The Flora Bernice Smith Foundation focuses its giving narrowly on direct support for a single local children’s service provider, funding capital and program needs such as recreational equipment, furniture, supplies and technology. All recorded giving has supported Elmcrest Children’s Center in Syracuse, indicating a targeted, place-based interest in enhancing the day‑to‑day environment and program delivery for children served by that center. The foundation appears donor-directed and practical, prioritizing tangible assets that improve services rather than broad operating grants to many organizations.
A single Syracuse children’s center anchors the Flora Bernice Smith Foundation’s recent giving. Across 2023 through 2025, the foundation repeatedly supported Elmcrest Children’s Center with grants for expansion of mental health services, dormitory capital improvements, and recreational equipment, supplies, furniture, and iPads. That repeated pattern shows a narrow, place-based grant strategy built around direct support for facilities and day-to-day program delivery. The same practical approach appears in the foundation’s broader recent record. Grants have funded capital improvements, furnishings, equipment, and technology for child-serving and community-based institutions in Syracuse and nearby Skaneateles, including support for resident apartments, patient patio furnishings, security systems, and seminary education costs. Rather than spreading funds across many states or countries, the foundation has given entirely within New York, with all recorded grants going to recipients in the state. Its annual giving volume is modest in number of grants but consistent in use of targeted project support. The foundation’s recent awards favor tangible needs that improve the physical setting, safety, and program capacity of recipient organizations.
Capital and facility work is a recurring theme. The foundation gave $20,000 to House of Providence Association for capital improvement and equipment upgrades, and $15,500 to the same organization for capital improvements to a resident apartment. Safety and infrastructure also appear in grants to community-serving groups. Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse received $18,000 for crucial safety improvement to clubs, while Crouse Irving Foundation was awarded $18,000 for security cameras and upgrades. The foundation has also supported specialized services and learning-related expenses. Aurora of Central New York Inc received $17,000 for aids and devices for vision rehabilitation program, and St Thomas Preparatory received $15,000 for education costs for seminarians. Program delivery can include practical tools as well as facilities: St Joseph's Health Foundation was funded for equipment purchase and training, reflecting a preference for direct, usable project support.
Typical awards cluster tightly around the same level: p25 is $15,000, median is $15,000, and p75 is $17,750. That pattern points to steady project grants rather than very large outliers. The recent record also shows repeat recipients across multiple years, especially Elmcrest Children’s Center, House of Providence Association, Aurora of Central New York Inc, Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, Crouse Irving Foundation, St Joseph's Health Foundation, and St Mary's of the Lake. The foundation appears to operate as a private grantmaker with a local geographic scope, and the grants are directed to organizations rather than individuals.
$156K
$2.8M
$295K
$213K
Most grants fall between $15K and $18K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$18K
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Highly concentrated giving: all recorded grants (three awards totaling $85,000) went to a single local grantee for program-specific, tangible needs; repeat, project-specific support rather than broad or diversified grantmaking.
Notable grantees: Elmcrest Children’s Center
Every recorded grant went to recipients in the United States, and all of them were in New York. Syracuse is the clear center of activity, with most grantees located there, including Elmcrest Children’s Center, House of Providence Association, Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, Aurora of Central New York Inc, and Crouse Irving Foundation. Skaneateles also appears in the recent record through St Mary's of the Lake. The foundation’s giving is local in scope and concentrated entirely in its home state.
It funds organizations serving children and community needs, with the strongest pattern centered on Elmcrest Children’s Center in Syracuse. Recent grants also went to House of Providence Association, Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, Aurora of Central New York Inc, Crouse Irving Foundation, St Joseph's Health Foundation, and St Mary's of the Lake.
Typical awards are tightly grouped around $15,000. The recent grant distribution shows a p25 of $15,000, a median of $15,000, and a p75 of $17,750.
Its giving is local and entirely in New York. All recorded grants in the recent data went to New York recipients, with Syracuse accounting for most of the grant activity and Skaneateles appearing as another recipient city.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Elmcrest Children’s Center, House of Providence Association, Aurora of Central New York Inc, Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, Crouse Irving Foundation, St Joseph's Health Foundation, St Thomas Preparatory, Central New York Society for Prevention of Cruelty Animals, and St Mary's of the Lake.
The foundation’s grants focus on tangible project needs: expansion of mental health services, dormitory capital improvements, recreational equipment, supplies, furniture, iPads, capital improvement and equipment upgrades, safety improvements, security cameras, aids and devices for vision rehabilitation, and education costs for seminarians.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELMCREST CHIDLREN'S CENTER | SYRACUSE, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTSCAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| HOUSE OF PROVIDENCE ASSOCIATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | IT EQUIPMENT PURCHASES |
| AURORA OF CENTRAL NEW YORK INC | SYRACUSE, NY | $18,000 | 2026 | ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT AND DEVICES FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS; EQUIPMENT UPGRADES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SYRACUSE | SYRACUSE, NY | $18,000 | 2026 | HORIZONS EDUCATION TOUR EXPENSES (FOOD, LODGING, TRANSPORTATION, ETC.)SUPPORT FOR CRUCIAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT TO CLUBS |
| CENTRAL NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY ANIMALS | SYRACUSE, NY | $16,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| ST THOMAS PREPARATORY | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION COSTS FOR SEMINARIANS |
| ST MARY'S OF THE LAKE | SKANEATELES, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| CROUSE IRVING FOUNDATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $14,500 | 2026 | REFURBISHMENT OF DEDICATED LACTATION ROOMS |
| ST JOSEPH'S HEALTH FOUNDATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $14,500 | 2026 | TRAINING MATERIALS AND TRAINING PROGRAMSTRAINING MATERIALS AND TRAINING PROGRAMSTRAINING MATERIALS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS |
| ELMCREST CHIDLREN'S CENTER | SYRACUSE, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | RECREATIONAL EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES, FURNITURE, IPADS |
| HOUSE OF PROVIDENCE ASSOCIATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND EQUPMENT UPGRADES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SYRACUSE | SYRACUSE, NY | $18,000 | 2025 | HORIZONS EDUCATION TOUR EXPENSES (FOOD, LODGING, TRANSPORTATION, ETC.)SUPPORT FOR CRUCIAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT TO CLUBS |
| AURORA OF CENTRAL NEW YORK INC | SYRACUSE, NY | $18,000 | 2025 | AIDS AND DEVICES, CAPITAL RENOVATION, EQUIPMENT PURCHASE |
| CROUSE IRVING FOUNDATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $18,000 | 2025 | SECURITY CAMERAS AND UPGRADES |
| CENTRAL NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY ANIMALS | SYRACUSE, NY | $16,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| ST MARY'S OF THE LAKE | SKANEATELES, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND UPGRADES |
| ST THOMAS PREPARATORY | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION COSTS FOR SEMINARIANS |
| ST JOSEPH'S HEALTH FOUNDATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $14,500 | 2025 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASE AND TRAINING |
| ELMCREST CHIDLREN'S CENTER | SYRACUSE, NY | $30,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR DORMITORIESCAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO DORMATORIES |
| CENTRAL NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY ANIMALS | SYRACUSE, NY | $17,500 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SYRACUSE | SYRACUSE, NY | $17,000 | 2024 | WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAM/HORIZONS EDUCATION TOURSUPPORT FOR CRUCIAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT TO CLUBS |
| AURORA OF CENTRAL NEW YORK INC | SYRACUSE, NY | $17,000 | 2024 | AIDS AND DEVICES FOR VISION REHABILITATION PROGRAM |
| ST JOSEPH'S HEALTH FOUNDATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $16,000 | 2024 | EQUIPMENT PURCHASE |
| HOUSE OF PROVIDENCE ASSOCIATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,500 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO RESIDENT APARTMENTCAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR RESIDENT APARTMENT |
| ST THOMAS PREPARATORY | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | SEMINARY FUND |
| ST MARY'S OF THE LAKE | SKANEATELES, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS (ROOFING, MASONRY, ETC.) |
| CROUSE IRVING FOUNDATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2024 | FURNISHINGS FOR PATIENT PATIO |
| ELMCREST CHIDLREN'S CENTER | SYRACUSE, NY | $30,000 | 2023 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR EXPANSION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES |
| ST THOMAS PREPARATORY | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | SEMINARY FUND |
| CROUSE IRVING FOUNDATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | REFURBISH/CARPET INSTALLATION AT COMMONWEALTH PLACE |
| ST MARY'S OF THE LAKE | SKANEATELES, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (DOORS AND WINDOWS) |
| ST JOSEPH'S HEALTH FOUNDATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES |
| CENTRAL NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY ANIMALS | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | UPGRADE SECURITY SYSTEM AND SMOKE DETECTORS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SYRACUSE | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR CRUCIAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT TO CLUBS |
| AURORA OF CENTRAL NEW YORK INC | SYRACUSE, NY | $15,000 | 2023 | DEVELOPING CONTACT AND INVENTORY DATABASES |
| HOUSE OF PROVIDENCE ASSOCIATION | SYRACUSE, NY | $10,675 | 2023 | CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO GROUP HOME |
ELMCREST CHIDLREN'S CENTER
$25,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTSCAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
HOUSE OF PROVIDENCE ASSOCIATION
$20,000IT EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
AURORA OF CENTRAL NEW YORK INC
$18,000ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT AND DEVICES FOR PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS; EQUIPMENT UPGRADES
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SYRACUSE
$18,000HORIZONS EDUCATION TOUR EXPENSES (FOOD, LODGING, TRANSPORTATION, ETC.)SUPPORT FOR CRUCIAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT TO CLUBS
CENTRAL NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY ANIMALS
$16,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
ST THOMAS PREPARATORY
$15,000EDUCATION COSTS FOR SEMINARIANS
ST MARY'S OF THE LAKE
$15,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
CROUSE IRVING FOUNDATION
$14,500REFURBISHMENT OF DEDICATED LACTATION ROOMS
ST JOSEPH'S HEALTH FOUNDATION
$14,500TRAINING MATERIALS AND TRAINING PROGRAMSTRAINING MATERIALS AND TRAINING PROGRAMSTRAINING MATERIALS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS
HOUSE OF PROVIDENCE ASSOCIATION
$20,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT AND EQUPMENT UPGRADES
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SYRACUSE
$18,000HORIZONS EDUCATION TOUR EXPENSES (FOOD, LODGING, TRANSPORTATION, ETC.)SUPPORT FOR CRUCIAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT TO CLUBS
AURORA OF CENTRAL NEW YORK INC
$18,000AIDS AND DEVICES, CAPITAL RENOVATION, EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
CROUSE IRVING FOUNDATION
$18,000SECURITY CAMERAS AND UPGRADES
CENTRAL NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY ANIMALS
$16,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
ST MARY'S OF THE LAKE
$15,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND UPGRADES
ST THOMAS PREPARATORY
$15,000EDUCATION COSTS FOR SEMINARIANS
ST JOSEPH'S HEALTH FOUNDATION
$14,500EQUIPMENT PURCHASE AND TRAINING
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR DORMITORIESCAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO DORMATORIES
CENTRAL NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY ANIMALS
$17,500CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAM/HORIZONS EDUCATION TOURSUPPORT FOR CRUCIAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT TO CLUBS
AURORA OF CENTRAL NEW YORK INC
$17,000AIDS AND DEVICES FOR VISION REHABILITATION PROGRAM
ST JOSEPH'S HEALTH FOUNDATION
$16,000EQUIPMENT PURCHASE
HOUSE OF PROVIDENCE ASSOCIATION
$15,500CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO RESIDENT APARTMENTCAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR RESIDENT APARTMENT
ST THOMAS PREPARATORY
$15,000SEMINARY FUND
ST MARY'S OF THE LAKE
$15,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND REPAIRS (ROOFING, MASONRY, ETC.)
CROUSE IRVING FOUNDATION
$15,000FURNISHINGS FOR PATIENT PATIO
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR EXPANSION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
ST THOMAS PREPARATORY
$15,000SEMINARY FUND
CROUSE IRVING FOUNDATION
$15,000REFURBISH/CARPET INSTALLATION AT COMMONWEALTH PLACE
ST MARY'S OF THE LAKE
$15,000CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS (DOORS AND WINDOWS)
ST JOSEPH'S HEALTH FOUNDATION
$15,000SUPPORT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
CENTRAL NEW YORK SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY ANIMALS
$15,000UPGRADE SECURITY SYSTEM AND SMOKE DETECTORS
SUPPORT FOR CRUCIAL SAFETY IMPROVEMENT TO CLUBS
AURORA OF CENTRAL NEW YORK INC
$15,000DEVELOPING CONTACT AND INVENTORY DATABASES
HOUSE OF PROVIDENCE ASSOCIATION
$10,675CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS TO GROUP HOME