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Davis & Smith Family Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$1.4M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,402,400 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Quarterly board meetings (February, May, August, November)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $125,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Pennsylvania (Lehigh Valley), with some grants in New Jersey, California, Montana, and New Hampshire

Contact Details

Website: https://dsfam.org/ Phone: (484) 379-8230 Email: Available through website contact form Address: Bethlehem, PA

Overview

The Davis & Smith Family Foundation Inc was established in 2019 by Dave and Jody (Smith) Davis as a private family foundation committed to supporting the health and development of all living things and communities. With assets totaling approximately $12.4 million and annual giving of $1.4 million, the foundation provides charitable assistance to carefully selected non-profit organizations across multiple states. Three generations of the Davis and Bicknell families are currently involved in the foundation's work, emphasizing relationship-building with community partners. In November 2024, the foundation received the Outstanding Foundation Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter, during their National Philanthropy Day celebration.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation provides primarily unrestricted support grants ranging from $5,000 to $125,000, with an average grant size of approximately $54,750. Multi-year commitments (typically 2-3 years) are common, demonstrating the foundation's commitment to sustained partnerships with grantee organizations.

Priority Areas

Based on recent grants awarded, the foundation supports:

  • Youth Development: Boys & Girls Clubs, YWCA youth empowerment programs, Community Bike Works
  • Social Services: Meals on Wheels, New Bethany Inc., Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley
  • Veterans and Military Support: Homeland Heroes Foundation, Tails of Valor Paws of Honor, Hammerheads Sled Hockey Association
  • Animal Welfare: Lehigh County Humane Society, Center for Animal Health and Welfare, Wildlife Information Center
  • Education and Literacy: Bethlehem Area Public Library, The Literacy Center, PSU Philanthropic Fund (LaunchBox program)
  • Community Development: Various local non-profit organizations in the Lehigh Valley region

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not publicly detailed, the foundation only supports organizations that are:

  • Tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3)
  • Operating for charitable, religious, scientific, literary, or educational purposes

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: Kelly J. Miller (also serves as Treasurer and Secretary; compensation: $106,000)

Founders: Dave and Jody (Smith) Davis, who established the foundation in 2019 and have dedicated much of their personal lives to philanthropy

Board: Includes members of the Davis and Bicknell families across three generations, who serve without compensation

The foundation operates as a small, family-focused organization that values developing close relationships with the organizations it supports.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Davis & Smith Family Foundation has adopted an invitation-only grant-making process and currently does not accept unsolicited grant applications. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations.

Organizations interested in connecting with the foundation may submit an introductory message through the Contact Us page on their website. The initial message should include:

  • General organization information
  • Details about the community served

If the foundation determines there is alignment with their funding priorities, they will notify the organization of next steps, which may include a site visit as part of their due diligence process.

Decision Timeline

Grants are considered during quarterly Board of Directors meetings held in February, May, August, and November. The foundation reviews preliminary information from interested organizations on a rolling basis and will reach out if there is potential alignment.

Success Rates

Not publicly available. The foundation awarded 25 grants in 2024 and 20 grants in 2023.

Reapplication Policy

Given the invitation-only nature of the foundation's grantmaking, there is no formal reapplication process for declined applicants. Organizations that have submitted introductory messages may continue to build relationships with the foundation over time.

Application Success Factors

Since this is an invitation-only funder, success depends on relationship-building and strategic alignment rather than a competitive application process. Based on the foundation's stated approach and recent grants:

Foundation Philosophy: The foundation states, "We are a small Foundation and enjoy the process of getting to know the organizations we support. As our emerging interests grow, we are learning about promising programs that are impactful to the communities served by our partnering non-profit organizations."

Emphasis on Relationships: The foundation explicitly values "building strong relationships with community partners" and believes "The Foundation is only successful in its work when the organizations it supports can be successful in theirs."

Geographic Connection: While the foundation has made grants in multiple states, there is a strong concentration in the Lehigh Valley region, particularly Bethlehem and surrounding Pennsylvania communities.

Unrestricted Support Preference: The majority of recent grants have been for "unrestricted support," indicating the foundation trusts grantees to use funds where most needed rather than restricting grants to specific programs.

Multi-Year Thinking: The foundation frequently makes 2-3 year commitments, suggesting they value sustained impact over one-time interventions.

Mission Alignment: Organizations should clearly demonstrate how their work supports "the health and development of all living things and communities" and "enriches the lives of others."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is not a traditional application-based funder - they operate by invitation only with preselected organizations
  • Relationship-building is essential - submit a thoughtful introductory message through their website highlighting your mission and community impact
  • Local connections matter - the foundation has strong ties to the Lehigh Valley region and particularly supports Bethlehem-area organizations
  • Unrestricted support is available - the foundation frequently provides flexible funding, which may appeal to organizations seeking general operating support
  • Multi-year partnerships are possible - demonstrate capacity for sustained impact and long-term relationship
  • Quarterly decision cycles - the foundation considers grants four times per year (February, May, August, November)
  • Three-generation family involvement - this is a deeply personal philanthropic endeavor for the Davis and Bicknell families, emphasizing values-aligned partnerships

References

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