Smith Family Foundation
Accepts applications
Smith Family Foundation is a private foundation in Knoxville, Tennessee. In tax year 2025 it gave $176,500 in 17 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $20,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$176,500
- Number of grants17
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$20,000
- Assets$593,239
- New grantees86%
Giving in 2025 was up from $21,500 the year before.
86% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $21,500 | 4 | $522,656 |
| 2025 | $176,500 | 17 | $593,239 |
How to apply
| Contact | Reed T Smith 4909 Ball Road, Knoxville, TN 37931 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (865) 694-7756 |
| What to submit | Applications should should be submitted on on the foundation website. www.sfftn.com. Application must include the organizations IRS determination letter and details about their mission, programs, beneficiaries, geographic focus, funding sources, and funding needs. |
| Restrictions | The foundation refrains from funding debt retirement, deficit funding, projects that are the funding responsibility of federal, state, or local government, travel/conferences, political lobbying, or requests from individuals. The foundation mandates an annual report from grant recipients in excess of $50,000. Applicants must be located in a Tennessee county including (but not limited to) knox, anderson, roane, loudon, blount, sevier, jefferson, grainger, and union. |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Smith Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
All of its grants went to recipients in Tennessee.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 17 | $176,500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Camp Koinonia Foundation Inc | To serve individuals with disabilities with unique, needs-based programs that enrich their lives. | $20,000 |
| Emerald Youth Foundation | To provide over 3,300 children, teens and young adults through a network of churches and faith-based organizations in the heart of knoxville. | $20,000 |
| Ronald McDonald House of Knoxville TN Inc | To serve as a home-away-from-home for families who need to travel to knoxville seeking medicial treatment for their seriously ill or injured child. They may stay with us for as long as their child is being treated, all at no charge to them. We hope to renovate two outdoor play areas and if funds allow, to update the interior playroom as well since these areas have received no upgrades for close to 20 years. | $20,000 |
| Wesley House Community Center | To create a supportive and empowering environment where individuals of all ages can access the resources they need to succeed. Wesley house offers a variety of programs that focus on youth development, senior engagement, and family support, ensuring that everyone in our community has the opportunity to live a healthier, more stable life. | $20,000 |
| St Mary's Legacy Clinic Inc | To assist with the urgent healthcare and relief efforts in tennessee. | $15,000 |
| Knoxville Family Justus Center | Support: one safe placea community-focused social services center in west knoxville | $15,000 |
| St Mary's Legacy Clinic Inc | To assist with the urgent healthcare and relief efforts in tennessee. | $10,000 |
| A Secret Safe Place for Newborns of Tennessee | To continue the mission is to protect the most defenseless among us, newborn infants, by educating and informing women and communities of safe, secret options under the safe haven law. Our goal is to save lives by increasing the safe surrender and eliminating the unsafe abandonment of newborns in every community of our state. | $10,000 |
| Girls Inc - TN Valley | Our mission at girls incorporated of tennessee valley(gitnv) is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. | $10,000 |
| Helen Ross McNabb Foundation | Elevate recovery high school is the only recovery school in the state of tennessee and provides knox county high school students a sober, safe learning environment while on the path to recovery. | $10,000 |
| Camp Koinonia Foundation Inc | To serve individuals with disabilities with unique, needs-based programs that enrich their lives. | $5,000 |
| Special Olympics of Greater Knoxville | For a mode of transportation for all of our athletic equipment needed for each sporting event. | $5,000 |
| Muse Knoxville | "to inspire and empowering all children through transformative learning experiences. As a children's steam museum located in east knoxville, we engage youth in hands-on, inquiry-based education in science, | $5,000 |
| Thrive (Soar Youth Ministries) | To share the gospel and empower at-risk youth in knoxville through christ-centered relationships and holistic support, addressing their spiritual, academic, emotional, and physical needs. Thrive exists to provide at-risk youth in knoxville with the support, resources, and relationships they need to flourish. | $5,000 |
| Helen Ross McNabb Foundation | Elevate recovery high school is the only recovery school in the state of tennessee and provides knox county high school students a sober, safe learning environment while on the path to recovery. | $2,500 |
| Random Acts of Flowers | To improve the emotional health and well-being of individuals in healthcare facilities by delivering recycled flowers, encouragement, and personal moments of kindness. | $2,500 |
| Volunteer Rotary of Knoxville | To raise awareness and funds to support sarah moore greene elementary. This event will invite the knoxville community out for a night of prohibition-themed fun. At this event, we will share more about our partnership with sarah moore greene and their immediate needs. | $1,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Reed T Smith
- Joshua B Sanderson
- Cody T Smith
- Mary Ann Smith
- Traci K Smith
- Beverly K Smith
- Jesse H Smith
- Sean H Sanderson
- Kennedy A Smith
Questions people ask
Does Smith Family Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications.
How much does Smith Family Foundation give?
$176,500 in tax year 2025, across 17 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Smith Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Reed T Smith (President), Joshua B Sanderson (Secretary), Cody T Smith (Treasurer) and Mary Ann Smith (Director) among 9 officers and trustees.
What does Smith Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly youth programs, human services and environment and conservation.