The Smart Family Fund
Invitation OnlyLisle, Illinois · EIN 81-2297831 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$1.5M
Organizations funded32
Typical grant$25,000
Total assets$42M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $20,000 and $50,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 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
100% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recidiviz Inc | Oakland, CA | Recidiviz funding request 2024 | $250,000 |
| Votingworks | San Francisco, CA | Votingworks funding request 2024 | $200,000 |
| Lets Get Ready Inc | New York, NY | Lets get ready - ongoing grant 2024 | $100,000 |
| The Global Good Fund | Glenwood, MD | The global good fund 2024 - ongoing grant | $100,000 |
| Career Technical Education Solutions | Marietta, OH | Ongoing support - 2024 | $70,000 |
| The Brave House | Brooklyn, NY | The brave house - ongoing grant 2024 | $60,000 |
| Horizons Greater Washington Inc | Washington, DC | Ongoing support - 2024 | $60,000 |
| Blair House Restoration Fund | Washington, DC | Ongoing support - 2024 | $50,000 |
| Kickstart International Inc | San Francisco, CA | Kickstart request 2024 | $50,000 |
| Mighty Writers | Philadelphia, PA | Mighty writers - ongoing grant 2024 | $50,000 |
| News Literacy Project Inc | Washington, DC | 2024-2027 multi-year capacity building 2/3 | $50,000 |
| St Johns College | Annapolis, MD | Annual fund - 2024 | $50,000 |
| Maret School Inc | Washington, DC | Annual fund - 2024 | $40,000 |
| Philadelphia Childrens Alliance | Philadelphia, PA | Ongoing support - 2024 | $35,000 |
| Chelseas Fund | Lander, WY | Initial support | $25,000 |
| Darien Arts Center | Darien, CT | Darien arts center - ongoing grant 2024 | $25,000 |
| Experience Camps | Westport, CT | Experience camps - ongoing grant 2024 | $25,000 |
| Ford's Theatre Society | Washington, DC | Annual support - 2024 | $25,000 |
| Horizons National Student Enrichment Program Inc | Westport, CT | Horizons national funding request 2024 | $25,000 |
| St Johns College | Annapolis, MD | Student support services - 2024 | $25,000 |
| The Network Group Inc | Arlington, VA | Initial support | $25,000 |
| University of Maryland College Park Foundation Inc | College Park, MD | Philip merrill college of journalism scholarships - 2024 | $25,000 |
| Trust for the National Mall | Washington, DC | Ongoing support - 2024 | $25,000 |
| Mill Valley Schools Community Foundation | Mill Valley, CA | Kiddo! funding request 2024 | $20,000 |
| Trustees of Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | Princeton university - ongoing grant 2024 | $20,000 |
| Norwarlk Stamford Grassroots Tennis and Education | Norwalk, CT | Norwalk stamford grassroots tennis & education inc - initial grant 2024 | $15,000 |
| React DC | Alexandria, VA | Ongoing support - 2024 | $15,000 |
| Capital Area Food Bank | Washington, DC | Direct food support - 2024 | $10,000 |
| Golden Gate National Parks Association | San Francisco, CA | One tam request 2024 | $10,000 |
| Grand Teton National Park Foundation | Moose, WY | Gtnpa 2024 | $10,000 |
| Mill Valley Livearts | Mill Valley, CA | Throckmorton theater funding request 2024 | $10,000 |
| Wildlife of the American West | Jackson, WY | Wildlife of the american west request 2024 | $10,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,510,000 | 32 |
| 2023 | $1,575,000 | 33 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Aug 25, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202502379349100115
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 81-2297831
- Profile updated Nov 5, 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.