John I Smith Charities focuses on strengthening Upstate South Carolina through sustained support for higher education and student scholarships, local health and social-service providers, and community cultural/civic projects. Grants frequently fund operational needs, capital projects, and program-specific support (scholarships, clinical/therapy staff, diversion programs), with many awards going to institutions anchored in Greenville and nearby towns. The foundation shows an emphasis on repeat investments in a mix of colleges, community nonprofits, and health providers rather than national or experimental initiatives.
John I Smith Charities Inc’s largest recent awards show a clear pattern of backing higher education and institutions that serve Upstate South Carolina. In 2024, the foundation gave $105,000 to Presbyterian College for unrestricted use, followed by $100,000 in 2025 to Columbia Seminary and $100,000 to Pendleton Place Inc for general operating support. Those three grants point to a funder that is comfortable providing flexible dollars to established organizations, not only restricted project funding. The foundation also supports student scholarships and local service capacity. Furman University received $80,000 for student scholarships, Davidson University received $80,000 for student scholarships, and Greenville Tech Foundation received $50,000 for the Dreisbach/Anderson Student Success Center. Alongside education, John I Smith Charities Inc has funded health and human-service work such as St Francis Foundation for a surgical procedure suite, American Red Cross Upstate for disaster relief and military member support, and The Salvation Army for construction of the Center of Hope. Its grantmaking also reaches cultural and civic projects, including the Peace Center’s 2030 vision plan and Metropolitan Arts Council’s SmartArts program, showing a mix of institutional support and place-based community investment.
Education is one of the foundation’s most visible themes. Furman University received $80,000 for student scholarships, and Greenville Tech Foundation received $50,000 for the Dreisbach/Anderson Student Success Center. The foundation also backed Public Education Partners with $50,000 for the Elevate Teachers program, pointing to support for student success and educator pipeline work. Health and family services are another clear focus. St Francis Foundation received $50,000 for a surgical procedure suite, while Meyer Center for Special Children received $50,000 for an occupational therapist. In child and family support, Pendleton Place Inc received $100,000 for general operating support, and Thornwell received $50,000 for an attachment-based residential care program. Community safety and basic needs appear as well. United Ministries received $50,000 for the “Journey from Scarcity to Sufficiency” project, and Greenville Tech Foundation also received $50,000 for the STAR Center and Caring Corner food pantry.
$1.3M
$23.4M
$2M
$1.5M
Most grants fall between $20K and $40K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$40K
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Moderately concentrated, regionally focused giving: many mid-sized grants ($40k–$180k) with multiple repeat payments to core local grantees and colleges. Funding mixes unrestricted/operational support, targeted program grants, and capital/project support rather than one-off national awards.
Notable grantees: Furman University, Prisma Health - Upstate, Greenville Tech Foundation, Thornwell, Columbia Seminary
John I Smith Charities Inc’s recent gifts cluster around a median grant of $25,000, with a lower quartile of $20,000 and an upper quartile of $40,000; several awards sit well above that range, including $100,000 and $105,000 grants. The pattern includes both unrestricted support and named project funding, suggesting flexibility in how the foundation structures awards. Repeat support is common. Columbia Seminary, Presbyterian College, Furman University, Thornwell, Greenville Tech Foundation, American Red Cross Upstate, and several other recipients appear more than once across 2024 and 2025. The foundation is not making program-related investments and does not fund individuals. The latest 990 year on file is 2025.
Giving is heavily concentrated in South Carolina, which accounts for 88% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Greenville is the most frequent city in the recent grants list, with additional awards in Greer, Taylors, Clinton, and multiple nearby Upstate locations. The pattern fits a local grantmaker centered on Greenville County and surrounding communities. Outside South Carolina, the foundation also gave to recipients in Decatur, Georgia, and Davidson, North Carolina. All grants in the data went to US recipients.
The foundation supports colleges and seminaries, local health and social-service providers, and community cultural or civic projects. Recent examples include unrestricted support for Columbia Seminary, student scholarships at Furman University, operational support for Pendleton Place Inc, and project support for the Peace Center’s historic repurposing work.
Yes. Several recipients appear more than once in the recent grants list, including Columbia Seminary, Presbyterian College, Furman University, Thornwell, Greenville Tech Foundation, and American Red Cross Upstate. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts only.
The typical grant size centers around $25,000 median, with a p25 of $20,000 and a p75 of $40,000. Recent awards also include larger gifts such as $80,000, $100,000, and $105,000.
Very local. The geographic scope is listed as local, and 88% of grants go to recipients in South Carolina. Greenville is the most common city in the recent grants list, with additional awards in Greer, Taylors, Clinton, and nearby Upstate communities.
Education is a major theme. The foundation gave $80,000 to Furman University for student scholarships, $50,000 to Greenville Tech Foundation for the Dreisbach/Anderson Student Success Center, and $50,000 to Public Education Partners for the Elevate Teachers program.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PENDLETON PLACE INC | GREENVILLE, SC | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COLUMBIA SEMINARY | DECATUR, GA | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS UPSTATE | GREENVILLE, SC | $50,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND MILITARY MEMBER SUPPORT |
| PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE | CLINTON, SC | $50,000 | 2025 | FUNDS FOR UNRESTRICTED USE |
| GREENVILLE TECH FOUNDATION | GREENVILLE, SC | $50,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR STAR CENTER AND CARING CORNER FOOD PANTRY |
| FURMAN UNIVERSITY | GREENVILLE, SC | $50,000 | 2025 | FUNDING RILEY INSTITUTE |
| HERITAGE INSTITUTE | GREENVILLE, SC | $50,000 | 2025 | HUMAN RESOURCES SUPPORT |
| MEYER CENTER FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN | GREENVILLE, SC | $50,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST |
| UNITED MINISTRIES | GREENVILLE, SC | $50,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR "THE JOURNEY FROM SCARCITY TO SUFFICIENCY" PROJECT |
| DAVIDSON COLLEGE | DAVIDSON, NC | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SC GOVERNORS SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS & HUMANITIES FOUNDATION INC | GREENVILLE, SC | $40,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR MEAL PLAN NEEDS |
| THORNWELL | CLINTON, SC | $40,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR ATTATCHMENT-BASED RESIDENTIAL CARE PROGRAM |
| LEAD COLLECTIVE | GREENVILLE, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR REACH 60-DAY DIVERSION PROGRAM |
| YMCA OF GREENVILLE | GREENVILLE, SC | $30,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR TRANSFORMATIVE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS |
| PRISMA HEALTH - UPSTATE | GREENVILLE, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR BUILDING NEW PRISMA HEALTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOSPITAL |
| GREER RELIEF | GREER, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THEIR RELOCATION CAMPAIGN |
| MEALS ON WHEELS GREENVILLE | GREENVILLE, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY MEAL KIT FUNDING |
| TAYLORS FREE MEDICAL CLINIC | TAYLORS, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| PUBLIC EDUCATION PARTNERS | GREENVILLE, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS |
| A CHILD'S HAVEN | GREENVILLE, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | MATCHING GRANT FOR HOLIDAY BRUNCH |
| LEGACY EARLY COLLEGE | GREENVILLE, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR CAMPUS PROJECT |
| MIRACLE HILL MINISTRIES INC | GREENVILLE, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | FAMILY MINISTRY CENTER FUNDING |
| CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES | GREENVILLE, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT PRESENTING SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2025 EGGS BENEFIT FOR CDS |
| CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF THE UPSTATE INC | GREENVILLE, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT REBUILDING THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE |
| GREER COMMUNITY OUTREACH CENTER INC | GREER, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM FOR DISATVANTAGED CHILDREN |
| UPSTATE MEDIATION CENTER | GREENVILLE, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | MEDIATION TRAINING PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SENIOR ACTION INC | GREENVILLE, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GRANT |
| METROPOLITAN ARTS COUNCIL | GREENVILLE, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | FUNDS TO SUPPORT SMART ARTS PROGRAM |
| GREENVILLE LITERACY ASSOCIATION | GREENVILLE, SC | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS FUNDING |
| ST CLARES HOME | GREENVILLE, SC | $15,000 | 2025 | MISSION SUPPORT |
| ETV ENDOWMENT OF SC | SPARTANBURG, SC | $15,000 | 2025 | CHILDRENS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FUNDING |
| CREATIVE ADVANCEMENT CENTERS | GREER, SC | $15,000 | 2025 | AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM |
| SERVANTS FOR SIGHT | GREENVILLE, SC | $15,000 | 2025 | FREE VISION SCREENING SUPPORT |
| SAFE HARBOR INC | GREENVILLE, SC | $15,000 | 2025 | EMERGENCY SHELTER SERVICES FOR WOMEN SUPPORT |
| ASSOCIATION OF PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES | DECATUR, GA | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THE PRESBYTERIAN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE |
| NEIGHBORHOOD CANCER CONNECTION | GREENVILLE, SC | $12,000 | 2025 | GOLF TOURNAMENT SUPPORT |
| SCOTTISH RITE FOUNDATION OF SC | GREENVILLE, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR RENT FOR JIS RITE CARE CENTER |
| PICKENS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | PICKENS, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | FUNDS TO REPLACE FACILITY FLOORING |
| SOUTH CAROLINA CHILDREN'S THEATRE | GREENVILLE, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT THEATRE OUTREACH PARTNERSHIPS |
| FINE ARTS CENTER PARTNERS CO THE FINE ARTS CENTER | GREENVILLE, SC | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SUMMER ARTS PROGRAMS |
| GREENVILLE CIVIC CHORALE FOUNDATION | GREENVILLE, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | 2024-2025 SEASON SUPPORT |
| GREENVILLE SYMPHONY | GREENVILLE, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION PROGRAMS FUNDING |
| THE MB6 FOUNDATION | MAULDIN, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR A TRAILER |
| GREENVILLE THEATRE | GREENVILLE, SC | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT REBUILDING THE STAGE |
| THE RILEY INSTITUTE AT FURMAN UNIVERSITY | GREENVILLE, SC | $150,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THE RILEY INSTITUTE AT FURMAN |
| GREENVILLE TECH FOUNDATION | GREENVILLE, SC | $125,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT THEIR "STUDENT EMERGENCY NEEDS FUND" & CARING CORNERS FOOD PANTRY |
| COLUMBIA SEMINARY | DECATUR, GA | $120,000 | 2024 | FUNDS FOR COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN |
| PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE | CLINTON, SC | $120,000 | 2024 | FUNDS FOR UNRESTRICTED USE |
| PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE | CLINTON, SC | $105,000 | 2024 | FUNDS FOR UNRESTRICTED USE |
| DAVIDSON COLLEGE | DAVIDSON, NC | $100,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS |
COLUMBIA SEMINARY
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
AMERICAN RED CROSS UPSTATE
$50,000FUNDING FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND MILITARY MEMBER SUPPORT
PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE
$50,000FUNDS FOR UNRESTRICTED USE
FUNDING FOR STAR CENTER AND CARING CORNER FOOD PANTRY
FUNDING RILEY INSTITUTE
HERITAGE INSTITUTE
$50,000HUMAN RESOURCES SUPPORT
MEYER CENTER FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN
$50,000FUNDING FOR AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST
FUNDING FOR "THE JOURNEY FROM SCARCITY TO SUFFICIENCY" PROJECT
DAVIDSON COLLEGE
$50,000SUPPORT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
SC GOVERNORS SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS & HUMANITIES FOUNDATION INC
$40,000SUPPORT FOR MEAL PLAN NEEDS
LEAD COLLECTIVE
$30,000FUNDING FOR REACH 60-DAY DIVERSION PROGRAM
FUNDING FOR BUILDING NEW PRISMA HEALTH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOSPITAL
GREER RELIEF
$25,000SUPPORT THEIR RELOCATION CAMPAIGN
TAYLORS FREE MEDICAL CLINIC
$25,000OPERATIONAL SUPPORT
PUBLIC EDUCATION PARTNERS
$25,000SUPPORT FOR STRATEGIC FOCUS AREAS
LEGACY EARLY COLLEGE
$25,000SUPPORT FOR CAMPUS PROJECT
CENTER FOR DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
$25,000SUPPORT PRESENTING SCHOLARSHIP FOR 2025 EGGS BENEFIT FOR CDS
SUPPORT REBUILDING THE CONSTRUCTION ZONE
GREER COMMUNITY OUTREACH CENTER INC
$20,000FUNDING FOR SUMMER CAMP PROGRAM FOR DISATVANTAGED CHILDREN
UPSTATE MEDIATION CENTER
$20,000MEDIATION TRAINING PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIPS
SENIOR ACTION INC
$20,000UNRESTRICTED GRANT
ST CLARES HOME
$15,000MISSION SUPPORT
CREATIVE ADVANCEMENT CENTERS
$15,000AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
SERVANTS FOR SIGHT
$15,000FREE VISION SCREENING SUPPORT
ASSOCIATION OF PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
$15,000SUPPORT THE PRESBYTERIAN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
SCOTTISH RITE FOUNDATION OF SC
$10,000FUNDING FOR RENT FOR JIS RITE CARE CENTER
PICKENS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$10,000FUNDS TO REPLACE FACILITY FLOORING
FINE ARTS CENTER PARTNERS CO THE FINE ARTS CENTER
$10,000SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SUMMER ARTS PROGRAMS
GREENVILLE CIVIC CHORALE FOUNDATION
$5,0002024-2025 SEASON SUPPORT
GREENVILLE SYMPHONY
$5,000EDUCATION PROGRAMS FUNDING
THE MB6 FOUNDATION
$5,000FUNDING FOR A TRAILER
GREENVILLE THEATRE
$5,000SUPPORT REBUILDING THE STAGE
SUPPORT THE RILEY INSTITUTE AT FURMAN
SUPPORT THEIR "STUDENT EMERGENCY NEEDS FUND" & CARING CORNERS FOOD PANTRY
COLUMBIA SEMINARY
$120,000FUNDS FOR COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN
PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE
$120,000FUNDS FOR UNRESTRICTED USE
PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE
$105,000FUNDS FOR UNRESTRICTED USE
DAVIDSON COLLEGE
$100,000SUPPORT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS