William E Schmidt Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $447,975 (2023)
• Success Rate: N/A (no public application process)
• Decision Time: N/A (trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $125 - $113,750
• Geographic Focus: Indiana, Maryland, Tennessee, Florida (multi-state)

Contact Details

• Website: https://schmidtfoundation.org
• Mailing Address: PO Box 6783, Evansville, IN 47719-0783
• Contact Page: https://schmidtfoundation.org/contact/
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available

Overview

The William E Schmidt Foundation Inc is a private non-operating foundation established in 1992 with assets of approximately $34 million. Founded by William E. Schmidt, a decorated military pilot and successful businessman from Evansville, Indiana, the foundation distributed $447,975 in grants during 2023 across 40 awards. The foundation's mission centers on supporting motivated individuals and organizations through grantmaking and partnerships which facilitate learning, expand access, and empower growth, specifically in the areas of vocal arts and education. The foundation is particularly known for its flagship Schmidt Vocal Arts program, which has reached over 5,000 young singers since 1997 and awarded over $2 million in scholarships and cash awards.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Grant Program: $125 - $113,750 (trustee discretion, no public application)
• Schmidt Vocal Competition Awards: Scholarships covering four years of undergraduate study at music-granting universities
• Matching Grants: Available for select partner organizations (amounts vary)

Priority Areas

• Vocal arts and classical music education
• Youth development and education programs
• Higher education institutions (particularly music programs)
• Community development initiatives
• Faith-based initiatives (Christianity)
• Human services organizations

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not publicly list exclusions, but grants primarily support organizations within their geographic focus areas and mission alignment.

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is family-managed with the following board members:

• Chester A. Schmidt III - Chairman
• Douglas Schmidt - Treasurer
• J. Michael Small - Secretary
• Lisa Hamilton - President
• Christine Goerke - Board Member (added 2024)
• Janet Hamilton Petersen - Board Member (added 2024)
• Chad Schmidt - Board Member (added 2024)

All board members receive $12,000 annual compensation for their service.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees to organizations they identify and approach proactively. The foundation appears to work primarily through established partnerships and ongoing relationships with organizations in their focus areas.

Getting on Their Radar

Based on the foundation's grant-making patterns:

• The foundation frequently supports organizations where William E. Schmidt had personal connections, particularly in Evansville, Indiana and Sarasota, Florida
• They have shown particular interest in organizations that can demonstrate significant community impact through arts and education
• The foundation offers matching grant opportunities to select partners, suggesting they value organizations that can leverage their support
• Organizations can contact the foundation directly through their website's contact page to inquire about potential partnership opportunities

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion without a public application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented grant-making patterns:

• Geographic alignment: Organizations in Southern Indiana (especially Evansville), Sarasota Florida, Maryland, and Tennessee have received the most consistent support
• Mission alignment: The foundation has consistently funded organizations focused on vocal arts, with the Schmidt Vocal Arts program representing their most significant commitment
• Established track record: Recipients like University of Evansville Opera have received support since 1998, indicating the foundation values long-term partnerships
• Youth focus: Organizations serving young people, particularly in arts education, align strongly with founder William E. Schmidt's belief that "education + initiative + hard work = success"
• Matching grant potential: The foundation has provided matching grants to organizations like Dream Center Evansville, suggesting they value organizational capacity to leverage their support
• Named opportunities: The foundation has funded named facilities and programs (Schmidt Opera Theatre at Sarasota Opera, Schmidt Vocal Arts Center at University of Kentucky), indicating interest in legacy giving opportunities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a private foundation without a public application process - relationships and trustee connections are essential
• Strong alignment with vocal arts and music education significantly increases likelihood of support
• Geographic focus on Indiana, Florida, Maryland, and Tennessee is critical - organizations outside these areas face higher barriers
• The foundation values long-term partnerships over one-time grants, as evidenced by multi-decade support for certain organizations
• Matching grant structures suggest the foundation wants to see organizational buy-in and community support
• Direct outreach through the foundation's contact page is the only documented path for organizations not already in their network
• The foundation's growing board (three new members in 2024) may signal expanding grant-making capacity or new focus areas

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - William E Schmidt Foundation Inc Tax Returns (2020-2023)
• GuideStar/Candid Profile - William E Schmidt Foundation Inc (EIN: 35-1884241)
• Schmidt Foundation Official Website - https://schmidtfoundation.org
• Schmidt Vocal Arts Program Information - https://schmidtvocalarts.org
• Charity Navigator Profile - William E Schmidt Foundation Inc
• IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search - EIN 35-1884241
• Various news articles and grant recipient announcements (2020-2024)
• Foundation Directory Online - William E Schmidt Foundation Inc Profile
• Dates accessed: March 2024