Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation
The Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmington, Delaware. It reported 16 grants totaling $890,000 in 2025 to organizations in Nevada, Kansas, Kentucky, and California.
Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation gave $890K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $56K), mostly in Nevada. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $890,000
- +15.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $55,625
- +15.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $27,500
- Total assets
- $9,871,957
- -1.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Nevada (82% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation
- Contact
Application contact: Shana Pinter
Mailing address: 2 Righter Parkway Ste 300A, Wilmington, DE 19803
Phone: (302) 573-5812
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute ($360K). Together the top 10 received $790K.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 59 grants of 79 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 82% of grant dollars went to recipients in Nevada, 10% to Kansas, 5% to Kentucky, and 3% to California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 16 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. How we count
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 37% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 168% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $500K (2020) to $890K (2025). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $890K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute Las Vegas, NV | Unrestricted Gift | $360,000 |
| Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NV | Unrestricted Gift | $90,000 |
| St Rose Dominican Health Foundation Henderson, NV | Unrestricted Gift | $65,000 |
| Wichita Art Museum Wichita, KS | Unrestricted Gift | $60,000 |
| The Shade Tree Incorporated North Las Vegas, NV | Unrestricted Gift | $45,000 |
| DAV Charitable Service Trust Erlanger, KY | Unrestricted Gift | $45,000 |
| Make-a-Wish Foundation of Southern Nevad Las Vegas, NV | Unrestricted Gift | $45,000 |
| Keck Medicine of USC Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted Gift | $30,000 |
| Southern Nevada Law Enforcement Memorial Las Vegas, NV | Unrestricted Gift | $25,000 |
| Music Theater Wichita Wichita, KS | Unrestricted Gift | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation?
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 | $9,871,957 | $739,562 | $1,125,067 | $890,000 | 16 | $960,453 | $576,767 | $570,493 |
| 2024 | $10,038,617 | $709,587 | $1,017,455 | $772,500 | 16 | $821,312 | $513,444 | $562,963 |
| 2023 | $9,974,460 | $564,207 | $752,304 | $523,750 | 16 | $564,354 | $376,257 | $536,684 |
| 2022 | $10,162,557 | $75,858 | $909,001 | $650,000 | 16 | $688,354 | $136,519 | $562,362 |
| 2021 | $10,995,700 | $2,113,759 | $950,109 | $680,101 | 15 | $705,946 | $916,966 | $602,209 |
| 2020 | $9,837,625 | $2,454,929 | $776,429 | $500,000 | 12 | — | $1,336,817 | $480,333 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $570K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations whose work spans health, social services, arts, veterans’ services, public media, and other areas. For example, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada describes its mission as providing food, shelter, and comprehensive services; the Wichita Art Museum says it preserves and displays works of art; and The Shade Tree describes providing temporary shelter and services for women and children in crisis. These are the recipient organizations’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 16 grants totaling $890,000. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $360,000, with a median of $27,500. The largest reported grants included $360,000 to The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, $90,000 to Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, $65,000 to St Rose Dominican Health Foundation, and $60,000 to Wichita Art Museum. The listed purposes for these grants were unrestricted gifts.
The foundation’s 2025 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. How to apply: The filing lists Shana Pinter as the contact. An application must include an IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter or comply with the expenditure responsibility requirement. The filing states there are no award restrictions. Deadline: No deadlines.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David Straus as managing director and Barbara Danberg as president, secretary, and treasurer.
Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation is led by Barbara Danberg, President, Secretary & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barbara Danberg
President, Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Straus
Managing Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: First State Trust Company (2020–2023) — Director
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 Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation
How much does Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation give each year?
Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation gave $890K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $773K across 16 grants.
What is Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $27,500, and its average grant was $55,625, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation give grants?
Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation gives mostly in Nevada: 82% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Kansas (10%) and Kentucky (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Las Vegas, NV (10 grants) and Wichita, KS (2 grants).
Does Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include The Lou Ruvo Brain Institute ($360,000), Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada ($90,000) and St Rose Dominican Health Foundation ($65,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation?
Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation reported $9.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $960K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $570K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants included support for organizations whose work spans health, social services, arts, veterans’ services, public media, and other areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation?
Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-0521059. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 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 October 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Alan and Christy Molasky Charitable Foundation
Las Vegas, NV
The foundation supports organizations in areas including conservation, hospice, food assistance, shelter, health, education, and services for children and families, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Nevada and additional funding in several other states. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $70,000, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$8.0M
Grants
27
Total Given
$485K
Vincent C and Pamela A Immordino
Henderson, NV
The foundation supports charitable organizations in areas including education, healthcare, human services, literacy, arts, and crisis response, with grants across Nevada and other states, especially Nevada, California, Minnesota, Arizona, and Idaho. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$20.3M
Grants
84
Total Given
$1.3M
Dignity Health
Phoenix, AZ
Dignity Health funds health care organizations, community health programs, and education, with an emphasis on improving health for vulnerable and underserved people. Its 2025 grants had a median of $40,000, though amounts varied widely; community grants are offered in specific service areas, including Sacramento and Yolo Counties and the Yavapai County area. It accepts applications through local community grant programs when announced; the listed Sacramento deadline has passed.
Assets
$22.8B
Grants
230
Total Given
$320.3M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Canarelli Family Foundation
Las Vegas, NV
The Canarelli Family Foundation funds programs for youth and families in education, health, housing, arts, and sports, with priority for at-risk, disabled, and underserved people, primarily in the Las Vegas Valley. In 2025, grants ranged from $2,000 to $250,000, with a median of $20,000. It makes contributions only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$12.1M
Grants
81
Total Given
$3.3M
NV Energy Charitable Foundation
Reno, NV
The foundation supports qualified public charities in the NV Energy service areas, with emphasis on environmental conservation, education, and public safety. Its 2025 grants ranged from $350 to $500,000, with a median of $7,500. It accepts unsolicited requests through a Letter of Interest process, allowing one submission per organization each calendar year.
Assets
$26.6M
Grants
207
Total Given
$4.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Delaware
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/lynne-ruffin-smith-charitable-foundation-morg_1aa93a328f40481c803db59471e5128c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_450521059_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/lynne-ruffin-smith-charitable-foundation-morg_1aa93a328f40481c803db59471e5128c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable 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.
Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?