Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is a Form 990 (a public charity) based in Washington, DC. Its stated mission is “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Its work spans collections, research, education, and public engagement, and its 2025 filing reports 11 grants totaling $608,555, primarily for academic appointment stipends.
Smithsonian Institution at a glance
In short: Smithsonian Institution gave $609K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $55K), top state Florida. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $608,555
- +3.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- -15.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $55,323
- +22.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $63,700
- Total assets
- $7,890,524,121
- +4.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (4 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Florida (27% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Smithsonian Institution
- Contact
Mailing address: 600 Maryland Avenue Sw, Washington, DC 20024
Phone: (202) 633-1000
Website: https://si.edu
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
49 open opportunities from Smithsonian Institution
A. Verville Fellowship Grant
Smithsonian Institution
Amount
US $70,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship Grant
Smithsonian Institution
Amount
More than US $120,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Arthur Molella Distinguished Fellowship Grant
Smithsonian Institution
Amount
US $35,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Smithsonian Institution funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Florida State University ($100K). Together the top 10 received $603K.
Grant Size Distribution
76 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 56 grants of 76 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest reported shares were Florida (27%), Massachusetts (16%), Alabama (14%), Texas (12%), and Georgia (10%). These figures describe the locations of 2025 grant recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Smithsonian Institution open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 11 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $69K; repeat grants $48K. How we count
Medians: $81K first-time, $64K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $235K (2021) to $609K (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $609K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Florida State University Tallahassee, FL | Academic Appt. Stipends | $100,000 |
| Harvard College Boston, MA | Academic Appt. Stipends | $99,117 |
| Tuskegee University Tuskegee Institute, AL | Academic Appt. Stipends | $86,200 |
| Clark Atlanta Univ Atlanta, GA | Academic Appt. Stipends | $63,700 |
| Jackson State Univ Jackson, MS | Academic Appt. Stipends | $63,700 |
| Florida A&M University Tallahassee, FL | Academic Appt. Stipends | $63,700 |
| Texas Southern University Houston, TX | Academic Appt. Stipends | $63,700 |
| Montana State University Bozeman, MT | Academic Appt. Stipends | $30,863 |
| Fisk University Nashville, TN | Academic Appt. Stipends | $20,500 |
| Baylor University Waco, TX | Academic Appt. Stipends | $11,975 |
Ready to take the next step with Smithsonian Institution?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,890,524,121 | $1,911,142,906 | $1,701,048,762 | $608,555 | 11 | $184,606,105 |
| 2024 | $7,566,256,722 | $1,955,619,953 | $1,679,118,317 | $589,378 | 13 | $133,422,298 |
| 2023 | $7,198,888,846 | $1,876,542,577 | $1,601,797,046 | $599,528 | 26 | $59,876,906 |
| 2022 | $6,953,060,016 | $1,855,983,046 | $1,487,646,437 | $353,387 | 14 | $269,279,800 |
| 2021 | $7,059,162,886 | $1,804,763,983 | $1,416,120,138 | $234,535 | 12 | $173,911,340 |
| 2020 | $6,053,364,633 | $1,561,599,985 | $1,394,014,893 | $352,669 | 14 | $138,930,823 |
| 2019 | $5,420,805,051 | $1,601,124,226 | $1,418,028,412 | $271,092 | 12 | $145,117,341 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Smithsonian’s mission is “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Its 2027 strategic plan emphasizes using collections, research, and expertise in art, history, and science to help people address shared challenges. The plan identifies topics including climate change, biodiversity, exploration of the universe, and the historical narratives that shape the nation.
The 2025 filing lists academic appointment stipends as the purpose for all 11 reported grants. Supported institutions include Tuskegee University, whose stated mission is to provide postsecondary educational opportunities and contribute to society through research and development; Clark Atlanta University, which describes itself as a research institution focused on students’ intellectual and personal development; and Fisk University, which says its liberal arts curriculum and research span the natural and social sciences, business, and humanities.
The Smithsonian’s Recovering Voices Community Research Program guidelines describe support for Indigenous communities working to save, document, and enliven their languages, cultures, and knowledge systems. The program supports community scholars’ visits to examine Smithsonian collections and encourages interdisciplinary, collaborative projects.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Smithsonian reported 11 grants totaling $608,555. Grant amounts ranged from $5,100 to $100,000, with a median of $63,700. The largest awards were $100,000 to Florida State University, $99,117 to Harvard College, and $86,200 to Tuskegee University; each was designated for academic appointment stipends. Other reported recipients included Clark Atlanta University and Jackson State University, each receiving $63,700, and Florida A&M University and Texas Southern University, also each receiving $63,700.
The Recovering Voices Community Research Program’s 2026 proposal guidelines allowed requests of up to $10,000 for projects involving a visit to Smithsonian collections. The stated deadline was January 15, 2026, which has passed. Funded recipients must wait at least one year after receiving support before applying for additional Recovering Voices support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists the following regents: Dr. Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey, the Honorable Adrian Smith, the Honorable Barbara Barrett, the Honorable Carlos Gimenez, the Honorable Catherine Cortez Masto, the Honorable Doris Matsui, the Honorable Garrett Graves, the Honorable Gary Peters, the Honorable JD Vance, and the Honorable John Boozman.
Smithsonian Institution is led by Carol Leblanc, President & Smithsonian Enterprises since 2021 (on filings since 2019); 18 of 35 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Carol Leblanc
President & Smithsonian Enterprises
President Smithsonian Enterprises → President & Smithsonian Enterprises, 2021
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$401K (2019) → $609K (2025)
Jeffrey Smith
Managing Director & Office of Investments
Managing Director → Investment Officer, 2023
Investment Officer → Managing Director & Office of Investments, 2025
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$469K (2019) → $450K (2025)
Melissa Chiu
Director, Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Gar
Director, Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden → Director, Hirshhorn Museum & Sculptue Garden, 2024
Director, Hirshhorn Museum & Sculptue Garden → Director, Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Gar, 2025
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$446K (2019) → $479K (2025)
Chase Robinson
Director & National Museum of Asian Art
Director Sackler Gallery & Freer Gall → Director Sackler Gallery & Freer, 2024
Director Sackler Gallery & Freer → Director & National Museum of Asian Art, 2025
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$423K (2020) → $476K (2025)
Derek Ross
Director, Ofc of Plng, Dsgn & Construction
Director, Ofc of Plng, Dsgn & Const → Director, Ofc of Plng, Dsgn & Construction, 2025
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$226K (2024) → $240K (2025)
Amy Chen
Chief Investment Officer
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$639K (2019) → $739K (2025)
Julissa Marenco
Assistant Secretary for Comms, Ext Aff & Chief Mkt Ofc
Assistant Secretary for Communications & External Affairs → Assistant Secretary for Committee, Ext Affairs & CMO, 2023
Assistant Secretary for Committee, Ext Affairs & CMO → Assistant Secretary for Comms, Ext Aff & Chief Mkt Ofc, 2025
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$194K (2019) → $318K (2025)
Lonnie G. Bunch III
Secretary of the Smithsonian
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$357K (2019) → $960K (2025)
Porter Wilkinson
Counselor & Chief of Staff to the Regents
Chief of Staff - Regents → Chief of Staff to the Regents, 2022
Chief of Staff to the Regents → Counselor & Chief of Staff to the Regents, 2025
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$161K (2019) → $257K (2025)
Robert Spiller
Assistant Secretary for Advancement
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$387K (2019) → $462K (2025)
Meroe Park
Deputy Secretary & COO
Deputy Secretary & Chief Operating Officer → Deputy Secretary & COO, 2021
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$449K (2021) → $640K (2025)
Ellen Stofan
Under Secretary for Science & Research
Director, National Air & Space Museum → Director, Natl Air & Space Museum, 2022
Director, Natl Air & Space Museum → Under Secretary for Science & Research, 2023
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$288K (2021) → $458K (2025)
Kevin Gover
Under Secretary for Museums & Culture
Acting Under Secretary for Museums & Culture → Under Secretary for History & Culture, 2023
Under Secretary for History & Culture → Under Secretary for Museums & Culture, 2025
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$302K (2021) → $459K (2025)
Ronald Cortez
Under Secretary for Finance, Administrator & CFO
Under Secretary for Administration → Under Secretary for Finance, Administrator & CFO, 2023
On filings since 2022
50 hrs/week
$116K (2022) → $533K (2025)
Jennifer McIntyre
Chief Legal Officer
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$426K (2025)
Nicole Angarella
Inspector General
On filings since 2024
50 hrs/week
$261K (2025)
Raymond Moore
Senior Vice President & Retail Group
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$423K (2025)
Stephanie Stebich
Senior Adv to the Under Secretary Museums & Culture
New on the 2025 filing
50 hrs/week
$493K (2025)
Honorable Barbara M. Barrett
Regent
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Honorable Doris Matsui
Regent
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Honorable John Boozman
Regent
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Honorable John G. Roberts Jr.
Regent
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John M. Fahey
Regent
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Govan
Regent
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael M. Lynton
Regent
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Risa J. Lavizzo-Mourey
Regent
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roger W. Ferguson Jr.
Regent
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise M. O'Leary
Regent
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Franklin D. Raines
Regent
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Honorable Adrian Smith
Regent
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Honorable Catherine Cortez Masto
Regent
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Honorable Gary Peters
Regent
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Toni C. Bush
Regent
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Honorable Carlos Gimenez
Regent
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Honorable Jd Vance
Regent
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (47)
- Former: Charles Alcock (2019–2025) — Director & Smithsonian Astrophys Obsv · Filing note: Thru 123120
- Former: Honorable Kamala D. Harris (2021–2025) — Regent · Filing note: Thru 11925
- Former: Farleigh Earhart (2023–2025) — General Counsel · Filing note: Thru 31024
- Former: Honorable Garrett Graves (2023–2025) — Regent · Filing note: Thru 1325
- Former: Joan Mockeridge (2023–2025) — Inspector General · Filing note: Thru 51924
- Former: Cathy Helm (2019–2024) — Fmr & Inspector General · Filing note: Thru 90123
- Former: Era Marshall (2019–2024) — Fmr Director, Equal Employment & Supplier Diversity · Filing note: Thru 93019
- Former: Judith Leonard (2019–2024) — Fmr & General Counsel · Filing note: Thru 30123
- Former: Nancy Bechtol (2019–2024) — Fmr Director & Smithsonian Faciilities · Filing note: Thru 123022
- Former: Richard Kurin (2019–2024) — Fmr, Senior Scholar & Amb-At-Large · Filing note: Thru 93019
- Former: Zully Dorr (2019–2024) — Fmr & Acting Assistant Secretary for Advancement · Filing note: Thru 093019
- Former: Michael Giovenco (2020–2024) — Investment Officer
- Former: Douglas Hall (2021–2024) — Fmr & Acting Under Secretary for Administrator · Filing note: Thru 93022
- Former: Roger Brissenden (2021–2024) — Fmr, Acting Under Secretary for Sci & Rsc · Filing note: Thru 33121
- Former: Ryan Dotson (2021–2024) — Investment Officer
- Former: Micheal Govan (2022–2024) — Regent
- Former: Deron Burba (2019–2023) — Fmr & Chief Information Officer · Filing note: Thru 93018
- Former: John Lapiana (2019–2023) — Fmr, Acting Assistant Secretary for Committee & Ext Affairs · Filing note: Thru 93018
- Former: Steve Case (2019–2023) — Regent
- Former: Janice Lambert (2022–2023) — Chief Financial Officer
- Former: Joshua Tewksbury (2023) — Director & Stri
- Former: David M. Rubenstein (2019–2022) — Regent
- Former: David Voyles (2019–2022) — Director of Planning, Management & Budget · Filing note: Thru 123121
- Former: Honorable Lucille Roybal-Allard (2019–2022) — Regent
- Former: Honorable Patrick J. Leahy (2019–2022) — Regent
- Former: John Davis (2019–2022) — Provost · Filing note: Thru 82721
- Former: Michael McCarthy (2019–2022) — Under Secretary for Administration · Filing note: Thru 5521
- Former: Gary Peters (2022) — Regent
- Former: Kevin Young (2022) — Director Natl Museum of African Ame
- Former: Honorable David Perdue (2019–2021) — Regent
- Former: Honorable John Shimkus (2019–2021) — Regent
- Former: Honorable Michael R. Pence (2019–2021) — Regent
- Former: Albert Horvath (2019–2020) — Former Under Secretary Finance, Administration & CFO
- Former: Carolyn Martin (2019–2020) — Former Acting Assistant Secretary - Communications & External Affairs
- Former: David Skorton (2019–2020) — Former Secretary
- Former: Honorable John W McCarter (2019–2020) — Regent
- Former: Jean Garvin (2019–2020) — Former Director - Finance & Accounting
- Former: Michael Caruso (2019–2020) — Editor in Chief - Smithsonian Magazine
- Former: Patricia Bartlett (2019–2020) — Former Associate Provost for Education & Access
- Former: W John Kress (2019–2020) — Former Interim Under Secretary for Science
- Former: Christopher Liedel (2019) — President - Smithsonian Enterprises
- Former: Dennis Kelly (2019) — Interim President - Smithsonian Enterprises
- Former: Edward R Howell (2019) — Senior Vice President Retail Group - Smithsonian Enterprises
- Former: Honorable Sam Johnson (2019) — Regent
- Former: Honorable Tom Cole (2019) — Regent
- Former: Kenneth Johnson (2019) — Associate Director - Planning, Management & Budget
- Former: Waltrunette Gardner (2019) — Acting Director - Office of Human Resources
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $960K, to Lonnie G Bunch III (Secretary of the Smithsonian). 21 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Smithsonian Institution
How much does Smithsonian Institution give each year?
Smithsonian Institution gave $609K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $589K across 13 grants.
What is Smithsonian Institution's typical grant size?
Smithsonian Institution's median grant in 2025 was $63,700, and its average grant was $55,323, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Smithsonian Institution that year got $69K on average.
Where does Smithsonian Institution give grants?
Smithsonian Institution's top state is Florida, with 27% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Massachusetts (16%) and Alabama (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Tallahassee, FL (2 grants).
Does Smithsonian Institution give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 11 grants with a stated purpose on Smithsonian Institution's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Academic Appt. Stipends" (11 grants).
Who are Smithsonian Institution's largest grantees?
Smithsonian Institution's largest 2025 grantees include Florida State University ($100,000), Harvard College ($99,117) and Tuskegee University ($86,200), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Smithsonian Institution?
Smithsonian Institution reported $7.9B in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.9B.
What does Smithsonian Institution fund?
The Smithsonian’s mission is “the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Its 2027 strategic plan emphasizes using collections, research, and expertise in art, history, and science to help people address shared challenges. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Smithsonian Institution?
Smithsonian Institution has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check si.edu for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Smithsonian Institution's EIN?
Smithsonian Institution's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 53-0206027. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 11, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 14, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Smithsonian Institution's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Smithsonian Institution funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/smithsonian-institution-morg_7490a001bb4041f5bc0097175e5460d1
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_530206027_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Smithsonian Institution funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/smithsonian-institution-morg_7490a001bb4041f5bc0097175e5460d1},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Smithsonian Institution'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.
Smithsonian Institution down — hundreds of funders to go?