J Smith Howell Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Saint Louis, MO EIN: 74-3135477

J Smith Howell Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Saint Louis, MO. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 22 grants totaling $70K. Net investment income was $60K.

Key facts about J Smith Howell Foundation

EIN: 74-3135477
Latest 990 filing: Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024): $70,000
Grants made (2024): 22
Average grant: $3,182
Median grant: $3,000
Total assets: $1,448,589
Primary geography: North Carolina (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who J Smith Howell Foundation funds

By grant dollars, the top recipient states for J Smith Howell Foundation's 22 itemized 2024 grants were North Carolina (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cullowhee, NC (10 grants), Charlotte, NC (3 grants), Boone, NC (3 grants) and Raleigh, NC (2 grants). None of its 22 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (22 grants).

How J Smith Howell Foundation gives

Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−7%). Method
In 2024 it paid out 96% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Next steps with J Smith Howell Foundation

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Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.4M

-1.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$70K

-14.6% YoY

Grant Count

+4.8% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$3K

-18.5% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, J Smith Howell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $91K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

About J Smith Howell Foundation

Based on IRS filings

Focus Areas

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

North Carolina $70K (100%)

Share of all 22 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

States

North Carolina

Cities

CullowheeChapel HillRaleighSylvaBooneCharlotteMurphyHickoryBrevardGreensboroGreenvilleWinstonsalemBoiling SpringsClydeWilmingtonWingate

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$1,448,589	$1,467,034	$1,506,000
Revenue	$78,440	$69,497	$36,874
Expenses	$106,408	$111,319	$114,315
Qualifying Distributions	$87,233	$94,384	$96,219
Net Investment Income	$60,452	$51,968	$18,554
Distributable Amount	$91,189	$78,781	$86,665

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

March 2, 2026 IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 7 recipients in 2024

Grant Size Distribution

119 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Western Carolina University ($32,000 across 10 grants), University of North Carolina - Charlotte ($11,000 across 3 grants), North Carolina State University ($8,500 across 2 grants).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY Raleigh, NC	SCHOLARSHIP	$5,500
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA - CHARLOTTE Charlotte, NC	SCHOLARSHIP	$4,500
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Cullowhee, NC	SCHOLARSHIP	$4,500
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA - CHARLOTTE Charlotte, NC	SCHOLARSHIP	$4,500
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Cullowhee, NC	SCHOLARSHIP	$4,500
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Cullowhee, NC	SCHOLARSHIP	$4,000
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Cullowhee, NC	SCHOLARSHIP	$4,000
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL H Chapel Hill, NC	SCHOLARSHIP	$4,000
WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Cullowhee, NC	SCHOLARSHIP	$3,000
APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY Boone, NC	SCHOLARSHIP	$3,000

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
Wells Fargo Bank N a	Trustee	1	$23,457

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What is J Smith Howell Foundation?

J Smith Howell Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Saint Louis, MO. It holds $1.4M in total assets as of 2024.

How large is J Smith Howell Foundation?

As of 2024, J Smith Howell Foundation holds $1.4M in total assets with $78K in annual revenue. It awarded 22 grants totaling $70K in 2024.

Where does J Smith Howell Foundation operate?

J Smith Howell Foundation has awarded grants in North Carolina.

What size grants does J Smith Howell Foundation award?

In 2024, J Smith Howell Foundation awarded 22 grants totaling $70K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is J Smith Howell Foundation required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, J Smith Howell Foundation reported a distributable amount of $91K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.