SOURCE OF WEALTH: Tenaska Capital Management
FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Arts & Culture & Humanities, Housing Shelter
OVERVIEW: Paul and Annette Smith conduct philanthropy through the Annette and Paul Smith Charitable Fund, a supporting organization of the Omaha Community Foundation. Outside of the Omaha Community Foundation and according to available tax fillings, the fund awarded around $750,000 in grants in 2018. The couple’s giving focuses on the Omaha, Nebraska region, including supporting education and the arts.
BACKGROUND: Paul G. Smith graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with an M.B.A. He worked as a senior managing director of Tenaska Capital Management, a leading private equity firm focused on investments in the power and energy sectors in North America. He founded Paul G. Smith Associates.
Annette Smith graduated from Dana College, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business administration. She also holds a degree in architecture from the University of Nebraska. Annette is an active fundraiser and community volunteer and works with Alley, Poyner, Macchietto Architecture.
ISSUES:
EDUCATION & YOUTH: The Smiths have given at least $1 million through the years to Creighton Prep, a private, Jesuit high school for boys in Omaha which Smith attended. Annette is on the board of Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands, which the family also supports. Other grantees have included College of Saint Mary, and Jesuit Academy.
ARTS, CULTURE & HUMANITIES: Smith is chairman of the board of Joslyn Art Museum, which the family supports. He’s also past chairman for boards overseeing Film Streams, Omaha Conservatory of Music and the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. Other grantees have including Blue Barn Theatre.
HOUSING SHELTER: The couple have supported Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services. Other grantees have included Habitat for Humanity of Omaha.
LOOKING AHEAD: It’s unclear how much money is waiting in the wings here, but expect the Smiths to continue to steadily support select organizations in their hometown community.
CONTACT:
Annette and Paul Smith Charitable Fund
1536 Cuming St
Omaha, NE 68102
