Vivian L Smith Foundation
Accepts applications
Vivian L Smith Foundation is a private foundation in Houston, Texas. In tax year 2025 it gave $4.5 million in 189 grants; the typical grant was $20,000 and the largest $100,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$4.5 million
- Number of grants189
- Typical grant$20,000
- Largest grant$100,000
- Assets$99.7 million
- New grantees34%
Giving in 2025 was up from $4.3 million the year before.
34% 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 | $4.1 million | 152 | $90.3 million |
| 2024 | $4.3 million | 141 | $95.3 million |
| 2025 | $4.5 million | 189 | $99.7 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Amy Meckel Vivian L Smith Foundatio 1900 West Loop South Suite 1050, Houston, TX 77027-3207 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (713) 986-8030 |
| What to submit | No specific form required. Applicants must specify purpose and include proof that they are qualifying sec 509(a)(1),(2) or (3) organizations. |
| Deadlines | Grants must be submitted by feb 15,may 15,aug 15,and oct 25 preceding the quarterly meetings. |
| Restrictions | The foundation does not make grants to individuals. All recipients must be qualifying sec 509(a)(1),(2), or (3) organizations. There are no restrictions to geographical areas or charitable fields. |
What Vivian L Smith Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Texas.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 186 | $4.5 million |
| Alabama | 1 | $25,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $20,000 |
| Georgia | 1 | $15,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Communities in Schools Houston | Support cis dropout prevention & case management program during 2024-2025 school year | $100,000 |
| Baylor College of Medicine Office of Inst Advancement MSC #800 | Construction & interior buildout of planned health sciences tower. | $100,000 |
| Houston Hospice | Provide uncompromising compassionate end-of-life care to the community | $100,000 |
| Yes Prep Public Schools Inc | General operations and programs in 2025-26 school year | $100,000 |
| De Pelchin Children's Center | Support the families count program | $100,000 |
| Holly Hall Christian Retirement Community | Support the building on a houston legacy campaign | $100,000 |
| Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation | Support the critical next phase of niche development | $100,000 |
| Camp for All | Support blazing new trails campaign | $75,000 |
| Springspirit | Funds for capital campaign | $70,000 |
| The Kinkaid School | Support the capital campaign | $60,000 |
| Christian Community Service Center | Family support groups to help people achieve greater financial stability through their programs | $50,000 |
| Houston Area Women's Center Attn HOU1160 | The crisis response program | $50,000 |
| Menil Foundation Inc the Menil Collection | Endorse the artist documentaion program archivist in the final year of jeremy davet's planned 3 year tenure | $50,000 |
| Pursuit Center | General operations to assist choice, growth & independence for people with intellectual | $50,000 |
| Teach for America | Houston's work training new teachers/tutors & provide ongoing professional development to alumni of the program | $50,000 |
| The Council on Recovery | General operations | $50,000 |
| Good Samaritan Foundation | Support the nuring scholarship programs | $50,000 |
| Ieducate | Funds for program expansion in north houston over the 2025-26 school year | $50,000 |
| Memorial Hermann Foundation | Support the mobile stroke unit | $50,000 |
| The Rise School of Houston | Support the tuition scholarship program | $50,000 |
| Bakerripley | Provide critical support for community centers in the east end, gulfton/sharpstown, pasadena and east aldine neighbors | $50,000 |
| The Arbor School | Support the renovation & expansion project | $50,000 |
| Elijah Rising | Support the one-time start up costs of the emergency shelter | $50,000 |
| Houston Food Bank | Support to neighbors experiencing paycheck or snap benefit interruptions | $50,000 |
| The Rose | Support the empower her sponsorship program | $50,000 |
| University of St Thomas | Support the "vivian l. Smith annual scholarship fund" for nursing students in the next academic year | $50,000 |
| YMCA of Greater Houston | Support m.d. Anderson family YMCA phase ii capital campaign | $50,000 |
| Southwest Public Schools Attn Donations | Support the in-house summer of learning program | $50,000 |
| Texas Development University of Texas Austin | Support the blanton museum of art | $50,000 |
| University of Texas Austin | Support the ut beautification council general fund | $50,000 |
| Jones Graduate School of Business Rice University | Support the jones graduate school of business | $45,000 |
| Museum of Fine Arts Houston | Support the exhibit "picasso-klee-matisse: masterpieces from the museum berggruen" | $45,000 |
| Discovery Green | Support screen on the green | $40,000 |
| Springspirit | General operations | $30,000 |
| Contemporary Arts Museum Houston | Support the museum's education programs | $30,000 |
| Individual | Support student scholarships | $30,000 |
| Gateway Academy | Support gateway academy's mental health programs | $30,000 |
| Children's Museum of Houston | General operations in 2025 | $25,000 |
| Connect Community | The 9th annual connect summer camp | $25,000 |
| Hermann Park Conservancy | Back the annual activities, & programs & services | $25,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Amy M Meckel
- Ransom C Lummis
- Cynthia J Adkins
- Kirby Cohn McCool
- Judy S Tate
- Lindsey Holstead
- Jesse H Jones II
Questions people ask
Does Vivian L Smith Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Grants must be submitted by feb 15,may 15,aug 15,and oct 25 preceding the quarterly meetings..
How much does Vivian L Smith Foundation give?
$4.5 million in tax year 2025, across 189 grants, with a typical grant of $20,000.
Who runs Vivian L Smith Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Amy M Meckel (Secretary/Treasurer), Ransom C Lummis (President/Trustee), Cynthia J Adkins (Vp/Trustee) and Kirby Cohn McCool (Trustee) among 7 officers and trustees.
What does Vivian L Smith Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and arts and culture.