Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation
The Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation is a private foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. Its 2025 filing reports grants to organizations working in areas including military and veteran support, education, health, religious life, the arts, food assistance, and animal care.
Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation at a glance
In short: Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation gave $70K across 32 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), top state Virginia. 16% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $70,000
- -2.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 32
- -5.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,188
- +4.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $731,334
- -8.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (5 of 32, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Virginia (35% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing says to send a written letter stating the organization’s name, purpose, and amount requested. It says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and lists no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Janice G Carlson
Mailing address: 31556 Tres Lomas, Bulverde, TX 78163
Phone: (830) 980-2749
Website: https://henrysmith.foundation
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Navy Seal Foundation ($5K). Together the top 10 received $38K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($2,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
158 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 158 grants of 158 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia (35%), Texas (17%), and Ohio (16%). Arizona and Washington, DC, each received 6% of grant dollars. The grants also included recipients in other states, including Indiana, Hawaii, Tennessee, and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 32 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 32 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 81% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 82% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 219% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $39K (2019) to $72K (2024). In 2025 it made 32 grants totaling $70K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Navy Seal Foundation Virginia Beach, VA | Contribution to help provide critical support for the warriors, veterans, and families of naval special warfare. | $5,000 |
| Park View 19 Scholarship Fund Sterling, VA | Contribution to collectively improve educational opportunities for graduating classes. | $5,000 |
| American Heart Association Phoenix, AZ | Contribution to support critical research, improve care, and to help save lives. | $4,500 |
| Leesburg Presbyterian Church Leesburg, VA | Contribution for General Support of the Church. | $4,000 |
| San Antonio Broadway Theatre San Antonio, TX | Contribution to help bring premier live theatre productions to san antonio. | $3,500 |
| Wonders and Worries Austin, TX | Contribution to support children and teenagers during a parent's serious illness or injury. | $3,500 |
| Leadership Institute Arlington, VA | Contribution to support the education and training of young conservative leaders. | $3,000 |
| San Antonio Zoological Society San Antonio, TX | Contribution to help inspire people to love, engage, act and protect animals and the places they live through animcal care, education and conservation. | $3,000 |
| World Central Kitchen (Donor Services Team) Washington, DC | Contribution to help provide fresh, nourishing meals for communities around the world. | $3,000 |
| University School Annual Fund Hunting Valley, OH | Contribution to support faculty compensation, professional development, and to attract, develop, and retain outstanding teachers. | $3,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $731,334 | $9,622 | $74,720 | $70,000 | 32 | $72,285 | $39,378 | $33,026 |
| 2024 | $796,432 | $-8,202 | $75,412 | $71,500 | 34 | $73,362 | $23,967 | $32,912 |
| 2023 | $880,046 | $26,871 | $72,466 | $68,500 | 35 | $70,325 | $25,207 | $33,217 |
| 2022 | $925,641 | $37,073 | $43,075 | $38,500 | 30 | $40,050 | $35,687 | $37,287 |
| 2021 | $931,643 | $110,054 | $42,071 | $38,500 | 27 | — | $108,935 | $41,003 |
| 2019 | $852,914 | $50,505 | $41,249 | $38,500 | 23 | — | $49,413 | $39,453 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation reported a distributable amount of $33K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, the Navy SEAL Foundation describes its work as providing critical support for naval special warfare warriors, veterans, and families; the American Heart Association describes its mission as promoting longer, healthier lives; and the San Antonio Zoological Society says it works to foster appreciation and concern for living things. Other recipients include scholarship and educational organizations, a church, a theater, a food bank, and organizations providing emergency assistance or support to families.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 32 grants totaling $70,000. Grants ranged from $500 to $5,000, with a median of $2,000. The largest grants included $5,000 each to the Navy SEAL Foundation and Park View 19 Scholarship Fund; $4,500 to the American Heart Association; and $4,000 to Leesburg Presbyterian Church. Other notable grants were $3,500 each to San Antonio Broadway Theatre and Wonders and Worries, and $3,000 each to Leadership Institute, San Antonio Zoological Society, World Central Kitchen, and University School Annual Fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Deborah R. Dowdell as president and trustee, Janice G. Carlson as secretary and treasurer, and Laura G. Gifford as vice president and trustee.
Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation is led by Deborah R. Dowdell, President & Trustee on every filing since 2019; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Deborah R. Dowdell
President & Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura G. Gifford
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Janice G. Carlson
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation
How much does Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation give each year?
Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation gave $70K across 32 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $72K across 34 grants.
What is Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation's typical grant size?
Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $2,188, across 32 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation give grants?
Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation's top state is Virginia, with 35% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Texas (17%) and Ohio (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were San Antonio, TX (3 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants) and Yorktown, VA (2 grants).
Does Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 13% of Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 32) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation's largest grantees?
Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Navy Seal Foundation ($5,000), Park View 19 Scholarship Fund ($5,000) and American Heart Association ($4,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($2,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation?
Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation reported $731K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $72K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $33K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation?
The 2024 filing says to send a written letter stating the organization’s name, purpose, and amount requested. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation's EIN?
Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-6609892. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 31, 2020)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/charles-henry-smith-sr-foundation-morg_f010e1c8772b411b86d8bfecdc5587f9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_346609892_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/charles-henry-smith-sr-foundation-morg_f010e1c8772b411b86d8bfecdc5587f9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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