Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker CLEVELAND, OH EIN: 34-6609892 Website

The Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation is a private foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, it has been tax-exempt since October 1968. The foundation operates as a grantmaking organization supporting charitable causes across multiple states.

Key facts about Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation

EIN: 34-6609892
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025): $70,000
Grants made (2025): 32
Average grant: $2,188
Median grant: $2,000
Total assets: $731,334
Primary geography: Virginia (35% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
How to apply: The foundation does not accept applications.

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated June 2026. 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

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation's 32 itemized 2025 grants were Virginia (35%), 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). 13% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$731K

-8.2% YoY

Annual Giving

$70K

-2.1% YoY

Grant Count

-5.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$2K

+4.0% YoY

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 April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's grant-making focuses on:

Education
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
Human Services
Wildlife and animal-related causes
Science education

Grantmaking

In 2024, the foundation made 35 grants totaling $69,000. In 2023, it distributed $39,000 across 30 grants with a median grant of $1,000.

Grant Range

$2,000 (2024)

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Virginia, Ohio, and Texas.

Grant Distribution by State

Virginia $92K (32%)

Texas $41K (14%)

Ohio $41K (14%)

Florida $23K (8%)

District of Columbia $16K (6%)

Indiana $12K (4%)

Louisiana $11K (4%)

Arizona $11K (4%)

+10 more states

States

Arizona California Colorado District of Columbia Florida Hawaii Indiana Louisiana Maryland Missouri North Carolina North Dakota New York Ohio Pennsylvania Tennessee Texas Virginia

Cities

San AntonioWashingtonYorktownNaplesClevelandFort BraggKeenesburgLorainTampaVirginia BeachArlingtonChagrin FallsDublinLanai CityLeesburgPhoenixFort WayneIndiana Rocks BeachPlantationSpringfield

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Current Financial Position (2024):

Total Assets: $796,000–$880,000
Total Giving: $69,000–$70,000
Total Liabilities: $0

Historical Assets:

2023: $926,000
2022: $932,000
2020: $853,000
2019: $844,000

Revenue & Expenses (2024):

Revenue: -$8,202
Expenses: $75,400

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2025	2024	2023
Total Assets	$731,334	$796,432	$880,046
Revenue	$9,622	$-8,202	$26,871
Expenses	$74,720	$75,412	$72,466
Qualifying Distributions	$72,285	$73,362	$70,325
Net Investment Income	$39,378	$23,967	$25,207
Distributable Amount	$33,026	$32,912	$33,217

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 2025

Grant Size Distribution

158 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest recipients include Navy Seal Foundation ($5,000), Park View 19 Scholarship Fund ($5,000), American Heart Association ($4,500).

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

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2025 IRS filing

From 2025 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
DEBORAH R DOWDELL	PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE	5	—
JANICE G CARLSON	SECRETARY/TREASURER	5	—
LAURA G GIFFORD	VICE PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE	5	—

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation fund?

The foundation's grant-making focuses on: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Wildlife and animal-related causes • Science education

How do I apply for a grant from Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation?

**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical award range: $500–$6,000 • Median grant size: $2,000 (2024) • Grant range: $500–$5,000 **Recent Grant Activity:** In 2024, the foundation made 35 grants totaling $69,000. In 2023, it distributed $39,000 across 30 grants with a median grant of $1,000. **Recent Grant Recipients (2023):** • Navy SEAL Foundation ($5,000) • San Antonio Zoological Society ($5,000) • Park View 19 Scholarship Fund ($5,000) • Tulane University Development ($5,000) • Leesburg Presbyte…

Where does Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation make grants?

The foundation primarily funds organizations in Virginia, Ohio, and Texas.

What size grants does Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation award?

In 2025, Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation awarded 32 grants totaling $70K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2025, Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation reported a distributable amount of $33K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

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.