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Dennis & Smith Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.1M
Grant Range
$125K - $0.5M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2.1 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $67 million
  • Grant Range: $125,000 - $500,000
  • Grant Median: $125,000
  • Total Grants (2024): 13 awards
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Florida, with select grants to other U.S. states

Contact Details

Address: 1441 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1220, Miami, FL 33131

Note: The foundation does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited funding requests.

Overview

The Dennis & Smith Foundation is a private foundation established in Miami, Florida (EIN: 306727133). With total assets of $67 million and annual distributions of approximately $2.1 million, the foundation supports charitable organizations across Florida and select locations nationwide. The foundation operates through trustee discretion, making contributions to preselected charitable organizations rather than accepting public applications. Leadership consists of trustees Omar Dennis and Nancy Smith, who receive no compensation for their service (1 hour per week each). The foundation's grantmaking focuses on education, environmental conservation, community services, and cultural institutions, with a strong emphasis on South Florida organizations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single discretionary grantmaking program with awards typically ranging from $125,000 to $500,000. Based on 2024 giving patterns:

  • Large Grants: $200,000 - $500,000 (typically to educational institutions)
  • Standard Grants: $125,000 (most common award size)

Priority Areas

Based on recent grantmaking activity, the foundation supports:

  • Education: University programs, preparatory schools, educational technology initiatives
  • Environmental Conservation: Coral reef restoration, marine conservation
  • Community Services: Organizations serving people with disabilities, cultural enrichment programs
  • Youth Development: Music education, educational access programs

Geographic Focus

  • Primary focus: Miami-Dade County and South Florida
  • Secondary: Other Florida locations
  • Limited: Select grants to Hawaii, Montana, New York, and other states

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's 990 filings and available documentation do not specify explicit exclusions, but the foundation's stated policy of only funding preselected organizations effectively limits access to organizations without existing relationships with the trustees.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Omar Dennis - Trustee (1 hour/week, no compensation)
  • Nancy Smith - Trustee (1 hour/week, no compensation)

The foundation operates with a lean governance structure, with both trustees serving in unpaid roles. Public records indicate the trustees are associated with business operations in both Miami and New York. The foundation does not maintain paid staff, operating entirely through trustee direction.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified and selected.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept applications. Grant decisions are made internally by trustees throughout the year based on their own identification of worthy causes and organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable for external applicants, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not maintain an open application process.

Recent Grant Recipients (2024)

Based on available 990 data, recent grantees include:

  • University of Miami - $500,000 (Business Technology)
  • Gulliver Preparatory School - $200,000
  • Coral Restoration Foundation - $125,000
  • Miami Lighthouse for the Blind - $125,000
  • Miami Music Project - $125,000
  • Zoo Miami Foundation - $125,000

These grants reflect the foundation's priorities in education, environmental conservation, disability services, youth development, and cultural/community institutions.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, traditional success factors do not apply. However, analysis of their grantmaking patterns reveals:

  • Geographic proximity: Strong preference for Miami-based organizations
  • Established institutions: Grants favor well-established organizations with proven track records
  • Diverse impact areas: The foundation supports a range of causes rather than focusing narrowly on one sector
  • Mid-to-large grants: The foundation makes fewer, larger grants rather than many small awards
  • Education emphasis: Educational institutions (universities and schools) receive the largest individual grants

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications - they select grantees proactively
  • Relationship-driven: Grantmaking appears driven by trustees' existing knowledge of and relationships with organizations
  • South Florida focus: Strong geographic preference for Miami-Dade County organizations
  • Substantial awards: With a median grant of $125,000, this foundation makes meaningful investments when they do fund
  • Diverse portfolio: Support spans education, environment, disability services, and culture - not limited to a single cause area
  • Institutional preference: Recent grants favor established institutions with significant community presence
  • Multi-year perspective: Organizations seeking support should focus on building long-term awareness and relationships rather than seeking immediate funding

References

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