Smidt Family Foundation
The Smidt Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Newbury Park, California. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations in California and other states, including organizations working in the arts, youth programs, military support, guide-dog services, and health-related services.
Smidt Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Smidt Family Foundation gave $1.2M across 57 grants in 2024 (avg $21K), mostly in California. 16% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,185,000
- -43.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 57
- -1.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $20,789
- -42.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $69,154,506
- +6.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (9 of 57, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (70% 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 Smidt Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 107 N Reino Rd 343, Newbury Park, CA 91320
Phone: (805) 963-1837
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Smidt Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was University of California Los Angeles ($200K). Together the top 10 received $675K.
Grant Size Distribution
309 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 178 grants of 309 (58%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, California organizations received 70% of grant dollars, Indiana organizations 11%, Ohio organizations 4%, Virginia organizations 4%, and Florida organizations 1%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 57 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Smidt Family Foundation open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 9 of 57 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 68% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 58% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 41% 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 (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 $1.2M (2024) to $5.7M (2022). In 2024 it made 57 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of California Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | In furtherance of section 501(c)(3) charitable purpose, dr ira kurtz research fund | $200,000 |
| Blue River Community Foundation Shelbyville, IN | In Furtherance of Section 501(C)(3) Charitable Purpose. | $100,000 |
| Heart of Los Angeles Youth Inc Los Angeles, CA | In Furtherance of Section 501(C)(3) Charitable Purpose. | $50,000 |
| Los Angeles Philharmonic Association Los Angeles, CA | In Furtherance of Section 501(C)(3) Charitable Purpose. | $50,000 |
| Petersen Automotive Museum Los Angeles, CA | In Furtherance of Section 501(C)(3) Charitable Purpose. | $50,000 |
| Shriners Hospitals for Children Dayton, OH | In Furtherance of Section 501(C)(3) Charitable Purpose. | $50,000 |
| The Jewish Federation of Greater LA Los Angeles, CA | In Furtherance of Section 501(C)(3) Charitable Purpose. | $50,000 |
| United Service Organizations Inc Arlington, VA | In Furtherance of Section 501(C)(3) Charitable Purpose. | $50,000 |
| YAC Foundation Camarillo, CA | In Furtherance of Section 501(C)(3) Charitable Purpose. | $50,000 |
| Guide Dogs for the Blind San Rafael, CA | In Furtherance of Section 501(C)(3) Charitable Purpose. | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Smidt Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation reported 58 grants in 2023 and 87 in 2022.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $69,154,506 | $7,030,373 | $2,394,383 | $1,185,000 | 57 | $1,530,424 | $4,897,074 | $3,709,910 |
| 2023 | $64,748,862 | $1,999,703 | $3,151,517 | $2,105,000 | 58 | $2,451,293 | $1,306,979 | $3,350,189 |
| 2022 | $65,900,676 | $2,955,854 | $6,805,256 | $5,692,000 | 87 | $6,031,712 | $2,228,150 | $3,516,697 |
| 2021 | $69,750,078 | $4,896,207 | $3,929,083 | $2,808,000 | 65 | $3,120,737 | $4,133,025 | $3,215,524 |
| 2020 | $68,782,954 | $4,056,056 | $2,467,268 | $1,490,000 | 42 | — | $1,100,272 | $3,455,084 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Smidt Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association describes itself as an arts organization that works to make music accessible; Heart of Los Angeles Youth says it provides free, integrated programs and guidance to young people; and the USO says its mission is to strengthen the well-being of people serving in the U.S. military and their families. Other 2024 recipients include Guide Dogs for the Blind, which says it empowers people through partnerships involving people, dogs, and communities, and Opera Santa Barbara, which describes itself as a provider of professional opera on California’s Central Coast.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 57 grants totaling $1,185,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $200,000, with a median of $10,000. Among the largest awards were $200,000 to the University of California, Los Angeles, for the Dr. Ira Kurtz Research Fund; $100,000 to Blue River Community Foundation; and $50,000 each to Heart of Los Angeles Youth, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, Petersen Automotive Museum, Shriners Hospitals for Children, the Jewish Federation of Greater LA, United Service Organizations, and YAC Foundation. The stated purposes for these awards were in furtherance of charitable purposes under section 501(c)(3).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Maya V. Smidt as foundation manager and trustee, and Ross Sobel, Ena Sobel, Christian Mejia, and Nathan Sobel as trustees.
Smidt Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 5 officers; all 5 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Christian Mejia
Trustee
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $85K (2024)
Ena Sobel
Trustee
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $85K (2024)
Maya V. Smidt
Foundation Manager & Trustee
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $85K (2024)
Nathan Sobel
Trustee
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$60K (2020) → $85K (2024)
Ross Sobel
Trustee
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $85K (2024)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $85K, to Maya V Smidt (Foundation Manager/Trustee). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Smidt Family Foundation
How much does Smidt Family Foundation give each year?
Smidt Family Foundation gave $1.2M across 57 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.1M across 58 grants.
What is Smidt Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Smidt Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $20,789, across 57 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Smidt Family Foundation that year got $17K on average.
Where does Smidt Family Foundation give grants?
Smidt Family Foundation gives mostly in California: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Indiana (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (9 grants), Santa Barbara, CA (4 grants), Shelbyville, IN (2 grants) and Camarillo, CA (2 grants).
Who are Smidt Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Smidt Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include University of California Los Angeles ($200,000), Blue River Community Foundation ($100,000) and Heart of Los Angeles Youth Inc ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Smidt Family Foundation?
Smidt Family Foundation reported $69.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.7M (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 Smidt Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Smidt Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it 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 Smidt Family Foundation's EIN?
Smidt Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 77-0507427. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Smidt Family 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 October 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 Smidt Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Smidt Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Smidt Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/smidt-family-foundation-morg_dcc98b67de7945f29cb21dac1c76f57c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_770507427_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Smidt Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/smidt-family-foundation-morg_dcc98b67de7945f29cb21dac1c76f57c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. 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 Smidt 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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