Virginia Smith Charitable Trust
The Virginia Smith Charitable Trust is a private foundation established in 2009 and based in Chappell, Nebraska. Operating as a trust structure, it functions as a grantmaking organization with no paid staff, relying instead on a board of trustees to oversee its philanthropic activities.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.5M
+0.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$506K
-4.6% YoY
Grant Count
32
-13.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+10.3% YoY
Grantmaking
The trust demonstrates consistent grant activity, awarding between 32-39 grants annually in recent years. Grant sizes vary considerably, with a median grant amount of approximately $2,000-$2,500 and a range extending from $100 to $285,000. Recent grants have supported diverse community needs including:
Grant Range
s vary considerably, with a median grant amount of approximately $2,000-$2,500 and a range extending from $100 to $285,000. Recent grants have supported diverse community needs including:
Ready to take the next step with Virginia Smith Charitable Trust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The trust primarily supports communities in Nebraska and Colorado, with documented funding to cities including Ashland, Beatrice, Big Springs, Chappell, Julesburg, Lewellen, Lodgepole, and Sidney.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $6.5 million (as of December 2024)
Annual Revenue: $691,230 (2024)
Annual Expenses: $653,419 (2024)
Total Giving: Approximately $506,000-$553,000 annually
The trust maintains a healthy financial position with assets in the top 10% of foundations nationally by asset size.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,509,627 | $6,471,816 | $6,670,110 |
| Revenue | $691,230 | $471,429 | $372,635 |
| Expenses | $653,419 | $669,723 | $698,329 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $550,319 | $574,525 | $596,000 |
| Net Investment Income | $288,438 | $308,512 | $252,389 |
| Distributable Amount | $575,813 | $556,039 | $567,497 |
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
177 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The trust is governed by a board of five trustees:
- Leonard Littlejohn – Chairperson
- Jerome E. Cabela – Trustee
- Kenneth Fornander – Trustee
- Janet Flohr – Trustee
- Merlyn Carlson – Trustee
Each trustee works approximately one hour per week and receives annual compensation of $6,000 (Carlson receives $4,500).
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEROME E CABELA | TRUSTEE | 1 | $6,000 |
| KENNETH FORNANDER | TRUSTEE | 1 | $6,000 |
| LEONARD LITTLEJOHN | CHAIRPERSON/ | 1 | $6,000 |
| JANET FLOHR | TRUSTEE | 1 | $6,000 |
| MERLYN CARLSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | $4,500 |
Contact Information
Address: PO Box 525, Chappell, NE 69129-0525
Phone: 308-874-2929
EIN: 86-6348709
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Bryan Hospital Kearney
KEARNEY, NE
Assets
$384.9M
Grants
2
Total Given
$11K
Johnson Student Scholarship & Loan
ORD, NE
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center
LINCOLN, NE
Assets
$483.9M
Grants
6
Total Given
$546K
John K & Lynne D Boyer Foundation
OMAHA, NE
Assets
—
Grants
45
Total Given
$1.2M
Fraternal Ord of Eagles Aerie 592
HASTINGS, NE
Assets
$134K
Grants
1
Total Given
$8K
Edgar & Frances Reynolds
GRAND ISLAND, NE
Assets
—
Grants
33
Total Given
$230K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Virginia Smith Charitable Trust on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities