John and Gwen Smart Foundation
Lisle, Illinois · EIN 811535437 · Private foundation
Based in Lisle, Illinois, John and Gwen Smart Foundation has awarded $16.1M across 109 grants in our index of public IRS filings, with giving recorded as recently as 2024. Its largest grant on record went to Usher III Initiative Inc. This profile covers its focus areas, top grant recipients, year-by-year giving, and how a nonprofit should approach it.
What John and Gwen Smart Foundation funds
John and Gwen Smart Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on arts & culture, libraries & literacy.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for John and Gwen Smart Foundation, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usher III Initiative Inc GENERAL OPERATIONS | Chicago, IL | $500K | 2024 |
| New York Women's Foundation GENERAL OPERATIONS | New York, NY | $450K | 2024 |
| Stanford University METASTATIC BREAST CANCER RESEARCH | Redwood City, CA | $435K | 2023 |
| Stanford University METASTATIC BREAST CANCER RESEARCH | Redwood City, CA | $420K | 2024 |
| Usher III Initiative GENERAL OPERATIONS | Chicago, IL | $400K | 2023 |
| Stanford University METASTATIC BREAST CANCER RESEARCH | Redwood City, CA | $375K | 2022 |
| Ny Womens' Foundation GENERAL OPERATIONS | New York, NY | $370K | 2023 |
| Stanford University METASTATIC BREAST CANCER RESEARCH | Redwood City, CA | $365K | 2021 |
| Usher III Initiative GENERAL OPERATIONS | Chicago, IL | $365K | 2022 |
| The Nature Conservancy SAN ANDREAS CORRIDO | Sacramento, CA | $350K | 2024 |
| Ny Womens' Foundation GENERAL OPERATIONS | New York, NY | $330K | 2020 |
| Stanford University METASTATIC BREAST CANCER RESEARCH | Redwood City, CA | $300K | 2020 |
| Usher III Initiative GENERAL OPERATIONS | Chicago, IL | $300K | 2021 |
| Stanford University BYERS EYE INSTITUTE | Redwood City, CA | $300K | 2024 |
| Stanford University ALLEN MORGAN STANDISH LIBRARY FUND | Stanford, CA | $300K | 2024 |
John and Gwen Smart Foundation giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from John and Gwen Smart Foundation
John and Gwen Smart Foundation's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal.
Is John and Gwen Smart Foundation the right funder for your nonprofit?
This page shows what John and Gwen Smart Foundation has funded. Bespoke Grants tells you whether it fits your mission — and finds every other foundation that does. Free, no credit card.
Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about John and Gwen Smart Foundation
- Does John and Gwen Smart Foundation accept grant applications?
- John and Gwen Smart Foundation's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
- What does John and Gwen Smart Foundation fund?
- John and Gwen Smart Foundation's grants focus on arts & culture. Recent recipients include Usher III Initiative Inc, New York Women's Foundation, Stanford University. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does John and Gwen Smart Foundation give in grants?
- John and Gwen Smart Foundation reported $2.8M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $16.1M over 109 grants.
- Where is John and Gwen Smart Foundation located?
- John and Gwen Smart Foundation is based in Lisle, Illinois. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 811535437.
- How can I find foundations similar to John and Gwen Smart Foundation?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like John and Gwen Smart Foundation, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.
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