Carolyn Smith Foundation
The Carolyn Smith Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2017 and based in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic investment in communities, with a particular emphasis on Middle Tennessee. The foundation's approach centers on building trust-based partnerships with nonprofit organizations and identifying opportunities for thoughtful risk-taking and innovation in addressing community challenges.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$603K
-8.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.9M
+28.9% YoY
Grant Count
162
+10.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$24K
+17.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's vision is "a thriving Middle Tennessee and a nation where everyone flourishes." The organization articulates its work through the motto "Root. Grow. Flourish." — turning ideas into solutions, research into cures, people into partners, and places into flourishing communities.
The foundation's core values include:
- Trust & Respect — acknowledging the power imbalance between grantmakers and grantees, and beginning relationships with trust and respect
- Responsiveness & Proactiveness — sustaining long-term partnerships while proactively identifying emerging opportunities
- Leveraged Collaboration & Partnership — viewing philanthropy as a collaborative team sport
- Thoughtful Risk & Innovation — accepting that challenging the status quo is necessary for community solutions
2026 Priority Funding Areas:
- Economic Prosperity — advancing affordable and accessible housing, food security, and economic mobility
- Dementia and Neurodegenerative Diseases — supporting advocacy, research, and treatment
The foundation also supports medical research, assistance for low-income populations, food security programs, youth mentoring, and service dog training for veterans.
Grantmaking
The foundation welcomes applications from U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits through an open application cycle held annually from **February 1 – March 1**. Organizations interested in applying are encouraged to complete a contact form on the foundation's website. The foundation prioritizes partnerships rooted in Middle Tennessee, particularly Davidson and Sumner Counties, though select national and global efforts are also considered.
Grant Range
$10,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While the foundation funds select national and global efforts, it prioritizes organizations rooted in Middle Tennessee, particularly Davidson and Sumner Counties. The foundation's funded areas span across 15 states, indicating a broad geographical reach in its philanthropic efforts.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $603,182
- Total Revenues: $4,002,000
- Total Expenses: $4,061,622
- Number of Employees: 0
Previous Year (2023):
- Total Assets: $662,225
- Total Revenues: $3,200,000
- Total Expenses: $3,169,784
The foundation demonstrates significant annual giving relative to its asset base, with revenues increasing 25.1% from 2023 to 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $603,182 | $662,225 | $631,342 |
| Revenue | $4,002,000 | $3,200,000 | $2,600,000 |
| Expenses | $4,061,622 | $3,169,784 | $2,430,597 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,895,000 | $3,021,200 | $2,302,650 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $30,214 | $27,518 | $20,755 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Randy Smith — President/Director (serves without compensation)
- Alexander Smith — Secretary/Director (serves without compensation)
- Jessica Haywood — Treasurer/Director
The foundation operates with limited paid staffing, relying on volunteer board leadership.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| RANDY SMITH | PRESIDENT/DI | — | — |
| ALEXANDER SMITH | SECRETARY/DI | — | — |
| JESSICA HAYWOOD | TREASURER/DI | — | — |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: 1050 Glenbrook Way, Suite 480, PMB 506 Hendersonville, TN 37075
Phone: (615) 804-0758
Website: carolynsmithfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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