Leo Potishman Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5,450,000
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly specified
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $2,000,000
• Geographic Focus: Fort Worth, Texas (primary)

Contact Details

• Administrator: JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A.
• Address: 10 S Dearborn IL1-0111, Chicago, IL 60603
• Phone: (800) 496-2583
• Website: No dedicated foundation website
• Application Portal: Through JPMorgan philanthropic services

Overview

The Leo Potishman Foundation is a private foundation established in 1983 with current assets of approximately $17 million. The foundation distributes over $5 million annually in grants, primarily supporting organizations in Fort Worth, Texas. Founded from the estate of Fort Worth businessman Leo Potishman, who built a successful grain trading and vitamin supplement business, the foundation focuses on education, health, human services, and community development. The foundation is professionally administered by JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A., which manages the grant-making process and fiduciary responsibilities. Despite being legally registered in Chicago, the foundation's philanthropic focus remains strongly tied to Fort Worth, where Leo Potishman lived and built his business empire.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific named grant programs but makes discretionary grants across multiple areas:

• Major Capital Grants: $500,000 - $2,000,000 (for institutional development and construction projects)
• Program Support Grants: $50,000 - $500,000 (for established programs and initiatives)
• General Operating Support: $10,000 - $100,000 (for smaller organizations)

Priority Areas

• Education: Higher education institutions, scholarships, educational facility development, K-12 education support
• Health and Medical Research: Medical schools, healthcare facilities, research programs
• Human and Social Services: Youth development, community support organizations, social welfare programs
• Community Development: Economic development initiatives, civic infrastructure
• Arts and Culture: Cultural institutions, performing arts organizations
• Other Areas: Animal welfare, environment, religious causes, scientific research

What They Don't Fund

• Individual requests or personal scholarships
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
• Organizations outside their geographic focus area (primarily Fort Worth, Texas)

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is administered by JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A. as trustee, with Elaine Agather, Managing Director/CEO of J.P. Morgan Private Bank in the Central U.S., identified as having a leadership role in foundation activities. As a bank-administered foundation, JPMorgan handles day-to-day operations, grant administration, and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements. The foundation was established from the estate of Leo Potishman (1896-1981), a Fort Worth businessman who owned Transit Grain Co. and Vit-A-Way Inc.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation does not maintain its own website or public application portal. Organizations seeking funding should:

1. Contact JP Morgan Chase Bank's philanthropic services at (800) 496-2583
2. Submit inquiry through JPMorgan's foundation administration services
3. Provide documentation of 501(c)(3) status and organizational information
4. Present proposals that demonstrate alignment with foundation priorities and Fort Worth community benefit

Getting on Their Radar

Given the foundation's administration through JPMorgan and focus on Fort Worth, organizations can increase visibility by:

• Establishing relationships with JPMorgan's philanthropic advisors who manage the foundation
• Demonstrating strong ties to the Fort Worth community and its development priorities
• Building partnerships with organizations already receiving Potishman Foundation support, particularly Texas A&M-Fort Worth, TCU, and Camp Fire First Texas
• Participating in Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership initiatives, which the foundation actively supports

Decision Timeline

The foundation does not publish specific decision timelines. Grant decisions appear to be made throughout the year, with Form 990-PF filings showing grants distributed across multiple quarters.

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly available. The foundation makes approximately 25-35 grants annually from its $5+ million grant budget.

Reapplication Policy

No published reapplication policy exists. Historical grant data shows many organizations receive multi-year support, suggesting successful relationships can lead to ongoing funding.

Application Success Factors

Based on analysis of recent grants and the foundation's giving patterns:

• Fort Worth Connection Essential: Nearly all grants go to organizations serving Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Organizations should emphasize local impact and community ties.
• Established Relationships Matter: Many funded organizations have received support over multiple years, including TCU, Texas Wesleyan University, and local community organizations.
• Capital Campaigns Welcome: The foundation has shown willingness to make transformational gifts for construction and facility development, as evidenced by the $2 million grant to Texas A&M-Fort Worth.
• Educational Focus Strong: Educational institutions receive the largest share of funding, from higher education to K-12 programs.
• Professional Presentation Required: As a bank-administered foundation, expect formal proposal requirements and financial due diligence.
• Multi-Year Commitments Possible: Evidence suggests the foundation will make multi-year pledges for significant initiatives.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Contact JPMorgan philanthropic services directly as there is no public application process
• Emphasize Fort Worth community impact - this is absolutely critical for consideration
• Prepare for potentially significant grant amounts if your project warrants major support
• Research the foundation's recent Form 990-PF filings to understand current funding priorities and grant sizes
• Consider timing applications around their next known deadline (February 28, 2026)
• Build relationships with JPMorgan's philanthropic advisors who manage the foundation
• Organizations outside Fort Worth should carefully evaluate whether to apply given the strong geographic preference

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Leo Potishman Foundation profile and Form 990-PF filings (accessed February 2026)
• Grantmakers.io - Leo Potishman Foundation grant history and recipient analysis (accessed February 2026)
• Fort Worth Report - "Texas A&M-Fort Worth gets $2 million gift from Leo Potishman Foundation" (November 21, 2024)
• Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership - Foundation supporter listings
• JPMorgan Chase - Philanthropic Services division information
• Candid Foundation Directory - Leo Potishman Foundation profile (subscription database)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for 2021-2023 tax years