Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation
The Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. Its stated purpose is to distribute funds to qualified charities to carry on their activities.
Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation at a glance
In short: Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation gave $612K across 25 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), mostly in California. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $611,700
- +16.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 25
- +13.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $24,468
- +2.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $2,310,752
- -6.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (8 of 25, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (99% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 963 Stone Canyon Road, Los Angeles, CA 90077
Phone: (310) 440-1133
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jewish Community Foundation ($175K). Together the top 10 received $580K.
Grant Size Distribution
120 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 94 grants of 120 (78%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in California and 1% to recipients in Oregon; the reported share for New York was 0%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 25 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $30K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 56% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $421K (2022) to $612K (2024). In 2024 it made 25 grants totaling $612K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish Community Foundation Los Angeles, CA | General | $175,000 |
| Saint John's Health Center Foundation Santa Monica, CA | general | $100,000 |
| Mothers 2 Mothers Los Angeles, CA | General | $75,000 |
| Adat Ari El Valley Village, CA | General | $60,000 |
| Pancan Manhattan Beach, CA | General | $50,000 |
| Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust Los Angeles, CA | general | $50,000 |
| Jewish Federation Los Angeles, CA | General | $25,000 |
| Wallis House Los Angeles, CA | General | $25,000 |
| California Community Foundation Los Angeles, CA | General | $10,000 |
| She Angels Valley Village, CA | General | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Marvin and Sondra Smalley 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,310,752 | $492,898 | $660,530 | $611,700 | 25 | $611,700 | $444,048 | $19,078 |
| 2023 | $2,479,357 | $2,268,596 | $683,552 | $526,100 | 22 | $526,100 | $123,247 | $28,366 |
| 2022 | $894,313 | $237,624 | $455,004 | $421,025 | 22 | $421,025 | $176,721 | $199,980 |
| 2021 | $1,111,693 | $628,070 | $608,402 | $569,800 | 23 | $569,800 | $532,634 | $179,254 |
| 2020 | $1,092,025 | $503,000 | $542,828 | $521,935 | 28 | — | $483,884 | $80,116 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation reported a distributable amount of $19K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says its purpose is to distribute to qualified charities. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the Jewish Community Foundation describes its work as fostering a culture of legacy and meaningful giving in the Orange County Jewish community. Beit T'Shuvah says it provides psychological and spiritual healing for people and families affected by addiction and other destructive behaviors, while Concern Foundation says it distributes research grants to fund cancer research. Other recipients include organizations whose stated missions involve community investment, Jewish education and engagement, music education, and local support for people in need.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 25 grants totaling $611,700. Grant amounts ranged from $250 to $175,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Its largest listed grants were $175,000 to Jewish Community Foundation, $100,000 to Saint John's Health Center Foundation, $75,000 to Mothers 2 Mothers, $60,000 to Adat Ari El, and $50,000 each to PANCAN and the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sondra Smalley as President; Debra Smalley as Secretary/CFO; and Jeffrey Smalley, Scott Smalley, and Lori Smalley Schwartz as Trustees.
Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation is led by Sondra Smalley, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sondra Smalley
President
Secretary → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Smalley
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lori Smalley Schwartz
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Smalley
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Debra Smalley
Secretary & CFO
Trustee → Secretary & CFO, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Marvin Smalley (2020) — President · Filing note: Deceased
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation
How much does Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation give each year?
Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation gave $612K across 25 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $526K across 22 grants.
What is Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation's typical grant size?
Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $24,468, across 25 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation give grants?
Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation gives mostly in California: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (16 grants) and Valley Village, CA (2 grants).
Does Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (25 of 25) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation's largest grantees?
Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jewish Community Foundation ($175,000), Saint John's Health Center Foundation ($100,000) and Mothers 2 Mothers ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation?
Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation reported $2.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $612K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $19K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation fund?
The foundation says its purpose is to distribute to qualified charities. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation?
The foundation 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 Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation's EIN?
Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-2535589. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Marvin and Sondra Smalley 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles Group
Los Angeles, CA
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles Group funds Jewish and broader community programs in areas including health, education, arts and culture, and social services, with a focus on Los Angeles and some support for Israel. Its 2024 grants had a median of $20,000, though amounts varied widely. It does not accept unsolicited applications for General Community Grants, and its website said all 2025 grantmaking was by invitation only.
Assets
$59.2M
Grants
85
Total Given
$23.7M
Steven and Ilyse Teller
Santa Monica, CA
The foundation supports a varied mix of causes, including cancer research, education, Jewish community organizations, addiction recovery, and community services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $110,500, with a median of $2,000, and 98% of giving went to California organizations. It gives only to preselected charities and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.4M
Grants
27
Total Given
$208K
The Shirley Baskin Foundation
Marina Del Rey, CA
The Shirley Baskin Foundation supports a varied range of charitable work, including education, environmental protection, health, Jewish community services, humanitarian relief, and anti-hate efforts. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $20,000, with a median of $5,000; most funding went to California, with grants also reaching other states. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
28
Total Given
$147K
David & Sylvia Weisz Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
The David & Sylvia Weisz Foundation supports organizations in areas including health, arts and culture, humanitarian aid, social services, and conservation, with most of its 2025 funding going to California. Its 92 grants ranged from $250 to $100,000, with a median of $1,050; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.7M
Grants
92
Total Given
$421K
The Stanley & Joyce
Beverly Hills, CA
The Stanley & Joyce funds preselected charitable organizations working in areas including Holocaust education, pediatric health care, children and family services, Jewish arts and culture, and cancer research. Its 2024 grants ranged from $300 to $250,000, with a median of $10,000; 93% of grant dollars went to California recipients. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$31.0M
Grants
77
Total Given
$2.5M
Wurwand Foundation
Encino, CA
The Wurwand Foundation supports Los Angeles entrepreneurs, practical skills training for living-wage careers, young people—especially foster and LGBTQ youth—and organizations addressing local problems. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $1.2 million, with a median of $4,025; Skill Set Training grants may be up to $75,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and generally awards grants by invitation, except for its annual grants challenge.
Assets
$68.3M
Grants
66
Total Given
$2.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/marvin-and-sondra-smalley-foundation-morg_db0d963c8a4843cc8ebd1e8db0cf5320
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_952535589_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/marvin-and-sondra-smalley-foundation-morg_db0d963c8a4843cc8ebd1e8db0cf5320},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-11. 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 Marvin and Sondra Smalley 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.
Marvin and Sondra Smalley Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?