Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation
The Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 1970 in Massachusetts by Richard A. and Susan F. Smith, lifelong Boston residents. The foundation received the majority of its assets from the sale of family businesses Harcourt General and Neiman Marcus. Today, three generations of the Smith family serve as trustees, overseeing the foundation's philanthropic work. The foundation is headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$296.1M
-6.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$18.2M
-0.5% YoY
Grant Count
149
-16.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$122K
+18.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is committed to effecting permanent positive change in the lives of individuals and families across Greater Boston, particularly those in economically disadvantaged communities. The foundation invests in organizations that improve human health, raise educational attainment, increase economic security, and meet community needs.
Primary funding areas include:
- Health — Expanding access to better health care for all
- Medical Research — Advancing scientific discovery to improve human health
- Education — Building pathways between education and good jobs
- Community Giving — Supporting transformative capital projects and vital community needs
- Jewish Giving — Bettering the lives of Jews in Boston and in Israel
The foundation backs extraordinary leaders, promotes innovative approaches to pressing problems, expands access to essential services, and contributes to the vitality of Greater Boston.
Grantmaking
The foundation awards approximately $18 million in grants annually. Grant sizes typically range from $25,000 to $3,000,000.
Grant Range
s typically range from $25,000 to $3,000,000.
Grant Types
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations in:
- Greater Boston (roughly defined as within Route 128)
- Eastern Massachusetts Gateway Cities: Brockton, Chelsea, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, and New Bedford
- Israel
- Additional funding in California, New York, Washington, and other states
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $296,058,142
- Annual Giving: $18,236,150
- Total Revenue: $5,681,852
- Total Expenses: $26,492,706
- Total Liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $296,058,142 | $318,152,176 | $316,796,098 |
| Revenue | $5,681,852 | $30,619,653 | $78,355,766 |
| Expenses | $26,492,706 | $29,401,503 | $23,255,444 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $20,435,658 | $20,487,965 | $17,023,864 |
| Net Investment Income | — | $18,620,861 | $27,984,890 |
| Distributable Amount | $18,199,550 | $20,343,394 | $22,277,502 |
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
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's leadership includes:
- Robert A. Smith (Trustee)
- Lynne Doblin (Executive Director)
- Board of trustees comprised of three generations of the Smith family, who serve without compensation
- Professional staff of 6 employees
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMY S BERYLSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DEBRA S KNEZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROBERT A SMITH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DANA W SMITH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER BLOCK | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JONATHAN BLOCK | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JESSICA KNEZ DULAC | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANDREW KNEZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LYNNE DOBLIN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $416,445 |
| MARJORIE RINGROSE | SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $230,000 |
| SHANNA SHULMAN | SENIOR PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $235,000 |
| AMY HAMPE | PROGRAM OFFICER | 40 | $156,500 |
| JAMES BERYLSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ELIZABETH BERYLSON KATZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROBERT KATZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MADELEINE SMITH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RYAN SMITH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KRISTA KNEZ | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JACKSON SMITH | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| NICOLAS DULAC | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation awarded $2,000,000 to YMCA Cape Cod to help build a new 68,000 sq. ft. Upper Cape YMCA in Falmouth, MA
Smith Family Foundation Gives $1.1M to Help Build Capacity | Innovation andThe foundation awarded the 2024 Richard A. Smith Prize to Andrew Kruse
The Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation Pledges $2 Million Gift toThe foundation awarded $250,000 to Excellence Award Alumni
Foundation Awards 2024 Richard A. Smith Prize to Andrew Kruse - Smith FamilyThe foundation awarded $1.1 million to help build capacity among nonprofit organizations
The Richard and Susan Smith Family Foundation Pledges $2 Million Gift toContact Information
Address: One Newton Executive Park, Suite 104, Newton, MA 02462 (GPS users should enter: 2221 Washington Street)
Phone: 857-404-0700
Fax: 857-404-0719
Email: info@rssff.org
Website: rssff.org
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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