Chad SmithFoundation
2025
ANNUAL REPORT
Chad Smith
The Chad Smith Foundation was launched with a clear mission and a strong sense of responsibility. From day one, our focus has been on building an organization that is thoughtful and designed for long-term impact.
This report reflects an amazing first year. Rather than moving quickly, we prioritized building programs that are sustainable, measurable, and rooted in collaboration with educators, institutions, and community partners. Our goal is not simply to do more, but to do this work well.
I am deeply grateful to those who believed in this vision early and helped turn it into action. Your support allows us to focus on meaningful impact today while building a foundation that will serve musicians for years to come.
Thank you for being part of the Chad Smith Foundation.
— Lewis Smith, Executive Director
When I think about why we started the Chad Smith Foundation, it comes back to one belief: music changes lives. It changed mine, and I've seen what happens when someone is given the opportunity, the tools, and the encouragement to pursue their passion.
Since launching in August, we've taken important first steps. We established the Curtis and Joan Smith Scholarship at the University of Minnesota and the University of Michigan to honor my parents and the values they instilled in us. We've placed instruments in the hands of young people who wouldn't otherwise have access, and we've begun assigning dedicated music teachers to after-school programs where consistent instruction has long been out of reach.
These efforts reflect our mission: to inspire, expand access, and support the next generation of musicians through thoughtful, sustainable programs and strong community partnerships.
I'm deeply grateful to our founding donors and partners. We're just getting started, and we're committed to doing this work the right way.and for helping make sure the power of music remains accessible to the next generation.
— Chad Smith, Chariman
Mission
To empower young musicians through education and opportunity.
Inspire
Inspiring the next generation by creating early opportunities for young artists to explore music.
Vision
A world where music flourishes in every community, fueled by empowered, diverse, and inspired musicians.
Access
Expanding opportunity by ensuring every aspiring musician has the tools, mentorship, and guidance they need.
Support
Supporting young artists through financial resources and career direction to keep their passion for music growing.
Education
Strengthening music education through instruction, curriculum support, and consistent access to qualified teachers.
Equipment
Providing quality instruments and audio equipment to underfunded programs so students can begin or continue their musical journey.
Scholarships
To inspire, empower, and nurture the next generation of musicians through education, support, and access.
Curtis & Joan Smith Scholarship
The Curtis & Joan Smith Scholarship honors Chad's parents and their commitment to education, music, and community. The scholarship provides need-based financial support to students pursuing education and careers in the performing arts.
2025 Milestones
Established scholarship partnerships with:
Public launch events included performances with the University of Minnesota and University of Michigan marching bands.
Beginning in 2026, scholarships will support students who demonstrate both musical promise and financial need, allowing them to focus more fully on their craft.
In 2025, CSF donated instruments, funded lessons, and supported music education in a variety of community settings, including:
These efforts ensure that curiosity doesn't stop at interest.
Students are given the tools to participate.
The Music Teacher Assignment Program (MTAP) addresses one of the most significant barriers to music education: lack of consistent, qualified instruction.
Through MTAP, the Foundation certifies and places music teachers, many of them university music students, into after-school programs that lack reliable access to quality and consistent instructors.
Program Features
2026 Launch
Strategic partnerships are central to CSF's model. In 2025, we expanded collaborations with:
These partnerships allow CSF to extend impact while maintaining program quality and sustainability.
