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
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Vivian L Smith Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Communities in Schools - Houston ($100,000), Depelchin Children's Center ($100,000), Houston Hospice ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZING PLACE HOUSTON, TX | OPERATING EXPENSES FOR 2024 | $25,000 |
| BAKER RIPLEY HOUSTON, TX | SUPPORT BAKER RIPLEY'S HOLISTIC COMMUNITY FOCUSED PROGRAMMING IN HOUSTON | $50,000 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS LONE STAR GREATER HOUSTON HOUSTON, TX | SUPPORT ONE-TO-ONE MENTOR-MENTEE MATCHES IN GREATER HOUSTON IN 2024 | $25,000 |
| BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP HOUSTON, TX | SUPPORT THE FALL 2024 / WINTER 2025 PROGRAMMING | $10,000 |
| CAMP FOR ALL HOUSTON, TX | SUPPORT BLAZING NEW TRAILS CAMPAIGN-CONSTRUCTION OF THEIR NEW SITE IN CHAPPELL HILL | $50,000 |
| CANCARE INC HOUSTON, TX | FUNDS TO SUPPORT CANCARE'S EMOTIONAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT SERVE CANCER PATIENTS & CAREGIVERS | $20,000 |
| CASA MATEO HOUSTON, TX | SUPPORT 2024 OPERATING EXPENSES | $25,000 |
| CENTER FOR PURSUIT HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $50,000 |
| CHILD ADVOCATES INC HOUSTON, TX | ASSIST THE COURT SERVICES PROGRAM | $20,000 |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON HOUSTON, TX | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $25,000 |
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
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Vivian L Smith Foundation fund?
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
How do I apply for a grant from Vivian L Smith Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $1,000 to $200,000 • Typical awards: $500–$200,000 • Median grant amount: $20,000 • Number of grants awarded: 152 grants in 2023 **Application Process:** • Quarterly application deadlines: February 15, May 15, August 15, and October 25 • Decision timeline: Approximately 3 months • Types of support include general support, equipment, and building funds **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Houston: $100,000 • The Joy…
Where does Vivian L Smith Foundation make 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.
What size grants does Vivian L Smith Foundation award?
In 2024, Vivian L Smith Foundation awarded 141 grants totaling $4.3M — an average of about $30K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Vivian L Smith Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Vivian L Smith Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Vivian L Smith Foundation's EIN?
Vivian L Smith Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 76-0101380. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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