How to apply
No specific form required. Applicants must specify purpose and include proof that they are qualifying sec 509(a)(1),(2) or (3) organizations. Contact: Amy Meckel Vivian L Smith Foundatio, 1900 West Loop South Suite 1050, Houston, Tx, 7139868030 Deadlines: Grants must be submitted by feb 15,may 15,aug 15,and oct 25 preceding the quarterly meetings. Restrictions: The 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.
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2025 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2025
Top 60 of 189 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Communities in Schools HoustonHouston, TX | Support cis dropout prevention & case management program during 2024-2025 school year | $100K |
| Baylor College of Medicine Office of Inst Advancement Msc #800Houston, TX | Construction & interior buildout of planned health sciences tower. | $100K |
| Houston HospiceHouston, TX | Provide uncompromising compassionate end-of-life care to the community | $100K |
| Yes Prep Public Schools IncHouston, TX | General operations and programs in 2025-26 school year | $100K |
| De Pelchin Children's CenterHouston, TX | Support the families count program | $100K |
| Holly Hall Christian Retirement CommunityHouston, TX | Support the building on a houston legacy campaign | $100K |
| Houston Methodist Hospital FoundationHouston, TX | Support the critical next phase of niche development | $100K |
| Camp for AllHouston, TX | Support blazing new trails campaign | $75K |
| SpringspiritHouston, TX | Funds for capital campaign | $70K |
| The Kinkaid SchoolHouston, TX | Support the capital campaign | $60K |
| Christian Community Service CenterHouston, TX | Family support groups to help people achieve greater financial stability through their programs | $50K |
| Houston Area Women's Center Attn Hou1160Dallas, TX | The crisis response program | $50K |
| Menil Foundation Inc the Menil CollectionHouston, TX | Endorse the artist documentaion program archivist in the final year of jeremy davet's planned 3 year tenure | $50K |
| Pursuit CenterHouston, TX | General operations to assist choice, growth & independence for people with intellectual | $50K |
| Teach for AmericaDallas, TX | Houston's work training new teachers/tutors & provide ongoing professional development to alumni of the program | $50K |
| The Council on RecoveryHouston, TX | General operations | $50K |
| Good Samaritan FoundationHouston, TX | Support the nuring scholarship programs | $50K |
| IeducateBellaire, TX | Funds for program expansion in north houston over the 2025-26 school year | $50K |
| Memorial Hermann FoundationHouston, TX | Support the mobile stroke unit | $50K |
| The Rise School of HoustonHouston, TX | Support the tuition scholarship program | $50K |
| BakerripleyHouston, TX | Provide critical support for community centers in the east end, gulfton/sharpstown, pasadena and east aldine neighbors | $50K |
| The Arbor SchoolHouston, TX | Support the renovation & expansion project | $50K |
| Elijah RisingHouston, TX | Support the one-time start up costs of the emergency shelter | $50K |
| Houston Food BankHouston, TX | Support to neighbors experiencing paycheck or snap benefit interruptions | $50K |
| The RoseHouston, TX | Support the empower her sponsorship program | $50K |
| University of St ThomasHouston, TX | Support the "vivian l. smith annual scholarship fund" for nursing students in the next academic year | $50K |
| YMCA of Greater HoustonHouston, TX | Support m.d. anderson family ymca phase ii capital campaign | $50K |
| Southwest Public Schools Attn DonationsHouston, TX | Support the in-house summer of learning program | $50K |
| Texas Development University of Texas AustinAustin, TX | Support the blanton museum of art | $50K |
| University of Texas AustinAustin, TX | Support the ut beautification council general fund | $50K |
| Jones Graduate School of Business Rice UniversityHouston, TX | Support the jones graduate school of business | $45K |
| Museum of Fine Arts HoustonHouston, TX | Support the exhibit "picasso-klee-matisse: masterpieces from the museum berggruen" | $45K |
| Discovery GreenHouston, TX | Support screen on the green | $40K |
| SpringspiritHouston, TX | General operations | $30K |
| Contemporary Arts Museum HoustonHouston, TX | Support the museum's education programs | $30K |
| Cristo Rey JesuitHouston, TX | Support student scholarships | $30K |
| Gateway AcademyHouston, TX | Support gateway academy's mental health programs | $30K |
| Children's Museum of HoustonHouston, TX | General operations in 2025 | $25K |
| Connect CommunityHouston, TX | The 9th annual connect summer camp | $25K |
| Hermann Park ConservancyHouston, TX | Back the annual activities, & programs & services | $25K |
| Hobby Center for the Performing Arts theHouston, TX | The exxonmobil discovery series | $25K |
| Houston Furniture BankHouston, TX | The no kids on the floor project | $25K |
| Houston Grand OperaHouston, TX | Hgo's community & learning initiatives for 2024-2025 season | $25K |
| Houston Park BoardHouston, TX | The expansion, improvement & protection of parks/greenspace throughout the houston region | $25K |
| Houston SymphonyHouston, TX | The 2025-2026 pnc family concert series | $25K |
| Kids' Meals IncHouston, TX | The healthy meal delivery program | $25K |
| Monarch SchoolHouston, TX | General operations | $25K |
| Nick Finnegan Counseling CenterHouston, TX | Mental health counseling & outreach services | $25K |
| StagesHouston, TX | General operations | $25K |
| University of Houston Gessner College of NursingHouston, TX | Nursing program scholarships | $25K |
| Amazing PlaceHouston, TX | Support 2025 operating expenses | $25K |
| Chinquapin Preparatory SchoolHighlands, TX | Support scholarships | $25K |
| The Health Museum McGovern Museum of HealthHouston, TX | Support the museum's health education programming | $25K |
| Houston BalletHouston, TX | Support houston ballet's 2025-2026 season | $25K |
| Houston Botanic GardenHouston, TX | General operations | $25K |
| Kipp Texas HoustonDallas, TX | Support kipp forward programming | $25K |
| Theatre Under the Stars TutsHouston, TX | Support "the river" in 2025 | $25K |
| The Westview SchoolHouston, TX | Support the westview story- writing our next chapter capital campaign | $25K |
| Houston BalletHouston, TX | General operations | $25K |
| Museum of Fine Arts HoustonHouston, TX | General operations | $25K |
By state: Texas 186 · Alabama 1 · Virginia 1 · Georgia 1
About this foundation
Vivian L Smith Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Houston, Texas, tax-exempt since 1984. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does Vivian L Smith Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. No specific form required. Applicants must specify purpose and include proof that they are qualifying sec 509(a)(1),(2) or (3) organizations. Deadlines: Grants must be submitted by feb 15,may 15,aug 15,and oct 25 preceding the quarterly meetings..
How much does Vivian L Smith Foundation give each year?
In tax year 2025 it paid $4.5M across 189 grants, a median of $20K.
Where does Vivian L Smith Foundation give?
Texas (186 grants), Alabama (1 grants), Virginia (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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