The Smith Foundation
The Hoxie Harrison Smith Foundation, also known as The Smith Foundation, is a private foundation based in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Incorporated in 1920 and tax-exempt since January 1951, the foundation operates with limited staffing and focuses on charitable, educational, and social welfare initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$7.6M
+8.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$600K
+6.0% YoY
Grant Count
56
-8.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
+15.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Smith Foundation reported a distributable amount of $608K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's stated purpose is to support benevolent, charitable, and educational undertakings; to further secular and religious education; to care for the sick, aged, and disabled; to minister to the poor; and to improve the physical, mental, and moral condition of humanity, and to promote American patriotism.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Housing and supportive housing shelters
- Women's shelters
- Human services
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
Grantmaking
The foundation is possibly open to applications and accepts grant applications.
Grant Range
$3,000–$22,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts, with a concentration of grants to Chester County and surrounding Pennsylvania communities.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total Assets: $7,627,576
- Total Revenues: $1,245,145
- Total Expenses: $628,277
- Investment Income and Dividends: $29 (partial figure in source)
- Number of Employees: 0 (paid staff)
Historical Giving Trends:
| Year | Total Assets | Total Giving | Number of Grants | Median Grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7.0M–$7.6M | $566K–$599.5K | 56–61 | $10K–$12K |
| 2023 | $7.2M | $572K | 57 | $10K |
| 2022 | $7.4M | $598K | 57 | $10K |
| 2021 | $7.2M | $504K | 57 | $10K |
| 2020 | $7.2M | $546K | 63 | $10K |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $7,627,576 | $7,010,708 | $7,164,378 |
| Revenue | $1,245,145 | $443,756 | $397,027 |
| Expenses | $628,277 | $597,270 | $619,051 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $626,405 | $591,207 | $603,246 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,244,265 | $443,213 | $396,502 |
| Distributable Amount | $607,574 | $549,152 | $552,733 |
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
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bethesda Project ($22,000), Care Center Foundation ($13,000), Chester County Futures ($13,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACHIEVEABILITY PHILADELPHIA, PA | COMPREHENSIVE FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM | $12,000 |
| BAKER INDUSTRIES MALVERN, PA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $12,000 |
| BETHESDA PROJECT PHILADELPHIA, PA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $22,000 |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA CHESTER COUNTY COUNCIL EXTON, PA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $10,000 |
| CARE CENTER FOUNDATION WEST CHESTER, PA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $13,000 |
| CHESTER COUNTY FUTURES COATESVILLE, PA | PASSPORT TO COLLEGE PROGRAM | $13,000 |
| CITYTEAM CHESTER CHESTER, PA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $13,000 |
| COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE WEST CHESTER, PA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $12,000 |
| CRADLES TO CRAYONS PHILADELPHIA BOSTON, MA | OPERATING EXPENSES | $12,000 |
| DREXEL UNIVERSITY PHILADELPHIA, PA | SUPPORT CADET SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM | $7,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board and Key Personnel (as of 2024):
- Charles P. Barber — President
- William W. Heilig — Vice President
- Lee E. Daney — Assistant Secretary
- Kenneth L. Brier — Board Member
- Kenneth M. DeTraux — Board Member
- Robert B. Murray — Board Member
- Paul F. Pugh — Board Member
- Charlie Shields — Board Member
- Jack T. Tomarchio — Board Member
Mark T. Ledger served as Vice President until May 2024.
The foundation operates with limited paid staffing, with board members contributing minimal hours annually.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES P BARBER | PRESIDENT | 1 | $700 |
| WILLIAM W HEILIG | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| MARK T LEDGER | VICE PRESIDENT TO MAY 2024 | 1 | $700 |
| LEE E DANEY | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 1 | $700 |
| KENNETH L BRIER | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $700 |
| KENNETH M DETREUX | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $700 |
| ROBERT B MURRAY | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $700 |
| PAUL F PUGH | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $700 |
| CHARLIE SHIELDS | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $700 |
| JACK T TOMARCHIO | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $700 |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 665 Downingtown, PA 19335-0665
Telephone: 610-970-3080
EIN: 23-6238148
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Smith Foundation fund?
The foundation's stated purpose is to support benevolent, charitable, and educational undertakings; to further secular and religious education; to care for the sick, aged, and disabled; to minister to the poor; and to improve the physical, mental, and moral condition of humanity, and to promote American patriotism. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Housing and supportive housing shelters • Women's shelters • Human services • Philanthropy and voluntarism
How do I apply for a grant from The Smith Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 56–61 grants in 2024 • Typical grant range: $3,000–$22,000 • Median grant amount: $10,000–$12,000 • Total giving in 2024: $566,000–$599,500 **Recent Grant Recipients (2023–2024):** • Bethesda Project (Operating Expenses) — $22,000 • West Chester Area Senior Center (Operating Expenses) — $13,000 • The Care Center Foundation (Operating Expenses) — $13,000 • Achieveability (Comprehensive Family Self-Sufficiency Program) — $11,000 • Friends Home in Kennett Square (Floor R…
Where does The Smith Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts, with a concentration of grants to Chester County and surrounding Pennsylvania communities.
What size grants does The Smith Foundation award?
In 2024, The Smith Foundation awarded 56 grants totaling $600K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Smith Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Smith Foundation reported a distributable amount of $608K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Smith Foundation's EIN?
The Smith Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-6238148. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Smith 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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