The Smidt Foundation is a high-capital, Los Angeles–focused philanthropist that concentrates large gifts on health care, Jewish memory/culture and civil rights, and local homelessness solutions. It prefers multi-million-dollar, often repeat grants that fund capital projects and core operating needs (e.g., a named heart institute, museum operations, housing campaigns). The foundation also channels some funding through donor-advised vehicles for broad nonprofit support.
The Smidt Foundation’s most visible thread is a long-running commitment to the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai, where it gave $3,050,000 in 2024 and $3,000,000 in both 2025 and 2023. That same scale appears across a small set of recurring partners and named initiatives, suggesting a funder that builds around institutions rather than one-off projects. In Los Angeles, it has backed hospital infrastructure, Jewish communal institutions, and housing-related work, while also supporting national nonprofit intermediaries and civil-rights advocacy. The foundation’s recent grants include major operating and project support for Holocaust Museum LA and the Anti-Defamation League, alongside capital campaign funding for LA Family Housing Corporation. Its portfolio also reaches beyond the city through giving tied to skilled trades education and broad nonprofit support. The pattern points to a foundation that mixes large institutional grants, repeat support, and program-specific investments across health care, housing, Jewish life, community safety, and workforce development.
Health care is a central line of giving. The foundation made $3,050,000 in 2024 to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for the Smidt Heart Institute, then repeated that level with $3,000,000 grants in 2025 and 2023. In Jewish cultural and remembrance work, it gave $2,070,000 in 2024 to Holocaust Museum LA for project support and general operating support, followed by another $2,030,000 in 2025 for general operating support and project support. Community safety and anti-bigotry work appears through $2,030,000 to the Anti-Defamation League in 2025 and $1,530,000 in 2024, both for general operating support. The foundation also backs housing-related infrastructure, including a $2,920,000 grant to LA Family Housing Corporation for a capital campaign and general operating support.
Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $35,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile, even as the recent grant list shows several awards in the millions. The foundation shows clear repeat support: Cedars-Sinai, Holocaust Museum LA, the Anti-Defamation League, and Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles all received grants in multiple years. It is a regular funder, not a program-application foundation, and the active programs indicate it does not accept unsolicited requests. The structure includes a subsidiary, Harbor Freight Tools Foundation, and a flagship program, Harbor Freight Tools for Schools, which points to organized programmatic giving alongside broader discretionary grants.
$14.6M
$269.9M
$8.1M
$17.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $100K, with a median of $35K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$35K
75th Percentile
$100K
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Concentrated, large-dollar grants with several multi‑year or repeat gifts to a small set of local flagship organizations; emphasis on capital projects and general operating support rather than many small grants.
Notable grantees: Cedars‑Sinai Medical Center, Holocaust Museum LA, LA Family Housing Corporation, Anti‑Defamation League, Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
Grant recipients are entirely in the United States. Los Angeles is a major center of giving, with repeated grants to organizations in Los Angeles, North Hollywood, and San Pedro. New York recipients also appear frequently, including multiple grants to organizations in New York, NY. Outside California and New York, recent grants reached Warwick, RI; Providence, RI; Philadelphia, PA; and Washington, DC. The recipient pattern suggests a California-heavy portfolio, with 42% of grants going to recipients in California.
Its active programs and recent grants point to community safety and anti-bigotry, frontline care and social services, skilled trades education, veterans and first responder support, health care, Jewish communal institutions, and housing-related work. Recent grants include funding for the Smidt Heart Institute, Holocaust Museum LA, the Anti-Defamation League, and LA Family Housing Corporation.
No. The active programs listed for the foundation and its related Harbor Freight Tools Foundation all say they do not accept unsolicited requests.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $35,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent-grants list also includes several much larger awards, showing that it makes both mid-sized and very large grants.
Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Holocaust Museum LA, the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles, and Big Picture Company Inc. That pattern suggests recurring support rather than isolated one-time awards.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $3,000,000 | 2025 | SMIDT HEART INSTITUTE |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,030,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HOLOCAUST MUSEUM LA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,030,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT; PROJECT SUPPORT |
| PEF ISRAEL ENDOWMENT FUNDS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,740,000 | 2025 | NONPROFIT SUPPORT |
| UNITED JEWISH APPEAL-FEDERATION OF JEWISH PHILANTHROPIES OF NEW YORK INC | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT; PROJECT SUPPORT |
| BIG PICTURE COMPANY INC | PROVIDENCE, RI | $975,000 | 2025 | ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION |
| VANGUARD CHARITABLE ENDOWMENT PROGRAM | WARWICK, RI | $800,000 | 2025 | NONPROFIT SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $520,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ISRAEL POLICY FORUM INC | NEW YORK, NY | $515,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF THE LOS ANGELES HARBOR | SAN PEDRO, CA | $479,990 | 2025 | ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION |
| PORT OF LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL | SAN PEDRO, CA | $405,972 | 2025 | ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION COUNCIL OF GREATER LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $350,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| DOWNTOWN WOMEN'S CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $270,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PORTLAND ART MUSEUM | PORTLAND, OR | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT; PROJECT SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| ALLIANCE COLLEGE-READY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $210,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT; PROJECT SUPPORT |
| REUT USA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| FOOD FORWARD INC | NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| SKILLS USA INC | LEESBURG, VA | $175,000 | 2025 | ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION |
| MARTIN LUTHER KING JR COMMUNITY HEALTH FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $170,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | CERRITOS, CA | $164,000 | 2025 | ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION |
| BET TZEDEK | LOS ANGELES, CA | $160,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORWALK-LA MIRADA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT | NORWALK, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION |
| LOS ANGELES URBAN LEAGUE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LOS ANGELES BROTHERHOOD CRUSADE - BLACK UNITED FUND INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NEW AMERICA FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION |
| DAVID FOSTER FOUNDATION | GILBERT, AZ | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY COALITION FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LOS ANGELES POLICE FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT; PROJECT SUPPORT |
| INNERCITY STRUGGLE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DA VINCI SCHOOLS FUND | EL SEGUNDO, CA | $137,000 | 2025 | ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION |
| LA FAMILY HOUSING CORPORATION | NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | $130,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION SONOMA COUNTY | SANTA ROSA, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION |
| LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $110,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CITY YEAR INC | BOSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| BABY2BABY | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FOOD SHARE INC | OXNARD, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE MISSION CONTINUES | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL COALITION FOR HOMELESS VETERANS | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PUBLIC COUNSEL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALLIANCE FOR COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT | LOS ANGELES, CA | $90,233 | 2025 | ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION |
| HARVEST HOPE FOOD BANK | COLUMBIA, SC | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PARTNERSHIP FOR LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LYONS TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 204 | LA GRANGE, IL | $70,000 | 2025 | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD |
| CHERRY CREEK SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO | $70,000 | 2025 | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD |
| CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT | LAS VEGAS, NV | $70,000 | 2025 | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD |
| SOUTH KITSAP SCHOOL DISTRICT | PORT ORCHARD, WA | $70,000 | 2025 | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD |
| ERIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | ERIE, PA | $70,000 | 2025 | 2024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD |
| CALIFORNIA ADVANCING PATHWAYS FOR STUDENT CALAPS JPA | BELLFLOWER, CA | $68,000 | 2025 | ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION |
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT; PROJECT SUPPORT
ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT; PROJECT SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ABC UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$164,000ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION
NORWALK-LA MIRADA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
$150,000ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DAVID FOSTER FOUNDATION
$150,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION
FOOD SHARE INC
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LYONS TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 204
$70,0002024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD
CHERRY CREEK SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
$70,0002024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD
CLARK COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$70,0002024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD
SOUTH KITSAP SCHOOL DISTRICT
$70,0002024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD
ERIE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$70,0002024 HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS PRIZE FOR TEACHING EXCELLENCE - SCHOOL AWARD
CALIFORNIA ADVANCING PATHWAYS FOR STUDENT CALAPS JPA
$68,000ADVANCING SKILLED TRADES EDUCATION