The Stella Smith Charitable Trust is a focused arts funder that concentrates almost exclusively on supporting performing and visual arts institutions, providing sizable general operating grants to both local Arkansas cultural organizations and a prominent national performing arts institution. Its giving prioritizes sustaining institutions (museum, symphony, performing arts center) through unrestricted/general support rather than project-specific funding.
Highly concentrated giving with a very small number of large grants; repeat funding to the same institutions and preference for general operating support over project-restricted grants.
Stella Smith Charitable Trust centers its giving on arts institutions, with repeated general operating support for museums, orchestras, and performing arts organizations. The largest recent grant in the record is $162,500 to Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in 2024, followed by $137,500 to the same institution in 2023, showing a sustained commitment to institutional support rather than one-time project funding. That pattern extends to the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, which received $102,500 in 2024 and $52,500 in 2023 as general fund support. The trust also backs major cultural institutions beyond Arkansas. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts received $123,000 in 2023 and $103,000 in 2024, both listed as general fund grants. Other grants include Mount Vernon Ladies Association, Huntington National Artspace, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, indicating a grantmaking profile built around established arts and heritage organizations. The trust’s recent grants are concentrated in unrestricted or general support, which points to a focus on sustaining organizations’ core operations.
Visual arts are a clear priority. Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts received $162,500 in 2024 and $137,500 in 2023, both as general fund grants, while Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art received $20,000 in 2023. The trust also supported Huntington National Artspace with $50,000 in 2024. Performing arts funding is equally visible. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts received $123,000 in 2023 and $103,000 in 2024, and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra received $102,500 in 2024 and $52,500 in 2023. Ballet Arkansas also received $23,000 in both 2023 and 2024, reinforcing the trust’s recurring support for performing arts institutions. The grant list also includes cultural and heritage organizations such as Mount Vernon Ladies Association at $50,384 in 2023 and $25,000 in 2024, plus Arkansas Cinema Society and Arkansas Black Hall of Fame at $10,000 each in 2024.
Typical grants are in the middle five figures: the p25 grant size is $5,000, the median is $11,250, and the p75 is $34,767. The record shows repeated support to the same recipients across 2023 and 2024, including major arts institutions and smaller cultural groups, which suggests an ongoing portfolio rather than isolated awards. The trust makes grants to nonprofit organizations only and does not fund individuals. The grants shown are all listed as general fund support, with no program-related investments.
$620K
$16.6M
$532K
$925K
Most grants fall between $5K and $35K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$35K
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Notable grantees: Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Giving is heavily concentrated in Arkansas, which accounts for 59% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. Little Rock appears frequently, including grants to Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Arkansas Arts Center, Arkansas Children’s Foundation, Arkansas Black Hall of Fame, and Arkansas Cinema Society. Outside Arkansas, the trust gives in Washington, DC; New York, NY; Mt Vernon, VA; Columbus, OH; Alexandria, VA; Portland, OR; and Syosset, NY. All recent grants in the dataset went to US recipients.
The trust supports arts and cultural institutions, with grants to museums, orchestras, performing arts organizations, and heritage groups. Recent recipients include Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Ballet Arkansas, and Mount Vernon Ladies Association, all listed as general fund support.
Yes. Every listed recent grant is labeled general fund, including $162,500 to Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts in 2024, $123,000 to Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in 2023, and $102,500 to Arkansas Symphony Orchestra in 2024.
The grant-size distribution centers on moderate awards: p25 is $5,000, median grant size is $11,250, and p75 is $34,767. The recent grant list also includes larger general fund awards, such as $162,500 and $137,500 to Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts.
The top state by grant count is New York, while 59% of grants go to recipients in Arkansas, the foundation’s HQ state. Recent grants also reach Washington, DC; Virginia; Ohio; Oregon; and New York.
No. The foundation funds organizations rather than individuals, and it does not make program-related investments. The recent grant list shows nonprofit recipients only, all as general fund support.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARKANSAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $161,500 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| KENNEDY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $65,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM | BENTONVILLE, AR | $56,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS REPERTORY THEATRE | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| HUNTINGTON NATIONAL ARTSPACE | COLUMBUS, OH | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| MOUNT VERNON LADIES ASSOCIATION | MT VERNON, VA | $35,385 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $32,141 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| WILLIAM J CLINTON FOUNDATION | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS GOVERNOR'S MANSION | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| BALLET ARKANSAS | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| ACCESS SCHOOLS | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS BLACK HALL OF FAME | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS CINEMA SOCIETY | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| HERITAGE POULTRY CONSERVANCY | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| FROM ENERGY TRANSFER LP K-1 | DALLAS, TX | $29 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $152,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| MOUNT VERNON LADIES ASSOCIATION | MT VERNON, VA | $85,769 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $70,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| KENNEDY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| HUNTINGTON NATIONAL ARTSPACE | COLUMBUS, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| BALLET ARKANSAS | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $29,443 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS REPERTORY THEATRE | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $26,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS BLACK HALL OF FAME | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $13,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| NEW YORK SCHOOL OF DESIGN | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS CINEMA SOCIETY | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ASPEN INSTITUTE | ASPEN, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS HISTORIC MUSEUM | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ACCESS SCHOOLS | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| TRINITY CATHERDRAL PARISH | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| EPISCOPAL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| FROM ENERGY TRANSFER LP K-1 | DALLAS, TX | $22 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $162,500 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| KENNEDY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS | WASHINGTON, DC | $103,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $102,500 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| HUNTINGTON NATIONAL ARTSPACE | COLUMBUS, OH | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $35,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $34,068 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| MOUNT VERNON LADIES ASSOCIATION | MT VERNON, VA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| BALLET ARKANSAS | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $23,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF OLMSTED PARKS | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $12,500 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS CINEMA SOCIETY | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARKANSAS BLACK HALL OF FAME | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA | SYOSSET, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| EPISCOPAL COLLEGIATE SCHOOL | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| ACCESS SCHOOLS | LITTLE ROCK, AR | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHOIR | PORTLAND, OR | $3,500 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| LEAGUE OF AMERICAN ORCHESTRAS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| NORTHWEST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL | $1,600 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
ARKANSAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$161,500GENERAL FUND
KENNEDY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
$65,000GENERAL FUND
CRYSTAL BRIDGES MUSEUM
$56,000GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
$50,000GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS REPERTORY THEATRE
$50,000GENERAL FUND
HUNTINGTON NATIONAL ARTSPACE
$50,000GENERAL FUND
MOUNT VERNON LADIES ASSOCIATION
$35,385GENERAL FUND
WILLIAM J CLINTON FOUNDATION
$30,000GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS GOVERNOR'S MANSION
$25,000GENERAL FUND
BALLET ARKANSAS
$25,000GENERAL FUND
ACCESS SCHOOLS
$10,000GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS BLACK HALL OF FAME
$10,000GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS CINEMA SOCIETY
$10,000GENERAL FUND
HERITAGE POULTRY CONSERVANCY
$10,000GENERAL FUND
FROM ENERGY TRANSFER LP K-1
$29GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$152,500GENERAL FUND
MOUNT VERNON LADIES ASSOCIATION
$85,769GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
$70,000GENERAL FUND
KENNEDY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
$60,000GENERAL FUND
HUNTINGTON NATIONAL ARTSPACE
$50,000GENERAL FUND
BALLET ARKANSAS
$35,000GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS REPERTORY THEATRE
$26,000GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS BLACK HALL OF FAME
$13,500GENERAL FUND
NEW YORK SCHOOL OF DESIGN
$10,000GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS CINEMA SOCIETY
$10,000GENERAL FUND
ASPEN INSTITUTE
$5,000GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS HISTORIC MUSEUM
$5,000GENERAL FUND
ACCESS SCHOOLS
$5,000GENERAL FUND
TRINITY CATHERDRAL PARISH
$5,000GENERAL FUND
FROM ENERGY TRANSFER LP K-1
$22GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
$162,500GENERAL FUND
KENNEDY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS
$103,000GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$102,500GENERAL FUND
HUNTINGTON NATIONAL ARTSPACE
$50,000GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER
$35,000GENERAL FUND
MOUNT VERNON LADIES ASSOCIATION
$25,000GENERAL FUND
BALLET ARKANSAS
$23,000GENERAL FUND
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF OLMSTED PARKS
$12,500GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS CINEMA SOCIETY
$10,000GENERAL FUND
ARKANSAS BLACK HALL OF FAME
$10,000GENERAL FUND
NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA
$10,000GENERAL FUND
ACCESS SCHOOLS
$5,000GENERAL FUND
TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHOIR
$3,500GENERAL FUND
NORTHWEST SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$1,600GENERAL FUND