About Us

A Legacy of Service

Jesse W. Couch lived a life of zeal, honor, and dedication to the betterment of his community. The Couch family now humbly stewards the foundation he created to carry on his legacy of service for future generations.

The Founder

Jesse W. Couch

1921 – 2015

During his lifetime, Jesse W. Couch made vital contributions to the communities that impacted his life and those he loved. He was a WWII veteran, entrepreneur, philanthropist, devoted friend, and fierce leader to everyone in his family. His vision and dedication kept him committed to a variety of organizations and causes that created a resounding legacy for others to cherish through the foreseeable future.

Nonprofits Supported

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Total Awarded

Emmy Award-Winning

Our Work in Action

Stories of Impact

All Stories

Through a Panther's Eyes: Florida's Wild Future

preservation

Wildpath

Through a Panther's Eyes: Florida's Wild Future

Wildpath's Emmy Award-winning Path of the Panther initiative is bringing the story of Florida's most iconic predator into classrooms across the state. With support from the J.W. Couch Foundation, this 2025 grant fuels a statewide educational rollout designed to inspire the next generation to protect the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

From Story to Strategy: Inspiring Growth at Seacoast

education

Seaside School Foundation

From Story to Strategy: Inspiring Growth at Seacoast

When Seacoast Collegiate High School outgrew its classrooms, the Seaside School Foundation turned to storytelling to fuel its next chapter. A 2023 Marketing Grant from the J.W. Couch Foundation helped bring their vision for an expanded campus and innovative dual-enrollment program to life through a powerful campaign video.

wellness

Arboretum San Antonio

Where the Southside Grows Healthier

Arboretum San Antonio is transforming 200 acres of former golf course into South Texas' first arboretum, bringing nature-based wellness to one of the city's most underserved communities. With support from the J.W. Couch Foundation's 2025 capital campaign grant, ASA is expanding its team, opening an on-site office, and launching immediate health programming for surrounding neighborhoods.

All Stories

Recognition

Emmy Award-Winning Impact Producer

The J.W. Couch Foundation is more than a grantmaker — we are an Emmy Award-winning impact producer, partnering with nonprofits and causes to craft powerful stories that move audiences to action.

Through cinematic storytelling, documentary production, and media strategy, we amplify the missions of the organizations we support, turning meaningful work into lasting cultural impact. Our Storytelling Grants extend this commitment by directly supporting nonprofits in sharing their own stories — funding video production, narrative coaching, and media strategy so that transformational work gets the recognition it deserves.

When great organizations tell their stories well, they inspire deeper engagement, attract new partners, and ultimately accelerate their mission. That's the impact we're proud to enable.

Emmy Award

Outstanding Achievement

Recognized for excellence in impact media production for nonprofits and social causes.

Board of Directors

The world's leading summit for nature & conservation media — uniting the best storytellers, scientists, and advocates on the planet.

Global Influence

Joining the World Stage

The J.W. Couch Foundation's commitment to impact storytelling has earned us a seat at the highest levels of the conservation media world. We are proud members of the Board of Directors of Jackson Wild — the most influential organization connecting nature filmmakers, scientists, conservationists, and media leaders globally.

Jackson Wild partners with the world's best — from National Geographic and BBC Natural History to Netflix and the world's leading conservation NGOs — to advance the art and impact of nature storytelling.

Our role on the board reflects our deep belief that powerful media is one of the most effective tools for driving real-world change. We don't just fund stories — we help shape the future of how they're told.

The Team