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Vivian L Smith Foundation

Historical Funder

Houston, Texas · EIN 76-0101380 · Private foundation

Grants paid (2025)$4.5M
Organizations funded189
Typical grant$20,000
Total assets$99.7M

Half of its grants to organizations were between $10,000 and $25,000.

From the return

How to apply

The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):

ContactAMY MECKEL VIVIAN L SMITH FOUNDATIO
Address1900 WEST LOOP SOUTH SUITE 1050, HOUSTON TX 770273207
Phone7139868030
Form and materialsNO SPECIFIC FORM REQUIRED. APPLICANTS MUST SPECIFY PURPOSE AND INCLUDE PROOF THAT THEY ARE QUALIFYING SEC 509(A)(1),(2) OR (3) ORGANIZATIONS.
DeadlinesGRANTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY FEB 15,MAY 15,AUG 15,AND OCT 25 PRECEDING THE QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
RestrictionsTHE FOUNDATION DOES NOT MAKE GRANTS TO INDIVIDUALS. ALL RECIPIENTS MUST BE QUALIFYING SEC 509(A)(1),(2), OR (3) ORGANIZATIONS. THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS TO GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS OR CHARITABLE FIELDS.

Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.

What it funds

Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.

  • Education52
  • Arts & Culture21
  • Health20
  • Human Services18
  • Children & Youth12
  • Environment10

Where it gives

1% of grants went outside Texas.

Grants paid in tax year 2025

RecipientLocationPurposeAmount
Communities in Schools HoustonHouston, TXSupport cis dropout prevention & case management program during 2024-2025 school year$100,000
Baylor College of Medicine Office of Inst Advancement Msc #800Houston, TXConstruction & interior buildout of planned health sciences tower.$100,000
Houston HospiceHouston, TXProvide uncompromising compassionate end-of-life care to the community$100,000
Yes Prep Public Schools IncHouston, TXGeneral operations and programs in 2025-26 school year$100,000
De Pelchin Children's CenterHouston, TXSupport the families count program$100,000
Holly Hall Christian Retirement CommunityHouston, TXSupport the building on a houston legacy campaign$100,000
Houston Methodist Hospital FoundationHouston, TXSupport the critical next phase of niche development$100,000
Camp for AllHouston, TXSupport blazing new trails campaign$75,000
SpringspiritHouston, TXFunds for capital campaign$70,000
The Kinkaid SchoolHouston, TXSupport the capital campaign$60,000
Christian Community Service CenterHouston, TXFamily support groups to help people achieve greater financial stability through their programs$50,000
Houston Area Women's CenterDallas, TXThe crisis response program$50,000
Menil Foundation Inc the Menil CollectionHouston, TXEndorse the artist documentaion program archivist in the final year of jeremy davet's planned 3 year tenure$50,000
Pursuit CenterHouston, TXGeneral operations to assist choice, growth & independence for people with intellectual$50,000
Teach for AmericaDallas, TXHouston's work training new teachers/tutors & provide ongoing professional development to alumni of the program$50,000
The Council on RecoveryHouston, TXGeneral operations$50,000
Good Samaritan FoundationHouston, TXSupport the nuring scholarship programs$50,000
IeducateBellaire, TXFunds for program expansion in north houston over the 2025-26 school year$50,000
Memorial Hermann FoundationHouston, TXSupport the mobile stroke unit$50,000
The Rise School of HoustonHouston, TXSupport the tuition scholarship program$50,000
BakerripleyHouston, TXProvide critical support for community centers in the east end, gulfton/sharpstown, pasadena and east aldine neighbors$50,000
The Arbor SchoolHouston, TXSupport the renovation & expansion project$50,000
Elijah RisingHouston, TXSupport the one-time start up costs of the emergency shelter$50,000
Houston Food BankHouston, TXSupport to neighbors experiencing paycheck or snap benefit interruptions$50,000
The RoseHouston, TXSupport the empower her sponsorship program$50,000
University of St ThomasHouston, TXSupport the "vivian L. smith annual scholarship fund" for nursing students in the next academic year$50,000
YMCA of Greater HoustonHouston, TXSupport m.d. anderson family YMCA phase II capital campaign$50,000
Southwest Public SchoolsHouston, TXSupport the in-house summer of learning program$50,000
Texas Development University of Texas AustinAustin, TXSupport the blanton museum of art$50,000
University of Texas AustinAustin, TXSupport the ut beautification council general fund$50,000
Jones Graduate School of Business Rice UniversityHouston, TXSupport the jones graduate school of business$45,000
Museum of Fine Arts HoustonHouston, TXSupport the exhibit "picasso-klee-matisse: masterpieces from the museum berggruen"$45,000
Discovery GreenHouston, TXSupport screen on the green$40,000
SpringspiritHouston, TXGeneral operations$30,000
Contemporary Arts Museum HoustonHouston, TXSupport the museum's education programs$30,000
Cristo Rey JesuitHouston, TXSupport student scholarships$30,000
Gateway AcademyHouston, TXSupport gateway academy's mental health programs$30,000
Children's Museum of HoustonHouston, TXGeneral operations in 2025$25,000
Connect CommunityHouston, TXThe 9th annual connect summer camp$25,000
Hermann Park ConservancyHouston, TXBack the annual activities, & programs & services$25,000
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts theHouston, TXThe exxonmobil discovery series$25,000
Houston Furniture BankHouston, TXThe no kids on the floor project$25,000
Houston Grand OperaHouston, TXHgo's community & learning initiatives for 2024-2025 season$25,000
Houston Park BoardHouston, TXThe expansion, improvement & protection of parks/greenspace throughout the houston region$25,000
Houston SymphonyHouston, TXThe 2025-2026 pnc family concert series$25,000
Kids' Meals IncHouston, TXThe healthy meal delivery program$25,000
Monarch SchoolHouston, TXGeneral operations$25,000
Nick Finnegan Counseling CenterHouston, TXMental health counseling & outreach services$25,000
StagesHouston, TXGeneral operations$25,000
University of Houston Gessner College of NursingHouston, TXNursing program scholarships$25,000
Amazing PlaceHouston, TXSupport 2025 operating expenses$25,000
Chinquapin Preparatory SchoolHighlands, TXSupport scholarships$25,000
The Health Museum Mcgovern Museum of HealthHouston, TXSupport the museum's health education programming$25,000
Houston BalletHouston, TXSupport houston ballet's 2025-2026 season$25,000
Houston Botanic GardenHouston, TXGeneral operations$25,000
Kipp Texas HoustonDallas, TXSupport kipp forward programming$25,000
Theatre Under the Stars TutsHouston, TXSupport "the river" in 2025$25,000
The Westview SchoolHouston, TXSupport the westview story- writing our next chapter capital campaign$25,000
Houston BalletHouston, TXGeneral operations$25,000
Museum of Fine Arts HoustonHouston, TXGeneral operations$25,000

Showing the 60 largest of 189 grants to organizations.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidGrant lines
2025$4,525,000189
2024$4,285,000141
2023$4,110,000152

Sources

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.