Ryan and Ashley Smith Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation is based in Salt Lake City and states a priority for Utah, with its giving framed around youth programmes, mentorship and sport, so work in those areas in Utah is the closest fit.
- It does not accept unsolicited requests and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations, so an organisation without an existing link should not send a cold application.
- Repeat giving is strong: 97% of its grant dollars in the filing went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so a relationship with the foundation matters more than the size of the request.
- Grants are usually modest, with half of its 15 grants to organisations at $80,000 or less and a median of $80,000, so a request near that level suits its usual giving.
- The material gives no timetable for approaches, so a writer should not plan around a fixed application window.
Overview
Ryan and Ashley Smith Foundation is a US private foundation based in Salt Lake City, UT.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (utah2034.org), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation is described as investing in Utah communities through youth programmes, mentorship and sport. Its giving is framed as embodying Olympic ideals by inspiring belonging, growth and community. It makes grants to charitable organisations, and its filed grant purposes are general unrestricted. Contributions are limited to preselected charitable organisations; unsolicited requests are not accepted. The available material does not describe further eligibility criteria or a public route for organisations to seek consideration, nor does it identify additional fields of support beyond this broad description.
Themes
- Youth programs
- Mentorship
- Sport
Geographic Focus
Priority: Utah. (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
Contributions are made to preselected charitable organisations; unsolicited requests are not accepted.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 97% 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 15 grants to organisations were $80,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 89% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to organisations Ryan and Ashley Smith Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 90% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 5 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $80,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Five for the Fight Foundation · General unrestricted$5,000,0002024 tax year
- Will Hardy Foundation · General unrestricted$100,0002024 tax year
- Discovery Land Company Foundation · General unrestricted$80,0002024 tax year
- Academy for Child Advocacy · General unrestricted$10,0002024 tax year
- Ballet West · General unrestricted$5,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Ashley Smith — Trustee
- Ryan Smith — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $6,633,778 | $6,305,000 | $81,599,162 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $5,565,549 | $5,317,500 | $77,104,058 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $5,424,831 | $5,195,000 | $80,471,749 | 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
🎯 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
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to Ryan and Ashley Smith Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Salt Lake City, UT
Applying to Ryan and Ashley Smith Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Salt Lake City, UT