William E Schmidt Foundation Inc
The William E. Schmidt Foundation Inc. is a private foundation based in Evansville, Indiana. Founded in Indiana in 1992 by William E. Schmidt and his extended family, it supports vocal arts, education, young artists, and community programs.
William E Schmidt Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: William E Schmidt Foundation Inc gave $365K across 29 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), top state Indiana. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $364,920
- -11.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 29
- -17.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,583
- +6.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $45,545,268
- +32.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (5 of 28, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (34% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to William E Schmidt Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
The filing describes an application and rules for eligible high school students; the foundation’s website says it is not accepting new grant proposals.
- Review Cycle
- Application deadlines are disclosed annually on the foundation’s website and application.
- Deadline
- Application deadlines are disclosed annually on the foundation’s website and application.
- Contact
Application contact: Linda Mcalister Executive Director
Mailing address: 6 East 5Th Street Suite 406, Covington, KY 41011
Phone: (513) 783-2583
Website: https://schmidtfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who William E Schmidt Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Sarasota Opera Association ($60K). Together the top 10 received $288K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
165 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 155 grants of 165 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it supports educational and community initiatives primarily in Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and Sarasota, Florida. Its 2025 grant dollars went chiefly to recipients in Indiana (34%), Florida (25%), and Tennessee (20%), followed by Ohio (7%) and California (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is William E Schmidt Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 28 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $14K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $6K repeat.
- 71% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 26% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $365K (2025) to $732K (2021). In 2025 it made 29 grants totaling $365K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sarasota Opera Association Sarasota, FL | Youth Opera Pledge | $60,000 |
| YMCA Camp Carson Princeton, IN | Military Family Support | $42,500 |
| Tennessee Golf Foundation Franklin, TN | Scholarship | $40,000 |
| University of Evansville Evansville, IN | Donation | $32,400 |
| Manatee Technical College Bradenton, FL | Donation | $30,000 |
| 1 individual scholarship Recipients not named | — | $25,000 |
| Miami University Oxford, OH | Donation | $25,000 |
| Transformation Nashville Nashville, TN | Donation | $20,000 |
| Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra Evansville, IN | Donation | $15,000 |
| Helen B Goodlin Foundation San Diego, CA | Contest Funds | $15,000 |
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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 | $45,545,268 | $13,951,569 | $2,800,762 | $364,920 | 29 | $2,389,988 | $13,715,029 | $2,312,043 |
| 2024 | $34,389,588 | $2,515,926 | $2,268,564 | $412,666 | 35 | $2,050,351 | $2,288,298 | $2,307,884 |
| 2023 | $34,147,625 | $2,242,063 | $2,190,718 | $447,975 | 40 | $1,981,978 | $2,028,606 | $2,041,756 |
| 2022 | $34,089,285 | $5,274,784 | $2,183,231 | $495,125 | 23 | $1,992,926 | $5,079,454 | $2,021,763 |
| 2021 | $30,996,134 | $2,147,673 | $2,071,173 | $732,200 | 38 | $1,915,987 | $1,950,677 | $2,189,354 |
| 2020 | $30,917,768 | $1,444,348 | $1,920,089 | $696,490 | 33 | — | $1,260,526 | $1,986,051 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, William E Schmidt Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $2.3M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation says it invests in inspiration by building better communities, nurturing young artists, and fostering access and excellence in education. Its website describes a longstanding focus on encouraging young singers, including through Schmidt Vocal Arts and support for Sarasota Youth Opera. The foundation also supports educational and community initiatives, particularly in Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and Sarasota, Florida.
Its 2025 grants included support for arts organizations, scholarships, educational institutions, and community programs. For example, Sarasota Opera Association describes its mission as producing opera performances that entertain, enrich, educate, and inspire a lasting love of opera. Tennessee Golf Foundation says it promotes golf and its life-enhancing values, with an emphasis on teaching youth, veterans, and disadvantaged people. Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana says it works to improve equitable access to nutritious food and address conditions causing food insecurity.
Grantmaking
The foundation reported 29 grants totaling $364,920 in 2025. Grants ranged from $250 to $60,000, with a median of $5,000. In prior filings, it reported 35 grants totaling $412,666 in 2024 and 40 grants totaling $447,975 in 2023.
The largest 2025 grants included $60,000 to Sarasota Opera Association for its Youth Opera pledge; $42,500 to YMCA Camp Carson for military family support; $40,000 to Tennessee Golf Foundation for scholarships; $32,400 to the University of Evansville; and $30,000 to Manatee Technical College. Other notable awards included $25,000 each to Dan Scism College Scholarship Fund and Miami University, and $20,000 to Transformation Nashville.
The foundation’s website says it is not accepting new grant proposals. Its 2025 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations and describes an application and rules available through the Schmidt Competition website. The filing’s stated restrictions are for high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors from areas where competitions are held, with a written recommendation from a choral director or vocal teacher.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Chester Schmidt as chairman, Douglas Schmidt as treasurer, J. Michael Small as secretary, and Elizabeth Hamilton as president. It also lists Chester Schmidt IV, Janet Peterson, and Christine Goerke Holloway as board members.
William E Schmidt Foundation Inc is led by Elizabeth Hamilton, President on the 2025 filing; all 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth Hamilton
President
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$12K (2025)
Chester Schmidt
Chairman
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2023) → $12K (2025)
Douglas Schmidt
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2023) → $12K (2025)
J. Michael Small
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$12K (2023) → $12K (2025)
Chester Schmidt IV
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$4K (2023) → $12K (2025)
Janet Peterson
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
$4K (2023) → $12K (2025)
Christine Goerke Holloway
Board Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$13K (2024) → $12K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Lisa Hamilton (2020–2024) — President
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $12K, to Chester Schmidt (Chairman). 7 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about William E Schmidt Foundation Inc
How much does William E Schmidt Foundation Inc give each year?
William E Schmidt Foundation Inc gave $365K across 29 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $413K across 35 grants.
What is William E Schmidt Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
William E Schmidt Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $12,583, across 29 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from William E Schmidt Foundation Inc that year got $2K on average.
Where does William E Schmidt Foundation Inc give grants?
William E Schmidt Foundation Inc's top state is Indiana, with 34% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Florida (25%) and Tennessee (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Nashville, TN (5 grants), Evansville, IN (3 grants), Baltimore, MD (3 grants) and Richardson, TX (2 grants).
Does William E Schmidt Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 29 grants with a stated purpose on William E Schmidt Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (22 grants).
Who are William E Schmidt Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
William E Schmidt Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Sarasota Opera Association ($60,000), YMCA Camp Carson ($42,500) and Tennessee Golf Foundation ($40,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is William E Schmidt Foundation Inc?
William E Schmidt Foundation Inc reported $45.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does William E Schmidt Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation says it invests in inspiration by building better communities, nurturing young artists, and fostering access and excellence in education. Its website describes a longstanding focus on encouraging young singers, including through Schmidt Vocal Arts and support for Sarasota Youth Opera. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from William E Schmidt Foundation Inc?
The filing describes an application and rules for eligible high school students; the foundation’s website says it is not accepting new grant proposals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is William E Schmidt Foundation Inc's EIN?
William E Schmidt Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-1884241. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS July 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). William E Schmidt Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/william-e-schmidt-foundation-inc-morg_4cad4ac7e15d44479ec345bd252dcebf
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_351884241_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{William E Schmidt Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/william-e-schmidt-foundation-inc-morg_4cad4ac7e15d44479ec345bd252dcebf},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from William E Schmidt Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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