The Linda I Smith Foundation is a private foundation based in Costa Mesa, California, established in 1998. The foundation operates as a non-operating private grantmaking organization with a focus on supporting a diverse range of charitable causes through direct grants to nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.1M
+7.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$233K
+2.2% YoY
Grant Count
31
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
+2.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Linda I Smith Foundation reported a distributable amount of $214K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports a variety of general use programs across multiple sectors, including:
- Education and Environmental Programs – funding educational initiatives and environmental conservation efforts
- Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation – supporting animal rescue and treatment organizations
- Veteran Support – funding equine-assisted mental health programs for veterans
- Humanitarian Relief – supporting Ukraine war refugee relief efforts
- Human Services – grants to nonprofit human services organizations
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on an invite-only basis and does not accept unsolicited applications.
Grant Range
of $8,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $2,128,843
- Total Revenues: $426,259
- Total Expenses: $278,120
- Annual Giving Rate: Approximately 10.7% of assets
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,128,843 | $1,980,704 | $1,978,001 |
| Revenue | $426,259 | $272,341 | $228,943 |
| Expenses | $278,120 | $269,638 | $254,873 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $233,000 | $228,000 | $217,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $397,706 | $250,705 | $200,260 |
| Distributable Amount | $214,465 | $211,348 | $221,155 |
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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
147 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Pacific Marine Mammal Center ($20,000), Red Bucket Equine Rescue ($15,000), Ocean Institute ($10,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BEYOND BLINDNESS SANTA ANA, CA | GENERAL USE - EDUCATION FOR VISUALLY-IMPAIRED | $5,000 |
| BLUE STAR RANCH CANYON COUNTRY, CA | GENERAL USE - VETERAN EQUINE-ASSISTED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS | $7,500 |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LAGUNA BEACH LAGUNA BEACH, CA | GENERAL USE - EDUCATION & ENRICHMENT | $7,500 |
| CASA TERESA ORANGE, CA | GENERAL USE - ASSIST PREGNANT WOMEN IN CRISIS | $5,000 |
| CATERINA'S CLUB ANAHEIM, CA | GENERAL USE - MEALS FOR HOMELESS/LOW INCOME FAMILIES | $10,000 |
| CDF FIREFIGHTERS BENEVOLENT FOUNDATION SACRAMENTO, CA | GENERAL USE - CA FIREFIGHTER ASSISTANCE | $10,000 |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL OF ORANGE COUNTY ORANGE, CA | GENERAL USE - MEDICAL RESEARCH, PROGRAMS & SVCS | $5,000 |
| DESERT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL USE - SCHOLARSHIP FUND | $5,000 |
| ENVIRONMENTAL NATURE CENTER NEWPORT BEACH, CA | GENERAL USE - EDUCATION/ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS | $5,000 |
| FALLEN FIRE FIGHTER RELIEF FUND TUSTIN, CA | GENERAL USE - FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO CA FIREFIGHTERS/FAMILIES | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LINDA I SMITH | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| TRACEY L GAEDE | DIRECTOR/TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| DIANA G BLATZ | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| TYLER I GAEDE | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| WHIT BATCHELOR | DIRECTOR | 0.25 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Linda I Smith Foundation fund?
The foundation supports a variety of general use programs across multiple sectors, including: • **Education and Environmental Programs** – funding educational initiatives and environmental conservation efforts • **Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation** – supporting animal rescue and treatment organizations • **Veteran Support** – funding equine-assisted mental health programs for veterans • **Humanitarian Relief** – supporting Ukraine war refugee relief efforts • **Human Services** – grants to nonp…
How do I apply for a grant from Linda I Smith Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 29 grants in 2024, totaling approximately $233,000–$228,000 in annual giving • Typical grant awards range from $3,000 to $30,000, with a median grant size of $8,000 **Recent Grant Recipients (2024):** • Pacific Marine Mammal Center – $20,000 (Animal Rescue & Treatment) • Red Bucket Equine Rescue – $15,000 (Animal Rescue & Rehabilitation) • Ocean Institute – $10,500 (Education/Environmental Programs) **Application Policy:** The foundation operates on an …
Where does Linda I Smith Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in California.
What size grants does Linda I Smith Foundation award?
In 2024, Linda I Smith Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $233K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Linda I Smith Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Linda I Smith Foundation reported a distributable amount of $214K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Linda I Smith Foundation's EIN?
Linda I Smith Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 33-0804049. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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