Well Told Grants

Foundations / Texas

The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation

Preselected recipients only Houston, Texas · EIN 270040023

The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation is a private foundation in Houston, Texas. In tax year 2025 it gave $4.0 million in 2 grants; the typical grant was $2.0 million and the largest $2.0 million. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was down from $4.0 million the year before.

0% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$5.8 million4$297,073
2024$4.0 million3$160,870
2025$4.0 million2$202,724

How to apply

The Lester and Sue 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.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation funds

Where it gives

All of its grants went to recipients in Texas.

StateGrantsAmount
Texas2$4.0 million

Grants paid in 2025

All 2 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Harris County Hosp Dist Foundation
Houston, TX
Health services$2.0 million
Texas Children's Hospital
Houston, TX
Children's hospital$2.0 million

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation give?

$4.0 million in tax year 2025, across 2 grants, with a typical grant of $2.0 million.

Who runs The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists Sue A Smith (Pres/Trustee), Stuart M Smith (Trustee), Michelle S Hendry (Trustee) and Karla Neal (Secretary) among 5 officers and trustees.

What does The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly health and youth programs.

Similar foundations in Texas