lice in a 4th grade classroom to a $1 million grant to Zoo Tampa, demonstrating flexibility in grant sizes based on need and impact.

Early Grants Philosophy: The foundation's first grant of $2,481 went to a Tampa food pantry for equipment (commercial rotary toaster, portable mobile hot cabinet, busboy cart, and utility cart), and the second for $4,000 helped purchase a Burdick EKG Machine for a local health clinic - showing the foundation values practical, direct-impact projects.

Ongoing Communication: Grantees must notify the foundation immediately if there are substantive changes in organizational leadership, the grant project, expenditures, location, timing, or other key factors.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Florida-exclusive focus: Only Florida-based organizations or projects that will serve Florida communities are eligible - this is non-negotiable
  • Wide grant range demonstrates flexibility: With grants from $450 to $1 million, the foundation considers both grassroots and major institutional projects
  • Two-stage process reduces burden: The LOI approach allows organizations to test fit before investing time in a full application
  • Rolling quarterly timeline: No need to wait for specific deadlines - submit when your project is ready
  • Measurability matters: Explicitly demonstrate how you will measure success and ensure sustainability
  • Previous grantees must report before reapplying: If you've received funding before, complete your evaluation report before submitting a new LOI
  • New organizations have lower limits: Organizations without a year of operation or completed audit are typically limited to $25,000 requests
  • Practical impact valued: Historical grants show the foundation values practical solutions to real community needs, not just large-scale institutional projects

References

← Back to US Funders Directory