The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation
The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation is a private family foundation based in Cleveland, Ohio. It supports nonprofit organizations serving the community, with a mission centered on excellence, creativity, fiscal responsibility, and dynamic leadership.
The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation at a glance
In short: The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation gave $9.3M across 77 grants in 2024 (avg $121K), mostly in Ohio. 3% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $9,281,600
- -4.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 77
- +2.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $120,540
- -7.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $158,790,633
- -1.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 3% first-time grantees (2 of 75, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation
- Invitation Only
-
First-time applicants are asked to contact Pamela Eichenauer with a brief overview of their organization, including its history, mission, programs, and services. An LOI may be submitted after invitation; a full application is available through the online process after LOI approval and assignment of an access code. The 2024 filing lists the application materials as a written application, current audited financial statements, and an IRS tax exemption letter. Returning applicants use the full-application process and may be asked to participate in a site visit.
- Review Cycle
- The website lists annual request deadlines of January 31, March 31, July 31, and October 31; if a date falls on a weekend, proposals are accepted the following Monday. The 2024 filing lists no deadlines.
- Deadline
- The website lists annual request deadlines of January 31, March 31, July 31, and October 31; if a date falls on a…
- Contact
Application contact: Pamela Eichenauer
Mailing address: 30100 Chagrin Blvd Suite 150, Cleveland, OH 44124
Phone: (216) 591-9111
Website: https://kesmithfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation
Who The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Cleveland Museum of Art ($3.2M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $7.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
420 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 275 grants of 420 (65%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that consideration is given to organizations in the Cleveland area, and its 2024 filing gives preference to the Greater Cleveland area. All 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 77 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation open to new grantees?
3%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 2 of 75 grantees (3%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $127K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 93% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 20% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $6.3M (2022) to $9.7M (2023). In 2024 it made 77 grants totaling $9.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Cleveland Museum of Art Cleveland, OH | Chair's Challenge | $2,000,000 |
| Musical Arts Association Cleveland, OH | "We Believe" CAMPAIGN&GEN'L Op.supp. | $1,200,000 |
| Cleveland Museum of Natural History Cleveland, OH | Capital Support | $1,000,000 |
| The Cleveland Museum of Art Cleveland, OH | Decorative Arts Curator, Special Exhibits, Gen'l Support | $1,000,000 |
| University Hospitals Shaker HTS, OH | Uh Expressive Therapy Program | $1,000,000 |
| Hospice of the Western Reserve Cleveland, OH | General Operating Support | $530,000 |
| Cleveland Institute of Music Cleveland, OH | General Op.support & Kulas Hall Renov. | $275,000 |
| The Cleveland Museum of Art Cleveland, OH | General Operating Support | $205,000 |
| Downtown Cleveland Alliance Cleveland, OH | General Operating Support | $70,000 |
| Playhouse Square Foundation Cleveland, OH | General Operating Support | $63,500 |
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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 | $158,790,633 | $6,058,287 | $10,360,551 | $9,281,600 | 77 | $9,826,468 | $5,774,039 | $9,544,551 |
| 2023 | $161,721,862 | $9,697,575 | $10,684,236 | $9,733,500 | 75 | $10,258,698 | $9,378,985 | $8,830,748 |
| 2022 | $162,872,876 | $13,055,933 | $7,942,301 | $6,346,214 | 91 | $6,903,263 | $12,454,877 | $8,784,224 |
| 2021 | $154,141,484 | $27,611,387 | $9,108,301 | $7,710,840 | 80 | $8,224,803 | $26,863,429 | $10,033,415 |
| 2020 | $139,471,348 | $7,892,429 | $8,326,558 | $6,707,100 | 97 | — | $7,142,798 | $7,599,961 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.5M for 2024 — 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 foundation’s mission is to support nonprofit organizations that demonstrate excellence in their missions, creativity in their approach, fiscal responsibility, and dynamic leadership in service to the community, with the goal of making a positive impact for Cleveland residents.
It considers general operating support, annual funds, capital campaigns, and specific projects that fit its guidelines. It does not fund endowments, individuals, or political subdivisions. Its 2024 filing states that applicants must be organizations described in Internal Revenue Code sections 509(a)(1), (2), or (3), with preference given to the Greater Cleveland area.
Its 2024 grants included organizations with varied missions. For example, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History describes its work as inspiring a passion for nature through science and education, while Hospice of the Western Reserve describes providing palliative end-of-life care, caregiver support, and bereavement services. The Cleveland Institute of Music says its mission is to empower talented classical music students to fulfill their potential. Playhouse Square Foundation describes presenting and producing performing arts, advancing arts education, and strengthening the region’s economic vitality.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 77 grants totaling $9,281,600. Grants ranged from $100 to $2,000,000, with a median grant of $30,000.
Among its largest 2024 grants were $2,000,000 to the Cleveland Museum of Art for “Chair’s Challenge”; $1,200,000 to Musical Arts Association for the “We Believe” campaign and general operating support; $1,000,000 to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for capital support; and $1,000,000 to the Cleveland Museum of Art for a decorative arts curator, special exhibits, and general support. Other notable grants included $1,000,000 to University Hospitals for its expressive therapy program and $530,000 to Hospice of the Western Reserve for general operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Ellen Stirn Mavec as president and chair; Vanessa Mavec King as treasurer; and David M Lenz as secretary. Trustees listed are Hiroyuki Fujita, Madelaine C Mavec, John G Nestor, and Daniel Walsh.
The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation is led by Ellen Stirn Mavec, President & Chair on every filing since 2020; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Ellen Stirn Mavec
President & Chair
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$285K (2020) → $280K (2024)
Daniel Walsh
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John G. Nestor
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Madelaine C. Mavec
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hiroyuki Fujita
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David M. Lenz
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Vanessa Mavec King
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Carey F. Jaros (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Julie A. Boland (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: William B. Laplace (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Trevor O. Jones (2020) — Trustee
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 $280K, to Ellen Stirn Mavec (President & Chair).
Frequently asked questions about The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation
How much does The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation give each year?
The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation gave $9.3M across 77 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $9.7M across 75 grants.
What is The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation's typical grant size?
The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $120,540, across 77 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation give grants?
The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Cleveland, OH (52 grants), Shaker HTS, OH (2 grants), Peninsula, OH (2 grants) and Strongsville, OH (2 grants).
Does The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 90% of The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (69 of 77) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation's largest grantees?
The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Cleveland Museum of Art ($3,205,000 across 3 grants), Musical Arts Association ($1,200,000) and Cleveland Museum of Natural History ($1,000,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation?
The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation reported $158.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support nonprofit organizations that demonstrate excellence in their missions, creativity in their approach, fiscal responsibility, and dynamic leadership in service to the community, with the goal of making a positive impact for Cleveland residents. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation?
First-time applicants are asked to contact Pamela Eichenauer with a brief overview of their organization, including its history, mission, programs, and services. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation's EIN?
The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-6555349. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-kelvin-and-eleanor-smith-foundation-morg_715c112da22b476190e40b88e9e5bb7a
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_346555349_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Kelvin \& Eleanor Smith Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-kelvin-and-eleanor-smith-foundation-morg_715c112da22b476190e40b88e9e5bb7a},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Kelvin & Eleanor Smith 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.
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