Smaby Family Foundation

 

About the Foundation

Smaby Family Foundation was founded in 1997 by Philip C. and Margaret H. Smaby. The Smabys have a long-standing interest in the development of healthy communities in the Upper Midwest. In 1947, Phil Smaby co-founded one of the Twin Cities’ most successful real estate companies, Bermel-Smaby Realty, Inc. Through his career, Margaret and Phil Smaby provided support for efforts to strengthen families and communities, improve education, foster creativity and preserve the cultural heritage and values of the family’s Norwegian immigrant experiences. The Smabys have determined to work together with their children to build a foundation that gives expression to their concerns and values.

 

Mission Statement

The mission of the Smaby Family Foundation is to encourage positive social change and healthy neighborhoods by:

 

§                    Encouraging improved education and those with special education needs;
§                    Fostering creativity and the arts;
§                    Acknowledging Norwegian immigrant heritage, language, culture and values and recognizing the needs of the new immigrant communities;
§                    Enhancing personal growth, entrepreneurship and human development through support for training and the development of human potential;
§                    Supporting organizations and activities with historic connection to the Smaby family; and
§                    Addressing environmental concerns.
 

Types of Grants

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals but will, from time to time, solicit proposals for projects or activities of interest to the Board.

 

The Board will consider both restricted and unrestricted gifts and those for capital/endowment purposes. Seed, research and budget funding is also available.

 

Limitations

No grants are made directly to individuals or for political campaigns. No fund is available to units of local government. The Foundation does not respond to requests for memberships, annual appeals or special events and fundraisers. At its inception, the Foundation will concentrate its grantmaking in the Twin Cities community, in Greater Minnesota and in areas which foster the mission of the Foundation.

 

Application Procedure

Those asked to apply are encouraged to discuss their request with a sponsoring family member trustee before submitting an application. One copy of the proposal should be submitted which includes the following:

 

§                     Completed Smaby Family Foundation cover page
§                     Brief description of mission, history, background and capabilities of organization
§                     Purpose of project or program (what will be accomplished?)
§                     Statement of need (what problems will be solved?)
§                     Relevance (how does the project relate to the interests of the Smaby Family Foundation?)
§                     Implementation (how will the project be carried out? work plan? timeliness?)
§                     Collaboration (how will the applicant work with others? what are major sources of support?)
§                     Smaby Family Foundation funding (how will this grant be used?)
§                     Future funding (how will the program be sustained in the future?)
§                     Staff (what are the capabilities of those responsible for the project?)
§                     Evaluation plan (how will results be evaluated?)
 

Please attach the following information:

 

§                     Copy of Treasury letter certifying your 501 (c)(c) status.
§                     Copy of organization’s budget for current fiscal year.
§                     Copy of latest audit or financial statement.
§                     Listing of Board of Directors and affiliations.
§                     Listing of current funders.
 

Application Deadlines

The trustees usually meet in accord with their own schedules.

 

Inquiries & Proposals

Please direct inquiries and invited proposals to:

 

Smaby Family Foundation

One Financial Plaza, Suite 2005

120 South Sixth Street

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402

612.333.0002 phone  

612.376.7334 fax