OVERVIEW: The Cobb Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, international affairs, health, human services, and the arts.
IP TAKE: Despite its low-profile, the Cobb Family Foundation accepts unsolicited applications year-round. Because the foundation lacks a website, it lacks clarity regarding grantmaking strategies and priorities. Tax filings reveal a steady interest and investment in areas of interest.
PROFILE: Established in 1984, the Cobb Family Foundation was founded by Ambassadors Charles and Sue Cobb. Charles E. Cobb graduated with a B.A. in economics from Stanford University in 1958 and an M.B.A. in 1962. Cobb was the chairman and CEO of Disney Development Company and of Arvida Corporation. He was U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Iceland under President George H.W. Bush and under Secretary and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce under President Reagan. Cobb went on to become Senior Managing Director and CEO of Cobb Partners, an investment company. Sue Cobb graduated from Stanford University and the University of Miami School of Law. As an attorney, she was partner at Greenberg Traurig. Cobb is the former U.S. ambassador to Jamaica and formerly Florida’s Secretary of State. She’s also held positions as CEO of the Florida Lottery, and three-time chair of the Miami Federal Reserve.
The Cobb Family Foundation does not maintain a website, which makes it difficult to locate further information on its priority areas and grantmaking strategies. Tax filings suggest that the Cobb Family Foundation primarily funds grantmaking related to education, international affairs, health, human services, and the arts.
Grants for K-12 and Higher Education
Educational grantmaking includes schools with which the family has a personal connection, particularly University of Miami, Sue’s alma mater.
- University of Miami is home to the Sue M. Cobb Scholarship Foundation for Jamaican Students and Ambassador Sue McCourt Cobb Law School Scholarship.
- The family also has an interest in education reform and Charles was the founding chair of the Doctors Charter School, which the Cobbs continue to support.
- Cobb is also a former trustee of several Stanford University, which the Cobbs steadily support.
- Other grantees have included Brunswick School, Waterside School, Baruch College Fund, and Foundation for Excellence in Education, which was launched by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush in 2008.
Grants for International Affairs
Given the couple’s work on the international stage, it’s no surprise that these causes also drive philanthropy.
- They sponsor the Sue M. Cobb Exemplary Diplomatic Service Award and the Charles E. Cobb Award for Success in Trade Development — the U.S. State Department worldwide awards for top non career or career ambassadors.
- The foundation directs grants towards Jamaican charities including United Way of Jamaica and American Friends of Jamaica.
- Other grantees have included Center for Strategic and International Studies (Sue is on the board), Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, United States Diplomacy Center, and Council of American Ambassadors, where the couple are on the board of the directors.
Grants for Health and Human Services
Grantees have included United Way of Miami-Dade, where Sue has sat on the board; Miami Heart Research Institute; American Cancer Society; Baptist Health Foundation; Dana Farber Cancer Institute; and Miami Children’s Hospital.
Grants for Arts and Culture
The family have also earmarked funds for places like Perez Art Museum – PAAM, Frost Museum of Science, and Zoological Society of South Florida.
Important Grant Details:
This grantmaker makes a few dozen grants over $10,000 annually. Many other grants are in the three and four-figure range. In a recent year, the foundation gave away around $1,612,930 million. Giving has mostly held steady over several years.
- Grantmaking primarily focuses on the Dade County, Florida area.
- The Cobb Family Foundation keeps a low profile but is open to contact.
- According to a recent 990, requests should include a brief history of the organization, a current list of members of the board and senior executives, the current annual budget, proposed use of requested funds.
- Applications should also include a copy of the organization’s tax exemption letter.
- Interested grantseekers may contact the foundation:
Cobb Family Foundation Admin
4000 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Suite 470
Coral Gables, FL 33146
(305) 441-1700
PEOPLE:
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