Smart & Final Education Foundation
Smart & Final Education Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Commerce, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $2.8M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 1 grant totaling $143K. Net investment income was $203K.
Smart & Final Education Foundation at a glance
In short: Smart & Final Education Foundation gave $143K across 1 grant in 2024 (avg $143K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $143,000
- +30.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $143,000
- +30.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $143,000
- Total assets
- $2,831,483
- +6.1% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Smart & Final Education Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was California Grocers Association ($143K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2024 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Smart & Final Education Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−5%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 125% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $110K (2023) to $150K (2021). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $143K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California Grocers Association Sacramento, CA | Piggyback Scholarship Program | $143,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,831,483 | $316,799 | $199,022 | $143,000 | 1 | $170,372 | $202,530 | $135,900 |
| 2023 | $2,667,643 | $227,245 | $155,953 | $109,639 | 1 | $138,384 | $116,676 | $122,593 |
| 2022 | $2,373,867 | $258,530 | $164,886 | $124,500 | 1 | $145,430 | $112,234 | $121,557 |
| 2021 | $2,920,627 | $377,061 | $196,551 | $150,000 | 1 | $166,415 | $262,923 | $136,590 |
| 2020 | $2,787,139 | $197,985 | $192,372 | $150,000 | 1 | — | $165,851 | $120,538 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Smart & Final Education Foundation reported a distributable amount of $136K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Smart & Final Education Foundation is led by Tetsu Tanimoto, Chairman & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Tetsu Tanimoto
Chairman & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cynthia McCloud
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Bonicatto
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Phegley
CFO & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donald Butterfield
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: David Hirz (2020–2022) — President & Director
- Former: Jeffrey D. Whynot (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Leland P. Smith (2020–2022) — Secretary & Director
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 Smart & Final Education Foundation
How much does Smart & Final Education Foundation give each year?
Smart & Final Education Foundation gave $143K across 1 grant in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $110K across 1 grant.
How large is Smart & Final Education Foundation?
Smart & Final Education Foundation reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $170K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $136K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Smart & Final Education Foundation?
Smart & Final Education Foundation is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Commerce, CA. It holds $2.8M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Smart & Final Education Foundation operate?
Smart & Final Education Foundation has awarded grants in California.
What is Smart & Final Education Foundation's EIN?
Smart & Final Education Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4800664. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
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 Smart & Final Education Foundation funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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