John and Gwen Smart Foundation
Invitation OnlyLisle, Illinois · EIN 81-1535437 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$4.1M
Organizations funded19
Typical grant$100,000
Total assets$97.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $85,000 and $340,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
94% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usher III Initiative Inc | Chicago, IL | General operations | $800,000 |
| New York Women's Foundation | New York, NY | General operations | $600,000 |
| Stanford University | Redwood City, CA | Metastatic breast cancer research | $500,000 |
| Stanford University | Redwood City, CA | Byers eye institute | $400,000 |
| American Nurses Foundation | Silver Spring, MD | General operations | $340,000 |
| Rogosin Institute Inc | New York, NY | General operations | $260,000 |
| Stanford University | Redwood City, CA | Parkinson's research | $150,000 |
| Creativity Explored | San Francisco, CA | General operations | $125,000 |
| Kqed Inc | San Francisco, CA | General operations | $110,000 |
| Santa Barbara Bird Sanctuary | Summerland, CA | General operations | $100,000 |
| Women in Need Inc | New York, NY | General operations | $100,000 |
| Egoscue Foundation | San Diego, CA | General operations | $100,000 |
| Cg Jung Institute of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA | General operations | $100,000 |
| Pacific Currents Inc | Bandon, OR | General operations | $100,000 |
| Cornell University | New York, NY | Weill cornell medicine covid 19 | $85,000 |
| Cultural Activism International Project Inc | Delhi, NY | Reg earthe project | $75,000 |
| Three Jewels Outreach Center Inc | New York, NY | Nandi yoga project | $60,000 |
| Day One New York Inc | New York, NY | General operations | $30,000 |
| Middle Way School | Saugerties, NY | General operations | $20,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,055,000 | 19 |
| 2024 | $3,380,000 | 18 |
| 2023 | $3,400,000 | 21 |
| 2021 | $2,900,000 | 22 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Sep 2, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202602459349100105
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 81-1535437
- Profile updated Nov 6, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.