May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: ~$19.6M (2024: 142 grants totalling $19,559,226)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed; highly selective with invitation-based process
• Decision Time: LOI decisions up to 6 weeks; full proposal decisions 4–6 months
• Grant Range: $30,000 – $600,000 (average award ~$137,741)
• Geographic Focus: Western United States (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, TX, UT, WA, WY)

Contact Details

• Website: smithct.org
• Phone: 415-332-0166
• Address: 101 Larkspur Landing Circle, Suite 223, Larkspur, CA 94939
• Program-specific email inquiries:
  • Adults & Transitioning Youth with Disabilities: Disabilities@SmithCT.org
  • Foster Youth: FosterYouth@SmithCT.org
  • Older Adults: OlderAdults@SmithCT.org
  • Veterans & Military Families: Veterans@SmithCT.org
  • Technical/portal support: Grants@SmithCT.org

Overview

The May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust was established in 1989 by May Smith (nee Wong) to steward the philanthropic intentions of her late husband, Stanley Smith — an Australian businessman and World War II intelligence operative — beyond their lifetimes. The Trust manages approximately $456 million in total assets and distributes approximately $19–22 million annually across 140+ grants.

The Smiths were an intensely private couple who preferred to avoid public recognition, and this ethos of humility continues to guide the Trust's culture today. In all of its grantmaking, the Trust seeks to promote the dignity, agency, and self-sufficiency of individuals within its four focus populations: Adults and Transitioning Youth with Disabilities, Foster Youth, Older Adults, and Veterans.

The Trust operates under a 2024–2028 Strategic Plan, which reaffirms its four core focus populations while placing greater emphasis on those disproportionately impacted by systemic inequities and injustice. Beginning January 2024, the Trust discontinued grantmaking in British Columbia, Canada, refocusing entirely on the 14 Western US states.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• Adults & Transitioning Youth with Disabilities: $78,000–$316,000 (recent examples: Amplify Life: $78,000; The Kelsey: $300,000; World Institute on Disability: $316,000)
• Foster Youth: Recent grants include Bay Area Legal Aid: $300,000; Covenant House Alaska: $262,000; Advancement Through Opportunity and Knowledge Inc: $168,000
• Older Adults: Recent grants include Corporation for Supportive Housing: $825,000; Caring Across Generations: $474,000; Alzheimer's Association: $450,000
• Veterans & Military Families: Recent grants include Combined Arms: $300,000; Downtown Women's Center: $210,000; America's Warrior Partnership Inc: $200,000
• Application method: Email inquiry (rolling basis); invitation to submit a full proposal is by Trust initiative only

Priority Areas

Adults & Transitioning Youth with Disabilities: Supports independent living, employment, community inclusion, and caregiver support. A small number of grants support national organizations conducting research-based best practice evaluation and systems change advocacy.

Foster Youth: Supports children and young people currently or formerly in foster care. Four strategies: stable homes, physical and mental health, education, and preparation for independence. Major focus on mental health needs.

Older Adults: Fosters a society where older adults are visible, valued, and lead dignified and engaged lives. Focuses on direct services and systems change efforts.

Veterans & Military Families: Supports transitions to civilian life through mental and behavioral health, education and employment, housing, and community integration.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Start-up organizations (less than two years of operational history)
• Scientific or medical research
• Capital projects
• Government agency programs
• Promotion of religious doctrine
• Debt reduction
• One-time events or conferences
• Political campaigns or activities
• Emergency relief
• Organizations receiving more than 70% of revenues from government sources
• Organizations outside the 14 Western US states

Governance and Leadership

Trustees

• Ruth M. Collins – Former CEO (retired 2020 after 15 years), continues as Trustee
• David C. Cuneo – Managing Partner, Calegari & Morris
• Daniel F. Piombo – Partner, Benson, Piombo & Company

Senior Staff

• William (Bill) Smith – Chief Executive Officer (joined October 2020)
• Amy Freeman – Director of Programs
• Dan Gaff – Director of Grants Management
• Jeanine Alpert – Senior Program Officer, Adults & Transitioning Youth with Disabilities
• Elisabeth Cutler – Senior Program Officer, Foster Youth
• Kelly Kent – Senior Program Officer, Elders
• Sam Holmes – Program Officer, Veterans & Military Families

Founder Quote: Stanley Smith said of his philanthropy: "A man who succeeds in world commerce as I have is no fool and above all he pretty soon learns that his wealth is something lent to him during his life; he can't take it with him! It's no virtue then to give it away."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Trust does not accept unsolicited proposals. The route for new applicants is through email inquiry:

Step 1 – Submit an Email Inquiry

• Send a brief email (maximum 1-2 pages of plain text) to the relevant program area email address
• Include: brief description of organization and mission, how programs align with specific strategies
• Do not include links or attachments
• Only one inquiry per year per organization is permitted

Step 2 – Invitation to Submit an LOI

• If competitive, staff will make contact within approximately 30 days
• Invitation to submit LOI does not guarantee a grant

Step 3 – Full Proposal (by invitation only)

• Selected organizations may be invited to submit through online grants portal

Decision Timeline

• Email inquiry response: within approximately 30 days if competitive
• LOI decision: up to 6 weeks after submission
• Full proposal decision: 4–6 months after submission
• Trustees meet quarterly to review funding requests

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. In 2024, the Trust awarded 142 grants totaling $19,559,226. Given the invitation-only structure, competition is significant.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations that have completed an initial one-year grant cycle successfully may be considered for multi-year (typically two-year) renewal. Only one inquiry per year per organization is permitted.

Application Success Factors

The Trust's guidance indicates the strongest requests demonstrate:

1. Strategy alignment: Direct alignment with specific strategies for the relevant program area
2. Two or more years of measurable outcomes: No funding for start-ups or untested programs
3. Annual expense budget over $250,000: Organizations below this threshold are ineligible
4. Diverse funding base: Rarely funds organizations receiving >70% of revenues from government
5. Person-centered approach: Particularly for Disabilities program, involvement of beneficiaries in decision-making
6. General operating support welcomed: Large percentage of grants are for general operating support
7. Intersecting identities: Organizations serving individuals at intersections of focus populations may be well-positioned
8. Concise communication: Email inquiry must be 1-2 pages of plain text with no attachments
9. Values alignment: Emphasis on dignity, agency, and self-sufficiency

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Entry point is a brief email, not a portal: Well-crafted 1-2 page email to relevant program address is only way for new organizations to get on radar
• Strategy specificity matters more than population alignment: Must align with named strategies within program area
• Government-heavy funding is a disqualifier: Organizations receiving >70% from government unlikely to receive funding
• Minimum organizational threshold applies: Annual expense budget of at least $250,000 and 2+ years of outcomes data required
• General operating support actively welcomed: Project-specific framing not required
• Trust values humility and person-centered language: Center agency and dignity of people served
• One inquiry per year per organization: If not responded to, may try again next year

References

1. May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust – Official Website: https://smithct.org (accessed 17 February 2026)
2. May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust – Grantseekers: https://smithct.org/grantseekers (accessed 17 February 2026)
3. May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust – Start Here (Eligibility): https://smithct.org/grantseekers/start-here (accessed 17 February 2026)
4. May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust – Common Grantseeker Questions: https://smithct.org/grantseekers/common-grantseeker-questions (accessed 17 February 2026)
5. May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust – Funding Priorities: https://smithct.org/funding-priorities (accessed 17 February 2026)
6. May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust – Recent Grants: https://smithct.org/funding-priorities/recent-grants/disabilities (accessed 17 February 2026)
7. May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust – Trustees & Staff: https://smithct.org/about-the-trust/trustees-and-staff (accessed 17 February 2026)
8. May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust – About the Trust: https://smithct.org/about-the-trust (accessed 17 February 2026)
9. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer – May And Stanley Smith Charitable Trust: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/946622075 (accessed 17 February 2026)
10. Instrumentl – May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust Grant Program: https://www.instrumentl.com/grants/may-stanley-smith-charitable-trust-grants-for-people-with-disabilities (accessed 17 February 2026)