The R C Smith Foundation Inc

NORWICH, NY EIN: 20-1893940 Website

The R.C. Smith Foundation is a private foundation established in 2005 by Robert C. Smith, a lifelong resident of Norwich, New York. Based in Norwich, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to supporting community initiatives and charitable causes within Chenango County.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$17.4M

+2.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$861K

+12.4% YoY

Grant Count

+2.1% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$18K

+10.1% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The R C Smith Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $847K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation's mission centers on supporting the Chenango County community through strategic charitable giving. Primary funding areas include:

Religious organizations and Catholic community programs (representing more than half of distributions since inception)
Youth programs and youth philanthropy initiatives
Food pantries and hunger relief
Building purchases and facility improvements
Student scholarships
Religious education
Work skills programs
Concert series and cultural events

Grantmaking

The foundation accepts grant applications with quarterly review cycles. Application deadlines fall on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st.

Review Cycle

s. Application deadlines fall on January 1st, April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st.

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation exclusively funds organizations and programs serving Chenango County, New York.

Grant Distribution by State

New York $4.3M (100%)

States

New York

Cities

AftonAlbanyBinghamtonCamillusEarlvilleGreeneNew BerlinNorwichNowichOneoneontaOneontaOxfordPlymouthSherburneSidneySouth New BerlinSyracuseVestalWest Edmeston

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Assets & Giving (as of most recent filings):

Total assets: $17,381,032 (2024) / $17,036,252 (2023)
Total annual giving: $861,379
Investment income and dividends: $493,772 (2023)
Total expenses: $960,768 (2023)
Number of employees: 1

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

Metric	2024	2023	2022
Total Assets	$17,381,032	$17,036,252	$16,049,693
Revenue	$861,888	$378,815	$578,175
Expenses	$1,036,996	$960,768	$978,208
Qualifying Distributions	$914,686	$828,251	$832,198
Net Investment Income	$743,620	$362,710	$456,338
Distributable Amount	$847,182	$797,727	$828,878

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

185 grants across all recorded years

Open Grants

1 open opportunity from The R C Smith Foundation Inc

Foundation

R.C. Smith Foundation Grants

THE R C SMITH FOUNDATION INC

Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Norwich Building Tomorrow ($50,000), Holy Family Catholic Church ($45,000), Holy Family Catholic Church ($45,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
4TOWNS FORWARD SIDNEY, NY	SECURITY CAMERA/GENERATOR	$10,000
6 ON THE SQUARE OXFORD, NY	FREE CONCERTS	$8,750
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH NORWICH, NY	NEW PLAYGROUND	$4,250
CANASAWACTA VALLEY METHODIST CHURCH NORWICH, NY	NEW ROOF	$14,000
CHENANGO ARTS FESTIVAL NORWICH, NY	COLORSCAPE	$7,600
CHENANGO COUNTY BLUES SOCIETY NORWICH, NY	BLUES FESTIVAL	$20,000
CHENANGO COUNTY CATHOLIC CHARITIES NORWICH, NY	FOOD	$5,000
CHENANGO COUNTY HELPING FAMILIES INC NEW BERLIN, NY	FAMILY SUPPORT	$7,600
CHRIST EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH NORWICH, NY	LIFT/PARKING LOT	$20,000
COVENTRY TOWN MUSEUM ASSOCIATION GREENE, NY	HEATING FOR MUSEUM	$4,300

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Board of Directors:

William Acee, President
Kurt T. Edwards, Vice President
John Franco, Treasurer
Thomas C. Emerson, Secretary
Mary W. Davis
William Troxell
Terra Carnrike-Granata
Nancy Ritzel
Roy E. Fuller

Administration:

Richard M. Runyon, Administrator

Founder: Robert C. Smith (1923–2007) was born and raised in Norwich, New York. He attended St. Paul's Catholic School and graduated from Norwich High School. After serving in the U.S. Army as a corporal, he attended business school in Rochester, New York. He maintained a lifelong career with Victory Markets and left a legacy of community service through the foundation bearing his name.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
WILLIAM ACEE	PRESIDENT	3	—
KURT T EDWARDS	VICE PRESIDENT	3	—
JOHN FRANCO	TREASURER	3	—
THOMAS C EMERSON	SECRETARY	3	—
RICHARD M RUNYON	ADMINISTRATOR	12	$64,200
MARY W DAVIS	DIRECTOR	3	—
WILLIAM TROXELL	DIRECTOR	3	—
TERRA CARNRIKE-GRANATA	DIRECTOR	3	—
NANCY RITZEL	DIRECTOR	3	—
ROY E FULLER	DIRECTOR	3	—

Contact Information

The R.C. Smith Foundation P.O. Box 552 35 West Main Street Norwich, NY 13815 Phone: 607-336-5850 Email: rcsmithfoundation@frontiernet.net

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Frequently Asked Questions

What does The R C Smith Foundation Inc fund?

The foundation's mission centers on supporting the Chenango County community through strategic charitable giving. Primary funding areas include: • Religious organizations and Catholic community programs (representing more than half of distributions since inception) • Youth programs and youth philanthropy initiatives • Food pantries and hunger relief • Building purchases and facility improvements • Student scholarships • Religious education • Work skills programs • Concert series and cultural ev…

How do I apply for a grant from The R C Smith Foundation Inc?

**Grant Amounts & Structure:** • Typical awards range from $1,000 to $50,000 • Awards may be provided as matching or challenge grants • Grant period for completion is 24 months from award unless otherwise noted • Progress reports are expected at 6-month intervals • Expenses incurred prior to grant award are seldom reimbursable **Qualifying Organizations:** • 501(c)(3) organizations benefitting residents, facilities, or programs affecting Chenango County **Application Process:** The foundation a…

Where does The R C Smith Foundation Inc make grants?

The foundation exclusively funds organizations and programs serving Chenango County, New York.

What size grants does The R C Smith Foundation Inc award?

In 2024, The R C Smith Foundation Inc awarded 48 grants totaling $861K — an average of about $18K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

How much is The R C Smith Foundation Inc required to give away each year?

Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The R C Smith Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $847K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.