The Wilson L Smith Family
The Wilson L Smith Family is a private foundation based in Salisbury, North Carolina. Its 2025 filing reports grants to five North Carolina organizations, including the University NC Education Foundation, Friends of Rowan, Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary, and Dental Foundation of NC.
The Wilson L Smith Family at a glance
In short: The Wilson L Smith Family gave $1.5M across 5 grants in 2025 (avg $303K), mostly in North Carolina. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,515,670
- +22.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 5
- +150.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $303,134
- -51.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $13,670
- Total assets
- $32,674,287
- +2.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- North Carolina (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Wilson L Smith Family
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 214 Bethel Drive, Salisbury, NC 28144
Phone: (704) 636-9142
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Wilson L Smith Family funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University NC Education Foundation ($1.5M across 2 grants). Together the top 4 received $1.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 28 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for filing year 2025 went to recipients in North Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Wilson L Smith Family gives
- Giving grew 27% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.2M (2022) to $2.5M (2023). In 2025 it made 5 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University NC Education Foundation Chapel Hill, NC | General Fund | $1,000,000 |
| University NC Education Foundation Chapel Hill, NC | General Fund | $500,000 |
| Friends of Rowan Salisbury, NC | General Fund | $13,670 |
| Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary Salisbury, NC | General Fund | $1,000 |
| Dental Foundation of NC Cary, NC | General Fund | $1,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,674,287 | $975,639 | $1,623,158 | $1,515,670 | 5 | $1,515,670 | $936,902 | $1,527,547 |
| 2024 | $32,045,474 | $1,509,593 | $1,731,460 | $1,239,400 | 2 | $1,239,400 | $1,037,107 | $1,534,555 |
| 2023 | $32,121,364 | $1,835,835 | $2,623,882 | $2,523,188 | 6 | $2,523,188 | $920,061 | $1,372,607 |
| 2022 | $41,529,215 | $1,247,152 | $1,277,270 | $1,195,566 | 7 | $1,195,566 | $718,403 | $1,586,201 |
| 2021 | $35,231,015 | $1,875,757 | $1,888,106 | $1,823,284 | 8 | $1,823,284 | $730,141 | $1,630,807 |
| 2020 | $33,184,919 | $1,663,327 | $2,004,620 | $1,886,550 | 32 | — | $716,046 | $1,647,605 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Wilson L Smith Family reported a distributable amount of $1.5M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported five grants totaling $1,515,670. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $1,000,000, with a median of $13,670. Its largest reported grants were $1,000,000 and $500,000 to the University NC Education Foundation, both for its general fund. Other reported grants were $13,670 to Friends of Rowan, $1,000 to Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary, and $1,000 to Dental Foundation of NC, each for its general fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Janis L Smith as president and Felicia Eagle and Ronald L Smith as board members.
The Wilson L Smith Family is led by Janis L. Smith, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Janis L. Smith
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Felicia Eagle
Board Member
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Ronald L. Smith
Board Member
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: T. Stuart Smith (2020–2023) — Board Member
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about The Wilson L Smith Family
How much does The Wilson L Smith Family give each year?
The Wilson L Smith Family gave $1.5M across 5 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.2M across 2 grants.
What is The Wilson L Smith Family's typical grant size?
The Wilson L Smith Family's median grant in 2025 was $13,670, and its average grant was $303,134, across 5 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Wilson L Smith Family give grants?
The Wilson L Smith Family gives mostly in North Carolina: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chapel Hill, NC (2 grants) and Salisbury, NC (2 grants).
Does The Wilson L Smith Family give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Wilson L Smith Family's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (5 of 5) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Wilson L Smith Family's largest grantees?
The Wilson L Smith Family's largest 2025 grantees include University NC Education Foundation ($1,500,000 across 2 grants), Friends of Rowan ($13,670) and Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary ($1,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The Wilson L Smith Family?
The Wilson L Smith Family reported $32.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
How do I apply for a grant from The Wilson L Smith Family?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Wilson L Smith Family's EIN?
The Wilson L Smith Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 56-1658247. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Wilson L Smith Family accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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