The H Russell Smith Foundation

Foundation · Grantmaker Newport Beach, CA EIN: 56-2283549

The H Russell Smith Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, 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.

Key facts about The H Russell Smith Foundation

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.

EIN
56-2283549
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024
Annual giving (2024)
$950,000
Grants made (2024)
4
Average grant
$237,500
Median grant
$62,500
Total assets
$12,113,467
Primary geography
California (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$12.1M

+0.9% YoY

Annual Giving

$950K

+134.6% YoY

Grant Count

4

-42.9% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$238K

+310.5% YoY

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.

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.

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Share of all 4 itemized 2024 grant dollars.

Cities

New YorkSan MarinoClaremontPass ThroughDurhamCosta MesaLos Angeles

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$250K$500K$750K$1M5 grants20209 grants20217 grants20227 grants20234 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 3 recipients in 2024

Pomona College: $825K across 2 grantsPomona College$825K · 2 grantsAmerican Ballet Theatre: $100KAmerican Ballet Theatre$100KThe Huntington Library: $25KThe Huntington Library$25K

Grant Size Distribution

32 grants across all recorded years

18<$50K3$50–100K9$100–250K1$250–500K1$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
POMONA COLLEGE Claremont, CAStewart Smith Interdisciplinary Global Engagement Fund$800,000
AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE New York, NYGENERAL SUPPORT$100,000
THE HUNTINGTON LIBRARY San Marino, CASociety of Fellows$25,000
POMONA COLLEGE Claremont, CAGENERAL SUPPORT$25,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets$12,113,467$12,001,789$12,350,925
Revenue$1,241,286$214,027$403,262
Expenses$1,111,031$562,819$676,714
Qualifying Distributions$1,041,589$495,836$595,560
Net Investment Income$1,171,844$147,044$322,107
Distributable Amount$771,335$745,416$815,907

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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

Stewart R Smith — Pres/Dir/CEO/Tre: $85KStewart R SmithPres/Dir/CEO/Tre$85K

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?

The H Russell Smith Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Newport Beach, CA. It holds $12.1M in total assets as of 2024.

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.

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