The Dennis J Smith Legacy
The Dennis J Smith Legacy is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Kankakee, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $137K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 30 grants totaling $58K. Net investment income was $13K.
Key facts about The Dennis J Smith Legacy
- EIN
- 26-0334261
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $57,635
- Grants made (2024)
- 30
- Average grant
- $1,921
- Median grant
- $225
- New grantees (estimate)
- 45% first-time grantees (13 of 29, 2024)
- Total assets
- $137,322
- Primary geography
- Illinois (98% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated April 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who The Dennis J Smith Legacy funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Dennis J Smith Legacy's 30 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (98%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kankakee, IL (20 grants) and Bourbonnais, IL (3 grants). None of its 30 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (28 grants).
Is The Dennis J Smith Legacy open to new grantees?
45%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 29 grantees (45%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $222; repeat grants $3K. How we count
Medians: $100 first-time, $250 repeat.
- 52% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 38% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 941% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Dennis J Smith Legacy
- How to evaluate The Dennis J Smith Legacy as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to The Dennis J Smith Legacy with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$137K
+10.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$58K
-8.1% YoY
Grant Count
30
-11.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2K
+4.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Dennis J Smith Legacy reported a distributable amount of $6K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Dennis J Smith Legacy
Based on IRS filings
The Dennis J Smith Legacy is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Kankakee, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $137K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 30 grants totaling $58K. Net investment income was $13K.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with The Dennis J Smith Legacy?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 30 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $137,322 | $124,465 | $139,802 |
| Revenue | $195,444 | $126,305 | $121,175 |
| Expenses | $182,587 | $141,642 | $178,657 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $57,635 | $62,740 | $114,715 |
| Net Investment Income | $13,129 | $4,986 | $7,055 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,127 | $5,734 | $8,690 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
138 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Bishop MC Namera ($40,750), KCC Foundation ($5,000), Les Turner ALS Foundation ($3,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BISHOP MC NAMERA Kankakee, IL | DONATION | $40,750 |
| KCC FOUNDATION Kankakee, IL | DONATION | $5,000 |
| LES TURNER ALS FOUNDATION Skokie, IL | DONATION | $3,000 |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF KANAKEE RIV Kankakee, IL | DONATION | $2,000 |
| LUKE BLANCHETTE Bradley, IL | SCHOLARSHIP | $1,000 |
| CAROLL UNIVERSITY Waukesha, WI | SCHOLARSHIP | $1,000 |
| MARTIN LUTHER KING FOUNDATION Kankakee, IL | DONATION | $880 |
| LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA SOCIETY Chicago, IL | DONATION | $500 |
| NUSCOTOMEK YOUTH BASEBALL Kankakee, IL | DONATION | $400 |
| RACHEAL SMITH Sun River Terrace, IL | DONATION | $300 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| William F Smith | Secretary | — | — |
| Michael Smith | Director | — | — |
| Kelly Smith-Haley | Director | — | — |
| Michael O'Brien | President | — | — |
| Dennis O'Brien | Director | — | — |
| Pamela Smith | Director | — | — |
| Molly Smith-Molloy | Director | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Dennis J Smith Legacy?
The Dennis J Smith Legacy is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Kankakee, IL. It holds $137K in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Dennis J Smith Legacy?
As of 2024, The Dennis J Smith Legacy holds $137K in total assets with $195K in annual revenue. It awarded 30 grants totaling $58K in 2024.
Where does The Dennis J Smith Legacy operate?
The Dennis J Smith Legacy has awarded grants in Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Wisconsin.
What size grants does The Dennis J Smith Legacy award?
In 2024, The Dennis J Smith Legacy awarded 30 grants totaling $58K — an average of about $2K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Dennis J Smith Legacy required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Dennis J Smith Legacy reported a distributable amount of $6K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
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
Kindred Foundation Inc
Louisville, KY
Assets
$4.4M
Grants
11
Total Given
$1.2M
The Community Foundation Inc
Richmond, VA
Assets
$852.4M
Grants
917
Total Given
$61.8M
Koch Foundation Inc
Evansville, IN
Assets
—
Grants
173
Total Given
$4.0M
Baird Foundation Inc
Milwaukee, WI
Assets
—
Grants
3,751
Total Given
$6.6M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
Assets
$6.0B
Grants
3,976
Total Given
$1.4B
Arthur J Gallagher Foundation
Rolling Meadows, IL
Assets
—
Grants
2,692
Total Given
$1.6M
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
Assets
—
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Assets
$885.0M
Grants
1,485
Total Given
$31.9M
Baxter International Foundation
Deerfield, IL
Assets
$67.5M
Grants
1,300
Total Given
$13.7M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur
Chicago, IL
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Assets
—
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan
Chicago, IL
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
839
Total Given
$176.8M
More Funders in Illinois
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.