Smith & Associates Foundation opens annual grant submissions

The Smith & Associates Real Estate Foundation has opened its annual grant application process for 2025, continuing its commitment to philanthropy in the Tampa Bay area.

Since its establishment in 2021, the foundation has awarded $338,000 in funding to 63 non-profit organizations, supporting various community initiatives.

“For a long time, we did sponsorships through the company, which included sponsoring events in the area,” said Katie Glaser, board member of the Smith & Associates Real Estate Foundation. “In 2021, we decided to start the Smith & Associates Real Estate Foundation so that we could be more focused on our giving.”

Glaser said starting the foundation has allowed the company and her family, many of whom also sit on the board of the foundation, to give larger grants and see the direct impact of their philanthropy.

The foundation focuses on three main pillars: housing, community vibrancy and positive education/mental wellbeing. These pillars were chosen to align with the company’s values and mission to create positive impacts in the community.

“We sell homes in the community, so we feel it’s so important to give back,” Glaser said, adding that the nonprofits often chosen for grants also provide volunteer opportunities.

Bob Glaser, right, President and CEO of Smith & Associates Real Estate, presents the initial check to Marlene Spalten, President and CEO of Community Foundation Tampa Bay, to establish the Smith & Associates Real Estate Foundation in 2020.

“As a company, we we also have a lot of associates, so we love to be involved in things that they’re passionate about also. We’ve given over 34,000 hours in time and talent between the agents, staff and ourselves, so we love when people submit applications for grants and include how we can be involved as people and participate in fulfilling the need that way, as well.”

For the 2025 grant cycle, the foundation plans to award a total of $100,000 to a dozen nonprofits. Unlike previous years where numerous smaller grants were distributed, this year’s focus is on providing larger sums to fewer organizations.

This year’s grant priorities include at-risk, vulnerable and special-needs populations. To be eligible for a grant, organizations must be a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit, be based in or serving Hillsborough and/or Pinellas counties, exhibit strong management and sound leadership and have filed an IRS form 990 from 2021 or later.

Glaser added that charitable organizations that can prove a grant would bring a project to completion will also be a priority in 2025: “We encourage anyone who fits those pillars to submit, but what we would really like to do is be able to fulfill a need. We love to be able to see that a project satisfies the goal of whatever that program has.”

The grant application portal, managed by Community Foundation Tampa Bay, will remain open through Friday, March 28 at 11:59 p.m. Interested organizations can access the online portal and submit applications at smithandassociates.com/foundation-grant-application.

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