The George G. and Alva Hudson Smith Foundation has announced its grant awards for 2025. The Foundation is committing $110,000 to eight organizations across Hill County—including Hillsboro, Hubbard, Itasca, and Whitney. In the 31 years since its existence, the Foundation has awarded over $3,100,000 to area organizations which serve the community. 

This year’s grants were awarded to a variety of educational, community service, recreational, and social service organizations for projects consistent with the Foundation’s mission to enrich the lives of Hill County citizens. Grant amounts ranged from $2000 to $29,000.

A complete list of recipients, amounts, and purposes of this year’s grants includes the following:

Boys and Girls Club of Hill County: $17,000

Grant awarded for partial operations and program costs and expenses.

Hill County Kids: $4,000

Grant awarded to purchase shelving, hand trucks, food storage totes, and a computer laptop and printer. 

Hill County Paw Pals: $6,500

Grant awarded to upgrade and enhance the small dog kennel area.

Hillsboro Lions Club: $25,000

Funds to build a shade structure over the ADA-accessible playground at the Hillsboro City Park.

Hubbard Garden Club: $2,000

Funds to revitalize the Veteran Memorial Plaza in the City of Hubbard.

Itasca Independent School District: $15,000

Replace the decking of the Itasca Depot Museum.

Lake Whitney Chamber of Commerce: $11,500

Grant awarded to repair the roof and provide for remodeling to the Lake Whitney Chamber of Commerce building.

Main Street Hillsboro: $29,000

Funds awarded to install permanent, programmable, dark-sky friendly, LED fixtures on buildings surrounding the Courthouse Square.