The Dennis J Smith Legacy
The Dennis J Smith Legacy is a private foundation based in Kankakee, Illinois. Its 2025 filing reports grants for donations and scholarships, including grants to organizations and individual recipients.
The Dennis J Smith Legacy at a glance
In short: The Dennis J Smith Legacy gave $37K across 18 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Illinois. 31% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $37,275
- -35.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 18
- -40.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $2,071
- +7.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $350
- Total assets
- $140,958
- +2.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (5 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (97% 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 The Dennis J Smith Legacy
- How to Apply
The filing lists an application process requiring a completed application, summaries of extracurricular activities and community involvement, two letters of recommendation, and an optional essay describing other items…
The filing lists an application process requiring a completed application, summaries of extracurricular activities and community involvement, two letters of recommendation, and an optional essay describing other items for consideration. It names Michael P. O’Brien as the contact for the process. The filing states there are no restrictions on awards and that giving is not restricted to preselected organizations.
- Review Cycle
- The filing states that applications are due no later than August 1, though the deadline may vary. The August 1, 2026 date has passed.
- Deadline
- The filing states that applications are due no later than August 1, though the deadline may vary.
- Contact
Application contact: Michael P O'Brien
Mailing address: 255 E Station St, Kankakee, IL 60901
Phone: (815) 932-5612
Website: https://www.smithlegacyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Dennis J Smith Legacy funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Bishop MC Namera ($27K). Together the top 10 received $35K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($1,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
136 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 133 grants of 136 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing reports that 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 3% to recipients in Wisconsin. Listed recipients include organizations in Kankakee and other Illinois communities, as well as a recipient in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 18 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Dennis J Smith Legacy open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 16 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $350; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $250 first-time, $450 repeat.
- 63% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 68% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 630% of 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $37K (2025) to $115K (2022). In 2025 it made 18 grants totaling $37K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bishop MC Namera Kankakee, IL | Donation | $26,600 |
| KCC Foundation Kankakee, IL | Donation | $2,000 |
| Les Turner ALS Foundation Skokie, IL | Donation | $2,000 |
| Caroll University Waukesha, WI | Scholarship | $1,000 |
| Department of Health & Fitness NFP Kankakee, IL | Donation | $1,000 |
| KCC Kankakee, IL | Scholarship | $1,000 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $1,000 |
| Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Chicago, IL | Donation | $500 |
| Choice Youth Outreach Kankakee, IL | Donation | $450 |
| Kankakee Fop Kankakee, IL | Donation | $250 |
Ready to take the next step with The Dennis J Smith Legacy?
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 | $140,958 | $63,623 | $59,987 | $37,275 | 18 | $37,275 | $8,970 | $5,914 |
| 2024 | $137,322 | $195,444 | $182,587 | $57,635 | 30 | $57,635 | $13,129 | $6,127 |
| 2023 | $124,465 | $126,305 | $141,642 | $62,740 | 34 | $62,740 | $4,986 | $5,734 |
| 2022 | $139,802 | $121,175 | $178,657 | $114,965 | 30 | $114,715 | $7,055 | $8,690 |
| 2021 | $197,284 | $136,018 | $162,369 | $93,700 | 24 | $93,700 | $16,131 | $11,340 |
| 2020 | $223,635 | $75,966 | $123,370 | $103,438 | 20 | — | $8,707 | $22,892 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Dennis J Smith Legacy reported a distributable amount of $6K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s website describes its aim as emulating Dennis J. Smith’s values, including commitment to the communities in which its founders live and generosity toward people less fortunate. The 2025 filing lists donations and scholarships among grant purposes. It also identifies direct charitable activity consisting of donations to Bishop McNamara High School, the Les Turner ALS Foundation, and the Department of Health and Fitness NFP.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 18 grants totaling $37,275. Grant amounts ranged from $50 to $26,600, with a median of $350. Notable grants included $26,600 to Bishop McNamara in Kankakee, Illinois; $2,000 each to KCC Foundation in Kankakee and the Les Turner ALS Foundation in Skokie, Illinois; and $1,000 each to Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, the Department of Health and Fitness NFP in Kankakee, KCC in Kankakee, and an individual recipient in Illinois.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists William F. Smith as secretary; Michael Smith, Kelly Smith-Haley, Dennis O’Brien, Pamela Smith, and Molly Smith-Molloy as directors; and Michael O’Brien as president.
The Dennis J Smith Legacy is led by Michael O'Brien, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michael O'Brien
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Dennis O'Brien
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kelly Smith-Haley
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Michael Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Molly Smith-Molloy
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Pamela Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
William F. Smith
Secretary
On filings since 2020
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Dennis J Smith Legacy
How much does The Dennis J Smith Legacy give each year?
The Dennis J Smith Legacy gave $37K across 18 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $58K across 30 grants.
What is The Dennis J Smith Legacy's typical grant size?
The Dennis J Smith Legacy's median grant in 2025 was $350, and its average grant was $2,071, across 18 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Dennis J Smith Legacy that year got $350 on average.
Where does The Dennis J Smith Legacy give grants?
The Dennis J Smith Legacy gives mostly in Illinois: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Kankakee, IL (12 grants).
Does The Dennis J Smith Legacy give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 18 grants with a stated purpose on The Dennis J Smith Legacy's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (15 grants) and "Scholarship" (3 grants).
Who are The Dennis J Smith Legacy's largest grantees?
The Dennis J Smith Legacy's largest 2025 grantees include Bishop MC Namera ($26,600), KCC Foundation ($2,000) and Les Turner ALS Foundation ($2,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($1,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 82% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Dennis J Smith Legacy?
The Dennis J Smith Legacy reported $141K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $37K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Dennis J Smith Legacy fund?
The foundation’s website describes its aim as emulating Dennis J. Smith’s values, including commitment to the communities in which its founders live and generosity toward people less fortunate. The 2025 filing lists donations and scholarships among grant purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Dennis J Smith Legacy?
The filing lists an application process requiring a completed application, summaries of extracurricular activities and community involvement, two letters of recommendation, and an optional essay describing other items… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Dennis J Smith Legacy's EIN?
The Dennis J Smith Legacy's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-0334261. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 19, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 16, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
Live grants for the work The Dennis J Smith Legacy funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Dennis J Smith Legacy's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Mary Martha Thrift Shop
Wentzville, MO
Mary Martha Thrift Shop supports people and families in need through grants to local food pantries, churches, and other charitable organizations, as well as free clothing for referred individuals. In 2025, its 21 grants ranged from $5,000 to $9,264, with a median of $8,856; all went to Missouri recipients. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$775K
Grants
21
Total Given
$170K
Kindred Foundation Inc
Louisville, KY
Kindred Foundation Inc. provides general operating support, with 2025 grants ranging from $800 to $400,000 and a median of $10,000. Its 2025 grants went mostly to organizations in Tennessee, followed by Kentucky and New Mexico; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$3.8M
Grants
22
Total Given
$718K
Midland States Bank Foundation
Rockford, IL
Midland States Bank Foundation funds education, workforce development, financial empowerment, housing, small business development, and health and wellness, with special consideration for programs serving low- to moderate-income people. It supports communities served by Midland States Bank, primarily in Illinois, and Spring Awards typically average $7,500–$25,000. It accepts requests through its online application during open submission periods; it does not accept letters of inquiry, paper applications, or email requests.
Assets
$513K
Grants
32
Total Given
$445K
Midlands Community Foundation
Papillion, NE
Midlands Community Foundation funds nonprofit programs and community needs in arts and culture, community and economic development, education, health, and human services, with its general fund focused on Sarpy and Cass counties, Nebraska. Its grants typically center around a $15,000 median, though reported awards ranged from $5,419 to $767,000; the website lists requests of up to $10,000 through its twice-yearly program. It accepts online applications for that program, with February 1 and August 1 deadlines.
Assets
$20.7M
Grants
38
Total Given
$1.6M
The Michael & Patricia Smith Foundation
La Canada, CA
The Michael & Patricia Smith Foundation primarily funds scholarships and educational institutions, along with general support for a range of charitable organizations. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $20,000, with a median of $1,000, and 93% of grant dollars went to California organizations. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$318K
Grants
49
Total Given
$130K
Ralph J Baudhuin Foundation
Roscoe, IL
The Ralph J. Baudhuin Foundation funds scholarships, religious organizations, and humanitarian services, with most grant dollars going to Illinois and additional support in other states and Haiti. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $22,000, with a median of $2,000. It accepts unsolicited community support requests by letter; first-time requests are reviewed at the board’s annual meeting in early December.
Assets
$5.2M
Grants
107
Total Given
$392K
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from The Dennis J Smith Legacy'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.
The Dennis J Smith Legacy down — hundreds of funders to go?