Richard O. Jacobson
Foundation $50K Challenge
Richard O. Jacobson comes from a small town called Belmond, Iowa. As founder of the Jacobson Companies, he began his career in 1968 with a single warehouse in Des Moines. Over the years he grew the warehouse facilities to more than 30 million square feet, and expanded the company into a business encompassing eight separate companies employing more than 6,500 people in 25 states.
Mr. Jacobson’s Des Moines-based Richard O. Jacobson Foundation supports a variety of educational and youth orientated civic programs and projects throughout Iowa. To date he has donated over $50 million dollars and was recognized as one of America’s Top Donors in The Chronicle of Philanthropy in 2007.
In 1996, Mr. Jacobson became involved with Youth & Shelter Services, Inc., the parent company of Iowa Homeless Youth Center, a community-based center, located in Des Moines. Over the years he has been a very generous and dedicated supporter.
Youth & Shelter Services announced on July 10th, 2009 at the annual McCay Young Parents Awards Luncheon that the Richard O. Jacobson Foundation, has pledged a $1.1 million challenge gift towards YSS?s current capital campaign. Jacobson will match dollar-for-dollar all gifts towards the purchase and remodeling of the new Family Life Center.
Richard Jacobson provided Iowa Homeless Youth Centers with a $50,000 challenge grant in 2010. Every dollar contributed during the fifth annual Reggie’s Sleepout was matched 50 cents by his foundation, up to $50,000. His generosity helped Iowa Homeless Youth Centers raise a total of over $175,000 for programming and a special needs fund used to help young people overcome employment and educational barriers.
He has issued the same $50,000 challenge for the sixth annual Reggie’s Sleepout, which will be held October 29th, 2011. Won’t you help Iowa Homeless Youth Centers meet the $50K challenge grant? By sponsoring a participant or making a general donation you are getting us closer to our goal of reaching the $50K challenge. Every dollar you contribute will be matched 50 cents by the Richard O. Jacobson Foundation.
