OVERVIEW: This family funder is based in Boca Raton, Florida, and supports local causes related to education, after-school programs, health, culture, subsistence, and animal welfare. Grants are invitation-only.
FUNDING AREAS: Education, after-school programs, health, culture, subsistence, animal welfare
IP TAKE: There are a couple Schmidt Family Foundations out there, but this one operates in the Boca Raton area—make sure to get in touch with the right Schmidt foundation.
PROFILE: The Schmidt Family Foundation (SFF) is based in Boca Raton, Florida, and was established in 1986. It was founded by Charles E. and Dorothy F. Schmidt. This is not to be confused with the Wendy and Eric Schmidt Foundation established in 2006, which has previously been covered at IP and is also known as the Schmidt Family Foundation.
Charles E. Schmidt was born in Chicago in 1912, moved to Florida in 1963, and died in 1996. He founded Tractor Supply Co., a farm implement retail chain. He also built a 27-bank holding company that he sold to Bank of America. Schmidt Companies was established in 1968 as a land development company, and this company conducts philanthropy through the Schmidt Family Foundation. This is Richard Schmidt’s company, but he retired from the firm in 1888 to redirect his focus to the foundation, real estate, and aviation.
SFF supports programs that promote community enrichment, help people, and promote excellence. The Schmidts were part of the Boca Raton community for many years, and so the foundation prioritizes this area. Funding priorities include education, after-school programs, health, culture, and subsistence.
Education grants support Charles E. Schmidt Biomedical Science Center, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, Peace Studies Program, and the Boca Raton Children’s Museum. After-school program support has funded Boys and Girls Club of Palm Beach County and CATS/Dixie Manor Children's Fund. Health grants have supported the Boca Raton Regional Hospital, the American Heart Association, and Boca Raton’s Promise – Alliance for Youth. Culture groups, including WPBT Channel 2 and the Boca Museum of Art, have received SFF’s support. Subsistence grants support Food for the Pool and the Palm Beach County Food Bank. The foundation supports Tri-County Humane Society.
Grants are invitation-only.
General questions can be directed to the foundation team at (561) 392-4717 or via online form. The mailing address is 201 Plaza Real, Suite 140, Boca Raton, Florida 33432.
PEOPLE:
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