David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith
David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. It reported 34 grants totaling $150,000 in 2025.
David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith at a glance
In short: David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith gave $150K across 34 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), top state South Carolina. 9% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $150,000
- +31.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 34
- -8.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,412
- +43.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,750
- Total assets
- $2,093,419
- -1.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (3 of 32, 2025)
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (24% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: Foundation Source 501 Silverside Rd, Wilmington, DE 19809-1377
Phone: (800) 839-1754
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Johns Hopkins University ($35K). Together the top 10 received $118K.
Grant Size Distribution
188 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 188 grants of 188 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the largest shares of grant dollars went to organizations in South Carolina (24%), Maryland (23%), North Carolina (16%), Maine (10%), and Massachusetts (8%). The listed grants also included recipients in New Hampshire, California, and Connecticut.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 34 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 32 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 84% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 111% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $75K (2021) to $150K (2025). In 2025 it made 34 grants totaling $150K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | Loeys-Dietz Syndrome (LDS) Research fund led by Dr. Elena MacFarlane | $35,000 |
| Smoky Mountain Community Theatre Bryson City, NC | General & Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| Center for Furniture Craftsmanship Rockport, ME | 9 month Comprehensive Program | $15,000 |
| Holderness School Plymouth, NH | Financial Aid Scholarship Fund | $10,000 |
| Roper St Francis Foundation Charleston, SC | General & Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Community Rowing Inc Brighton, MA | The Head of the Charles fundraising program and the Let's Row Program | $7,500 |
| Harvard Magazine Incorporated Cambridge, MA | General & Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| PTA California Congress of Parents Teachers & Stud Oakland, CA | Griffin Fund | $5,000 |
| Taft School Corporation Watertown, CT | Marina C. Petersen '06 Scholarship Fund | $5,000 |
| The Medical University of South Carolina Foundatio Charleston, SC | the Children's Hospital | $5,000 |
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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 | $2,093,419 | $166,765 | $187,124 | $150,000 | 34 | $167,230 | $262,880 | $150,004 |
| 2024 | $2,113,778 | $85,361 | $148,989 | $114,000 | 37 | $130,643 | $150,666 | $148,729 |
| 2023 | $2,175,906 | $127,373 | $163,222 | $129,000 | 45 | $144,609 | $263,051 | $129,054 |
| 2022 | $2,211,755 | $167,200 | $198,835 | $150,000 | 46 | $165,905 | $486,334 | $126,250 |
| 2021 | $2,243,390 | $379,775 | $118,182 | $75,000 | 26 | $100,877 | $906,105 | $124,554 |
| 2020 | $1,981,797 | $1,994,158 | $12,361 | — | — | — | $79,206 | $82,775 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith reported a distributable amount of $150K 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
The foundation’s grants support organizations working in a range of areas. In 2025, its stated grant purposes included medical research, a furniture-making education program, financial aid, rowing programs, and general and unrestricted support.
Grantees describe their work in their own terms. Johns Hopkins University says its mission is to support and promote the university’s objectives and interests. The Center for Furniture Craftsmanship says it provides education for people who want to design and build work from wood to a high standard of craftsmanship. Community Rowing says it aims to make rowing accessible and offers inclusive programs. The Charleston Symphony Orchestra says it seeks to inspire and engage the community through performances and educational programs.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 45 grants totaling $129,000 in 2023, 37 totaling $114,000 in 2024, and 34 totaling $150,000 in 2025. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $35,000, with a median of $1,750.
Among its largest 2025 grants were $35,000 to Johns Hopkins University for a Loeys-Dietz Syndrome research fund led by Dr. Elena MacFarlane; $20,000 to Smoky Mountain Community Theatre for general and unrestricted support; and $15,000 to the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship for its 9 month Comprehensive Program. Other grants included $10,000 to Holderness School for its Financial Aid Scholarship Fund and $10,000 to Roper St Francis Foundation for general and unrestricted support. Community Rowing Inc received $7,500 for its Head of the Charles fundraising program and Let’s Row Program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Bruce Wyniard Smith as director and president; David S Smith as director, vice president, and secretary; and Leslie W Smith as director and treasurer.
David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith is led by Bruce Wyniard Smith, Director & President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bruce Wyniard Smith
Director & President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David S Smith
Director, Vice President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leslie W Smith
Director & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith
How much does David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith give each year?
David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith gave $150K across 34 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $114K across 37 grants.
What is David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith's typical grant size?
David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith's median grant in 2025 was $1,750, and its average grant was $4,412, across 34 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith that year got $3K on average.
Where does David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith give grants?
David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith's top state is South Carolina, with 24% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Maryland (23%) and North Carolina (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were Charleston, SC (10 grants), Bryson City, NC (4 grants), Litchfield, CT (3 grants) and Mt Pleasant, SC (2 grants).
Does David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith give general operating support?
Yes: 65% of David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (22 of 34) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith's largest grantees?
David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith's largest 2025 grantees include Johns Hopkins University ($35,000), Smoky Mountain Community Theatre ($20,000) and Center for Furniture Craftsmanship ($15,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith?
David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith reported $2.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $167K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $150K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith fund?
The foundation’s grants support organizations working in a range of areas. In 2025, its stated grant purposes included medical research, a furniture-making education program, financial aid, rowing programs, and general and unrestricted support. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith's EIN?
David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-1462984. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 23, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 10, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/david-wallace-smith-and-joan-stowell-smith-morg_0808872a434e497c844572f59d15d5f0
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_831462984_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/david-wallace-smith-and-joan-stowell-smith-morg_0808872a434e497c844572f59d15d5f0},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 David Wallace Smith and Joan Stowell Smith'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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