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    5. Carolyn Smith Foundation
    Carolyn Smith Foundation logo

    Carolyn Smith Foundation

    ActivePhilanthropy & Voluntarism
    HENDERSONVILLE, TNWebsite9102200313

    About Carolyn Smith Foundation

    The Carolyn Smith Foundation concentrates its giving on biomedical research, demonstrated by a single large grant to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for medical research. The foundation appears to fund research at an academic medical center in its region rather than a broad mix of causes. Its giving is targeted and institution-focused rather than dispersed across many organizations.

    Focus Areas

    Medical research at Vanderbilt University Medical CenterBiomedical/clinical research funding in the Nashville/Hendersonville regionLarge single-grant support to academic medical institutions

    Who They Fund

    children and youth (including disabled and displaced/orphaned youth)low-income individuals and familiespeople experiencing homelessnesspeople with substance use disordersolder adults with Alzheimer's / dementia patientsmilitary families / children of fallen service members

    About Carolyn Smith Foundation

    A single medical-research line dominates the Carolyn Smith Foundation’s recent giving: the largest grant on file is $360,000 to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for medical research, following similarly sized awards of $300,000 in 2024 and $250,000 in 2023. That pattern points to sustained support for biomedical work at an academic medical center in Nashville rather than broad, diversified grantmaking. The foundation’s recent list also shows other research-oriented commitments, including $200,000 to Cure San Filippo Foundation and $100,000 to Every Cure Inc., both tied to health and medical research. Beyond research, the foundation makes targeted local awards in Middle Tennessee. Its grant list includes support for Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center in Hendersonville, food access organizations in Nashville, and services for people experiencing homelessness. Grants also extend to children’s medical needs, dementia-related support, and addiction treatment, showing a mix of institutional research funding and selected direct-service or community-based awards. With annual grants of $9.2 million and a local geographic scope, the foundation gives in concentrated amounts rather than across many small recipients.

    What Carolyn Smith Foundation Funds

    Biomedical research is the foundation’s clearest focus. In 2025, it gave $360,000 to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for medical research, and the same institution received $300,000 in 2024 and $250,000 in 2023. It also supported Cure San Filippo Foundation with $200,000 in 2025 for medical research. The foundation also funds food security and basic needs. Recent grants include $100,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank for food to poor families, $100,000 to Inspiritus Inc. for food bank work, and $75,000 to One Generation Away to distribute healthy foods to people in need. Community support appears in several other areas. Nashville Rescue Mission received $100,000 for helping people who are homeless, while Gallatin Day Care Center received $95,000 for childcare for low-income families. The foundation also gave $50,000 to Shatterproof for addiction treatment.

    How Carolyn Smith Foundation Gives

    Typical grants cluster around five figures, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $10,000, and a p75 of $24,250. The recent list also shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Cure San Filippo Foundation, Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, Nashville Rescue Mission, and Equal Chance for Education. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. One active cycle accepts unsolicited applications for operational grants, while the fall cycle is invitation-only.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $3.9M

    Total Assets

    $603K

    Total Revenue

    $4M

    Total Expenses

    $4.1M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $5K and $24K, with a median of $10K.

    25th Percentile

    $5K

    Median

    $10K

    75th Percentile

    $24K

    Geographic Reach

    Local14 states funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Deep Analysis

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    EIN (Tax ID): 81-4706113Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $603K3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
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    regional communities (Tennessee / local & regional beneficiaries)

    Giving Approach

    Highly concentrated: one large grant to a single beneficiary (institutional medical research), suggesting occasional substantial, targeted gifts rather than many small or diversified grants.

    Funding Style

    direct service / program supportresearch grants (medical/scientific)project-based / place-focused fundingmulti-issue / holistic giving

    Notable grantees: Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    Topics

    medical research (including disease-specific research like cystic fibrosis)pediatric healthcare and critical-illness support (medical care for children, wish-granting)homelessness prevention and affordable/low-income housingfood security and meal distribution to low-income familiesaddiction treatment and substance use recovery servicesconservation and land/water protection & restoration (regional/TN focus)support for military families / children of fallen soldiers

    Where Carolyn Smith Foundation Makes Grants

    Giving is heavily centered in Tennessee, where 81% of grants go and where the foundation gives most often. Nashville appears repeatedly, including grants to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Nashville Rescue Mission. Hendersonville also appears in the recent list through Monthaven Arts & Cultural Center. Outside Tennessee, recent grants reached Columbia, South Carolina; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; New York, New York; and Norwalk, Connecticut. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Carolyn Smith Foundation

    What kinds of work does the Carolyn Smith Foundation support most often?

    The clearest pattern is medical research, especially through Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Recent grants also show support for food security, homelessness services, children’s medical needs, dementia-related support, addiction treatment, and local arts preservation.

    What is the typical grant size?

    Typical awards are modest to mid-sized: the p25 is $5,000, the median is $10,000, and the p75 is $24,250. Recent grants also include larger strategic awards, such as $360,000 and $300,000.

    Does the foundation accept unsolicited applications?

    Yes, for the Spring Cycle – Operational Grants. That cycle accepts open applications from U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit partners, with priority for organizations rooted in Middle Tennessee. The Fall Cycle is invitation-only.

    Where does the foundation give most of its grants?

    Tennessee is the main giving state, accounting for 81% of grants. Nashville is a recurring recipient city, and Hendersonville also appears in the recent grants list.

    What kinds of organizations receive support from the foundation?

    Recent grantees include an academic medical center, food banks, homeless services, a day care center, a youth mentoring organization, a health nonprofit, and an arts and cultural center. The pattern is concentrated but includes both research institutions and direct-service nonprofits.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Carolyn Smith Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Opening soonCloses Mar 1, 2027Award: Operational Grants

    Spring Cycle – Operational Grants

    Economic prosperityAffordable and accessible housingFood security and hunger relief+10 more

    Who can apply: Applicants must be registered 501(c)(3) nonprofits, primarily serve Middle Tennessee with emphasis on Davidson and Sumner Counties, and have operated for at least two years. Fiscally sponsored organizations are eligible. The foundation does not fund individuals, political parties or candidates, religious organizations seeking funding for a religious purpose, or organizations that unlawfully discriminate or are hostile toward people based on age, religion, gender, ethnicity, or orientation.

    Deadline: February 1–March 1 each year; the 2026 cycle is closed and applicants should check back February 1, 2027.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTENASHVILLE, TN$360,0002025MEDICAL RESERACH
    MONTHAVEN ARTS & CULTURAL CENTERHENDERSONVILLE, TN$200,0002025PRESERVE LOCAL & REGIONAL ART
    CURE SAN FILIPPO FOUNDATIONCOLUMBIA, SC$200,0002025MEDICAL RESERACH
    SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANKNASHVILLE, TN$100,0002025FOOD TO POOR FAMILIES
    INSPIRITUS INCNASHVILLE, TN$100,0002025FOOD BANK
    NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSIONNASHVILLE, TN$100,0002025HELP PEOPLE THAT ARE HOMELESS
    UNC HEALTH FOUNDATIONCHAPEL HILL, NC$100,0002025PROVIDE HEALTH CARE
    GALLATIN DAY CARE CENTERGALLATIN, TN$95,0002025CHILDCARE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES
    CORNER TO CORNERNASHVILLE, TN$75,0002025CREATE OPPORTUNITIES ECONOMIC GROWTH
    ONE GENERATION AWAYFRANKLIN, TN$75,0002025DISTRIBUTE HEALTHY FOODS TO NEEDED
    EQUAL CHANCE FOR EDUCATIONNASHVILLE, TN$62,5002025PROVIDE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION
    COMMUNITY RESOURCE CTR OF NASHVILLENASHVILLE, TN$60,0002025PROVIDE ESSENTIAL ITEMS NEEDY
    ABE'S GARDENNASHVILLE, TN$60,0002025IMPROVE LIVES OF ALZHEIMER PATIENTS
    BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS MID TNNASHVILLE, TN$60,0002025YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAMS
    A SOLDIER'S CHILD FOUNDATIONSMYRNA, TN$50,0002025SUPPORT FALLEN SOLDIER'S CHILDREN
    MARTHA O'BRYAN CENTER-NASHVILLENASHVILLE, TN$50,0002025MOVING PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY
    GRACE PLACE MINISTRIESHENDERSONVILLE, TN$50,0002025SAFE HOME FOR MOTHERS & CHILDREN
    MOTHER TO MOTHERNASHVILLE, TN$50,0002025PROVIDES WELLNESS ITEMS TO CHILDREN
    ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCATIONNEW YORK, NY$50,0002025IMPROVE LIFES OF ALZHEIMER PATIENTS
    SHATTERPROOFNORWALK, CT$50,0002025ADDICTION TREATMENT
    HARPETH CONSERVANCYBRENTWOOD, TN$50,0002025PROVIDE CLEAN WATER & ECOSYSTEMS
    HABITAT HUMANITY GREATER NASHVILLENASHVILLE, TN$50,0002025PROVIDE LOW INCOME HOUSING NEEDED
    ST JUDEMEMPHIS, TN$50,0002025ASSIST CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL NEEDS
    TENN GREEN LAND CONSERVANCYNASHVILLE, TN$40,0002025CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, RESTORATION
    SPECIAL OLYMPICS TNNASHVILLE, TN$40,0002025SPORTS TRAINING FOR DISABLED
    THE NATURE CONSERVATORY TNBRENTWOOD, TN$40,0002025HELP CONSERVE TN LANDS, WATERS
    HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSENASHVILLE, TN$40,0002025HEALTH-GENERAL
    FEED SUMNERGALLATIN, TN$30,0002025SERVE & FEED PEOPLE SUMNER COUNTY
    GALLATIN CARESGALLATIN, TN$30,0002025HELP LOW INCOME PEOPLE
    MONROE HARDINGNASHVILLE, TN$30,0002025ORPHANAGE FOR DISPLACED YOUTH
    WO SMITH SCHOOLNASHVILLE, TN$30,0002025AID CHILDREN LOW-INCOME
    HOPE FAMILY HEALTH WESTMORELANDWESTMORELAND, TN$30,0002025PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE TO ALL
    SILOAM HEALTHNASHVILLE, TN$30,0002025ASSIST NEEDY THROUGH HEALTH CARE
    THE STORENASHVILLE, TN$25,0002025PROVIDE FOOD FOR NEEDY
    SALVATION ARMYNASHVILLE, TN$25,0002025HUMAN SERVICES - POVERTY
    CONEXION AMERICASNASHVILLE, TN$25,0002025HUMAN SERVICES-MINORITY
    NURSES FOR NEWBORNSNASHVILLE, TN$25,0002025PREVENT INFANT MORTALITY, ABUSE
    NASHVILLE ZOONASHVILLE, TN$25,0002025DISCOVER NATURE THRU CONSERVATION
    CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATIONBETHESDA, MD$25,0002025TO CURE CYSTIC FIBROSIS
    HABITAT HUMANITY SUMNER COUNTYGALLATIN, TN$25,0002025PROVIDE LOW INCOME HOUSING NEEDS
    MAKE-A-WISH MIDDLE TENNNASHVILLE, TN$25,0002025GRANTING WISHES TO CRITICAL CHILDREN
    COMMUNITY CARE FELLOWSHIPNASHVILLE, TN$25,0002025OFFER HOPE, LOVE & RESOURCES
    ARBOR DAY FOUNDATIONLINCOLN, NE$25,0002025CONSERVATION & EDUCATION
    NASHVILLE DOLPHINSNASHVILLE, TN$25,0002025SWIM LESSONS FOR DISABLED CHILDREN
    SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDRENTAMPA, FL$25,0002025MEDICAL CARE FOR CHILDREN
    UNITED WAY OF GREATER NASHVILLENASHVILLE, TN$22,0002025HUMAN SERVICES
    PAPILLION CENTERGALLATIN, TN$20,0002025OFFER INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY ASSISTANCE
    SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTERNASHVILLE, TN$20,0002025AID SEXCUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS
    CHARLES HOUSE ASSOCIATIONCHAPEL HILL, NC$20,0002025PROVIDE ELDERCARE SERVICES
    NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTHNASHVILLE, TN$20,0002025AFFORDABLE HEATH CARE NEEDS

    VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTE

    $360,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    MEDICAL RESERACH

    MONTHAVEN ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER

    $200,000
    HENDERSONVILLE, TN2025

    PRESERVE LOCAL & REGIONAL ART

    CURE SAN FILIPPO FOUNDATION

    $200,000
    COLUMBIA, SC2025

    MEDICAL RESERACH

    SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK

    $100,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    FOOD TO POOR FAMILIES

    INSPIRITUS INC

    $100,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    FOOD BANK

    NASHVILLE RESCUE MISSION

    $100,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    HELP PEOPLE THAT ARE HOMELESS

    UNC HEALTH FOUNDATION

    $100,000
    CHAPEL HILL, NC2025

    PROVIDE HEALTH CARE

    GALLATIN DAY CARE CENTER

    $95,000
    GALLATIN, TN2025

    CHILDCARE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES

    CORNER TO CORNER

    $75,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    CREATE OPPORTUNITIES ECONOMIC GROWTH

    ONE GENERATION AWAY

    $75,000
    FRANKLIN, TN2025

    DISTRIBUTE HEALTHY FOODS TO NEEDED

    EQUAL CHANCE FOR EDUCATION

    $62,500
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    PROVIDE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EDUCATION

    COMMUNITY RESOURCE CTR OF NASHVILLE

    $60,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    PROVIDE ESSENTIAL ITEMS NEEDY

    ABE'S GARDEN

    $60,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    IMPROVE LIVES OF ALZHEIMER PATIENTS

    BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS MID TN

    $60,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    YOUTH MENTORING PROGRAMS

    A SOLDIER'S CHILD FOUNDATION

    $50,000
    SMYRNA, TN2025

    SUPPORT FALLEN SOLDIER'S CHILDREN

    MARTHA O'BRYAN CENTER-NASHVILLE

    $50,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    MOVING PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY

    GRACE PLACE MINISTRIES

    $50,000
    HENDERSONVILLE, TN2025

    SAFE HOME FOR MOTHERS & CHILDREN

    MOTHER TO MOTHER

    $50,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    PROVIDES WELLNESS ITEMS TO CHILDREN

    ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCATION

    $50,000
    NEW YORK, NY2025

    IMPROVE LIFES OF ALZHEIMER PATIENTS

    SHATTERPROOF

    $50,000
    NORWALK, CT2025

    ADDICTION TREATMENT

    HARPETH CONSERVANCY

    $50,000
    BRENTWOOD, TN2025

    PROVIDE CLEAN WATER & ECOSYSTEMS

    HABITAT HUMANITY GREATER NASHVILLE

    $50,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    PROVIDE LOW INCOME HOUSING NEEDED

    ST JUDE

    $50,000
    MEMPHIS, TN2025

    ASSIST CHILDREN WITH MEDICAL NEEDS

    TENN GREEN LAND CONSERVANCY

    $40,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, RESTORATION

    SPECIAL OLYMPICS TN

    $40,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    SPORTS TRAINING FOR DISABLED

    THE NATURE CONSERVATORY TN

    $40,000
    BRENTWOOD, TN2025

    HELP CONSERVE TN LANDS, WATERS

    HOSPITAL HOSPITALITY HOUSE

    $40,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    HEALTH-GENERAL

    FEED SUMNER

    $30,000
    GALLATIN, TN2025

    SERVE & FEED PEOPLE SUMNER COUNTY

    GALLATIN CARES

    $30,000
    GALLATIN, TN2025

    HELP LOW INCOME PEOPLE

    MONROE HARDING

    $30,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    ORPHANAGE FOR DISPLACED YOUTH

    WO SMITH SCHOOL

    $30,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    AID CHILDREN LOW-INCOME

    HOPE FAMILY HEALTH WESTMORELAND

    $30,000
    WESTMORELAND, TN2025

    PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE TO ALL

    SILOAM HEALTH

    $30,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    ASSIST NEEDY THROUGH HEALTH CARE

    THE STORE

    $25,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    PROVIDE FOOD FOR NEEDY

    SALVATION ARMY

    $25,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    HUMAN SERVICES - POVERTY

    CONEXION AMERICAS

    $25,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    HUMAN SERVICES-MINORITY

    NURSES FOR NEWBORNS

    $25,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    PREVENT INFANT MORTALITY, ABUSE

    NASHVILLE ZOO

    $25,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    DISCOVER NATURE THRU CONSERVATION

    CYSTIC FIBROSIS FOUNDATION

    $25,000
    BETHESDA, MD2025

    TO CURE CYSTIC FIBROSIS

    HABITAT HUMANITY SUMNER COUNTY

    $25,000
    GALLATIN, TN2025

    PROVIDE LOW INCOME HOUSING NEEDS

    MAKE-A-WISH MIDDLE TENN

    $25,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    GRANTING WISHES TO CRITICAL CHILDREN

    COMMUNITY CARE FELLOWSHIP

    $25,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    OFFER HOPE, LOVE & RESOURCES

    ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION

    $25,000
    LINCOLN, NE2025

    CONSERVATION & EDUCATION

    NASHVILLE DOLPHINS

    $25,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    SWIM LESSONS FOR DISABLED CHILDREN

    SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN

    $25,000
    TAMPA, FL2025

    MEDICAL CARE FOR CHILDREN

    UNITED WAY OF GREATER NASHVILLE

    $22,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    HUMAN SERVICES

    PAPILLION CENTER

    $20,000
    GALLATIN, TN2025

    OFFER INDIVIDUAL & FAMILY ASSISTANCE

    SEXUAL ASSAULT CENTER

    $20,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    AID SEXCUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS

    CHARLES HOUSE ASSOCIATION

    $20,000
    CHAPEL HILL, NC2025

    PROVIDE ELDERCARE SERVICES

    NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH

    $20,000
    NASHVILLE, TN2025

    AFFORDABLE HEATH CARE NEEDS