Henry Laird Smith Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Henry Laird Smith Foundation is a private foundation in Nashville, Tennessee. In tax year 2025 it gave $601,000 in 49 grants; the typical grant was $3,000 and the largest $150,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$601,000
- Number of grants49
- Typical grant$3,000
- Largest grant$150,000
- Assets$16.9 million
- New grantees16%
Giving in 2025 was down from $622,890 the year before.
16% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $692,499 | 53 | $14.1 million |
| 2024 | $622,890 | 50 | $14.8 million |
| 2025 | $601,000 | 49 | $16.9 million |
How to apply
Henry Laird Smith Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Henry Laird Smith Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to Tennessee.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 33 | $547,500 |
| Kentucky | 10 | $30,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $10,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $10,000 |
| New York | 4 | $3,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Second Harvest | Donation | $150,000 |
| The Land Trust for Tennessee | Donation | $106,000 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center Development | Donation | $50,000 |
| Nashville Tree Foundation | Donation | $30,000 |
| Harpeth Hall School | Donation | $26,000 |
| Travelers Rest | Donation | $21,000 |
| Heritage Foundation | Donation | $20,000 |
| The Welcome Garden | Donation | $18,000 |
| Christ Church Cathedral | Donation | $17,500 |
| St George's Episcopal Church | Donation | $15,000 |
| St Luke's Community House | Donation | $15,000 |
| The Hermitage | Donation | $11,000 |
| Alive Hospice | Donation | $10,000 |
| Kentucky Children's Hospital | Donation | $10,000 |
| Saint Augustine Chapel | Donation | $10,000 |
| Siloam Family Health Center | Donation | $10,000 |
| St John's Episcopal Cathedral | Donation | $10,000 |
| Virginia Episcopal School | Donation | $10,000 |
| Nashville Symphony | Donation | $6,000 |
| Camp Horsin' Around | Donation | $5,000 |
| Lexarts Inc | Donation | $5,000 |
| Meharry Medical College | Donation | $5,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities | Donation | $5,000 |
| YWCA of Middle Tennessee | Donation | $5,000 |
| Church of the Good Shepherd | Donation | $3,000 |
| Cheekwood | Donation | $2,500 |
| Vanderbilt College of Arts & Sciences | Donation | $2,500 |
| Vanderbilt Law School | Donation | $2,500 |
| Blue Grass Community Foundation | Donation | $2,000 |
| Friends of Warner Parks | Donation | $2,000 |
| Kentucky Educational Television | Donation | $1,500 |
| Nashville Opera | Donation | $1,250 |
| Nashville Public Television | Donation | $1,250 |
| St James the Less Scarsdale | Donation | $1,250 |
| Nashville Public Radio | Donation | $1,200 |
| Bluegrass Conservancy | Donation | $1,000 |
| Friends of Radnor Lake | Donation | $1,000 |
| John Laird Cemetery Association | Donation | $1,000 |
| Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club | Donation | $1,000 |
| Step by Step | Donation | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Equitable Trust Company
- Overton T Smith
- Russell O Stewart
- Ellen Smith
- Jeannette Warner
- Sloan Warner Jr
Questions people ask
Does Henry Laird Smith Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Henry Laird Smith Foundation give?
$601,000 in tax year 2025, across 49 grants, with a typical grant of $3,000.
Who runs Henry Laird Smith Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Equitable Trust Company (Co-Trustee), Overton T Smith (Trustee), Russell O Stewart (Trustee) and Ellen Smith (Trustee) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does Henry Laird Smith Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and health.