Vivian L Smith Foundation
The Vivian L Smith Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Houston, Texas. Established in 1981 and receiving its IRS tax-exempt ruling in 1984, the foundation supports charitable, scientific, religious, literary, and educational organizations through annual philanthropic distributions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$67.9M
+1.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.3M
+4.3% YoY
Grant Count
141
-7.2% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$30K
+12.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation provides support for charitable, scientific, religious, literary, and educational organizations. Primary funding interests include:
- Arts and cultural programs
- Education
- Medical research
- Religious agencies and churches
- Social services
- Health
- Community development
- Children and youth
- Animal welfare
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$1,000 to $200,000
Review Cycle
February 15, May 15, August 15, and October 25
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While giving is directed primarily to organizations located in Houston and Harris County, Texas, the foundation maintains no formal restrictions on geographical areas or charitable fields. The foundation has funded initiatives across various cities including Austin, Dallas, and Philadelphia, and states including Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Annual Giving:
- Total assets: $66.7–$67.9 million (2023–2024)
- Total annual giving: $4.1–$4.3 million
- Total revenues (2023): $2,343,242
- Total expenses (2023): $4,581,128
- Total liabilities: $0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $67,854,094 | $66,740,659 | $68,978,545 |
| Revenue | $5,929,655 | $2,343,242 | $435,663 |
| Expenses | $4,891,319 | $4,581,128 | $5,098,327 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,340,432 | $4,165,306 | $4,685,299 |
| Net Investment Income | $5,454,587 | $1,954,589 | $859,251 |
| Distributable Amount | $4,686,585 | $4,236,713 | $4,153,130 |
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
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Ransom C Lummis – President/Trustee
- Amy M Meckel – Secretary/Treasurer
- Cynthia J Adkins – Vice President/Trustee
- Kirby Cohn McCool – Trustee
- Judy S Tate – Trustee
- Lindsey Holstead – Trustee
- Jesse H Jones II – Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMY M MECKEL | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 10 | — |
| RANSOM C LUMMIS | PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| CYNTHIA J ADKINS | VP/TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| KIRBY COHN MCCOOL | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JUDY S TATE | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| LINDSEY HOLSTEAD | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JESSE H JONES II | TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 1900 West Loop South, Suite 1050, Houston, TX 77027
Phone: (713) 986-8030
Email: vlsf@vlsfoundation.org
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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