Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation
The Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation is a private foundation based in Dallas, Texas. Its 2025 filing reports grants to organizations in Illinois, Iowa, and Washington, DC, including animal welfare, education, horticulture, health, and youth-focused organizations.
Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation at a glance
In short: Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation gave $50K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Illinois. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $49,500
- -1.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,500
- -1.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,000
- Total assets
- $793,857
- -0.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (2 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (90% 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 Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. The 2023 filing lists no formal application or required materials and states that there are no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Timothy Quinn
Mailing address: 110 N Wacker, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 828-2055
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Paws Chicago ($25K). Together the top 10 received $49K.
Grant Size Distribution
60 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 60 grants of 60 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 90% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 8% to Iowa, and 2% to Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 11 grantees (18%) 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 $2K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 82% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+3%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 96% 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 (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $48K (2022) to $61K (2020). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $50K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Paws Chicago Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL | Unrestricted General | $8,000 |
| Anti-Cruelty Society of Illinois Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General | $3,500 |
| Noah's Ark Foundation Inc Fairfield, IA | Unrestricted General | $3,500 |
| Chicago Horticultural Society Glenco, IL | Unrestricted General | $2,500 |
| Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General | $2,000 |
| Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General | $2,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Chicago Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General | $1,000 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | Unrestricted General | $1,000 |
| Heavenly Pet Sanctuary Fairfield, IA | Unrestricted General | $500 |
Ready to take the next step with Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation?
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 | $793,857 | $63,159 | $64,564 | $49,500 | 11 | $55,184 | $54,655 | $57,343 |
| 2024 | $795,301 | $68,943 | $63,819 | $50,000 | 11 | $55,370 | $60,911 | $53,959 |
| 2023 | $790,048 | $66,502 | $63,905 | $50,000 | 11 | $55,094 | $58,883 | $50,129 |
| 2022 | $787,585 | $52,646 | $62,255 | $48,000 | 11 | $53,324 | $44,681 | $53,035 |
| 2021 | $797,194 | $54,838 | $71,887 | $58,000 | 16 | — | $46,615 | $56,781 |
| 2020 | $814,242 | $40,800 | $73,648 | $61,000 | 16 | — | $32,695 | $51,559 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $57K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available filing information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants show support for varied organizations. For example, PAWS Chicago describes its mission as helping homeless and at-risk pets through spay/neuter, medical, and adoption programs; Illinois Wesleyan University describes its aim as providing a liberal arts education; and Junior Achievement of Chicago says it works to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation gave $49,500 through 11 grants. Grants ranged from $500 to $25,000, with a median grant of $2,000. The largest grants included $25,000 to PAWS Chicago, $8,000 to Illinois Wesleyan University, $3,500 each to Anti-Cruelty Society of Illinois and Noah’s Ark Foundation, and $2,500 to Chicago Horticultural Society. All 11 listed grants were designated for unrestricted general purposes.
The foundation’s 2023 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It also states that no formal application is required, there are no deadlines, and there are no restrictions on awards.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Bank of America N A as Co-Trustee and Wilma Jean Smelcer as Co-Fiduciary.
Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; 1 of 2 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bank of America N A
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$11K (2020) → $13K (2025)
Wilma Jean Smelcer
Co-Fiduciary
On filings since 2020
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $13K, to Bank of America N A (Co-Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation
How much does Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation give each year?
Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation gave $50K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $50K across 11 grants.
What is Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation's typical grant size?
Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,000, and its average grant was $4,500, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation that year got $2K on average.
Where does Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation give grants?
Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 90% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Iowa (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants) and Fairfield, IA (2 grants).
Does Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation's largest grantees?
Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Paws Chicago ($25,000), Illinois Wesleyan University ($8,000) and Anti-Cruelty Society of Illinois ($3,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 74% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation?
Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation reported $794K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $55K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $57K (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 Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation fund?
The available filing information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants show support for varied organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation's EIN?
Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7207753. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 31, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 17, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Illinois Tool Works Foundation
Glenview, IL
In its final year before dissolving, the Illinois Tool Works Foundation made four unrestricted grants in 2022, supporting charitable funds, United Way, and scholarship organizations; grants ranged from $186,834 to $5,183,040, with a median of $1,649,041. Most funding went to South Carolina (60%) and Illinois (34%), with the rest going to Minnesota. Its filing says applicants should submit a brief letter describing financial need, with no deadline.
Assets
—
Grants
4
Total Given
$8.7M
AbbVie Foundation
North Chicago, IL
The AbbVie Foundation funds health equity, access to care, cancer care, community health, and related community-led programs through partnerships and employee initiatives. Its 2025 grants ranged from $8,000 to $15 million, with a median of $25,000; it supports work worldwide, with the largest share of recent grants going to Illinois. It makes grants only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$265.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$47.1M
Ch Robinson Worldwide Foundation
Sioux Falls, SD
The foundation funds community needs, supply-chain and logistics initiatives, and environmental sustainability, with a Twin Cities program focused on hunger, shelter, K–12 education, and workforce development. Its 2024 grants ranged from $750 to $2.69 million, with a median of $5,000; its Twin Cities program focuses on Minneapolis–St. Paul, while grants also went to organizations elsewhere. The Strategic Industry program is invitation-only, while the Twin Cities program has an application process.
Assets
$18.2M
Grants
87
Total Given
$4.0M
Fulk Family Foundation Inc
Lincoln, NE
Fulk Family Foundation supports charitable organizations that enhance quality of life, especially through education and health in the Midwest; its 2025 grants went primarily to Illinois, Nebraska, and Indiana. Grants ranged from $7,500 to $1.35 million, with a median of $50,000. It made grants by invitation only, did not accept unsolicited requests, and has completed grantmaking and is winding down.
Assets
$24.6M
Grants
111
Total Given
$23.5M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Suzanne Smelcer Robinson 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.
Suzanne Smelcer Robinson Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?