Basic Needs Grant - Food, Clothing, and Shelter

Basic Needs Grant - Food, Clothing, and Shelter

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: W. W. Smith Charitable Trust
Amount: More than US $5,000
Last Updated: October 28, 2025

Summary

The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust provides funding through its Basic Needs Grant to nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia area, focusing on food, clothing, and shelter assistance. Priority is given to vulnerable children and seniors. Grants range from $5,000 to $40,000, awarded for a one-year term, with a minimum funding requirement of $5,000. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) and have a service location in the eligible regions.

Overview

Policies The W. W. Smith Charitable Trust is a private foundation which makes grants primarily for three specific purposes. With few exceptions, grants are limited to organizations within Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties as well as the City of Camden, New Jersey. Mission Ensuring basic human needs, supplementing higher education scholarships, supporting maritime education/maritime heritage preservation, and enabling basic medical research in the areas of heart disease, cancer and AIDS. Vision Helping organizations and individuals achieve their goals, Basic Needs The Trust awards grants to nonprofits that provide direct assistance to those in our community who are in need of food, clothing or shelter. We prioritize requests that benefit disadvantaged and vulnerable children and older adults who reside within the five county Greater Philadelphia region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties) or the City of Camden, NJ. The Trust monitors basic needs trends in the region to help us reassess and adjust our grantmaking. W. W. Smith funds efforts to provide food, clothing, or shelter assistance for children and older adults in the five-county Greater Philadelphia area (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia counties) or the City of Camden, NJ. Funding Duration & Award Size Grants are awarded for a one (1) year term.Organizations that receive three (3) consecutive years of funding must then wait two (2) years before being eligible to reapply. We make this determination based on the calendar year of your notice of award.The minimum award is $5,000.There is no maximum award limit. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $40,000. Higher-dollar awards are possible for certain projects. Please contact the Grant Administrator when planning your grant request amount.

Eligibility

We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in existence for more than one (1) year are eligible to apply.The organization must have an established service location within the five-county Greater Philadelphia region (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties) or the City of Camden, NJ.Applicants are limited to one (1) proposal at a time and one (1) grant per calendar year.Funds must be used to address food, clothing, and/or shelter. Most of the grant-supported efforts should benefit low-income or otherwise disadvantaged children (school-aged) and older adults (ages 60 and older). Grants focused on late teens, younger adults, or college students are also considered on a caseby case basis.Allowable uses of funds include:Food - perishable and non-perishable food, produce, baby food and formula, prepackaged or prepared meals, related supplies or equipment deemed essential for food distribution program, grocery gift cards and vouchers;Clothing - direct purchase of clothing for children or adults, clothing gift cards or vouchers;Shelter - home furniture for clients (e.g. beds, cribs , housing payments or utility bills paid directly to vendor, materials for home repair programs, supplies or items (e.g. furniture, equipment, appliances) deemed essential for the provision of housing services (e.g. emergency shelter, transitional housing, residential programs for children or seniors); andFacilities Improvements – facilities renovations or repairs costs that directly impact clients' ability to access a food distribution program (e.g. pantry) or housing services (e.g. emergency shelter, transitional housing, residential program).

Ineligibility

We do not make grants to private foundations, Type III supporting organizations, or individuals.The further away any request is from direct provision of literal food, clothing or shelter benefiting children or seniors, the less likely funding will be granted.Unallowed uses of funds include: capital campaigns, general operating expenses, salaries/benefits, pre-development expenses for housing projects, purchasing or enhancing computer systems, purchasing vehicles, requests for new building construction, retroactive funding of non-emergencies.

Application Details

Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
Basic Needs Program
The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
Program Guidelines
BASIC NEEDS
W. W. Smith funds efforts to provide food, clothing, or shelter assistance for children and older
adults in the five-county Greater Philadelphia area (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery,
Philadelphia counties) or the City of Camden,
NJ.
KEY DATES
Applications received by one of the two dates below will be considered at the corresponding
decision meeting:
June 15th (11:59 pm) - deadline for October / November meeting
December 15th (11:59 pm) - deadline for April / May meeting
Late or incomplete applications will be held for the next meeting.
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION CRITERIA
• 501(c)(3) organizations in existence for at least one year are eligible. We do not make
grants to private foundations, Type III supporting organizations, or individuals.
• The organization must have an established service location in the five-county Greater
Philadelphia area (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia) or City of
Camden, NJ.
• Applicants are limited to one proposal at a time and one grant per year.
• Funds must be used to address food, clothing, and/or shelter.
• Most of the grant-supported efforts should benefit low-income or otherwise
disadvantaged children (school-aged) and older adults (ages 60 and older). Grants
focused on late teens, younger adults, or college students are also considered on a case-
by case basis.
• The further away any request is from direct provision of literal food, clothing or shelter,
the less likely funding will be granted.
FUNDING DURATION & AWARD SIZE
• Grants are awarded for a one-year term.
• Organizations receiving three consecutive years of funding must wait two years before
reapplying.
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
• The minimum award is $5,000.
• There is no maximum award limit. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $40,000.
Higher-dollar awards are possible for certain projects. You can contact us to inquire.
USE OF FUNDS
Allowable uses:
• Food - perishable and non-perishable food, produce, baby food and formula,
prepackaged or prepared meals, related supplies or equipment deemed essential for
food distribution program, grocery gift cards and vouchers
• Clothing - direct purchase of clothing for children or adults, clothing gift cards or
vouchers
• Shelter - home furniture for clients (e.g. beds, cribs , housing payments or utility bills
paid directly to vendor, materials for home repair programs, supplies or items (e.g.
furniture, equipment, appliances) deemed essential for the provision of housing services
(e.g. emergency shelter, transitional housing, residential programs for children or
seniors)
• Facilities Improvements – facilities renovations or repairs costs that directly impact
clients' ability to access a food distribution program (e.g. pantry) or housing services
(e.g. emergency shelter, transitional housing, residential program).
Unallowed uses: capital campaigns, general operating, salaries / benefits, pre-development
expenses for housing projects, computer systems, vehicles, newbuilding construction,
retroactive funding of non-emergencies.
Application Tips
The following are some helpful tips to get started:
• You have access to collaborate with other individuals on this request. To invite others to
collaborate, click the blue "Collaborate" button in the top-right corner. You may use this
article for additional instructions or troubleshooting.
• You have access to translate this application to other languages. Click the Google icon in
the top-left corner to begin.
• Add administrator@grantinterface.com to your address book or safe senders list to
ensure you receive all system communications.
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
• Experiencing a technical error? Email support@foundant.com to be directly assisted by
experts trained with this online software. You can copy
info@wwsmithcharitabletrust.org when sending that email so that our team is aware.
• Before filling out the application, you may find it helpful to click the "Preview" or
"Question List" button above. This will offer you a preview of all of the questions on the
application. When you opt for Question List, this will generate a PDF version of the
questions; you can download and save to access when not in our grant portal.
• You may wish to utilize a word-processing tool (e.g. Microsoft Word, Google Docs), then
cut and paste your responses into the application.
• You may save and return to your application at a later time by clicking the "Save
Application" button at the bottom. Be sure to bookmark our application web page or
you can access it by going to www.wwsmithcharitabletrust.org/basicneeds.html and
clicked the link under Apply Online.
• When clicking the "Submit Application" button, you will be required to review the entire
application one final time.
• Email info@wwsmithcharitabletrust.org if you have any questions.
Key Contacts
Board Chair Contact Information*
Provide your Board Chair: Name, Email, Phone Number
Character Limit: 1000
Project Contact Information*
If there is a person responsible for managing the proposed project or program, provide: Name,
Title, Email, Phone Number, Address.
Character Limit: 1000
Organization Overview
Mission Statement*
Briefly summarize your organization's current mission.
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
Character Limit: 250
History*
Give a brief summary of your organization’s history.
Character Limit: 2000
Main Services*
List the name and short description of up to five (5) of your main services or programs.
Character Limit: 2000
Recent Achievements (optional)
Please share up to 3 of your organization's recent achievements and/or recognitions.
Character Limit: 1000
Number of Full Time Staff*
Character Limit: 5
Number of Part Time Staff*
Character Limit: 5
Number of Volunteers*
Character Limit: 6
Leadership and Governance
Executive Director*
Briefly describe the Executive Director's full name, background, length of time with the
organization, experience, and/or education.
Character Limit: 1000
Board Members List*
Provide name, board role (e.g. officer, committee chair, member), years of board service with
your organization. Do not provide contact information.
Character Limit: 5000
Organization Finances
CURRENT FISCAL YEAR FINANCES
Total Annual Budget*
• Enter the total amount of your organization's annual budget for its current fiscal year.
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
• Do not include dollar sign. For example, if amount is $50,000 input 50,000.
Character Limit: 20
Administrative / Overhead Percentage*
What percentage of your budget is allocated to administrative (i.e. management and
fundraising) expenses?
Enter the number only. Do not include % sign.
Character Limit: 3
Foundation Funding*
If you have received foundation grant funding in the past year, please list the name of
foundation, amount, and purpose (general operating or project-restricted).
Limit to the 5 highest awards.
Character Limit: 500
RECENT FINANCIAL REPORT SUMMARY
• Complete the following sections using information included on your organization's most
recently filed IRS 990 return. If your organization does not file a tax return, use
information from its most recent financial statement.
• Enter "0" for items that are not applicable.
• Do not include dollar sign. For example, if amount is $50,000 input 50,000.
Revenue and Expenses Summary
REVENUE CATEGORY AMOUNT
Contributions and Grants
Program Service Revenue
Investment income
Other Revenue
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
Total Revenue
EXPENSE CATEGORY AMOUNT
Program Services Expenses
Management and General Expenses
Fundraising Expenses
Total Expenses
Nets Assets or Fund Balance (Year-End)
Total Assets
Total Liabilities
Net Assets or Fund Balance
FINANCIAL COMMENTS (Optional)
If applicable, you can use this section to:
• Explain any significant financial changes (e.g. shifts in funding, major deficits or
surpluses, unusual
spending or income, etc.) impacting your budget and/or recent financial reports.
• Explain if your organization did not file an IRS 990 tax return for its prior fiscal year,
• Share any additional finance-related comments.
Character Limit: 1000
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
Request
REQUEST OVERVIEW
Project Name*
Name of Project.
Character Limit: 100
Project Site Address(es)*
List the site address(es) for your proposed project (if different from your main address).
Otherwise, enter "Same as main address" as your answer.
Character Limit: 500
Basic Needs priority*
Which Basic Needs priority does your project address? (check all that apply)
Choices
Food
Clothing
Shelter
Geographical Area Served*
The Basic Needs Program supported is limited to the five-county Greater Philadelphia region
(Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties) or the City of Camden, NJ.
Please indicate the county(ies) of residence for the persons impacted by this grant (check all
that apply).
Choices
Bucks County, PA
Camden, NJ
Chester County, PA
Delaware County, PA
Montgomery County, PA
Philadelphia County, PA
Persons Impacted
The Basic Needs program is intended to impact seniors, children, families with children, and
college students. For each category, enter the number of persons you project will benefit from
this grant. You can use the "Other" category for persons outside of the populations listed. You
can enter "0" for any category that is not the focus of your project.
Note: We understand that these numbers are estimates. We simply use these figures to get an
idea of the size and scope of your intended efforts, per your own goals.
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
Seniors
Children
Families with Children
College Students
Other
Total
Percent of Persons Low-Income*
Of the persons who would benefit from this grant, what percentage would you expect to be
lowincome?
For this question, please use "at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines (FPG)" as a
guide.
You can click here or search online for HHS Poverty Guidelines for the current year.
Enter number only. Do not include % sign.
Character Limit: 3
Low-Income Determination*
What method(s) do you use to determine the income level for the persons who would benefit
from this grant?
Character Limit: 1000
PROJECT PLAN
Project Need*
Describe the need for your proposed project.
• Identify the issue or need to be addressed, providing evidence of size and/or severity.
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
• Provide demographic and geographic information regarding the community,
neighborhoods, and/or persons who would benefit from this grant.
Character Limit: 2000
Project Goals*
List up to 3 goals for this project.
Character Limit: 1000
Project Activities*
• List the main activities your organization will undertake to achieve the goal(s).
If this is an ongoing program, briefly describe the typical activities, service process, and
how many persons benefited over the past two years.
Character Limit: 5000
Project Staff*
• List up to 3 persons most responsible for this project
• Only list full name, job title, and number of years employed with your organization.
Character Limit: 1500
Measuring Progress*
• How would you define "success" for this specific project?
• How do you intend to track and document any successes?
Character Limit: 1000
Collaboration*
Briefly describe any formal or informal partnerships that may be relevant to this grant request.
(Insert N/A if not applicable)
Character Limit: 1000
Continuum of Services*
How will the proposed project complement other local efforts to address the same needs?
Character Limit: 1000
External Monitoring*
• Briefly describe any external groups that monitor or evaluate the activities related to
this grant request.
• Examples include government agencies, certifying entities, professional associations,
and/or funders that regularly review your activities based upon set criteria.
• Insert N/A if not applicable.
Character Limit: 500
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
Request Amount and Budget
Grant Request Amount*
• Do not include dollar sign. For example, if amount is $50,000 input 50,000.
Character Limit: 20
Total Program Budget Amount*
• Do not include dollar sign. For example, if amount is $50,000 input 50,000.
Character Limit: 20
Use of Funds Detail
Use the fields below to input the total amount you are requesting for each expense type.
• Enter "0" for any expense that is not applicable for your project.
• A list of allowable expenses is included below as a guide. You may use Other Cost when
necessary and then explain in the Budget Narrative.
• Keep in mind that the further away any request is from direct provision of food,
clothing, or shelter, the less likely funding for cost(s) will be granted.
• We may later request cost estimates for equipment or facilities projects during the
application review process.
Allowable Expenses
• Food - perishable and non-perishable food, baby food and formula, prepared meals,
kitchen supplies or
• equipment deemed essential for food or meal program, grocery gift cards and vouchers;
• Clothing - direct purchase of clothing for children or adults, clothing gift cards or
vouchers;
• Shelter - home furniture for clients, housing and utility payments for clients, materials
for client home repairs,
• furniture and appliances deemed essential for the provision of emergency shelter or
transitional housing); and
• Facilities Improvements - facilities renovations or repairs costs that directly impact
clients' ability to access and benefit from a food distribution program (e.g. pantry) or
housing services (e.g. emergency shelter, transitional housing, residential program).
Unallowed Uses of Funds
• Salaries
• Computers and Software
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
• Vehicles
Request Budget Table
EXPENSE CATEGORY AMOUNT
Clothes: Direct Purchases
Clothes: Gift Cards
Food: Groceries / Uncooked Foods
Food: Prepared, Catered, or Prepackaged Meals
Food: Kitchen Appliances or Supplies
Home Furniture or Appliances for Clients
Home Repairs for Clients
Housing Payments Assistance for Clients
Utilities Payments Assistance for Clients
Facility Equipment or Furniture
Facility Repairs or Renovations
Other Costs (explain in budget narrative)
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
TOTAL GRANT REQUEST
Budget Narrative*
• Please clarify the expenses included in the summary request budget, as needed.
• Describe each major expense, quantity, and any other info that would help us
understand the need.
• If you input a dollar amount for Other Costs, explain.
Example:
• Food: Kitchen Appliances or Supplies ($5,000) - includes (1) Convection Oven ($3,000),
(2) Containers ($950), (3) Various Utensils, Plates, etc. ($1,050)
• Other ($2,500) - includes (1) Personal Care Items ($1,500), (2) Baby Supplies ($2,000)
Character Limit: 1500
Other Project Funding*
• List other sources that may fund this project. List funding source, amount, and status
(pending or received/committed) for each.
• For pending grant requests, include funder's name, amount requested, and expected
decision date.
• If only pursuing funding from W. W. Smith, please state that.
Character Limit: 1000
For Facilities Project Requests Only
• Describe your controlling interest in the facility (fully owned or term lease) and if the
project is likely to be
• completed within a year.
• If your organization does not own the building, please list the owner.
• Note: For major projects, the Trust may later request vendor estimates during the grant
review process.
Character Limit: 500
Prior W. W. Smith Funding
Most Recent W. W. Smith Grant Summary (If applicable)*
Provide a summary of your most recent W. W. Smith Basic Needs grant. Include the following:
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
• Notice of Award Date
• Award Amount
• Use of Funds
• The number of seniors, children, or families with children served with the funds and
how they benefited.
If you have not received a W. W. Smith grant in the past, please state that below.
If you are a current grantee submitting this application prior to the end of your grant period,
use this section as your interim progress update, based upon use of funds to-date. If awarded a
follow-on grant, your full final report will be requested closer to the start date of your new
award.
Character Limit: 2000
Payee Information
Mailing Address*
If awarded, you will be mailed a check. Please type your mailing address below, including
contact person for payments and the name of your organization as it should appear on the
check.
Note: If you are applying under a fiscal sponsor, please indicate that and provide the sponsor's
Organization Name, Tax ID, Mailing Address, and Contact Person (Name, Phone, Email Address).
Character Limit: 2000
Attachments
Financial Statements*
Please upload your most recent annual financial statement (audited if available)
If your organization is audited or reviewed, upload your most recent audit or review. If not,
upload the board-approved financial statements from your most recently completed fiscal year.
File Size Limit: 5 MB
Organization Budget for Current Fiscal Year*
Upload the organization's annual budget, including both expenses and income, for the current
fiscal year.
File Size Limit: 5 MB
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
Program Budget
If your request is for just one program out of many offered by your organization, upload your
program-specific budget, if applicable.
File Size Limit: 5 MB
IRS 990
Upload your IRS 990 for the most fiscal year.
File Size Limit: 5 MB
Internal Questions
Program Area 1
Choices
Basic Needs
Fellowship
Health
Indigent Care
Maritime
Medical Research
Outside of Funding Area
Scholarship
Special Grant
Program Area 2
Choices
Aids
Cancer
Chair
COVID
Diabetes
Endowed Fellowship
Endowed Scholarship Fund
Gazela
Heart
Maritime Education
Medical School
Prize
Professorship
Sea Education
Undergraduate
Request Summary
Summarize request in 1-2 sentences for the purposes of the distribution binder / board review.
Character Limit: 500
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Application The W.W. Smith Charitable Trust
Amount Recommended
Insert amount recommended by the application reviewer.
Character Limit: 20
Site Visit
Insert the date of the site visit, the type (virtual or at client site), and the Trust member(s) in
attendance.
Example: July 4, 2023 at program site with Debbie McKenna, Louise Havens, and Brian Jones in
attendance.
Character Limit: 500
Oomph Score
Insert Oomph Score for the request.
Character Limit: 1
Application Score
This is the score generated from the application evaluation scoring rubric.
Character Limit: 1
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