Private foundation · EIN 81-1535437 · Lisle, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

John and Gwen Smart Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 19 grants paid, $4.1M total, median $100K. 5% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
19
$4.1M
Median grant
$100K
Stays in IL
5%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$39M

Grants paid in 2025

19 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Usher III Initiative IncChicago, ILGeneral operations$800K
New York Women's FoundationNew York, NYGeneral operations$600K
Stanford UniversityRedwood City, CAMetastatic breast cancer research$500K
Stanford UniversityRedwood City, CAByers eye institute$400K
American Nurses FoundationSilver Spring, MDGeneral operations$340K
Rogosin Institute IncNew York, NYGeneral operations$260K
Stanford UniversityRedwood City, CAParkinson's research$150K
Creativity ExploredSan Francisco, CAGeneral operations$125K
Kqed IncSan Francisco, CAGeneral operations$110K
Santa Barbara Bird SanctuarySummerland, CAGeneral operations$100K
Women in Need IncNew York, NYGeneral operations$100K
Egoscue FoundationSan Diego, CAGeneral operations$100K
Cg Jung Institute of San FranciscoSan Francisco, CAGeneral operations$100K
Pacific Currents IncBandon, ORGeneral operations$100K
Cornell UniversityNew York, NYWeill cornell medicine covid 19$85K
Cultural Activism International Project IncDelhi, NYReg earthe project$75K
Three Jewels Outreach Center IncNew York, NYNandi yoga project$60K
Day One New York IncNew York, NYGeneral operations$30K
Middle Way SchoolSaugerties, NYGeneral operations$20K

By state: California 8 · New York 8 · Illinois 1 · Maryland 1 · Oregon 1

About this foundation

John and Gwen Smart Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Lisle, Illinois, tax-exempt since 2016. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does John and Gwen Smart Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does John and Gwen Smart Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $4.1M across 19 grants, a median of $100K.

Where does John and Gwen Smart Foundation give?

California (8 grants), New York (8 grants), Illinois (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Lisle that accept applications

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
1923 Fundsince 1996 Lisle, IL — —Not stated $86M
Smart Family Fundsince 2016 Lisle, IL $1.5M32 grants · 2024 $25KPreselected only $17M
Giveaseed Foundationsince 2019 Lisle, IL $301K16 grants · 2024 $4,352Preselected only $6.6M
Costello Family Foundation Incsince 2009 Lisle, IL $334K9 grants · 2024 $4,000Preselected only $2.1M
Lisle Community Service Corporationsince 2015 Lisle, IL $83K19 grants · 2025 $5,000Yes $1.4M
Steve & Delores Sarovich Foundationsince 1982 Lisle, IL $114K46 grants · 2025 $500Yes $1.4M
Howard G Buffett Foundationsince 1999 Decatur, IL $699M1 grants · 2025 $699MPreselected only $721M
John D & Catherine T Macarthur Foundationsince 1971 Chicago, IL $356M1,086 grants · 2024 $160KPreselected only $8.7B
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