The Smidt Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The Smidt Foundation funds skilled trades education, veterans, first responders, anti-Semitism and bigotry, and front-line care, with its flagship Harbor Freight Tools for Schools programme focused on high school skilled trades education, so a good fit means your work sits squarely in one of these themes.
- Its geographic focus is given as Los Angeles as a priority, within the United States.
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding proposals and gives by invitation only, with no further application steps published, so a cold proposal is not a realistic route in; being known to the foundation matters more than submitting a written request.
- Typical grants run from $5,000 to $250,000, with a median of $35,000, so a request in that range is realistic, though 81% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in its two previous filings, suggesting it favours continuing relationships over new ones.
- Given the invitation-only approach, a grant writer's efforts are best spent building visibility and connections within its funding themes rather than drafting a direct application.
Overview
The Smidt Foundation is a US private foundation based in Beverly Hills, CA.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Smidt Foundation supports courageous people building, repairing and making communities safe. Its focused support uplifts skilled trades education, veterans and other first responders. It also supports courageous nonprofits addressing anti-Semitism and bigotry, and front-line organisations bringing care to people in need. Its flagship Harbor Freight Tools for Schools programme seeks to increase understanding, support and investment in excellent high school skilled trades education in the United States. The foundation describes its recipients as vital nonprofit organisations working to create opportunity, safety and wellbeing in Los Angeles and other communities.
Themes
- Skilled trades education
- Veterans
- First responders
- Anti-Semitism and bigotry
- Front-line care
Geographic Focus
Priority: Los Angeles; United States.
How to apply
The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding proposals. Its website gives no further application steps for organisations seeking a grant.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 81% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 394 grants to organisations were $35,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 4%
Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 5%
- The largest single recipient received 15% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 81% of grant dollars went to organisations The Smidt Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 19% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 122 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $35,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · Smidt heart institute$3,000,0002024 tax year
- Anti-Defamation League · General operating support$2,030,0002024 tax year
- Holocaust Museum LA · General operating support; project support$2,030,0002024 tax year
- PEF Israel Endowment Funds · Nonprofit support$1,740,0002024 tax year
- United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York · General operating support; project support$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Big Picture Company · Advancing skilled trades education$975,0002024 tax year
- Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program · Nonprofit support$800,0002024 tax year
- Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles · General operating support$520,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Susan Smidt — Board Member (Term Began 7/1/2024)
- Saba Yazdani — Secretary
- Allan G Mutchnik — Director / Treasurer
- Eric L Smidt — Director / President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $19,732,083 | $19,715,178 | $265,678,716 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $26,913,265 | $21,548,823 | $267,841,665 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $17,163,900 | $21,114,495 | $269,880,874 | Filing for 2024 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
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
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Applying to The Smidt Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required