Robert E & Marie Orr Smith Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting a wide range of charitable causes. Its mission encompasses general charitable purposes, with a focus on providing operational support to various organizations, addressing homelessness, and funding educational scholarships. The foundation actively supports health-related initiatives, including cancer research and drug prevention programs, as well as community service projects, such as fire department enhancements and disaster relief efforts. Through its grants, the foundation aims to improve the quality of life for diverse populations, including the chronically homeless and youth. It primarily operates in a multi-state context, reflecting a commitment to a broad geographic reach in its philanthropic efforts.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small-to-medium nonprofit running a specific project or capital need (often community services, fire/rescue, youth development, disaster relief, faith-based ministries, or health-related efforts) seeking a one-time grant in the $10k–$50k range and able to secure a nomination or warm introduction.
Good Fit
- • Request is for a clearly defined capital project, equipment purchase, or program expansion.
- • Organization works in community services, emergency services, youth development, disaster relief, faith-based programs, or health/cancer-related causes.
- • Project budget aligns with recent awards in the $10k–$50k band.
- • Organization can be introduced via a current grantee, trustee contact, or intermediary nominee.
- • Evidence of impact and concise project descriptions suitable for trustee review.
Geography
Observed grants span about 15 states with roughly 9–18% concentrated in the largest state and an out-of-state share around 90%, indicating a broad multi-state footprint rather than a single-city focus.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funds many independent recipients each year (about 45 distinct grantees in the latest year) across varied purposes, and the top five recipients together account for under a quarter of dollars, showing a broadly distributed portfolio.
New Applicants
The foundation explicitly reports funding only preselected recipients and no public application route is visible; although many new grantees appear each year, the pattern suggests selection via invitation/nomination rather than open solicitation.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
