SMS Foundation Inc
Preselected recipients only
SMS Foundation Inc is a private foundation in Madison, Wisconsin. In tax year 2025 it gave $481,000 in 61 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $40,000. 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$481,000
- Number of grants61
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$40,000
- Assets$12.8 million
- New grantees48%
Giving in 2025 was the same as $481,000 the year before.
48% 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 | $480,000 | 61 | $10.1 million |
| 2024 | $481,000 | 62 | $10.9 million |
| 2025 | $481,000 | 61 | $12.8 million |
How to apply
SMS Foundation Inc 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 SMS Foundation Inc funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 12 states, the most to Wisconsin.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 28 | $252,000 |
| New York | 9 | $58,000 |
| District of Columbia | 6 | $40,000 |
| Florida | 4 | $30,000 |
| Missouri | 3 | $21,000 |
| California | 3 | $20,000 |
| Massachusetts | 3 | $20,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $10,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $10,000 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Hodan Center | Community rehabilitation programs for adults with disabilities | $40,000 |
| Madison Community Foundation | Philanthropy to advance a more vibrant and equitable community in madison wi | $15,000 |
| American Indian College Fund | Supports native students access to higher education. | $10,000 |
| Arts Horizons | Support for arts programs for children. | $10,000 |
| American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | Prevention of cruelty to animals | $10,000 |
| Bethany Apartments | Transitional housing for victims of domestic abuse | $10,000 |
| Chief Blackbird Center | Provide government services to tribal members | $10,000 |
| Domestic Abuse Intervention Services | To provide assistance to people who have experienced domestic abuse | $10,000 |
| Dane County Humane Society | Care of homeless animals. | $10,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders | Medical aid to persons whose survival is threatened | $10,000 |
| End Domestic Abuse Wi | To reduce and eliminate domestic violence, abuse and oppression | $10,000 |
| Fine Arts Work Center Provincetown | To encourage and develop emerging visual artists and writers | $10,000 |
| Florida Keys Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | To promote humane treatment of all animals. | $10,000 |
| Foundation for Madison Public Schools | Educational purposes at the discretion of the charity. | $10,000 |
| Individual | $10,000 | |
| Kansas City Art Institute | To educate the artists and designers of tomorrow. | $10,000 |
| Kiva Microloans | Connecting people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin | To empower all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health. | $10,000 |
| Planned Parenthood USA | To empower all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health. | $10,000 |
| Reach Dane | Fund head start programs | $10,000 |
| Red Hook Initiative | Youth empowerment and environmental justice | $10,000 |
| Samuel's House | To provide housing for homeless women. | $10,000 |
| Individual | To acquire and distribute food to people in need. | $10,000 |
| Urban League of Greater Madison | Improve the social and economic conditions of bipoc and the economically disadvantaged | $10,000 |
| UW School of Veterinary Science | Veterinary education | $10,000 |
| Wisconsin Humanities Council | Supports and creates programs that use history, culture, and discussion | $10,000 |
| YWCA Madison | To build healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. | $10,000 |
| Arts for Arts Inc | To advocate for human rights & justice in support of freejazz improvised music &art. | $8,000 |
| Recovery Foundation | Support recovery from substance use disorders | $7,000 |
| The Rabbit Hole | Museum to celebrate children's literature | $6,000 |
| Arts and Literature Lab | To encourage visual, literary and performing artists to explore and develop their crafts | $5,000 |
| Clean Lakes Alliance | To improve water quality of lakes, streams and watersheds. | $5,000 |
| Food Bank of New York City | To end hunger by organizing food. | $5,000 |
| Hazeldon Betty Ford Foundation | Removing barriers to recovery from addiction | $5,000 |
| Hips Road | Provide artistic development and cultural exchanges | $5,000 |
| Holy Apostle Soup Kitchen | To provide meals to the hungry. | $5,000 |
| Keep Wi Warmcool Fund | To provide heat and power to those most in need | $5,000 |
| Key West Library | To provide library services. | $5,000 |
| Madison Museum of Contemporary Art | Exhibit, collect, preserve and interpret modern and contemporary art | $5,000 |
| Martha's Vineyard Animal Shelter | To provide shelter, care, love to domesticated homeless animals. | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Sarah E Spencer
- Matthew D Silverstein
- Thomas G Tierney
- Johanna Allex
- Mark Spencer
Questions people ask
Does SMS Foundation Inc accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does SMS Foundation Inc give?
$481,000 in tax year 2025, across 61 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs SMS Foundation Inc?
Its 2025 filing lists Sarah E Spencer (President, Director), Matthew D Silverstein (Vice President, Director), Thomas G Tierney (Treasurer) and Johanna Allex (Secretary) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does SMS Foundation Inc fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and health.