The Smith Foundation focuses on sustaining local human-services organizations in Chester County and the greater Philadelphia area, prioritizing operating support and program funding for front-line social service providers. Its grants repeatedly support organizations serving basic needs (shelter, food, clothing, health), vulnerable populations (seniors, veterans, people with disabilities), and community education/workforce-readiness programs. The foundation favors steady, unrestricted support rather than one-off project gifts, and often funds charities that stabilize housing, healthcare access, and pathways to self-sufficiency.
The Smith Foundation Aka the Hoxie Harrison Smith Foundation repeatedly backs organizations that keep Chester County and the greater Philadelphia area functioning for people with the fewest resources. Recent grants show a clear preference for operating support to front-line nonprofits, alongside targeted help for housing repair, emergency family aid, and programs that connect residents to education, healthcare, and self-sufficiency. The foundation’s largest recent grant in the provided list was $22,000 to Bethesda Project for operating expenses, with other substantial support going to Chester County Futures for its Passport to College program and to Good Works Inc for repair of substandard housing. Those grants sit alongside recurring gifts to human-services providers such as Care Center Foundation, Cityteam Chester, and Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. The pattern suggests a local funder that underwrites the day-to-day capacity of service organizations rather than limiting support to one-time project work. Its giving also reaches people across stages of need, from emergency family funds and housing stabilization to senior services and disability-related advocacy.
Basic-needs services are a major theme. In 2025, the foundation gave $13,000 to Net Treatment Services for an emergency family fund and $12,000 to the Salvation Army for operating expenses, while earlier grants went to Cityteam Chester for operating expenses. Housing stabilization appears as another priority: Good Works Inc received $13,000 for repair substandard housing, and Friends Home in Kennett Square received $12,000 for roof repair on the main building. Education and workforce access also show up in the record. Chester County Futures received $13,000 for its Passport to College program, Tech Impact received $12,000 for Support IT Works, and Baker Industries received $12,000 for operating expenses. The foundation also funds health and disability-related services, including grants to Community Volunteers in Medicine, Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, and The Arc of Chester County.
Typical grant sizes cluster tightly around $10,000 to $12,000, with a reported p25 of $10,000, median of $10,000, and p75 of $12,000. The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across years, including Bethesda Project, Care Center Foundation, Friends Home in Kennett Square, Net Treatment Services, Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, Wagner Free Institute of Science, and Cityteam Chester. That repeat pattern points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards. The foundation gives general operating support often, but also funds program-restricted needs, repairs, emergency assistance, and scholarship or seed-program support. It also makes grants to individuals, based on the profile data.
$666K
$8.1M
$1.3M
$773K
Most grants fall between $10K and $12K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$12K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Moderate-sized, recurring grants concentrated locally: many organizations receive multiple (often three) installments at similar amounts (~$30k–$45k). Support is broad across sectors but focused geographically, emphasizing operating and emergency funds over capital or highly restricted project grants.
Notable grantees: Bethesda Project, Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, The Arc of Chester County, Community Volunteers in Medicine, Chester County Futures
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly Pennsylvania-centered: 97% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s headquarters state, and Pennsylvania is also the top state by grant count. The recent list places recipients in Philadelphia, West Chester, Kennett Square, Coatesville, Chester, Valley Forge, Narberth, Norristown, Glenmoore, and Malvern. Philadelphia and West Chester appear frequently, with Coatesville and Kennett Square also recurring in the record. Outside Pennsylvania, the only recipient country shown in the data is the United States.
It supports local human-services organizations, along with groups working in housing repair, emergency family assistance, senior services, disability services, community health access, education access, and workforce readiness. Recent grantees include Bethesda Project, Chester County Futures, Good Works Inc, and Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
Operating support is a major part of the pattern. Recent grants include operating expenses for Bethesda Project, Care Center Foundation, West Chester Area Senior Center, Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, Cityteam Chester, Wagner Free Institute of Science, and others. It also makes some program and repair grants.
The stated grant-size distribution is narrow: p25 is $10,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $12,000. Many recent awards sit in the $12,000 to $13,000 range, with the largest listed recent grant at $22,000 to Bethesda Project.
Pennsylvania is the top state by grant count, and 97% of grants go to recipients in Pennsylvania. Recent recipient cities include Philadelphia, West Chester, Kennett Square, Coatesville, Chester, Valley Forge, Narberth, Norristown, Glenmoore, and Malvern.
Yes. The recent grants list includes repeat awards to Bethesda Project, Care Center Foundation, Friends Home in Kennett Square, Net Treatment Services, Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, Wagner Free Institute of Science, and Cityteam Chester across 2023 and 2025.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOOD WORKS INC | COATESVILLE, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | REPAIR SUBSTANDARD HOUSING |
| BETHESDA PROJECT | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| ESPERANZA IMMIGRATION | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | NATURALIZATION PROGRAM LEGAL SERVICES |
| SENIOR COMMUNITY SERVICES | FOLSOM, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | COGNITIVE STIMULATION KIT PROGRAM |
| THE CITY SCHOOL | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $15,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| NEW HORIZONS SENIOR CENTER | NARBERTH, PA | $14,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| CITYTEAM CHESTER | CHESTER, PA | $14,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| VETERANS MULTI-SERVICE CENTER | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $14,000 | 2026 | ESSENTIALS FOR VETERANS IN THE FOUR COUNTY AREA |
| ORION COMMUNITIES OF PHOENIXVILLE | PHOENIXVILLE, PA | $14,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY EMERGENCY FUND |
| THE ARC OF CHESTER COUNTY | WEST CHESTER, PA | $13,000 | 2026 | ADVOCACY PROGRAM |
| CHESTER COUNTY FUTURES | COATESVILLE, PA | $13,000 | 2026 | PASSPORT TO COLLEGE PROGRAM |
| WAGNER FREE INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $13,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $13,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| WEST CHESTER AREA SENIOR CENTER | WEST CHESTER, PA | $13,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| SQUASHSMARTS INC CO THE LENFEST CENTER | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $13,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| MIGHTY WRITERS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $13,000 | 2026 | LITERACY & FOOD PROGRAM FOR THE KENNETT SQUARE AREA |
| CARE CENTER FOUNDATION | WEST CHESTER, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| MERCY CAREER & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM |
| WOMEN'S RESOURCE CENTER | WAYNE, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | GIRLS LEAD PROGRAM |
| ENTREPRENEUR WORKS | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT PACTS AND STEM PROGRAMS |
| FRIENDS HOME IN KENNETT SQUARE | KENNETT SQUARE, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | ROOF REPAIR MAIN BUILDING |
| NET TREATMENT SERVICES | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | EMERGENCY FAMILY FUND |
| THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT WOMEN IN NATURAL SCIENCES (WINS) |
| POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE OF PHILADELPHIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | RESTORATION OF PAL CENTER |
| TRELLIS FOR TOMORROW | PHOENIXVILLE, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | SEED SKILLS PROGRAM |
| FACE TO FACE | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| SALVATION ARMY | NORRISTOWN, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| HANDI-CRAFTERS INC | THORNDALE, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | VOCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORK CENTER PROGRAM |
| SUPPORT CENTER FOR CHILD ADVOCATES | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | YES PROGRAM |
| MUSICOPIA INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | MUSIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN CHESTER |
| COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE | WEST CHESTER, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| TECH IMPACT | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT IT WORKS |
| BAKER INDUSTRIES | MALVERN, PA | $12,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| CRADLES TO CRAYONS PHILADELPHIA | BOSTON, MA | $12,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| THE CAMPHILL SCHOOL | GLENMOORE, PA | $11,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS |
| WILLIAMSON COLLEGE OF THE TRADES | MEDIA, PA | $11,000 | 2026 | LANDSCAPE HORTICULTURAL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM |
| FINAL FAREWELL | JENKINTOWN, PA | $11,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| SURREY SERVICES FOR SENIORS | DEVON, PA | $11,000 | 2026 | FOOD SECURITY FOR SENIORS |
| MEALS ON WHEELS OF CENTRAL BUCKS COUNTY | DOYLESTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| THE FOOD TRUST | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION OF YOUTH IN FARM TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES |
| INTEGRATE FOR GOOD | NORRISTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| HOME OF THE SPARROW | EXTON, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA CHESTER COUNTY COUNCIL | EXTON, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS PENNSYLVANIA | NORRISTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | UNIFIED CHAMPION SCHOOLS (UCS) PROGRAM |
| UNITED SERVICES ORGANIZATIONS (USO) | ARLINGTON, VA | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM EXPENSES AT THE PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT |
| TRAVIS MANION FOUNDATION | DOYLESTOWN, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | VETERAN SERVICE PROGRAMING |
| FAMILY SERVICE OF CHESTER COUNTY | WEST CHESTER, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT |
| DARLINGTON ARTS CENTER | GARNET VALLEY, PA | $9,500 | 2026 | EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAM |
| WASHINGTON CROSSING FOUNDATION | BRISTOL, PA | $9,500 | 2026 | SUPPORT TWO SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS |
ESPERANZA IMMIGRATION
$15,000NATURALIZATION PROGRAM LEGAL SERVICES
THE CITY SCHOOL
$15,000SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
NEW HORIZONS SENIOR CENTER
CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
ESSENTIALS FOR VETERANS IN THE FOUR COUNTY AREA
THE ARC OF CHESTER COUNTY
$13,000ADVOCACY PROGRAM
WEST CHESTER AREA SENIOR CENTER
$13,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
SQUASHSMARTS INC CO THE LENFEST CENTER
$13,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
CARE CENTER FOUNDATION
$12,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
MERCY CAREER & TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
$12,000SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS PROGRAM
ENTREPRENEUR WORKS
$12,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
FRIENDS HOME IN KENNETT SQUARE
$12,000ROOF REPAIR MAIN BUILDING
NET TREATMENT SERVICES
$12,000EMERGENCY FAMILY FUND
SALVATION ARMY
$12,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
HANDI-CRAFTERS INC
$12,000VOCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORK CENTER PROGRAM
CRADLES TO CRAYONS PHILADELPHIA
$12,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
THE CAMPHILL SCHOOL
$11,000SUPPORT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS
FINAL FAREWELL
$11,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
MEALS ON WHEELS OF CENTRAL BUCKS COUNTY
$10,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
INTEGRATE FOR GOOD
$10,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA CHESTER COUNTY COUNCIL
$10,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
PROGRAM EXPENSES AT THE PHILADELPHIA AIRPORT
FAMILY SERVICE OF CHESTER COUNTY
$10,000CHARITABLE OPERATIONS SUPPORT
DARLINGTON ARTS CENTER
$9,500EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAM
WASHINGTON CROSSING FOUNDATION
$9,500SUPPORT TWO SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS