Private foundation · EIN 91-1156087 · Bellevue, Washington

Lester and Bernice Smith 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 2024 Form 990-PF: 16 grants paid, $244K total, median $10K. 75% of grants stayed in Washington.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
16
$244K
Median grant
$10K
Stays in WA
75%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$3.0M

Grants paid in 2024

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Ovarian Cancer Research AllianceNew York, NYGeneral operation$50K
Hawaii State Junior Golf AssociationLihue, HIGeneral operation$27K
The Cuyamungue InstituteSedona, AZGeneral operation$25K
San Juan Island Museum of ArtFriday Harbor, WAGeneral operation$25K
Holy Names Academy FoundationSeattle, WAGeneral operations$15K
Village TheatreIssaquah, WAGeneral operation$13K
Bellevue Rotary FoundationBellevue, WAGeneral operation$11K
Overlake Medical Center FoundationBellevue, WAGeneral operation$10K
Renton Schools FoundationRenton, WAGeneral operation$10K
The Rose International Fund for ChildrenBellevue, WAGeneral operation$10K
Boys & Girls Clubs of BellevueBellevue, WAGeneral operation$10K
PorchlightBellevue, WAGeneral operation$10K
Shirts Across AmericaSeattle, WAGeneral operation$10K
Heart & Hook FoundationLebanon, OHGeneral operation$7,500
Breakfast GroupSeattle, WAGeneral operation$5,000
Boyer Children's ClinicSeattle, WAGeneral operation$5,000

By state: Washington 12 · New York 1 · Hawaii 1 · Arizona 1 · Ohio 1

About this foundation

Lester and Bernice Smith Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Bellevue, Washington, administered in care of Alexander Smith, tax-exempt since 1983. 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 Lester and Bernice Smith Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2024 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 Lester and Bernice Smith Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $244K across 16 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does Lester and Bernice Smith Foundation give?

Washington (12 grants), New York (1 grants), Hawaii (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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