James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust
The James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust is a private foundation based in Mount Vernon, Washington. Its 2025 filing lists 12 grants totaling $71,345, including grants for music programs, an art program, and community service.
James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust at a glance
In short: James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust gave $71K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $6K), mostly in Washington. 60% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990 filing.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $71,345
- +113.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +200.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,945
- -28.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $4,500
- Total assets
- $2,713,036
- +5.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 60% first-time grantees (6 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Washington (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust
- 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: 20921 Cascade Ridge Drive, Mount Vernon, WA 98274
Phone: (360) 421-4201
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Centralia College ($25K). Together the top 10 received $71K.
Grant Size Distribution
24 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 24 grants of 24 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars listed for 2025 went to recipients in Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust open to new grantees?
60%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 6 of 10 grantees (60%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $11K repeat.
- 30% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2023–2025). 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 2023 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $33K (2024) to $71K (2025). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $71K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Centralia College Centralia, WA | Music Program | $25,000 |
| Centralia School District Centralia, WA | Music Program | $8,673 |
| Toledo School Distric Art Grant Toledo, WA | Art Program | $7,710 |
| Napavine School District Napavine, WA | Music Program | $7,000 |
| Centralia School District Centralia, WA | Music Department | $5,896 |
| Lewis County Seniors Chehalis, WA | Music program | $5,000 |
| Lighthouse Mission Chehalis, WA | Community Service | $4,000 |
| Onalaska School District Onalaska, WA | Music Program | $3,751 |
| Winlock School District Winlock, WA | Music Program | $1,612 |
| Centralia School District Centralia, WA | Music Program | $1,003 |
Ready to take the next step with James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,713,036 | $100,152 | $115,831 | $71,345 | 12 | — |
| 2024 | $2,565,888 | $104,557 | $86,274 | $33,414 | 4 | $104,557 |
| 2023 | $2,451,274 | $86,153 | $108,016 | $66,406 | 8 | — |
| 2021 | $500 | $500 | — | — | — | — |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement is provided. The 2025 grants were primarily identified as supporting music programs or music departments; one was for an art program and one for community service. Recipients included schools, a college, a senior-services organization, a mission, a creative space, and a city.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave 12 grants totaling $71,345. Grant amounts ranged from $700 to $25,000, with a median of $4,500. Notable grants included $25,000 to Centralia College for its Music Program, $8,673 to Centralia School District for its Music Program, $7,710 to Toledo School Distric Art Grant for an ART PROGRAM, and $7,000 to Napavine School District for its Music Program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Judith Merchant as trustee.
James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust is led by Judith K. Merchant, Trustee on every filing since 2021 — the only officer listed, and compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Judith K. Merchant
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
$20K (2023) → $30K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $30K, to Judith Merchant (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust
How much does James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust give each year?
James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust gave $71K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2024 it gave $33K across 4 grants.
What is James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust's typical grant size?
James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust's median grant in 2025 was $4,500, and its average grant was $5,945, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990 filing. Organizations receiving their first grant from James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust that year got $3K on average.
Where does James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust give grants?
James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust gives mostly in Washington: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Centralia, WA (5 grants) and Chehalis, WA (3 grants).
Does James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust's 2025 IRS Form 990 filing were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Music program" (9 grants).
Who are James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust's largest grantees?
James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust's largest 2025 grantees include Centralia College ($25,000), Centralia School District ($15,572 across 3 grants) and Toledo School Distric Art Grant ($7,710), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 68% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust?
James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust reported $2.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990 filing. Its revenue that year was $100K.
What does James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust fund?
No mission statement is provided. The 2025 grants were primarily identified as supporting music programs or music departments; one was for an art program and one for community service. Recipients included schools, a college, a senior-services organization, a mission, a creative space, and a city. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust?
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 James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust's EIN?
James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 85-6734577. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Other open foundation grants in Washington
Washington Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Washington
Seattle Foundation
Seattle, WA
Seattle Foundation supports community-led solutions, racial and economic equity, policy and systems change, and a broad range of community needs through donor-recommended and foundation-directed grants. Its 2024 median grant was $6,000, and its giving primarily serves Greater Seattle and Washington, with some grants made nationally and internationally.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
5,379
Total Given
$177.9M
Gates Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Gates Foundation funds work to reduce disease and poverty, improve health and gender equality in lower-income countries, and support education and economic mobility in the United States, especially Washington State; it works in more than 140 countries. Its 2024 grants had a median of $500,000, with awards ranging from $1 to $350.5 million. It generally does not accept unsolicited proposals, but periodically offers opportunities through published requests for proposals.
Assets
$78.7B
Grants
4,974
Total Given
$6.3B
M J Murdock Charitable Trust
Vancouver, WA
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust funds nonprofit capacity-building and projects in arts and culture, civic and community services, education, health and environmental stewardship, and scientific research across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Its 2024 median grant was $87,000, with awards ranging from $4,000 to about $1.55 million. Eligible organizations can submit a Letter of Inquiry; full applications are by invitation.
Assets
$2.0B
Grants
797
Total Given
$116.6M
Artsfund
Seattle, WA
ArtsFund supports Washington arts and cultural organizations, primarily through unrestricted operating grants, with some project and capital support. Its 2025 itemized grants ranged from $5,934 to $860,000, with a median of $17,500; the Annual Allocations program is invitation-only, and the profile does not state whether other programs accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$9.6M
Grants
434
Total Given
$10.8M
The Avista Foundation
Spokane, WA
The Avista Foundation supports 501(c)(3) nonprofits working in education, basic needs and poverty, and economic and cultural vitality. Its 2025 grants had a median of $1,000, though awards ranged from $20 to $350,000, and it serves communities in eastern Washington, northern Idaho, parts of southern Oregon, Sanders County, Montana, and Juneau, Alaska.
Assets
$10.6M
Grants
577
Total Given
$2.2M
The Norcliffe Foundation
Seattle, WA
The Norcliffe Foundation funds Puget Sound nonprofits in areas including human services, education, healthcare, arts and culture, environment, and community projects; it supports programs, operations, capacity building, and capital projects. Grants vary widely, but the median is $20,000 and nearly 60% are $15,000 or less. It serves 11 counties in Washington’s Puget Sound region and accepts applications year-round through its online system.
Assets
$1.0B
Grants
454
Total Given
$56.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in Washington
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust'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.
James Augustus Smith Charitable Performing Arts Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?