Stella Smith Charitable Trust
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Stella Smith Charitable Trust does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to organisations it has selected in advance, so a cold application will not be considered and the first step is to find a route to an invitation.
- Its giving leans towards continuity: 80% of its grant dollars in the filing for its most recent year went to organisations it had also funded in one of the two earlier filings, so an existing relationship matters more than a new approach.
- If you are invited, a modest request fits, since half of its 48 grants across three filings were $25,000 or less and about 8 in 10 fell between $5,000 and $105,000, although its largest grant was about $165,000, so that band is not a ceiling.
- Its grants have gone to performing arts, museums and historic institutions, schools and an organisation serving children, so a group working in those areas will be a closer match to its record.
Overview
Stella Smith Charitable Trust is a US private foundation based in Little Rock, AR.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
Its grant record consists of general-fund support for organisations. Recipients span performing arts organisations such as orchestras, ballet and theatre; museums and historic institutions; schools and other educational organisations; and an organisation serving children. It also includes organisations connected with civic and cultural life, such as a hall of fame and a cinema society, alongside a poultry conservation organisation. The filings state a broad limitation to charitable, religious, scientific, literary or educational purposes as deemed proper. The trust gives only to charitable organisations selected in advance and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Arkansas, District of Columbia, Virginia and Ohio.
How to apply
The trust makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 80% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 48 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
2 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 23% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 80% of grant dollars went to organisations Stella Smith Charitable Trust had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 15 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $32,141 (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Arkansas Symphony Orchestra · General fund$161,5002025 tax year
- Kennedy Center For Performing Arts · General fund$65,0002025 tax year
- Crystal Bridges Museum · General fund$56,0002025 tax year
- Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts · General fund$50,0002025 tax year
- Huntington National Artspace · General fund$50,0002025 tax year
- Arkansas Repertory Theatre · General fund$50,0002025 tax year
- Mount Vernon Ladies Association · General fund$35,3852025 tax year
- Arkansas Children's Foundation · General fund$32,1412025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Catherine H Mayton — Trustee
- Michael R Mayton — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $877,846 | $595,185 | $14,846,143 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $863,935 | $564,734 | $16,320,806 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $925,346 | $620,055 | $16,587,884 | Filing for 2025 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Stella Smith Charitable Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (501) 376-0504
- Little Rock, AR
Applying to Stella Smith Charitable Trust?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (501) 376-0504
- Little Rock, AR