The Smith Tieken Foundation concentrates on local, capacity-building grants for community nonprofits in Arizona and the Midwest, prioritizing tangible capital needs (vehicles, technology, facility upgrades) that expand service delivery. Their giving spans human services (food banks, family support), disability and aging services, animal welfare, education (school transportation), and arts organizations, favoring practical investments that enable organizations to scale or modernize operations.
The Smith Tieken Foundation Inc. stands out for pairing large capital grants with practical service delivery needs: a $310,000 award to Save the Family Foundation of Arizona for technology upgrades, vehicles, accounting and donor software, and security upgrades sits alongside other six-figure grants for mobile veterinary services, school buses, and refrigerated transport. The pattern points to a funder that backs tangible assets rather than short-term program campaigns, with awards often aimed at helping nonprofits expand capacity, modernize operations, or reach people more effectively. Across its recent grants, the foundation supports organizations serving families, food-insecure households, people with disabilities, older adults, students, animal welfare providers, and arts groups. The work is especially visible in Arizona and Illinois, where recipients include St Mary's Food Bank Alliance, Arizona Animal Welfare League Inc, Cristo Rey St Martin College Prep, Center for Enriched Living, and Arts of Life. Several grants are directed at infrastructure that underpins service delivery, such as vehicles, digital systems, facility remodeling, and equipment upgrades. That emphasis gives the foundation a clear profile as a capacity-building funder focused on operational tools that help nonprofits function at a larger or more reliable scale.
In human services, the foundation has funded organizations that move food, support families, or strengthen emergency response capacity. St Mary's Food Bank Alliance received $160,000 to purchase a tractor-trailer with a refrigeration unit, while United Food Bank received $135,000 for professional consulting support, staff training, and technology upgrades. It also backs disability and older-adult services through capital and program support. L'arche Chicago received $170,000 for remodeling Peace House, and Ageoptions Inc received $180,000 for the first year of a community-based ageism reduction research project. Animal welfare is another clear theme. Arizona Animal Welfare League Inc received $285,000 to fund a mobile unit to deliver veterinary services, and Arizona Animal Welfare League Spca received a separate $20,000 general fund grant. Education and arts organizations show the same preference for practical infrastructure, including school buses, passenger vans, smart boards, digital archives, and artwork preservation systems.
$2.6M
$33.4M
$2.9M
$2.8M
Most grants fall between $10K and $160K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$160K
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.
Mid-sized, targeted grants focused on one-time capital and capacity-building projects rather than general operating support; funds are concentrated regionally with several multi-year or repeat investments in core local service providers.
Notable grantees: St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance, Save the Family Foundation of Arizona, Arizona Animal Welfare League, Center for Enriched Living, Arts of Life
Typical grant size centers on mid-range awards, with a p25 of $10,000, a median of $20,000, and a p75 of $160,000. The recent record shows both one-time general operating grants and repeated support to the same recipients across 2024 and 2025, including St Mary's Food Bank Alliance, Save the Family Foundation of Arizona, Center for Enriched Living, Arts of Life, Chicago College of Performing Arts, and Arizona Animal Welfare League Inc. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its recent profile also includes a mix of restricted capital purchases, infrastructure upgrades, and occasional general fund support.
Grant recipients are concentrated in Arizona and Illinois, with half of grants going to organizations in the HQ state of Arizona. Arizona recipients include Mesa, Phoenix, Gilbert, Scottsdale, and Mesa again across food security, family support, animal welfare, and mobile services. Illinois grantees appear in Waukegan, Riverwoods, Glenview, Oak Park, Forest Park, Bannockburn, Evanston, Chicago, and Grayslake. All recorded grants in the dataset went to U.S. recipients.
The foundation often funds capital and infrastructure needs: vehicles, technology, facility upgrades, and equipment that improve service delivery. Recent examples include a refrigerated tractor-trailer, school buses, passenger vans, a mobile veterinary unit, and digital archive and preservation systems.
The recent grant pattern centers on smaller-to-mid six-figure and five-figure awards, with a p25 of $10,000, median of $20,000, and p75 of $160,000.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including St Mary's Food Bank Alliance, Save the Family Foundation of Arizona, Center for Enriched Living, Arts of Life, Chicago College of Performing Arts, and Arizona Animal Welfare League Inc.
Arizona is the top state by grant count, and 50% of grants go to recipients in Arizona. Illinois is the other major recipient state in the recent record.
Recent grants support human services, food security, disability and aging services, animal welfare, education, and arts organizations, with many awards tied to operational capacity such as transportation, technology, remodeling, and preservation systems.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RANCHO FELIZ CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | PHOENIX, AZ | $260,000 | 2026 | GRANT TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS: VAN FOR VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION; CONSTRUCTION TRUCK FOR HOUSING PROJECTS; COVERED PARKING WITH SOLAR |
| ARTS OF LIFE | GLENVIEW, IL | $260,000 | 2026 | GRANT TO ESTABLISH A CERAMICS STUDIO IN HIGHLAND PARK |
| ARIZONA ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE INC | PHOENIX, AZ | $260,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE FUNDS FOR HVAC INSTALLATION PROJECT |
| SAVE THE FAMILY FOUNDATION OF ARIZO | MESA, AZ | $255,000 | 2026 | GRANT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS: WEBSIDE REDESIGN; TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES; TWO VEHICLES FOR FAMILY HOME VISITS AND CLIENT TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT; BUILDING MAINTENANCE |
| UNITED FOOD BANK | MESA, AZ | $250,000 | 2026 | GRANTS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS: UPGRADE THE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM; PURCHASE A 24-26 FOOT REFRIGERATED BOX TRUCK |
| BE KIND PEOPLE PROJECT | PHOENIX, AZ | $250,000 | 2026 | GRANT TO UPGRADE EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY AND CRM UPGRADES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT |
| ST MARY'S FOOD BANK | PHOENIX, AZ | $225,730 | 2026 | GRANT TO PURCHASE A NEW WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM |
| ARIZONA REFUGEE CENTER | MESA, AZ | $225,000 | 2026 | GRANT TO PROVIDE HELP WITH OPERATING EXPENSES FOR 2026 |
| FREE ARTS FOR ABUSED CHILDREN OF AR | PHOENIX, AZ | $178,275 | 2026 | FUNDS PROVIDED FOR TECHNOLOGY, DATA AND FACILITY UPGRADES |
| IMENTOR CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $170,000 | 2026 | GRANT FOR TRAVEL, SUPPLIES AND CONSULTING TO BUILD OUT THE NEW TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM |
| CECE'S HOPE CENTER | TEMPE, AZ | $60,000 | 2026 | GRANT TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES |
| CYN - GRAYSLAKE | GRAYSLAKE, IL | $57,183 | 2026 | PROVIDE FUNDS TO REFURBISH THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE GRAYSLAKE CENTER;PROVIDED PLAYROOM SUPPLIES AND TRAINING SUPPLIES |
| EVANSTON SCHOLARS | EVANSTON, IL | $45,000 | 2026 | FUND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES |
| AGE OPTIONS INC | OAK PARK, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | GRANT TO FUND THE COMMUNITY-BASED AGEISM REDUCTION RESEARCH PROJECT |
| ARIS FOUNDATION | GILBERT, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| CENTER FOR ENRICHED LIVING | RIVERWOODS, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| CRISTO REY ST MARTIN COLLEGE PREP | WAUKEGAN, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| ALMOST THERE A MOM AND PUPS RESCUE | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| HUNKAPI | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| CITY HOPE | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| WILLOW HOUSE | BANNOCKBURN, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| L'ARCHE CHICAGO | FOREST PARK, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| DOVER CEMETARY ASSOCIATION | LAGRANGE, MO | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL FUND |
| CRISTO REY ST MARTIN COLLEGE PREP | WAUKEGAN, IL | $215,000 | 2025 | FUND THE PURCHASE OF TWO SCHOOL BUSES |
| CENTER FOR ENRICHED LIVING | RIVERWOODS, IL | $210,000 | 2025 | FUND THE PURCHASE OF PASSENGER VANS, SMART BOARDS AND IPAD AIRS |
| CITY HOPE | GILBERT, AZ | $210,000 | 2025 | FUND THE PURCHASE OF A BOX TRUCK AND VARIOUS ITEMS RELATED TO THE OPENING OF THE GILBERT LOCATION |
| BE KIND PEOPLE PROJECT | PHOENIX, AZ | $191,200 | 2025 | FUND HIGH IMPACT PROJECTS INCLUDING A CO-BRANDED CARGO VAN, ADDITIONAL LED TECHNOLOGY,STOCK & INVENTORY MANAGEMENT EQUIPMENT UPGRADE AND SECURITY UPGRADES |
| AGEOPTIONS INC | OAK PARK, IL | $180,000 | 2025 | FUND THE FIRST YEAR OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED AGEISM REDUCTION RESEARCH PROJECT |
| L'ARCHE CHICAGO | FOREST PARK, IL | $170,000 | 2025 | FUND THE REMODELING OF PEACE HOUSE |
| ST MARY'S FOOD BANK ALLIANCE | PHOENIX, AZ | $160,000 | 2025 | TO PURCHASE A TRACTOR-TRAILER WITH REFRIGERATION UNIT |
| WILLOW HOUSE | BANNOCKBURN, IL | $118,000 | 2025 | FUND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES AND MARKETING PROJECTS |
| HUNKAPI | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $115,000 | 2025 | HELP FUND THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW BARN |
| ARIS FOUNDATION | GILBERT, AZ | $110,000 | 2025 | FUND A MOBILE SHOWER UNIT OR ADDITIONAL STORAGE UNIT |
| EVANSTON SCHOLARS | EVANSTON, IL | $110,000 | 2025 | FUND OFFICE REMODEL AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES |
| SAVE THE FAMILY FOUNDATION OF ARIZO | MESA, AZ | $45,000 | 2025 | UPGRADE TELEPHONE SYSTEM |
| UNITED FOOD BANK | MESA, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| LINCOLN PARK ZOO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CHICAGO COLLEGE OF PERFORMING ARTS | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| CYN - GRAYSLAKE | GRAYSLAKE, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARIZONA ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE INC | PHOENIX, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARTS OF LIFE | GLENVIEW, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| ARIZONA REFUGEE CENTER | MESA, AZ | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| DOVER CEMETARY ASSOCIATION | LAGRANGE, MO | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL FUND |
| SAVE THE FAMILY FOUNDATION OF ARIZO | MESA, AZ | $310,000 | 2024 | CRITICAL NEEDS FOR TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES, VEHICLES, ACCOUNTING AND DONOR SOFTWARE, AND SECURITY UPGRADES |
| ARIZONA ANIMAL WELFARE LEAGUE INC | PHOENIX, AZ | $285,000 | 2024 | FUND A MOBILE UNIT TO DELIVER VETERINARY SERVICES |
| ARTS OF LIFE | GLENVIEW, IL | $210,000 | 2024 | OVERHAULING THE DIGITAL ARCHIVE AND PHYSICAL ARTWORK PRESERVATION SYSTEMS |
| ST MARY'S FOOD BANK ALLIANCE | PHOENIX, AZ | $160,000 | 2024 | TO PURCHASE A TRACTOR-TRAILER WITH REFRIGERATION UNIT |
| UNITED FOOD BANK | MESA, AZ | $135,000 | 2024 | PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SUPPORT, STAFF TRAINING, AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES |
| CHICAGO COLLEGE OF PERFORMING ARTS | CHICAGO, IL | $110,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| SOJOURNER CENTER | PHOENX, AZ | $20,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
GRANT TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS: VAN FOR VOLUNTEER TRANSPORTATION; CONSTRUCTION TRUCK FOR HOUSING PROJECTS; COVERED PARKING WITH SOLAR
GRANT FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS: WEBSIDE REDESIGN; TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES; TWO VEHICLES FOR FAMILY HOME VISITS AND CLIENT TRANSPORTATION SUPPORT; BUILDING MAINTENANCE
GRANTS TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS: UPGRADE THE INVENTORY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM; PURCHASE A 24-26 FOOT REFRIGERATED BOX TRUCK
BE KIND PEOPLE PROJECT
$250,000GRANT TO UPGRADE EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY AND CRM UPGRADES/PROJECT MANAGEMENT
ST MARY'S FOOD BANK
$225,730GRANT TO PURCHASE A NEW WAREHOUSE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
ARIZONA REFUGEE CENTER
$225,000GRANT TO PROVIDE HELP WITH OPERATING EXPENSES FOR 2026
FUNDS PROVIDED FOR TECHNOLOGY, DATA AND FACILITY UPGRADES
IMENTOR CHICAGO
$170,000GRANT FOR TRAVEL, SUPPLIES AND CONSULTING TO BUILD OUT THE NEW TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM
CECE'S HOPE CENTER
$60,000GRANT TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES
CYN - GRAYSLAKE
$57,183PROVIDE FUNDS TO REFURBISH THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE GRAYSLAKE CENTER;PROVIDED PLAYROOM SUPPLIES AND TRAINING SUPPLIES
AGE OPTIONS INC
$20,000GRANT TO FUND THE COMMUNITY-BASED AGEISM REDUCTION RESEARCH PROJECT
ARIS FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL FUND
CRISTO REY ST MARTIN COLLEGE PREP
$10,000GENERAL FUND
ALMOST THERE A MOM AND PUPS RESCUE
$10,000GENERAL FUND
CITY HOPE
$10,000GENERAL FUND
WILLOW HOUSE
$10,000GENERAL FUND
L'ARCHE CHICAGO
$10,000GENERAL FUND
DOVER CEMETARY ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL FUND
CRISTO REY ST MARTIN COLLEGE PREP
$215,000FUND THE PURCHASE OF TWO SCHOOL BUSES
FUND THE PURCHASE OF PASSENGER VANS, SMART BOARDS AND IPAD AIRS
CITY HOPE
$210,000FUND THE PURCHASE OF A BOX TRUCK AND VARIOUS ITEMS RELATED TO THE OPENING OF THE GILBERT LOCATION
FUND HIGH IMPACT PROJECTS INCLUDING A CO-BRANDED CARGO VAN, ADDITIONAL LED TECHNOLOGY,STOCK & INVENTORY MANAGEMENT EQUIPMENT UPGRADE AND SECURITY UPGRADES
AGEOPTIONS INC
$180,000FUND THE FIRST YEAR OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED AGEISM REDUCTION RESEARCH PROJECT
L'ARCHE CHICAGO
$170,000FUND THE REMODELING OF PEACE HOUSE
TO PURCHASE A TRACTOR-TRAILER WITH REFRIGERATION UNIT
WILLOW HOUSE
$118,000FUND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES AND MARKETING PROJECTS
ARIS FOUNDATION
$110,000FUND A MOBILE SHOWER UNIT OR ADDITIONAL STORAGE UNIT
LINCOLN PARK ZOO
$10,000GENERAL FUND
CHICAGO COLLEGE OF PERFORMING ARTS
$10,000GENERAL FUND
CYN - GRAYSLAKE
$10,000GENERAL FUND
ARIZONA REFUGEE CENTER
$10,000GENERAL FUND
DOVER CEMETARY ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL FUND
CRITICAL NEEDS FOR TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES, VEHICLES, ACCOUNTING AND DONOR SOFTWARE, AND SECURITY UPGRADES
FUND A MOBILE UNIT TO DELIVER VETERINARY SERVICES
OVERHAULING THE DIGITAL ARCHIVE AND PHYSICAL ARTWORK PRESERVATION SYSTEMS
TO PURCHASE A TRACTOR-TRAILER WITH REFRIGERATION UNIT
PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SUPPORT, STAFF TRAINING, AND TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES
CHICAGO COLLEGE OF PERFORMING ARTS
$110,000GENERAL FUND