The primary focus of the Foundation is on programs that benefit children and youth in Waco and McLennan County, Texas. Proposals that fall outside the areas below are considered as long as they offer imaginative, and when possible, long-range solutions to the problems of the most needy members of society, and ideally solutions that can be replicated in other communities. The Foundation prefers to concentrate on five primary areas:

The Foundation is interested in the broad area of education but with a special concern for early learning up to and through the elementary years. Other areas of interest include adult education and training initiatives, and programs that enhance the capabilities of teachers and other professionals in public schools.

The Foundation supports artistic and cultural programs, especially those that encourage participation, and enrich the lives of children and disadvantaged members of the community. Education and cultivation of new and young patrons is encouraged.

The Foundation seeks to improve the quality and delivery of healthcare services to all citizens, especially to women, children, and those who do not have access to conventional medical resources. Community-based outreach initiatives such as immunization programs are of interest to the Foundation.

The Foundation seeks to build communities that improve the quality of life for all citizens and foster the growth and development of children. The Foundation encourages programs that build grassroots neighborhood networks, provide job training and job opportunities for the unemployed and under-employed, or provide a comprehensive safety net of social services for the least-advantaged citizens.

The Foundation supports efforts both to make government more responsive and to encourage citizens to take an active interest and role in political life. The Foundation promotes intergovernmental cooperation as well as initiatives that broaden citizen awareness of public policy issues and alternatives, build skills necessary for political leadership, and provide opportunities for community service.

The Foundation encourages innovation as demonstrated by The University of Texas Service Learning Scholarship. This concept bundles academic scholarship with a required community services component. More than just spending hours at a nonprofit agency, students use their community work to complement their curriculum. Time for reflection and cohort study encourages students to consider their nonprofit work as a possible career.

The program is open to freshmen enrolled in The UT College of Liberal Arts. The scholarship awards up to $7,500 per year for three years beginning the summer after the freshman year and includes the assignment of a laptop computer.

The service scholarship is a need-based program with preference given to Waco-McLennan County area students. Applications are available from UT here, or contact UT Liberal Arts Department at 512-417-9209.

Other UT scholars are currently supported by the Rapoport Foundation. More than $27 million has been given or pledged to the University by the Rapoport family and the Foundation. Bernard Rapoport, an alumnus and former chair of the UT System Board of Regents, along with his wife Audre, are long-time supporters of the University.

Together, these organizations receive yearly grants for activities that reflect the Foundation founders' interest in Jewish community organizations. Both the Jerusalem Foundation and the United Jewish Communities strive to improve the quality of life for people by continuing the goal of social justice both domestically and abroad. The Foundation does not currently accept grant requests for Israeli or Jewish causes except through these two organizations.