Smith Vicars Family Foundation logo

Smith Vicars Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Charlottesville, VA EIN: 26-1607153 Website

The Smith Vicars Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Charlottesville, Virginia. Its mission is to invest in innovative initiatives that benefit communities, with a special focus on Central and Southwest Virginia.

Key facts about Smith Vicars Family Foundation

In short: Smith Vicars Family Foundation gave $1.1M across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $79K), mostly in Virginia. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
26-1607153
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$1,104,500
Grants made (2025)
14
Average grant
$78,893
Median grant
$45,000
New grantees (estimate)
36% first-time grantees (5 of 14, 2025)
Total assets
$403,566
Primary geography
Virginia (77% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$404K

-13.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.1M

+84.7% YoY

Grant Count

14

-33.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$79K

+177.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Smith Vicars Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $29K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is Smith Vicars Family Foundation open to new grantees?

36%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 5 of 14 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $99K; repeat grants $68K. How we count

Medians: $103K first-time, $40K repeat.

  • 64% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 23% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation’s website identifies six funding priorities: providing access to the arts; meeting health and human resource needs; enhancing education and life skills; preserving history; embracing civic engagement and discourse; and addressing other critical issues in communities.

Its 2025 grants included support for organizations working in areas such as recovery, children’s medical needs, food assistance, education, housing repairs, journalism, and the arts. For example, Foundation for Recovery describes its work as promoting recovery from addiction and behavioral health disorders and supporting individuals and families affected by addiction. Camp Holiday Trails says it creates a community that empowers children and teens with medical needs to thrive. Blue Ridge Area Food Bank describes distributing food to people in need through a network of providers and community programs.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 14 grants totaling $1,104,500. Grant amounts ranged from $3,000 to $250,000, with a median of $45,000.

How to Apply

to present innovative initiatives aligned with the foundation’s funding and geographic priorities.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Smith Vicars Family Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation’s stated mission gives special focus to Central and Southwest Virginia. In filing year 2025, 77% of grant dollars went to recipients in Virginia and 23% to recipients in Nevada.

Grant Distribution by State

4states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.

Cities

CharlottesvilleWashingtonBuckinghamVeronaGoochlandLas VegasRoanokePalmyraSalemShipmanTazewellWise

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M12 grants2020 19 grants2022 16 grants2023 21 grants2024 14 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $254K (2020) to $1.1M (2025). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $1.1M.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Foundation for Recovery: $250KFoundation for Recovery$250KUniversity of Virginia Alumni Association: $250KUniversity of Virginia AlumniAssociation$250KThe Blue Ridge Center: $150KThe Blue Ridge Center$150KVirginia Athletics Foundation: $110KVirginia Athletics Foundation$110KCamp Holiday Trails: $103KCamp Holiday Trails$103KPiedmont Virginia Community College Educational Foundation: $100KPiedmont Virginia CommunityCollege Educational Foundation$100KBlue Ridge Area Food Bank: $50KBlue Ridge Area Food Bank$50KHabitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville: $40KHabitat for Humanity ofGreater Charlottesville$40KFeeding Southwest Virginia: $25KFeeding Southwest Virginia$25KThe Paramount Theater: $9KThe Paramount Theater$9K

The largest 2025 recipient was Foundation for Recovery ($250K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.

Grant Size Distribution

82 grants across all recorded years

61<$50K6$50–100K11$100–250K4$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 61 grants of 82 (74%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Foundation for Recovery Las Vegas, NVOperational Support$250,000
University of Virginia Alumni Association Charlottesville, VAFund for Free Expression and Diversity$250,000
The Blue Ridge Center Charlottesville, VAOperational Support$150,000
Virginia Athletics Foundation Charlottesville, VAOperational Support$110,000
Camp Holiday Trails Charlottesville, VA2025 camper financial aid, campership fund, and med korner capital campaign$102,500
Piedmont Virginia Community College Educational Foundation Charlottesville, VASupplemental Instruction Program$100,000
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank Verona, VAOperational Support$50,000
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville Charlottesville, VACritical Home Repairs$40,000
Feeding Southwest Virginia Salem, VAOperational Support$25,000
The Paramount Theater Charlottesville, VAOperational Support$9,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grant total Grant count
2025 $403,566 $1,173,660 $1,235,610 $1,104,500 14
2024 $465,516 $541,302 $606,502 $598,000 21
2023 $530,716 $1,051,064 $538,938 $535,200 16
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$500K$1M$1.5M2020 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$403,566$465,516$530,716
Revenue$1,173,660$541,302$1,051,064
Expenses$1,235,610$606,502$538,938
Qualifying Distributions$1,234,405$605,279$538,911
Net Investment Income$23,012$40,094$1,064
Distributable Amount$28,803$39,202$4,372

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 26, 2026)
  2. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Hunter J. Smith as Chair and Director; Stuart P. Smith as President and Director; Randolph H. Huffman as Treasurer and Director; Jill J. Whitley as Secretary and Assistant Treasurer; and Bruce E. Gibson as Assistant Secretary.

Smith Vicars Family Foundation is led by Stuart P. Smith, President & Director since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Stuart P. Smith

    President & Director

    Secretary → President, 2022

    President → President & Director, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    3 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Hunter J. Smith

    Chair & Director

    President → Chair, 2022

    Chair → Chair & Director, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Randolph H. Huffman

    Treasurer & Director

    Treasurer & CFO → Treasurer, 2022

    Treasurer → Treasurer & Director, 2024

    On filings since 2020

    8 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jill J. Whitley

    Secretary & Assistant Treasurer

    Assistant Treasurer & Assistant Secretary → Secretary & Assistant Treasurer, 2022

    On filings since 2020

    4 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Bruce E. Gibson

    Assistant Secretary

    On filings since 2022

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Contact

Mailing address: One Boars Head Pointe Suite 150, Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: (434) 972-7700
Website: https://www.smithvicarsfamilyfoundation.org

Frequently asked questions about Smith Vicars Family Foundation

How much does Smith Vicars Family Foundation give each year?

Smith Vicars Family Foundation gave $1.1M across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $598K across 21 grants.

What is Smith Vicars Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Smith Vicars Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $45,000, and its average grant was $78,893, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Smith Vicars Family Foundation that year got $99K on average.

Where does Smith Vicars Family Foundation give grants?

Smith Vicars Family Foundation gives mostly in Virginia: 77% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Nevada (23%). The most frequent recipient cities were Charlottesville, VA (8 grants).

Does Smith Vicars Family Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 64% of Smith Vicars Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 14) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are Smith Vicars Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Smith Vicars Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Foundation for Recovery ($250,000), University of Virginia Alumni Association ($250,000) and The Blue Ridge Center ($150,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 59% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Smith Vicars Family Foundation?

Smith Vicars Family Foundation reported $404K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $29K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Smith Vicars Family Foundation fund?

The foundation’s website identifies six funding priorities: providing access to the arts; meeting health and human resource needs; enhancing education and life skills; preserving history; embracing civic engagement and discourse; and addressing other critical issues in communities. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Smith Vicars Family Foundation?

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is Smith Vicars Family Foundation's EIN?

Smith Vicars Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1607153. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does Smith Vicars Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Smith Vicars Family Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Smith Vicars Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Charlottesville Area Community Foundation

Charlottesville, VA

Charlottesville Area Community funds nonprofits, schools, and government agencies working in areas such as youth development, essential needs, housing, the environment, arts, and racial equity across Charlottesville and surrounding counties. Its 2024 itemized grants ranged from $5,300 to $1,217,019, with a median of $20,100. It offers application-based grants through several funds; the profile describes application procedures but does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$292.3M

Grants

437

Total Given

$27.9M

Perry Foundation Inc

Charlottesville, VA

Perry Foundation Inc. funds public charities working to improve quality of life for economically disadvantaged people, with interests including education, health, agriculture, human rights, technology, arts and culture, and sustainable economic development; its reported 2025 grants all went to Virginia recipients. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $300,000, with a median of $25,000. It accepts unsolicited requests by letter and has no stated deadline.

Assets

$32.1M

Grants

57

Total Given

$2.8M

The Watterson Foundation

Charlottesville, VA

The Watterson Foundation’s 2024 grants supported hospice care, education, animal welfare, food assistance, church programs, housing, and other charitable purposes in Virginia and Ohio. Its six grants ranged from $100,000 to $350,000, with a median of $260,000; the 2024 filing was marked as its final return, so it appears to have ended grantmaking. That filing said written requests were accepted from 501(c)(3) organizations, but this guidance may no longer be current.

Assets

—

Grants

6

Total Given

$1.5M

Caplin Foundation

Wilmington, DE

The Caplin Foundation supports arts education, community development, nonprofit capacity, children’s services, and environmental protection. Its 2025 grants ranged from $200 to $25,000, with a median of $1,000, and were concentrated in Virginia, followed by California and Michigan. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$4.4M

Grants

212

Total Given

$403K

Sentara Health

Virginia Beach, VA

Sentara funds community health and health-equity work, including access to care, behavioral health, affordable housing, and community-based programs addressing social needs. Its 2024 median grant was $22,000, though awards varied widely; Health Plans partnership requests must serve its service area and meet its health and wellness criteria. It accepts applications for these partnerships by email, due by the first of each month.

Assets

$7.2B

Grants

325

Total Given

$63.8M

The Charles Fund Inc

Charlottesville, VA

Assets

$8.4M

Grants

80

Total Given

$584K

The Better Living Foundation

Charlottesville, VA

The Better Living Foundation supports Virginia public charities working with homeless mothers and veterans, providing training and policy advocacy, and addressing needs such as food, health care, and children’s programs. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $60,000, with a median of $5,000. It accepts written requests from eligible public charities; no deadline is stated.

Assets

$1.2M

Grants

35

Total Given

$252K

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Lansdowne, VA

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation funds education for exceptionally promising students with financial need, through student scholarships and grants to organizations serving them. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6 to $515,000, with a median of $7,702; 86% of grant dollars went to Virginia recipients, with others across multiple states and Washington, D.C. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited organizational requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$940.1M

Grants

1,419

Total Given

$25.1M

Donors Trust Inc

Alexandria, VA

Donors Trust supports charities and programs in social welfare, health, the environment, economics, governance, foreign relations, and arts and culture, with a strong emphasis on conservative and libertarian policy and education groups. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000, though awards ranged from $5,038 to $35 million, and recipients were concentrated in Washington, D.C., Virginia, New York, Texas, and California. It does not accept unsolicited requests; donor-advisors recommend grants through their accounts.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.4B

Grants

919

Total Given

$282.1M

The Community Foundation Inc

Richmond, VA

The Community Foundation funds health and wellness, education, economic prosperity, and community vibrancy, as well as other causes through donor-advised and field-of-interest funds. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, with awards ranging from $5,100 to $1.795 million; most funding went to Virginia, especially the Richmond area. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$852.4M

Grants

917

Total Given

$61.8M

America's Charities

Chantilly, VA

America’s Charities distributes workplace-giving contributions to member nonprofits working in areas such as education, health, hunger, human rights, and disaster relief; it also manages emergency assistance for eligible employees. In 2024, reported grants ranged from $5,017 to $1,379,226, with a median of $9,674, and recipients were concentrated in California, Virginia, D.C., Maryland, and Pennsylvania. These disbursements are donor-directed contributions rather than competitive grants; the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$36.2M

Grants

808

Total Given

$16.4M

More Funders in Virginia

Smith Vicars Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?