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James C And Norma I Smith Foundation

Annual Giving
$4.3M

James C And Norma I Smith Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,300,000 (FY24)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (average ~$68,000 based on FY23 data)
  • Geographic Focus: United States (national)

Contact Details

Overview

The James C And Norma I Smith Foundation is a private foundation established in 1994 in Illinois and Texas, operating in 2003 as a successor to the original James C. and Norma I. Smith Foundation. With over 30 years of grant-making history, the foundation has demonstrated consistent growth in its philanthropic impact, distributing $4.3 million across 37 grants in fiscal year 2024 (compared to $2.98 million across 44 awards in 2023). The foundation's mission is to provide educational, nutritional, medical, and environmental assistance to underserved members of our shared world, with particular emphasis on the welfare of children, senior citizens, unemployed/underemployed adults, and animals. The foundation employs a targeted and relational approach, meticulously selecting and funding nonprofits on the front lines of social impact across the United States.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates through trustee discretion rather than formal grant programs. All funded organizations must have a strong operational presence within the United States.

  • Average Grant Size: Approximately $68,000 (based on FY23 data: $2,982,000 distributed across 44 awards)
  • Grant Activity: 37 grants awarded in FY24; 44 grants in FY23; 37 grants in FY22; 15 grants in FY21

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on four primary areas:

  1. Animal Welfare

    • Rescuing and rehabilitating animals
    • Providing advanced veterinary services
    • Addressing veterinarian shortages
    • Specialized behavioral training

  2. Medical Support

    • Immediate medical relief
    • Training future healthcare professionals
    • Advancing medical research

  3. Education

    • Academic enrichment
    • Workforce development
    • Job placement assistance

  4. Food Security

    • Nutritious meal access
    • Food recovery and waste reduction
    • Pathways to financial stability

What They Don't Fund

The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Governance and Leadership

Specific information about trustees and senior leadership is not publicly available on the foundation's website. Leadership details can be found in the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings, available through ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, GuideStar, or Candid's Foundation Directory.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Grants are awarded through trustee discretion to organizations that have been identified and vetted by the foundation's leadership. Organizations cannot apply directly for funding.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with no public application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, organizations that align closely with the foundation's four priority areas (animal welfare, medical support, education, and food security) and demonstrate high-impact work serving underserved populations in the United States may be more likely to come onto the foundation's radar through their reputation and sector leadership.

The foundation's approach is described as "targeted and relational," suggesting they invest significant time in researching and vetting organizations before making grant awards. Organizations are selected based on their operational presence within the United States and their effectiveness in addressing the needs of children, senior citizens, unemployed/underemployed adults, and animals.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals or applications from organizations they have not already identified
  • Invitation-Only Funding: All grants are made to preselected charitable organizations chosen by trustees
  • Four Priority Areas: Focus exclusively on animal welfare, medical support, education, and food security
  • U.S. Focus Required: All funded organizations must have a strong operational presence within the United States
  • Underserved Populations: Particular emphasis on serving children, senior citizens, unemployed/underemployed adults, and animals
  • Growing Grantmaking: The foundation has increased its number of grants from 15 (2021) to 44 (2023), showing expanding philanthropic activity
  • Relationship-Based: The foundation employs a "targeted and relational" approach, suggesting deep engagement with funded organizations

References

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