Vivian L Smith Foundation
The Vivian L. Smith Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to supporting a wide range of charitable causes, primarily focusing on education, health, and community service. Its mission encompasses funding for general operations, educational scholarships, mental health initiatives, and programs aimed at assisting underserved populations, including women and children. The foundation actively supports various organizations in the Greater Houston area, reflecting a commitment to enhancing community welfare and addressing pressing social issues. Through its grants, the foundation aims to empower individuals and foster sustainable development within the community.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A registered 501(c)(3) organization working in Greater Houston or elsewhere in Texas with programs in education, health, or community services seeking program or general operating support and able to meet quarterly mailed submission deadlines.
Good Fit
- • Programs operating primarily in the Greater Houston region or elsewhere in Texas
- • 501(c)(3) status with documentation available
- • Requests for general operating or program support rather than individual assistance
- • Requests sized in the foundation’s typical range (many grants around the $10K–$100K band)
- • Ability to submit by the foundation's quarterly deadlines and to use the mailed contact route
Geography
Giving is overwhelmingly in-state: about 99% of grant dollars went to Texas in the latest year, with only trivial out-of-state activity despite a handful of states appearing.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded a large and diverse set of independent nonprofits (123 distinct recipients in the latest year) across education, health, arts, and community services, with modest dollar concentration (top five = 14%).
New Applicants
The foundation publishes concrete application instructions and quarterly deadlines, and the observed grant lists show regular turnover (24 new recipients in 2024 and 33 new recipients in 2023), indicating new entrants can and do gain funding.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
