John Schmidt Foundation
The John Schmidt Foundation is a private foundation based in Buffalo, New York. Its most recent filing on record is for 2021, with no later filing reported; the foundation appears to have wound down or stopped grantmaking.
John Schmidt Foundation at a glance
In short: John Schmidt Foundation gave $1.6M across 10 grants in 2021 (avg $161K), mostly in Pennsylvania. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $1,606,975
- +1108.3% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 10
- +11.1% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $160,698
- +987.4% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $6,230
- -99.5% vs 2020
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (99% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated October 2026.
How to apply to John Schmidt Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 285 Delaware Avenue 3Rd Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: (717) 852-3051
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who John Schmidt Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was York County Community Foundation ($1.3M). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
19 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 19 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2021, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Pennsylvania and 1% to recipients in Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How John Schmidt Foundation gives
- 70% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021). 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 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $133K (2020) to $1.6M (2021). In 2021 it made 10 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| York County Community Foundation York, PA | Philantropy | $1,346,975 |
| York College of PA York, PA | Support | $60,000 |
| St Johns Episcopal Church York, PA | Support for Church General | $40,000 |
| YMCA of York and York CO York, PA | Support | $35,000 |
| York County History Center York, PA | General | $30,000 |
| YWCA York, PA | Support | $30,000 |
| Wellspan York Health Foundation York, PA | General Support | $20,000 |
| Appell Center for the Performing Art York, VA | General | $20,000 |
| York County Libraries York, PA | General Support | $15,000 |
| Junior Achievement of York, PA | General Expenses | $10,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $6,230 | $391,656 | $1,617,334 | $1,606,975 | 10 | $1,606,975 | $387,732 | $37,764 |
| 2020 | $1,232,145 | $330,753 | $142,577 | $133,000 | 9 | — | $324,729 | $67,869 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John Schmidt Foundation reported a distributable amount of $38K for 2021 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement is provided. The 2021 grants went to charitable organizations including a community foundation, a college, a church, a YMCA, a history center, a YWCA, a health foundation, a performing arts center, libraries, and Junior Achievement. The York County History Center describes its own mission as understanding the past to illuminate the future through inclusive, authentic storytelling and preservation.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $1,606,975. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $1,346,975, with a median of $30,000. The largest grant was $1,346,975 to York County Community Foundation for philanthropy. Other grants included $60,000 to York College of PA, $40,000 to St Johns Episcopal Church, $35,000 to YMCA of York and York Co, and $30,000 each to York County History Center and YWCA.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing lists John C Schmidt, D Duncan Schmidt, and Dana E Schmidt as co-trustees.
John Schmidt Foundation's 2021 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
D. Duncan Schmidt
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dana E. Schmidt
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John C. Schmidt
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "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 John Schmidt Foundation
How much does John Schmidt Foundation give each year?
John Schmidt Foundation gave $1.6M across 10 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $133K across 9 grants.
What is John Schmidt Foundation's typical grant size?
John Schmidt Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $30,000, and its average grant was $160,698, across 10 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does John Schmidt Foundation give grants?
John Schmidt Foundation gives mostly in Pennsylvania: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were York, PA (9 grants).
Does John Schmidt Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 60% of John Schmidt Foundation's 2021 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Support" (3 grants).
Who are John Schmidt Foundation's largest grantees?
John Schmidt Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include York County Community Foundation ($1,346,975), York College of PA ($60,000) and St Johns Episcopal Church ($40,000), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 90% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
How large is John Schmidt Foundation?
John Schmidt Foundation reported $6K in total assets on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $38K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does John Schmidt Foundation fund?
No mission statement is provided. The 2021 grants went to charitable organizations including a community foundation, a college, a church, a YMCA, a history center, a YWCA, a health foundation, a performing arts center, libraries, and Junior Achievement. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from John Schmidt Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is John Schmidt Foundation's EIN?
John Schmidt Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-6298307. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Does John Schmidt Foundation 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-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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Figures come from John Schmidt 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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