← Back to US Funders Directory

Teach A Man To Fish Foundation

Annual Giving
$8.6M
Grant Range
$10K - $8.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,633,257 (2024 fiscal year)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable - invitation only
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $8,065,650
  • Geographic Focus: National/International
  • Assets: $144 million

Contact Details

Address: 17595 Harvard Ave Suite STE C511, Irvine, CA 92614

EIN: 27-4213183

Note: The foundation does not have a public website or publicly listed contact information. They do not accept unsolicited funding requests.

Overview

The Teach A Man To Fish Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in 2013 by Vinny Smith, founder of Toba Capital venture capital firm and billionaire software executive (former CEO of Quest Software). With assets of $144 million, the foundation distributed $8.6 million in grants in 2024. The foundation operates as a vehicle for Smith's philanthropic commitments, particularly tied to his venture capital activities where 50% of Toba Capital's profits are pledged to charitable foundations. The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on environmental conservation and sustainability through its sister organization Walking Softer, as well as educational initiatives and social justice causes. The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations identified through the founder's networks and interests.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with public application processes. Instead, grants are made at the discretion of foundation leadership to organizations aligned with their philanthropic priorities.

2024 Grant Activity: 11 grants totaling $8.6 million Median Grant Size: $10,000 Largest Grant (2024): $8,065,650 to Walking Softer for conservation and academic scholarships

Priority Areas

Based on documented grant recipients and the founder's philanthropic focus, the foundation prioritizes:

  • Environmental Conservation and Sustainability: Primary focus area, particularly through Walking Softer initiative supporting conservation projects, climate technology, renewable energy, carbon capture, and water conservation
  • Education and Scholarship Programs: Supporting educational access and sustainability-focused academic programs
  • Social Justice Initiatives: Supporting organizations working on equity and justice issues
  • Climate Change Research and Action: Funding climate-related research and initiatives
  • Community Support Programs: Supporting select community-based organizations

Recent Grant Recipients Include:

  • Walking Softer (conservation and scholarships)
  • Stars & Stripes Children's Foundation
  • Climate Justice Alliance
  • African Wildlife Foundation
  • American Cancer Society

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests and only makes grants to preselected organizations. There is no public information about specific exclusions.

Governance and Leadership

President: Vincent "Vinny" Smith - Founder of Toba Capital, former CEO of Quest Software, billionaire software executive with significant background in B2B software and IT infrastructure. Smith has committed 50% of his venture capital firm's profits to charitable foundations.

Secretary/Treasurer: Victoria Smith - Co-founder of the foundation's philanthropic initiatives

Vice President/CFO: Matt Gless

All key personnel serve without compensation according to IRS filings.

The foundation's leadership reflects Smith's dual focus on venture capital success and environmental stewardship, with the Walking Softer initiative representing an increasingly significant component of the foundation's grantmaking strategy.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Teach A Man To Fish Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are made at the discretion of foundation trustees, primarily Vincent and Victoria Smith, to organizations that align with their philanthropic priorities. The foundation identifies potential grant recipients through:

  • Existing relationships and networks
  • Organizations connected to Toba Capital's investment activities
  • Sister organization Walking Softer's programs
  • Trustee-identified causes and initiatives

Getting on Their Radar

While the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, there are specific ways organizations aligned with their mission may come to their attention:

  • Toba Capital Connection: Organizations working in climate technology, renewable energy, carbon capture, water conservation, or B2B software sectors may connect through Toba Capital's investment portfolio, as the firm explicitly links its profit-making to charitable giving through this foundation.

  • Walking Softer Programs: Organizations focused on environmental conservation and sustainability may engage with Walking Softer's initiatives, including their Education Program, Young Leaders Award, and changemaker funding programs. Walking Softer operates as a primary vehicle for the foundation's conservation grantmaking.

  • Sector Events: Vinny Smith is active in both venture capital and environmental philanthropy circles. Organizations may encounter foundation representatives at climate technology conferences, venture capital forums focused on sustainability, or conservation leadership events in Southern California.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the invitation-only nature and trustee discretion, decision timelines likely vary significantly based on the relationship with the organization and the nature of the funding request.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Grant recipients are preselected by trustees.

Historical Grant Activity:

  • 2024: 11 grants
  • 2023: 35 grants ($5,306,279)
  • 2022: 12 grants
  • 2021: 21 grants
  • 2020: 84 grants
  • 2019: 68 grants

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable due to invitation-only grantmaking structure.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations seeking to align with the foundation's interests should note:

Alignment with Vinny Smith's Philanthropic Vision: The foundation's grantmaking directly reflects Smith's commitment to environmental sustainability and education. Organizations that demonstrate clear impact in climate technology, conservation, or educational access aligned with sustainability are most likely to be considered.

Connection to Walking Softer: The largest grant in 2024 ($8,065,650) went to Walking Softer, demonstrating that organizations working within or alongside Walking Softer's conservation and education programs are priority recipients.

Climate and Sustainability Focus: Smith's increasing pivot toward climate technology through both his venture capital work and philanthropy suggests that organizations demonstrating innovation or significant impact in renewable energy, carbon capture, water conservation, or climate justice are particularly aligned with the foundation's evolving priorities.

Educational Impact: Organizations that combine educational access with sustainability training or environmental awareness align with the foundation's dual focus on education and conservation.

Demonstrated Results: As a successful business executive, Smith likely values organizations that demonstrate measurable outcomes, efficient operations, and sustainable business models in their charitable work.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-Only Structure: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications; all grants are made to preselected organizations identified by trustees
  • Environmental Priority: Conservation and climate initiatives receive the largest grants, particularly through the Walking Softer organization
  • Toba Capital Connection: 50% of Smith's venture capital profits fund charitable causes, creating a direct link between his business interests and philanthropic priorities
  • Education-Environment Nexus: Programs combining educational access with sustainability or environmental focus align with both foundation priorities
  • High-Value Grantmaking: With median grants of $10,000 but capacity for multi-million dollar awards, the foundation can provide substantial support to aligned organizations
  • Network-Based: Building relationships within Smith's venture capital, climate technology, or conservation networks is the most viable path to foundation awareness
  • Walking Softer as Gateway: Engagement with Walking Softer's programs and initiatives may provide the most direct connection to the foundation's grantmaking priorities

References

← Back to US Funders Directory