The Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith Memorial Fund

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Mission

Grants are awarded in the areas of medical, educational, cultural, arts, health and human services, and in such other areas as the trustee shall identify and determine from time to time, to be responsive to changes in the needs of Delaware County.

Annual application deadlines

March 1 and September 1

Program areas

Arts, culture, and humanities
Education
Health
Human Services

Program limitations

There are no program limitations; however, the foundation has a practice of primarily supporting the areas of medical, educational, cultural, arts, health and human services. Applications are not considered for:

  • Deficit financing
  • Construction or renovations to real estate not owned by the charitable entity
  • Salaries
  • Professional fundraiser fees
  • Multi-year grants over three years
  • Any organization more than once in a given year or more than three years in succession
In addition, any organization receiving a grant over a three-year period or in three successive years will not be eligible for a future grant until one year after the three-year period.

States served

Pennsylvania

Geographic limitations

Primary emphasis on organizations serving community needs on Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Types of support

Grants are awarded for capital projects, operating expenses, and special programs in amounts that are meaningful to the success of the individual endeavors of the organizations. However, operating expense grants are typically awarded for charities without capital requirements, and under circumstances where continuing funding is not expected.

Trustees

Wells Fargo Bank, NA

The activities of the foundation focus on awarding grants to organizations located in southeastern Pennsylvania, with a primary emphasis on those serving community needs in Delaware County.

Grants are awarded for capital projects, operating expenses, and special programs in amounts that are meaningful to the success of the individual endeavors of the organizations. However, operating expense grants are typically awarded for charities without capital requirements and under circumstances where continuing funding is not expected.

Grants are awarded in areas of medical, educational, cultural, arts, health and human services, and such other areas as the trustee shall identify and determine from time to time, to be responsive to changes in community needs.

Requirements

  • To be eligible, organizations must qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • Applications must have a complete project budget to be considered.
  • Any organization that has received a grant three years in a row will not be eligible for a future grant until one year after the three year period.
  • Organizations must be located in Southeastern Pennsylvania with a primary emphasis on those serving community needs in Delaware County.
  • Grants will not be made to any organization more than once in a given year.
  • The trustee will review applications with the assistance of an advisory committee composed of local citizens chosen for their special competence in assessing the changing needs of the community.
  • The final decision on each application will be made by the Trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, N. A.
  • Timely submission of grant progress report(s) is a condition of approval for awarding future grants from the Foundation.  If reports are not received by the end date of the grant period, the Foundation may request return of funds granted.

Limitations

The foundation typically does not fund requests for:

  • Deficit financing
  • Construction or renovations to real estate not owned by the charitable entity
  • Salaries
  • Professional fundraisers
  • Multi-year grants over three years

Average giving

Average grant size: $5,000 to $25,000

Annual application period and deadlines

Applications are accepted year-round, however applications must be submitted by March 1 and September 1 to be reviewed at the semi-annual grant meetings.

Communications

Applicants will receive an automated email confirming their submission. Grant decisions are generally communicated by June and December for applications received by the deadline.

Required agreements and report

Except as otherwise specified when a grant is awarded, a progress report must be submitted within 6 months after receiving funds.

About the Foundation

Ethel Sergeant Clark Smith was a prominent member of Philadelphia society. Her father, Walter Clark, held a seat on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. Her mother, Elizabeth Sergeant Clark, was a member of the Society of Colonial Dames of America. Ethel was born in 1885, graduated from the Agnes Irwin School in 1902, and was formally presented to society in 1903. She later married H. Harrison Smith, a Philadelphia attorney. While maintaining a city residence, they spent most of their time at the Smith family estate, “Timberline,” near Radnor, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

Because of her husband’s military associations, Ethel became active in the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the American Legion and held local, state, and national posts in that organization. Her love of tennis led to her establishing the United States Lawn Tennis Association Girls’ Sportsmanship Trophy and the Middle States Lawn Tennis Association Tournament. She provided for both awards in perpetuity. She also left small bequests to the 42 prior winners of these two awards at the time of her death.

Mrs. Smith died without lineal heirs. Her foundation, formed in 1977 from her estate, benefits organizations located in southeastern Pennsylvania, with a primary emphasis on serving community needs in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.