The Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation makes many modest, targeted grants across a handful of recurring themes: support for U.S. special operations and veterans’ families, animal rescue/conservation and zoological institutions, independent school scholarships and K–12 education, and community relief (food banks/disaster response). Grants are often repeated to the same organizations and include faith-based (Presbyterian) ministries and local cultural institutions, suggesting a mix of personal/placemaking priorities and national philanthropic interests.
A repeated pattern of support for U.S. special operations and veterans’ families stands out in Charles Henry Smith Sr Foundation’s recent giving. The foundation gave multiple grants to Navy Seal Foundation, including $5,500 in 2023 and $5,000 in 2024 and 2025, with the 2025 award described as support for warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare. That focus sits alongside grants to education, animal welfare, food assistance, and faith-based institutions, showing a portfolio built around a few recurring interests rather than a single program area. The foundation’s recent grants are typically modest, with many awards clustered in the low-thousands and several recipients appearing more than once across years. It also supports school scholarship funds and annual funds, including Park View 19 Scholarship Fund and University School Annual Fund, as well as conservation-oriented institutions such as San Antonio Zoological Society and Wild Animal Sanctuary. Another recurring thread is community and ministry support, seen in gifts to Leesburg Presbyterian Church and Yorkminster Presbyterian Church. Taken together, the pattern suggests targeted, relationship-based giving to organizations tied to service members, students, animals, and local community life.
In veterans’ and special-operations support, the foundation gave $5,000 to Navy Seal Foundation in 2025 and $5,500 in 2023, with the later gift aimed at helping warriors, veterans, and families of Naval Special Warfare. Education is another clear theme: Park View 19 Scholarship Fund received $5,000 in 2024 and again in 2025 to improve educational opportunities for graduating classes, while University School Annual Fund received $3,000 in 2025 to support faculty compensation and professional development. Animal welfare and conservation also appear repeatedly. San Antonio Zoological Society received $5,000 in 2024 and $3,000 in 2025 for animal care, education, and conservation, and Wild Animal Sanctuary received $2,000 in 2024. The foundation also funds food and emergency relief, including a $3,000 grant to World Central Kitchen and a $2,000 grant to American Red Cross.
The typical grant size is small and tightly grouped: p25 is $1,000, median is $1,100, and p75 is $2,000. That points to a pattern of many modest awards rather than a few large checks. The recent list also shows repeat giving to the same organizations across multiple years, including Navy Seal Foundation, Leesburg Presbyterian Church, Park View 19 Scholarship Fund, San Antonio Zoological Society, Hathaway Brown School Office of Advancement, and Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center. The foundation is a grantmaker, not an individual-giving vehicle, and it does not make program-related investments. The available data does not show an application process or unsolicited proposal route.
$70K
$731K
$10K
$75K
Most grants fall between $1K and $2K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$2K
About 18% of grants go to recipients in VA.
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Relatively distributed small-to-mid sized grants with frequent repeat donations to a core set of recipients; geographic reach is national but combines hometown/regional beneficiaries with national service-oriented charities. Gifts tend to be program or general support rather than large multi-year endowments.
Notable grantees: Navy SEAL Foundation, San Antonio Zoological Society, Park View 19 Scholarship Fund, Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, Leesburg Presbyterian Church
The foundation gives nationally, with grants going to recipients across the United States. Ohio is the top state by grant count, and 17% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state of Ohio. Recent recipient locations include Virginia Beach, Virginia; San Antonio, Texas; Leesburg, Virginia; Chagrin Falls, Ohio; and Washington, DC. Grants also reached Phoenix, Arizona; Austin, Texas; Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Lanai City, Hawaii, showing a broad U.S. footprint rather than a single-local-area focus.
Recent grants show recurring support for U.S. special operations and veterans’ families, education and scholarship funds, animal welfare and conservation, food security and emergency relief, and Presbyterian church or music ministry support. The same themes appear across multiple years and multiple recipients.
The middle of the distribution is small: p25 is $1,000, median is $1,100, and p75 is $2,000. Most recent grants fall in that general range, with only a few above $5,000.
Yes. Although Ohio is the top state by grant count and 17% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, the foundation gives nationally. Recent recipients include organizations in Virginia, Texas, Washington, DC, Arizona, Indiana, Colorado, and Hawaii.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Navy Seal Foundation, Leesburg Presbyterian Church, Park View 19 Scholarship Fund, San Antonio Zoological Society, Hathaway Brown School Office of Advancement, and Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center. That indicates recurring relationships rather than purely one-time gifts.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PARK VIEW 19 SCHOLARSHIP FUND | STERLING, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO COLLECTIVELY IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATING CLASSES. |
| NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO HELP PROVIDE CRITICAL SUPPORT FOR THE WARRIORS, VETERANS, AND FAMILIES OF NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE. |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $4,500 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT CRITICAL RESEARCH, IMPROVE CARE, AND TO HELP SAVE LIVES. |
| LEESBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | LEESBURG, VA | $4,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH. |
| WONDERS AND WORRIES | AUSTIN, TX | $3,500 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS DURING A PARENT'S SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURY. |
| SAN ANTONIO BROADWAY THEATRE | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $3,500 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO HELP BRING PREMIER LIVE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS TO SAN ANTONIO. |
| SAN ANTONIO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $3,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO HELP INSPIRE PEOPLE TO LOVE, ENGAGE, ACT AND PROTECT ANIMALS AND THE PLACES THEY LIVE THROUGH ANIMCAL CARE, EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION. |
| LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | ARLINGTON, VA | $3,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF YOUNG CONSERVATIVE LEADERS. |
| UNIVERSITY SCHOOL ANNUAL FUND | HUNTING VALLEY, OH | $3,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT FACULTY COMPENSATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND TO ATTRACT, DEVELOP, AND RETAIN OUTSTANDING TEACHERS. |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN (DONOR SERVICES TEAM) | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO HELP PROVIDE FRESH, NOURISHING MEALS FOR COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD. |
| LANAI CAT SANCTUARY | LANAI CITY, HI | $2,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR LANAI'S FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM BY SAVING CATS AND PROTECTING NATIVE BIRDS THROUGH INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, AND EDUCATION. |
| YORKMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL | YORKTOWN, VA | $2,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION. |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF NORTH CENTRAL OHIO | LORAIN, OH | $2,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO HELP PROVIDE MEALS TO FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH HUNGER IN THE REGION. |
| SALVATION ARMY | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $2,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN NEED. |
| HATHAWAY BROWN SCHOOL OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT | SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH | $2,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT INNOVATION, EXCELLENCE, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY STUDENT. |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | FORT WAYNE, IN | $2,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO HELP PREVENT AND ALLEVIATE HUMAN SUFFERING IN THE FACE OF EMERGENCIES. |
| SAN ANTONIO FOOD BANK | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $2,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN NEED. |
| YORKMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (MUSIC MINISTRY) | YORKTOWN, VA | $2,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION. |
| FIELDSTONE FARM THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER | CHAGRIN FALLS, OH | $2,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE THERAPEUTIC POWER OF HORSES TO DISCOVER THE SPECIAL ABILITIES OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. |
| WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY | KEENESBURG, CO | $2,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE RESCUE AND REHABILITATION OF ANIMALS. |
| FORGING INDUSTRY EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $1,500 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE FORGING INDUSTRY THROUGH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION. |
| COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FOUNDATION | WILLIAMSBURG, VA | $1,500 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUED RESEARCH OF AMERICAN HISTORY. |
| TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $1,500 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT FALLEN FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES BY PROVIDING MORTGAGE FREE HOMES. |
| SPECIAL OPERATIONS WARRIOR FOUNDATION | TAMPA, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL FUNDING AND ADVOCACY TO THE CHILDREN OF FALLEN SPECIAL OPERATORS. |
| THE UNIT SCHOLARSHIP FUND | FORT BRAGG, NC | $1,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT IN THE TRIBUTE TO THE SPIRIT OF THOSE SPECIAL OPERATIONS SOLDIERS WHO DEFEND OUR NATION DAILY. |
| SMILE TRAIN | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO HELP SUPPORT SURGERY AND OTHER FORMS OF ESSENTIAL CLEFT TREATMENT. |
| FSTOP FOUNDATION | PLANTATION, FL | $1,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT CONSERVATION BY CREATING AWARENESS THROUGH THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY. |
| PURDUE FOR LIFE FOUNDATION | W LAFAYETTE, IN | $1,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF PURDUE AND THE COMMUNITY. |
| MISS NORTH DAKOTA SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATION | WILLISTON, ND | $1,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO ASSIST AND PROMOTE WOMEN THROUGH NORTH DAKOTA BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE THEIR SKILLS AND BUILD SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-CONFIDENCE. |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $1,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUED RESEARCH OF CHILDHOOD DISEASES. |
| ST MATTHEW'S HOUSE (DEVELOPMENT) | NAPLES, FL | $500 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. |
| KAPPA KAPPA GAMMA FOUNDATION | DUBLIN, OH | $500 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT WITH THE RESOURCES THAT FULFILL THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF WOMEN. |
| TULANE UNIVERSITY (DEVELOPMENT) | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $6,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| SAN ANTONIO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| PARK VIEW 19 SCHOLARSHIP FUND | STERLING, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| TULANE UNIVERSITY (DEVELOPMENT) | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| PARK VIEW 19 SCHOLARSHIP FUND | STERLING, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| LEESBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | LEESBURG, VA | $4,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| LEESBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | LEESBURG, VA | $4,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| GREENSBORO DAY SCHOOL | GREENSBORO, NC | $3,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| NAPLES COUCIL OF WORLD AFFAIRS | NAPLES, FL | $3,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN (DONOR SERVICES TEAM) | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| HATHAWAY BROWN SCHOOL OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT | SHAKER HEIGHTS, OH | $3,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| SAN ANTONIO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $2,700 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| SAN ANTONIO BROADWAY THEATER | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $2,345 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| SAN ANTONIO BROADWAY THEATER | SAN ANTONIO, TX | $2,300 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| YORKMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL | YORKTOWN, VA | $2,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
| FIELDSTONE FARM THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER | CHAGRIN FALLS, OH | $2,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE |
PARK VIEW 19 SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$5,000CONTRIBUTION TO COLLECTIVELY IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATING CLASSES.
CONTRIBUTION TO HELP PROVIDE CRITICAL SUPPORT FOR THE WARRIORS, VETERANS, AND FAMILIES OF NAVAL SPECIAL WARFARE.
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
$4,500CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT CRITICAL RESEARCH, IMPROVE CARE, AND TO HELP SAVE LIVES.
LEESBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$4,000CONTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH.
CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS DURING A PARENT'S SERIOUS ILLNESS OR INJURY.
SAN ANTONIO BROADWAY THEATRE
$3,500CONTRIBUTION TO HELP BRING PREMIER LIVE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS TO SAN ANTONIO.
CONTRIBUTION TO HELP INSPIRE PEOPLE TO LOVE, ENGAGE, ACT AND PROTECT ANIMALS AND THE PLACES THEY LIVE THROUGH ANIMCAL CARE, EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION.
CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF YOUNG CONSERVATIVE LEADERS.
CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT FACULTY COMPENSATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND TO ATTRACT, DEVELOP, AND RETAIN OUTSTANDING TEACHERS.
CONTRIBUTION TO HELP PROVIDE FRESH, NOURISHING MEALS FOR COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD.
CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR LANAI'S FRAGILE ECOSYSTEM BY SAVING CATS AND PROTECTING NATIVE BIRDS THROUGH INNOVATION, COLLABORATION, AND EDUCATION.
YORKMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL
$2,000CONTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION.
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK OF NORTH CENTRAL OHIO
$2,000CONTRIBUTION TO HELP PROVIDE MEALS TO FAMILIES STRUGGLING WITH HUNGER IN THE REGION.
SALVATION ARMY
$2,000CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT FAMILIES IN NEED.
CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT INNOVATION, EXCELLENCE, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERY STUDENT.
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$2,000CONTRIBUTION TO HELP PREVENT AND ALLEVIATE HUMAN SUFFERING IN THE FACE OF EMERGENCIES.
CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND CHILDREN IN NEED.
YORKMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (MUSIC MINISTRY)
$2,000CONTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE CHURCH AND ITS MISSION.
CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE THERAPEUTIC POWER OF HORSES TO DISCOVER THE SPECIAL ABILITIES OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.
WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY
$2,000CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE RESCUE AND REHABILITATION OF ANIMALS.
FORGING INDUSTRY EDUCATION AND RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$1,500CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE FORGING INDUSTRY THROUGH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION.
CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUED RESEARCH OF AMERICAN HISTORY.
TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION
$1,500CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT FALLEN FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES BY PROVIDING MORTGAGE FREE HOMES.
SPECIAL OPERATIONS WARRIOR FOUNDATION
$1,000CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL FUNDING AND ADVOCACY TO THE CHILDREN OF FALLEN SPECIAL OPERATORS.
THE UNIT SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$1,000CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT IN THE TRIBUTE TO THE SPIRIT OF THOSE SPECIAL OPERATIONS SOLDIERS WHO DEFEND OUR NATION DAILY.
CONTRIBUTION TO HELP SUPPORT SURGERY AND OTHER FORMS OF ESSENTIAL CLEFT TREATMENT.
FSTOP FOUNDATION
$1,000CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT CONSERVATION BY CREATING AWARENESS THROUGH THE USE OF PHOTOGRAPHY.
PURDUE FOR LIFE FOUNDATION
$1,000CONTRIBUTION FOR GENERAL SUPPORT OF PURDUE AND THE COMMUNITY.
MISS NORTH DAKOTA SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATION
$1,000CONTRIBUTION TO ASSIST AND PROMOTE WOMEN THROUGH NORTH DAKOTA BY PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO ENHANCE THEIR SKILLS AND BUILD SELF-ESTEEM AND SELF-CONFIDENCE.
CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE CONTINUED RESEARCH OF CHILDHOOD DISEASES.
ST MATTHEW'S HOUSE (DEVELOPMENT)
$500CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT WITH THE RESOURCES THAT FULFILL THE EVOLVING NEEDS OF WOMEN.
TULANE UNIVERSITY (DEVELOPMENT)
$6,000CHARITABLE
PARK VIEW 19 SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$5,000CHARITABLE
TULANE UNIVERSITY (DEVELOPMENT)
$5,000CHARITABLE
PARK VIEW 19 SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$5,000CHARITABLE
LEESBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$4,000CHARITABLE
LEESBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$4,000CHARITABLE
GREENSBORO DAY SCHOOL
$3,000CHARITABLE
NAPLES COUCIL OF WORLD AFFAIRS
$3,000CHARITABLE
SAN ANTONIO BROADWAY THEATER
$2,345CHARITABLE
SAN ANTONIO BROADWAY THEATER
$2,300CHARITABLE
YORKMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL
$2,000CHARITABLE