Lester and Bernice Smith Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Lester and Bernice Smith Foundation funds grantmaking related to health, human services, the arts, and other community organizations.

IP TAKE: The foundation lacks transparency, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities.

PROFILE: Established in 1982, the Lester and Bernice Smith Foundation is currently steered by Bernice Smith and her son Alex, CEO of Kaye-Smith Enterprises, which a marketing and financial communications firm. The foundation does not maintain a website, which limits information available on its grantmaking priorities and activities. According to tax records, the Lester and Bernice Smith Foundation funds grantmaking related to health, human services, the arts, and other community organizations.

Alex Smith serves on the board of the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer, which the family steadily supports via the foundation. The foundation recently directed a two-year challenge grant focused on research that could significantly improve the understanding of ovarian cancer.

Grants range from $500 to $75,000. In a recent fiscal year, the foundation gave away around $329,000. Past grantees include Alliance for Education, Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Marylhurst University, The Tateuchi Center (Alex serves on the board), Overlake School and United Way of King County.

The foundation keeps a low profile and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

PEOPLE:

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CONTACT:

Lester and Bernice Smith Foundation
PO Box 3010
Bellevue, WA 98009