Ryan And Ashley Smith Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $5.5 million
• Success Rate: N/A (No public application process)
• Decision Time: N/A (Trustee discretion)
• Grant Range: $100,000 - $5,000,000
• Geographic Focus: National with emphasis on Utah

Contact Details

• Phone: (646) 213-5100
• Address: 50 W Broadway PMB 42981 Ste 333, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
• Website: Not available
• Email: Not available

Overview

The Ryan And Ashley Smith Foundation is a private foundation established in 2019 by Ryan and Ashley Smith in Salt Lake City, Utah. With total assets of approximately $71.5 million, the foundation distributes over $5.5 million annually in charitable grants. The foundation operates as a private family foundation focused on strategic philanthropy through trustee-directed giving. As a relatively young foundation, it has quickly established itself as a significant philanthropic force, particularly in health research and education sectors.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate specific grant programs but makes substantial discretionary grants:

• Major Health Research Support: Up to $5,000,000 (cancer research initiatives)
• Education Support: $100,000 - $150,000 (higher education institutions)
• Foundation-to-Foundation Grants: $150,000+ (supporting other charitable foundations)

Priority Areas

Based on recent grant patterns:

• Cancer research and health initiatives
• Higher education
• Strategic philanthropic partnerships

What They Don't Fund

Information not publicly available

Governance and Leadership

• Trustees: Ryan Smith and Ashley Smith
• The foundation operates with no paid staff, with trustees directly managing all grant decisions and foundation operations

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are made at the discretion of the trustees based on their strategic philanthropic interests and existing relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made through trustee discretion without a formal application timeline

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process

Application Success Factors

As this foundation operates without a public application process, traditional application strategies do not apply. Organizations seeking support would need to:

• Align with the foundation's demonstrated interest areas (health research, education)
• Build relationships with the trustees or their network
• Demonstrate significant impact potential commensurate with the foundation's giving capacity

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The Ryan And Ashley Smith Foundation is a major private foundation with no public application process
• Annual giving exceeds $5.5 million, with individual grants ranging from $100,000 to $5 million
• Focus areas include cancer research, higher education, and strategic philanthropic partnerships
• All grants are made through trustee discretion
• The foundation makes a small number of very large grants rather than many small ones
• Organizations cannot apply directly but must be identified and selected by the trustees

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Ryan And Ashley Smith Foundation (EIN: 841918005), accessed December 2025
• CauseIQ Foundation Profile - Ryan And Ashley Smith Foundation, accessed December 2025
• IRS Form 990 filings 2023, available through ProPublica