Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation
The Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Newton, Massachusetts. Established in 1970 by Richard A. and Susan F. Smith, it awards approximately $16 million annually and focuses on positive change for individuals and families across Greater Boston, especially in economically disadvantaged communities.
Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation gave $15.6M across 137 grants in 2025 (avg $114K), mostly in Massachusetts. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $15,577,783
- -14.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 137
- -8.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $113,706
- -7.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $35,606
- Total assets
- $302,919,250
- +2.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (35 of 97, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Massachusetts (97% 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 Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation’s 2023 filing lists a letter describing the request, including the amount and intended use, and names trustee Robert A. Smith as the contact. The filing lists no restrictions on awards and no deadlines. For capital grants, follow the foundation’s online application process; other listed giving areas are invitation-only.
- Next open deadline
- January 20, 2027 (Smith Family Foundation: Small Capital Grants)
- Contact
Application contact: Robert A Smith Trustee
Mailing address: One Newton Executive Park 104, Newton, MA 02462
Phone: (857) 404-0700
Website: https://rssff.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation
Who Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Boston Medical Center ($1.6M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $9.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
751 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 406 grants of 751 (54%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it supports nonprofit organizations serving Greater Boston, roughly defined as within Route 128, or the Eastern Massachusetts Gateway Cities of Brockton, Chelsea, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, and New Bedford. Its 2025 filing reports that 97% of grant dollars went to Massachusetts recipients, with 1% each to Connecticut and California and 0% each to New York and Rhode Island.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 137 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 35 of 97 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $59K; repeat grants $218K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 48% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $14.8M (2021) to $18.3M (2023). In 2025 it made 137 grants totaling $15.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Medical Center Boston, MA | HEALTH | $1,500,000 |
| Combined Jewish Philanthropies Boston, MA | Jewish Causes | $1,500,000 |
| Esplanade Association Boston, MA | Cultural Vitality | $1,000,000 |
| YMCA Cape Cod West Barnstable, MA | Human Services | $800,000 |
| University of Massachusetts Boston Boston, MA | Education | $730,000 |
| Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston, MA | HEALTH | $500,000 |
| More Than Words Waltham, MA | Youth Development | $500,000 |
| Health Resources in Action Boston, MA | Medical Research | $373,158 |
| Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology Boston, MA | Education | $250,000 |
| Boston Children's Hospital Boston, MA | HEALTH | $250,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $302,919,250 | $28,349,721 | $23,886,671 | $15,577,783 | 137 | $18,012,938 | $15,561,516 | $19,017,619 |
| 2024 | $296,058,142 | $5,681,852 | $26,492,706 | $18,236,150 | 149 | $20,435,658 | — | $18,199,550 |
| 2023 | $318,152,176 | $30,619,653 | $29,401,503 | $18,325,319 | 178 | $20,487,965 | $18,620,861 | $20,343,394 |
| 2022 | $316,796,098 | $78,355,766 | $23,255,444 | $15,236,825 | 162 | $17,023,864 | $27,984,890 | $22,277,502 |
| 2021 | $287,463,199 | $21,143,524 | $21,714,175 | $14,785,212 | 125 | — | $16,830,924 | $15,989,678 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $19.0M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to effect permanent positive change in the lives of individuals and families across Greater Boston, especially in economically disadvantaged communities. It says it invests in organizations that improve human health, raise educational attainment, increase economic security, and meet community needs, and that it values engaged, multigenerational family philanthropy.
Its website describes health grants as expanding access to better health care, medical research grants as advancing scientific discovery, education grants as building pathways between education and good jobs, community giving as supporting transformative capital projects and vital community needs, and Jewish giving as bettering the lives of Jews in Boston and in Israel.
The grantees’ own descriptions illustrate the range of work supported. Boston Medical Center says its mission is to provide excellent, accessible health services regardless of a patient’s status or ability to pay. The Esplanade Association describes its work as revitalizing and enhancing the Charles River Esplanade and providing educational, cultural, and recreational programs. More Than Words says it empowers youth facing challenges such as foster care, homelessness, or being out of school by helping them run a business. Health Resources in Action says it works with communities and organizations to improve health and advance equity.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 137 grants totaling $15,577,783. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $1,500,000, with a median grant of $35,606. Its largest reported grants included $1,500,000 each to Boston Medical Center for health and Combined Jewish Philanthropies for Jewish causes; $1,000,000 to the Esplanade Association for cultural vitality; $800,000 to YMCA Cape Cod for human services; and $730,000 to the University of Massachusetts Boston for education. Other reported grants included $500,000 each to Brigham and Women’s Hospital for health and More Than Words for youth development.
Capital grants have open applications, while education, health, Jewish giving, and medical research grants are invitation-only, according to the foundation’s grant-seeker information. First-time capital-grant applicants must register and complete an eligibility quiz. The foundation encourages potential applicants to contact it before submitting an application or letter of inquiry to check eligibility; it also offers a 15-minute introductory call. Its Small Capital Grants program is listed as active, with awards of $25,000 to $100,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Amy S. Berylson, Debra S. Knez, Robert A. Smith, Dana W. Smith, Jennifer Block, Jonathan Block, Jessica Knez Dulac, and Andrew Knez as trustees. Lynne Doblin is listed as executive director, and Marjorie Ringrose as director of education.
Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation is led by Lynne Doblin, Executive Director on every filing since 2021; 4 of 21 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lynne Doblin
Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$356K (2021) → $433K (2025)
Marjorie Ringrose
Director of Education
Senior Program Officer → Director of Education, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$192K (2021) → $240K (2025)
Shanna Shulman
Director Health & Medical Research
Senior Program Officer → Director Health & Medical Research, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$204K (2021) → $245K (2025)
Amy S. Berylson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Knez
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dana W. Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Debra S. Knez
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Berylson Katz
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Berylson
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Block
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jonathan Block
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Krista Knez
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Madeleine Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert A. Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Katz
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jackson Smith
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Knez Dulac
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicolas Dulac
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Halle Kendall Smith
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Hampe
Senior Program Officer
Program Officer → Senior Program Officer, 2025
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$112K (2021) → $168K (2025)
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jessica Knez (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: John G. Berylson (2021–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $433K, to Lynne Doblin (Executive Director). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation
How much does Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation give each year?
Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation gave $15.6M across 137 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $18.2M across 149 grants.
What is Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $35,606, and its average grant was $113,706, across 137 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation that year got $59K on average.
Where does Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation give grants?
Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation gives mostly in Massachusetts: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Boston, MA (55 grants), Cambridge, MA (15 grants), Worcester, MA (5 grants) and Needham, MA (5 grants).
Does Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 137 grants with a stated purpose on Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education" (39 grants), "Medical Research" (31 grants) and "Human Services" (18 grants).
Who are Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Boston Medical Center ($1,550,000 across 3 grants), Combined Jewish Philanthropies ($1,510,900 across 3 grants) and Harvard College President and Fellows of ($1,506,000 across 10 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation?
Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation reported $302.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $18.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $19.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to effect permanent positive change in the lives of individuals and families across Greater Boston, especially in economically disadvantaged communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation?
The foundation’s 2023 filing lists a letter describing the request, including the amount and intended use, and names trustee Robert A. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation's EIN?
Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7090011. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Richard & Susan Smith Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 26, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/richard-and-susan-smith-family-foundation-morg_10a6c8961e824a7ca8bffa2dd1e7b3ea
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_237090011_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Richard \& Susan Smith Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/richard-and-susan-smith-family-foundation-morg_10a6c8961e824a7ca8bffa2dd1e7b3ea},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-26. 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 Richard & Susan Smith Family 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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