The Smidt Foundation
The Smidt Foundation is a private family foundation established by Eric Smidt, based in Beverly Hills, California. The foundation was granted tax-exempt status in April 2017. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization classified as a private grantmaking foundation.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$269.9M
+0.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$21.1M
-2.0% YoY
Grant Count
145
-2.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$146K
+0.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Smidt Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's stated purpose is to support courageous people building, repairing, and making communities safe. The foundation focuses its philanthropic efforts on:
- Skilled trades education — particularly high school skilled trades programs and teacher recognition
- Veterans and first responders — support for these communities
- Anti-Semitism and bigotry — addressing these issues in all forms
- Front-line organizations — bringing care to communities in need
The foundation emphasizes respect for the dignity of skilled trades fields and the intelligence and creativity of people who work with their hands.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding proposals. Applicants are expected to have established track records, connections, or visibility within the foundation's priority areas, or participation in Harbor Freight Tools for Schools networks.
Grant Range
** $500 to $3,050,000
Average Grant
amount:** $544
Review Cycle
** May 1, 2026
How to Apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding proposals. Applicants are expected to have established track records, connections, or visibility within the foundation's priority areas, or participation in Harbor Freight Tools for Schools networks.
Ready to take the next step with The Smidt Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated primarily in California, with particular emphasis on Los Angeles and surrounding communities. However, the foundation supports organizations across numerous U.S. states and cities, including major urban centers like New York and Chicago, as well as smaller communities nationwide.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $269.9 million | 2024 |
| Total Assets | $267.8 million | 2023 |
| Annual Revenue | $8.13 million | 2024 |
| Annual Revenue | $6.5 million | 2023 |
| Annual Expenses | $17.2 million | 2024 |
| Annual Expenses | $26.9 million | 2023 |
| Total Liabilities | $7.26 million | 2024 |
Asset Growth: Total assets have grown from $99.7 million in 2019 to $269.9 million in 2024.
Revenue Sources: Investment income and dividends represent a significant portion of annual revenue ($7.1 million in 2023).
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $269,880,874 | $267,841,665 | $265,678,716 |
| Revenue | $8,134,180 | $6,459,114 | $2,683,724 |
| Expenses | $17,163,900 | $26,913,265 | $19,732,083 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $23,050,141 | $23,341,749 | $20,668,791 |
| Net Investment Income | $7,859,774 | $6,878,354 | $2,645,353 |
| Distributable Amount | $13,334,324 | $13,513,193 | $13,990,277 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Smidt Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Cedars-sinai Medical Center ($3,000,000), Anti-defamation League ($2,030,000), Cherry Creek Schools Foundation ($70,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHERRY CREEK SCHOOLS FOUNDATION GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD | $70,000 |
| CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT LAS VEGAS, NV | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD | $70,000 |
| ERIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT ERIE, PA | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD | $70,000 |
| LYONS TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 204 LA GRANGE, IL | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD | $70,000 |
| SOUTH KITSAP SCHOOL DISTRICT PORT ORCHARD, WA | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD | $70,000 |
| BURRILLVILLE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT HARRISVILLE, RI | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD | $50,000 |
| CLARKE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT - CEDAR SHOALS HIGH SCHOOL ATHENS, GA | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD | $50,000 |
| 4J YAMHILL COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AMITY, OR | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD | $35,000 |
| ARROWHEAD UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT HARTLAND, WI | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD | $35,000 |
| CANTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT CANTON, NY | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Eric L. Smidt — Founder, Director, and President
- Allan G. Mutchnik — Director and Treasurer
- Saba Yazdani — Secretary
All officers and trustees serve without compensation. The foundation is governed by 4 officers and trustees.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ERIC L SMIDT | DIRECTOR / PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| ALLAN G MUTCHNIK | DIRECTOR / TREASURER | 1 | — |
| SABA YAZDANI | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| SUSAN SMIDT | BOARD MEMBER (TERM BEG 7/1/2024) | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 9355 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 400, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: (310) 800-1873
Media Inquiries: Lee Condon, LCondon@HFTforsch[ools]
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Smidt Foundation fund?
The foundation's stated purpose is to support courageous people building, repairing, and making communities safe. The foundation focuses its philanthropic efforts on: • **Skilled trades education** — particularly high school skilled trades programs and teacher recognition • **Veterans and first responders** — support for these communities • **Anti-Semitism and bigotry** — addressing these issues in all forms • **Front-line organizations** — bringing care to communities in need The foundation em…
How do I apply for a grant from The Smidt Foundation?
• **Total giving (2024):** $21.1 million • **Total giving (2023):** $14.9 million • **Typical grant range:** $500 to $3,050,000 • **Average grant amount:** $544 • **Number of grants (2023):** 94 grants • Women's Guild Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Smidt Heart Institute): $3,050,000 • Holocaust Museum LA: $2,070,000 • Anti-Defamation League (ADL): $1,530,000 The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding proposals. Applicants are expected to have established track records, connections, or vis…
Where does The Smidt Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is concentrated primarily in California, with particular emphasis on Los Angeles and surrounding communities. However, the foundation supports organizations across numerous U.S. states and cities, including major urban centers like New York and Chicago, as well as smaller communities nationwide.
What size grants does The Smidt Foundation award?
In 2024, The Smidt Foundation awarded 145 grants totaling $21.1M — an average of about $146K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Smidt Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Smidt Foundation reported a distributable amount of $13.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Smidt Foundation's EIN?
The Smidt Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-4631478. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Smidt Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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