The H Russell Smith Foundation
The H Russell Smith Foundation is a private foundation, based in Newport Beach, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $12.1M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $950K. Net investment income was $1.2M.
The H Russell Smith Foundation at a glance
In short: The H Russell Smith Foundation gave $950K across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $238K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $950,000
- +134.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 4
- -42.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $237,500
- +310.5% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $62,500
- Total assets
- $12,113,467
- +0.9% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The H Russell Smith Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Pomona College ($825K across 2 grants). Together the top 3 received $950K.
Grant Size Distribution
32 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 32 (56%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How The H Russell Smith Foundation gives
- Giving grew 76% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 135% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $405K (2023) to $950K (2024). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $950K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pomona College Claremont, CA | Stewart Smith Interdisciplinary Global Engagement Fund | $800,000 |
| American Ballet Theatre New York, NY | General Support | $100,000 |
| The Huntington Library San Marino, CA | Society of Fellows | $25,000 |
| Pomona College Claremont, CA | General Support | $25,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12,113,467 | $1,241,286 | $1,111,031 | $950,000 | 4 | $1,041,589 | $1,171,844 | $771,335 |
| 2023 | $12,001,789 | $214,027 | $562,819 | $405,002 | 7 | $495,836 | $147,044 | $745,416 |
| 2022 | $12,350,925 | $403,262 | $676,714 | $505,010 | 7 | $595,560 | $322,107 | $815,907 |
| 2021 | $12,652,666 | $1,510,650 | $680,884 | $540,028 | 9 | $630,147 | $1,459,913 | $823,770 |
| 2020 | $11,798,666 | $589,230 | $681,535 | $530,023 | 5 | — | $528,935 | $713,542 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The H Russell Smith Foundation reported a distributable amount of $771K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The H Russell Smith Foundation is led by Stewart R. Smith, President, Director, CEO & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Stewart R. Smith
President, Director, CEO & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$85K (2020) → $85K (2024)
Logan S. Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mackenzie C. Teymouri
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robin A. Ferracone
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shelley Skerbitz
Secretary
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Susan De Haas (2020–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Sandu Wickramaratne (2022) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $85K, to Stewart R Smith (Pres/Dir/CEO/Tre).
Frequently asked questions about The H Russell Smith Foundation
How much does The H Russell Smith Foundation give each year?
The H Russell Smith Foundation gave $950K across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $405K across 7 grants.
What is The H Russell Smith Foundation's typical grant size?
The H Russell Smith Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $62,500, and its average grant was $237,500, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The H Russell Smith Foundation give grants?
The H Russell Smith Foundation gives mostly in California: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Claremont, CA (2 grants).
Does The H Russell Smith Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 50% of The H Russell Smith Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The H Russell Smith Foundation?
The H Russell Smith Foundation reported $12.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $771K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The H Russell Smith Foundation's EIN?
The H Russell Smith Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-2283549. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The H Russell Smith 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 The H Russell Smith Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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