The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation's priority is the Cleveland area, so Cleveland-area charitable organisations fit best, and it will consider general operating support, annual funds, capital campaigns and specific projects within its guidelines.
- A realistic request should sit within the typical range of $6,000 to $62,500, with a median grant of $30,000 and half of its 243 grants over the recent filings at $30,000 or less, though the largest grant on record was about $3,000,000.
- Approach it first with an LOI setting out your organisation's history, mission, programmes and services; if that is approved you are given portal access to submit a full application, and a site visit may follow, with four fixed deadlines each year—31 January, 31 March, 31 July and 31 October—so plan your submission around these dates.
- With 99% of its grant dollars going to organisations it had also funded in the two previous filings, this looks like a relationship-led funder where repeat support dominates, so a first-time applicant should expect to be competing for a smaller share of giving.
- Individuals, political subdivisions and requests to fund endowments should not apply, and applicants must qualify under the Internal Revenue Code categories stated in the filing.
Overview
The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation is a US private foundation based in Cleveland, OH.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Foundation describes itself as a private family foundation making grants to non-profit, charitable organisations in Cleveland. It considers general operating support, annual funds, capital campaigns and specific projects within its guidelines, and gives consideration to organisations in the Cleveland area. Its mission values excellence in organisations’ missions, creativity in approach, fiscal responsibility and dynamic leadership in community service. Its grant record includes support for cultural institutions and music organisations, schools, health providers and environmental conservation, alongside substantial general operating support and capital or project grants. Applications are limited to organisations qualifying under the Internal Revenue Code categories stated in the filing.
Geographic Focus
Priority: Cleveland area.
What They Don't Fund
- Endowments
- Individuals
- Political subdivisions
How to apply
First-time applicants submit an LOI for review; the Foundation may request a full proposal. The full application is available through the online portal only after LOI approval and assignment of an access code.
Deadlines: Eligible organisations may submit a request once a year by four deadlines: 31 January, 31 March, 31 July and 31 October.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 99% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 243 grants to organisations were $30,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- It favours organisations that adhere to excellence in their missions, creativity in approach, fiscal responsibility and dynamic leadership in community service.
- First-time applicants should outline their organisation’s history, mission, programmes and services so the Foundation can assess whether an LOI fits its areas of interest.
- A foundation representative may request a site visit to gather additional information about the organisation.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 25% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 100% of grant dollars went to organisations The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 77 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $30,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Cleveland Museum of Art · Chair's challenge$2,000,0002024 tax year
- Musical Arts Association · "we believe" campaign&gen'l op.supp.$1,200,0002024 tax year
- Cleveland Museum of Art · Decorative arts curator, special exhibits, gen'l support$1,000,0002024 tax year
- University Hospitals · Uh expressive therapy program$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Cleveland Museum of Natural History · Capital support$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Hospice of the Western Reserve · General operating support$530,0002024 tax year
- Cleveland Institute of Music · General op.support & kulas hall renov.$275,0002024 tax year
- Cleveland Museum of Art · General operating support$205,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- John G Nestor — Trustee
- Daniel Walsh — Trustee
- Madelaine C Mavec — Trustee
- Ellen Stirn Mavec — President & Chair
- David M Lenz — Secretary
- Vanessa Mavec King — Treasurer
- Hiroyuki Fujita — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $7,942,301 | $6,346,214 | $174,858,633 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $10,684,236 | $9,733,500 | $187,644,590 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $10,360,551 | $9,281,600 | $197,956,440 | Filing for 2024 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (216) 591-9111
- Cleveland, OH
- kesmithfoundation.org
Applying to The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (216) 591-9111
- Cleveland, OH
- kesmithfoundation.org