Harold C. Smith Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5,000,000 (2023)
• Average Grant Size: $151,485
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks
• Grant Range: Varies (average $151,485)
• Geographic Focus: United States (24 states) and Middle East
• Application Method: Invitation only (no unsolicited applications)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.hcsfoundation.org/
Email: einfo@hcsfoundation.org
Phone: Not publicly available
Location: 40 Worth St Ste 1053, New York, NY (with Wheaton, IL address)

Overview

The Harold C. Smith Foundation was approved as a private foundation in September 2015 and launched operations in 2017 to continue founder Harold C. Smith's legacy of careful stewardship and impactful grant-making. With assets of approximately $79 million and annual giving of $5 million across 33 grants in 2023, the foundation focuses exclusively on Christian ministry. Harold C. Smith (born 1934) served dual careers as Chief Investment Officer of YMCA Retirement Fund and voluntary pastor. The foundation's mission is "For the glory of God we steward our Founder's legacy, wisely investing in Christian churches and non-profits where they effectively share the Gospel, bringing hope and healing to our broken world." Under CEO Vanessa Jerome's leadership since 2020, the foundation has launched groundbreaking partnerships including the MENA Collaboration and US Collaboration, bringing together dozens of foundations to drive greater collective impact in Christian philanthropy.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through an invitation-only model with applications reviewed in the first three quarters of the year. Grants typically average $151,485, with examples ranging from smaller targeted projects to major multi-year commitments. The foundation distributed approximately 33 grants totaling nearly $5 million in 2023.

Example Grant: $468,572 to American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem for Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza to expand free community clinic services from one to two days weekly, serving 4,500 additional patients including 400 malnourished children, 300 burn victims, and 800 women for breast cancer screening.

Priority Areas

1. Passing the Faith to the Rising Generation in the United States

• Christian education and discipleship programs
• Youth engagement and leadership development
• Programs addressing youth disconnection from the church
• Creating opportunities for young people to explore the Gospel

2. Strengthening & Sustaining the Christian Church in the Middle East

• Christian education and discipleship in complex contexts
• Equipping believers to lead the church
• Humanitarian relief
• Supporting Kingdom growth in the MENA region

3. Supporting Persecuted Followers of Christ Around the World

• Ministries supporting persecuted believers globally
• Practical and spiritual support for those suffering for their faith
• Programs addressing global Christian persecution

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation:

• Does not accept unsolicited applications
• Focuses exclusively on Gospel-centered, Christian ministry projects
• Generally avoids grants exceeding 20% of a nonprofit's annual revenue
• Prefers to fund no more than 50% of overall project costs
• Typically limits grantees to two consecutive grants

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

• Jeffrey Whittle, Director and Chairperson - President and Managing Partner of Ecclesia Construction Company with 26 years of construction management experience; former shepherding Elder of Steele Creek Church of Charlotte; Vice Chair of Renew Our Community (ROC) in Rock Hill, SC
• Pierre Arty, Director and Secretary
• Additional board members participate in quarterly grant review meetings

Executive Leadership:

• Vanessa Jerome, President and CEO (since 2020; joined at launch in 2017) - Compensation: $241,500. Jerome describes her approach: "I have had the profound privilege of leading our foundation through a transformative journey—beginning with prayer for the Lord's guidance, cultivating strong relationships across Christian philanthropy, staying engaged with ministry leaders, and ensuring that every grant aligns with our mission, focus areas, and donor intent." Her passion is "centered on stewarding resources wisely, fostering unity in the Body of Christ, and advancing Kingdom impact through transformational philanthropy."

Program Staff:

• Carola A. Gerbrick, US Program Director
• Jacquelyn Pressey, International Program Officer

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does NOT accept unsolicited applications. According to their FAQ: "Please do not submit unsolicited LOIs [Letters of Inquiry]."

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, making contributions exclusively to preselected charitable organizations. Potential grantees are invited to apply through two primary channels:

1. Direct Invitation: The foundation identifies and invites organizations aligned with their mission to submit proposals
2. Website Submission: Organizations that pass eligibility screening may be invited to submit a short project description

Once invited, the application follows this process:

Step 1: Condensed Application

• Program Staff screen for mission and focus alignment
• Conduct due diligence and informational meetings or site visits
• Application approved or declined

Step 2: Full Application (if approved)

• Gather additional information
• Verify financial statements and IRS determination letters
• Establish evaluation methods and reporting requirements

Step 3: Board Action

• CEO presents application with recommendations to the Board
• Grantees may be invited to join part of the Board meeting to answer questions
• Board makes final grant approval decision

Step 4: Award

• CEO prepares legally binding Letter of Agreement
• Payment made by wire transfer within 3-5 business days after signed agreement returned

Decision Timeline

• Total process: 6-8 weeks from LOI invitation to Board vote
• Board review schedule: Applications presented during first three quarters of the year (Q1-Q3)
• Payment: 3-5 business days after signed Letter of Agreement returned
• Invited LOIs: Considered throughout the year

Success Rates

The foundation made 33 grants in 2023 and 33 grants in 2024. Specific application-to-award ratios are not publicly disclosed, but the invitation-only model suggests a selective, strategic approach with higher conversion rates than open application processes.

Reapplication Policy

• Foundation typically limits grantees to two consecutive grants
• Multi-year grants are occasionally offered for projects with strong alignment and demonstrated impact
• Unsuccessful or previous grantees may be reinvited based on program priorities and relationship history

Application Success Factors

Since the Harold C. Smith Foundation operates by invitation only, success depends on getting noticed and building relationships before formal application. Once invited, these factors are critical:

Mission Alignment is Paramount The foundation emphasizes that projects must "strongly align with their mission and current priorities" and be "Gospel centered." CEO Vanessa Jerome notes that "every grant aligns with our mission, focus areas, and donor intent."

Measurable Results Required The foundation explicitly seeks projects with "measurable results." Applications must demonstrate clear evaluation methods and reporting requirements.

Proportionate Funding Requests

• Generally avoid grants exceeding 20% of your nonprofit's annual revenue
• Foundation prefers to fund no more than 50% of overall project costs
• Budget requests should be proportionate to organizational capacity

Clear Gospel-Centered Approach Projects must explicitly demonstrate how they advance Gospel proclamation and Christian discipleship. The foundation's guiding philosophy states: "As we give joyfully, Christians are empowered to labor boldly, confidently, and effectively."

Specific Project Example - What Works The $468,572 grant to Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza demonstrates their priorities: concrete humanitarian impact (serving 4,500 additional patients), measurable outcomes (specific numbers of children, women, caregivers served), alignment with Middle East focus, and partnership with established Christian institutions (Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem).

Core Values to Reflect The foundation operates with three core values that should be evident in applications:

1. Joyful: Giving from "an overflow of joyful gratitude"
2. Discerning: Demonstrating wisdom in approach and alignment
3. Faithful: Remaining true to the Gospel and Christian mission

Board Presentation Opportunity When possible, grantees are invited to join Board meetings briefly to answer questions—prepare concise, compelling responses that demonstrate both passion and organizational competence.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only model: You cannot apply directly; focus on building visibility in Christian philanthropy circles and demonstrating alignment with their three focus areas
• Gospel-centered is non-negotiable: Every project must explicitly advance Christian faith, not just serve Christian populations
• Think collaborative: The foundation values partnerships (MENA Collaboration, US Collaboration) and may be more responsive to organizations engaged in broader Christian philanthropy networks
• Middle East focus is distinctive: If working in MENA region supporting Christian communities, this is a rare and significant funding opportunity
• Demonstrate measurability: Vague impact statements won't succeed; provide specific, quantifiable outcomes
• Financial proportionality matters: Don't request more than 20% of your annual budget or 50% of project costs
• Multi-year thinking: While most grants are single-year, strong performers may receive consecutive funding (up to two grants typically)

References

• Harold C. Smith Foundation official website: https://www.hcsfoundation.org/ (accessed January 2026)
• "Our Story" page: https://www.hcsfoundation.org/our-story/ (accessed January 2026)
• "Process" page: https://www.hcsfoundation.org/process/ (accessed January 2026)
• "FAQ" page: https://www.hcsfoundation.org/faq/ (accessed January 2026)
• "Our Focus" page: https://www.hcsfoundation.org/our-focus/ (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Harold C Smith Foundation (EIN 47-1491651): https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/471491651 (accessed January 2026)
• Instrumentl 990 Report: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/harold-c-smith-foundation-to-promote-christianity (accessed January 2026)
• Episcopal News Service, "Harold C. Smith Foundation grant to Gaza's Ahli Arab Hospital will double access to free community clinic": https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/pressreleases/harold-c-smith-foundation-grant-to-gazas-ahli-arab-hospital-will-double-access-to-free-community-clinic/ (accessed January 2026)
• Vanessa Holland Jerome LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-holland-jerome-201b7116a/ (accessed January 2026)
• Charity Navigator profile: https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/471491651 (accessed January 2026)