Jesse H. and Susan R. Oppenheimer Foundation

OVERVIEW: The San Antonio-based Jesse H. and Susan B. Oppenheimer Foundation supports global development, human rights, animals and wildlife, education, disease research and arts and culture. 

IP TAKE: The Jesse H. and Susan B. Oppenheimer Foundation prioritizes its hometown of San Antonio but gives to national and global organizations in the areas of global development and human rights. Its grants tend to be small, rarely topping $25,000, but it offers consistent annual support to many of its grantees. 

This funder does not maintain a website and does not appear to be accessible — it does not appear to accept applications for funding. It’s also not particularly approachable.

PROFILE: The Jesse H. and Susan B. Oppenheimer Foundation was established in 1965 and is based in San Antonio Texas. Jesse Oppenheimer, who died in 2009, was a prominent San Antonio attorney and philanthropist during his lifetime. This foundation maintains a low profile, limiting information about its grantmaking practices, but is known to support global development, human rights, animals and wildlife and education. This funder does not set geographic limitations to its funding, but prioritizes the greater San Antonio area. 

Grants for Global Development

The Oppenheimer Foundation does not outline specific goals for its global development grantmaking, but has given to Heifer International, Give Directly, Oxfam America, the International Rescue Committee and SOS Children’s Villages. 

Grants for Global Security and Human Rights

The Oppenheimer Foundation has prioritized international human rights organizations among its grantees. While the foundation does not name specific goals in this area, recent sums have gone to Amnesty International, UNICEF, Human Rights Watch and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. 

Grants for Animals and Wildlife

The Oppenheimer Foundation maintains a strong interest in animal welfare over the years. Recent grants have gone to the African Wildlife Foundation, Best Friends Animal Society, Defenders of Wildlife and the World Wildlife Federation. 

Grants for Education

The foundation’s education funding consists of support for large universities and some K-12 schools in Texas. Higher education funding has gone to Washington University in St. Louis, Northwestern University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Texas at San Antonio. K-12 grantees include TMI Episcopal School of San Antonio, San Antonio Academy and the St. Alcuin School of Dallas. 

Grants for Disease Research

The Oppenheimer Foundation supports a fellowship in cancer research at the University of Texas at San Antonio’s Health Science Center. It also provides ongoing support to Texas Biomedical Research Institute. 

Grants for Arts and Culture 

Oppenheimer provides ongoing support to several landmark cultural organizations in San Antonio. Recipients include the McNay Museum of Art, the San Antonio Symphony, the Landa Gardens Conservancy, Texas Public Radio and the DoSeum, San Antonio’s hands-on museum for children. 

Important Grant Details:

The Jesse H. and Susan R. Oppenheimer Foundation makes about $300,000 in grants each year. Most grants remain under the $25,000 threshold, but the foundation has made grants of up to $100,000 in rare instances. A significant portion of funding remains in the greater San Antonio area. For additional information about past grantmaking, see the foundation’s recent tax filings

This funder does not appear to accept applications for funding. The foundation’s phone number is 210-826-5809. A mailing address is provided below. 

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CONTACT: 

The Jesse H. and Susan R. Oppenheimer Foundation 

312 E. Hermosa Dr.

San Antonio, TX 78212

(210) 826-5809