← Back to US Funders Directory

Dr Bob And Jean Smith Foundation

Annual Giving
$0.7M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.2M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $718,828 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Reviewed quarterly
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $200,000
  • Median Grant: $30,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Dallas County, Texas
  • Total Assets: $17.4 million

Contact Details

Address: 3811 Turtle Creek Centre, Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75219

Phone: (214) 521-3461

Contact Person: Sally Smith Mashburn, President/Chairwoman

Website: No website maintained

Overview

The Dr. Bob and Jean Smith Foundation was established in 1985 (incorporated 1989) by Dr. Charles Robert Smith, a Dallas pediatrician and SMU alumnus, and his wife Jean. Dr. Smith was a co-founder of Doctors Hospital in East Dallas, serving as its CEO from 1959 to 1984, and founded Doctors Healthcare Center and Arcady Health Services Corporation. After Dr. Smith's death in 2006, the foundation continues under the leadership of their daughter, Sally Smith Mashburn, who serves as President and Chairwoman. With assets of approximately $17.4 million, the foundation distributed $718,828 in grants in 2024, focusing on higher education, medical education and research, health, community enrichment, and arts and culture. The foundation made 12 grants in 2023, reflecting its commitment to supporting organizations in the Dallas area, particularly those serving children, youth, and economically disadvantaged populations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates a single grant program without specific streams. Grants are awarded on a rolling basis with quarterly review cycles.

  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $200,000
  • Median Grant: $30,000
  • Application Method: Written request with Form 990 attached, accepted year-round, reviewed quarterly

Priority Areas

The foundation provides support for organizations in the following areas:

  • Health and Medical: In-patient medical care, nursing care, diseases and conditions, health research, medical education
  • Higher Education: Particularly institutions with medical/pre-medical programs and student services
  • Arts and Culture: Museums, libraries, cultural enrichment
  • Human Services: Community and economic development, services for economically disadvantaged populations
  • Children and Youth Services: Programs serving children, youth, and students
  • Christianity: Faith-based organizations and programs

Special Interest Populations: Academics, children and youth, economically disadvantaged people, low-income people, and students.

Geographic Preference: Giving primarily limited to nonprofit organizations in Texas with emphasis on Dallas County.

What They Don't Fund

  • No grants to individuals
  • Organizations outside Texas (with rare exceptions)
  • Organizations outside the foundation's priority areas

Governance and Leadership

Sally Smith Mashburn, President/Chairwoman: Daughter of founders Dr. Bob and Jean Smith, Sally graduated from SMU in 1977 and has led the foundation since her father's death in 2006. She works 40 hours per week for the foundation (compensation: $204,117) and continues her family's legacy of supporting medical and educational causes in Dallas. Sally and her husband Waddell Mashburn have also made their own philanthropic contributions, including a $250,000 gift to the University of Mississippi for chemistry education.

Board Structure: The foundation has 7 additional board members who each contribute approximately 1 hour per week to foundation governance.

Foundation History: The foundation honors Dr. Bob Smith's 30-year career as a Dallas pediatrician and his entrepreneurial work in healthcare management. His legacy is preserved through major gifts including $5 million for the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center at SMU, $1 million for the Bob Smith M.D. Pre-Medical Studies Center, and $1 million for the Dr. Bob and Jean Smith Auditorium in Meadows Museum.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation does not maintain a website or formal application form. To apply:

  1. Submit a written request to the foundation address
  2. Include your organization's most recent Form 990 tax return
  3. Applications accepted at any time throughout the year

Preferred Applicants: Medical and educational organizations are given preference in the review process.

Eligibility Verification: Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation prior to submitting a full application to verify eligibility.

Decision Timeline

  • Review Cycle: Applications reviewed quarterly
  • Timeline: Specific decision timelines not publicly disclosed
  • Notification: Contact method not specified

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. In 2023, the foundation made 12 grants totaling approximately $719,000.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policy not publicly disclosed. Contact the foundation directly to inquire about reapplication procedures and timing.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's grant history and priorities, the following factors appear important:

Strong Connection to Dallas: The foundation shows clear preference for Dallas County organizations, particularly those connected to institutions the Smith family has supported historically, such as SMU and Methodist Health System.

Medical and Educational Focus: The foundation was created specifically to support "higher education, medical education and research, and health." Recent top grants include Methodist Health System Foundation ($200,000) and Christ's Family Clinic ($75,000), demonstrating sustained commitment to healthcare.

Serving Vulnerable Populations: Recent grants to organizations like Envision Dallas ($125,000) and Christ's Family Clinic suggest interest in organizations serving economically disadvantaged populations, children, and youth.

Established Organizations: Major grant recipients tend to be well-established institutions with strong track records. The foundation appears to prefer supporting proven organizations rather than startups.

Long-term Relationships: The foundation's history shows repeated support for certain institutions (SMU, Methodist Health System), suggesting that building a relationship over time may be beneficial.

Clear Impact on Children and Health: Given Dr. Bob Smith's career as a pediatrician, organizations that serve children's health and educational needs may have particular appeal.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Contact first: Without a website or formal application, establishing direct contact with Sally Smith Mashburn is essential before submitting a proposal
  • Dallas County focus: Organizations outside Dallas County face significantly lower odds unless they have exceptional alignment with foundation priorities
  • Medical/educational sweet spot: The foundation was created specifically for medical and educational causes—these areas receive preference
  • Include Form 990: The application requirement specifically mentions including your Form 990, so ensure it presents your organization well
  • Quarterly patience: With quarterly reviews, build time into your funding timeline and don't expect rapid decisions
  • Relationship building: The foundation's pattern of repeat giving to certain institutions suggests that an initial smaller grant could lead to larger future support
  • Median grant is $30,000: While grants up to $200,000 are possible, the median is $30,000, so calibrate requests accordingly

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory