The Michael & Patricia Smith Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting educational initiatives, particularly through scholarship funds for various high schools and religious educational institutions. Its mission reflects a commitment to faith-based education and community service, as evidenced by its funding of Catholic schools and related programs. The foundation also engages in charitable events and supports community service initiatives, aiming to foster youth development and educational opportunities. While it primarily serves recipients within California, its impact extends to various religious and educational organizations across multiple states.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A California-based religious or educational nonprofit (especially Catholic schools, scholarship funds, campus ministries, or diocesan programs) with an existing relationship or referral into the foundation’s network.
Good Fit
- • Located in California or providing services primarily in California.
- • Funding request tied to scholarships, Catholic education, parish programs, or diocesan initiatives.
- • Existing relationship, board-level introduction, or prior engagement with the foundation’s family/affiliates.
- • Asking for modest operating or program support (typical grants tend to be under $25k).
- • History of participation in local faith-based fundraising events or diocesan campaigns.
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in California; in the latest year about 93% of dollars went to organizations in that state despite grants recorded across eight states.
Recipient Variety
The foundation funded a large number of distinct independent recipients each year (63 in 2021, 64 in 2023, and 43 in the latest year), showing a broad recipient set for a small private foundation.
New Applicants
Although many distinct and some new recipients appear in the filings, the foundation explicitly limits funding to preselected applicants and no public application pathway is visible, so unsolicited organizations are unlikely to gain entry.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
