Carolyn Smith Foundation
Accepts applications
Carolyn Smith Foundation is a private foundation in Hendersonville, Tennessee. In tax year 2025 it gave $4.9 million in 165 grants; the typical grant was $15,000 and the largest $225,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$4.9 million
- Number of grants165
- Typical grant$15,000
- Largest grant$225,000
- Assets$2.1 million
- New grantees43%
Giving in 2025 was up from $3.9 million the year before.
43% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.0 million | 147 | $662,225 |
| 2024 | $3.9 million | 162 | $603,182 |
| 2025 | $4.9 million | 165 | $2.1 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Randy Smith 1000 Cages Bend Court, Gallatin, TN 37066 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (615) 973-3613 |
| What to submit | Formal request from applicants |
| Deadlines | None specific |
| Restrictions | Restricted to total assets |
What Carolyn Smith Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 12 states, the most to Tennessee.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 146 | $4.2 million |
| South Carolina | 2 | $201,000 |
| North Carolina | 4 | $140,000 |
| New York | 2 | $105,000 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $50,000 |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $27,500 |
| Florida | 2 | $27,500 |
| Maryland | 1 | $25,000 |
| Nebraska | 1 | $25,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Store | Provide food for needy | $225,000 |
| Cure Sanflippo Foundation | Medical Research | $200,000 |
| Gallatin Shalom Zone | Aid children & families | $200,000 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Medical research | $200,000 |
| Inspiritus Inc | Food Bank | $150,000 |
| Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Assoc | Improve lives of alzheimer patients | $100,000 |
| FiftyForwardSenior Citizens Inc | Programs assist adults | $100,000 |
| Grace Place Ministry Inc | Safe home for mothers & children | $100,000 |
| Nashville Rescue Mission | Help people that are homeless | $100,000 |
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN | Food to poor families | $100,000 |
| Siloam Health | Assist needy through health care | $100,000 |
| UNC Health Foundation | Provide health care | $100,000 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Medical research | $100,000 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Medical research | $100,000 |
| Nashville Public Media Inc | Supported civic news organization | $83,000 |
| Community Resource Center | Provide essentail items for the needy | $75,000 |
| Corner to Corner | Create opportunities for economic growth | $75,000 |
| Martha O'Bryan Center | Moving people out of poverty | $75,000 |
| Equal Chance for Education | Provide equal opportunity education | $62,500 |
| Abe's Garden Community | Improve lives of Alzheimer Patients | $60,000 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee | Youth mentoring programs | $60,000 |
| A Soldier's Child Foundation | Support fallen soldier's children | $50,000 |
| Grace Place Ministry Inc | Safe home for mothers & children | $50,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville | Provide low-income housing needs | $50,000 |
| Harpeth Conservancy | Provide clean water & ecosystems | $50,000 |
| Mother to Mother | Provides homeless items to children | $50,000 |
| Shatterproof | Addiction treatment | $50,000 |
| Siloam Health | Assist needy through health care | $50,000 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital | Assist children with medical needs | $50,000 |
| West Nashville Dream Center | Protect & empower those in distress | $50,000 |
| Community Care Fellowship | Offer hope, love, & resources | $40,000 |
| One Generation Away | Distribute healthy foods to needed | $40,000 |
| Project Return | Assist the previously incarcerated | $40,000 |
| Special Olympics Tennessee | Sports training for disabled | $40,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Tennessee | Help conserve TN lands, waters | $40,000 |
| Conexion Americas | Human services - minority | $35,000 |
| Ancora | Provide relief for human trafficking survivors & combat human trafficking in Middle Tennessee | $30,000 |
| Ancora | Provide relief for human trafficking survivors & combat human trafficking in Middle Tennessee | $30,000 |
| Feed Sumner | Serve & feed people of Sumner County | $30,000 |
| Gallatin CARES | Help low-income people | $30,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Randy Smith
- Alexander Smith
- Jessica Haywood
Questions people ask
Does Carolyn Smith Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: None specific.
How much does Carolyn Smith Foundation give?
$4.9 million in tax year 2025, across 165 grants, with a typical grant of $15,000.
Who runs Carolyn Smith Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Randy Smith (President), Alexander Smith (Secretary) and Jessica Haywood (Treasurer).
What does Carolyn Smith Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly human services, health and youth programs.