William E Schmidt Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation's stated focus is vocal arts and education, so work outside those themes is unlikely to fit.
- Its filing says it has no public process and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold approach is probably not the route, and in its latest filing 94% of its grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in one of the two filings before, so relationships are likely to weigh heavily.
- Across its last three filings, half of its 104 grants to organisations were $5,000 or less and the median grant was $5,000, so a request near that figure matches its usual pattern; about 8 in 10 of its grants fall between $400 and $32,500, but its largest grant was $105,000, so that band is not a ceiling.
- Its grants have mostly gone to Indiana, Florida, Tennessee and Ohio, but no geographic focus is stated, so location alone does not decide whether you can apply.
Overview
William E Schmidt Foundation is a US private foundation based in Evansville, IN.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) and web pages about the foundation (schmidtvocalarts.org), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation supports motivated individuals and organisations through grantmaking and partnerships that facilitate learning, expand access and empower growth, specifically in vocal arts and education. It is committed to fostering young students’ passion for classical singing. Its Schmidt Vocal Arts umbrella includes a vocal competition, a vocal institute, vocal education and scholarships for young singers. The competition gives singers performance opportunities, cash awards, scholarships, coaching and master-class training. The institute brings talented high-school singers together for a residential summer programme, particularly those serious about pursuing a career in the arts. Its approach combines grantmaking and partnerships with structured learning and performance opportunities.
Themes
- Vocal arts
- Education
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Indiana, Florida, Tennessee and Ohio.
How to apply
For the singer competition, the filing says the application and rules are available on the foundation website. It gives no separate application route for organisations seeking direct grants.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 94% 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 104 grants to organisations were $5,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 6%
- The largest single recipient received 18% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 94% of grant dollars went to organisations William E Schmidt Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 20% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 29 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $5,000 (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Sarasota Opera Association · Youth opera pledge$60,0002025 tax year
- YMCA Camp Carson · Military family support$42,5002025 tax year
- Tennessee Golf Foundation · Scholarship$40,0002025 tax year
- University of Evansville · Donation$32,4002025 tax year
- Manatee Technical College · Donation$30,0002025 tax year
- Miami University · Donation$25,0002025 tax year
- Dan Scism College Scholarship Fund · Scholarship sponsor$25,0002025 tax year
- Transformation Nashville · Donation$20,0002025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Chester Schmidt IV — Board Member
- Elizabeth Hamilton — President
- J Michael Small — Secretary
- Douglas Schmidt — Treasurer
- Chester Schmidt — Chairman
- Christine Goerke Holloway — Board Member
- Janet Peterson — Board Member
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $2,190,718 | $447,975 | $44,548,866 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $2,268,564 | $412,666 | $49,529,693 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $2,800,762 | $364,920 | $52,786,587 | 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 William E Schmidt Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (513) 783-2583
- Evansville, IN
Applying to William E Schmidt Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (513) 783-2583
- Evansville, IN