Robert F. Smith | Foster Love

Smith's Work and Philanthropy

Investor and American businessman Robert F. Smith is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners (Vista). Vista is a leading global investment firm that exclusively invests in enterprise software, data and technology-enabled businesses.

Aside from being a successful entrepreneur, Smith is an avid philanthropist, focusing his support on communities that often lack access to opportunities. Smith is the founding director and President of Fund II Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing social change and creating an enduring American legacy by providing grants to nonprofits that align with its mission. In 2019, Smith eliminated the student loan debt of the Morehouse College graduating class and the debt held by their guardians on their behalf.

Following his gift to Morehouse College graduates, Smith helped to establish Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) as a scalable solution to the problem of student loan debt. SFI supports select students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). To launch SFI, Smith personally contributed $50 million, matching the $50 million grant from Fund II Foundation.

The Family Fellowship Scholarship Program

The Family Fellowship Scholarship Program was created through a partnership between Fund II Foundation and Foster Love. The Family Fellowship Program supports former foster youth looking to attend a four-year university, community college or trade school.

In the fall of 2015, Smith, along with his wife Hope, met with the first Fellows accepted by the Family Fellowship Program.
Scholarships are provided annually for current and former foster youth to pursue higher education.
Each scholarship recipient receives up to $12,000 annually for a maximum of five years.
Each year during the winter holiday season, the Smiths also invite the current cohort of Fellows to their home in Colorado.
To date, the Family Fellowship has supported over 50 college students from all across the country.

Applicants accepted into the program are awarded with more than just financial assistance. They receive housing, career guidance and a family environment to help the participants thrive in their post-secondary education.

More About Robert F. Smith

Smith was born in Denver, CO to two educators who taught him the value of education at an early age. As a high school student, Smith applied for a coveted internship at Bell Labs, even though it was traditionally reserved for college students. After much persistence, Smith earned a spot.

In 1985, Smith graduated with a chemical engineering degree from Cornell University. He later worked at several major companies, including Kraft General Foods, as an engineer. Smith's passion for science and investment banking led him to pursue an MBA from Columbia University. After graduating with honors, he worked for Goldman Sachs before founding Vista in 2000.

Over the years, Smith has prioritized giving back to numerous charitable organizations and nonprofits, especially those that provide educational opportunities to groups that lack access to opportunities and resources. In 2017, Smith became the first Black American to sign the Giving Pledge, committing to donate more than half of his net worth to charitable causes. He has provided funding to his alma maters, including $25 million in gifts to Columbia University and $45 million in donations to Cornell University's College of Engineering. In 2021, he helped launch Southern Communities Initiative (SCI), a catalytic program for accelerating racial equity in the six Southern communities home to more than 50% of all Black Americans.

Smith's philanthropy and business endeavors have earned him many honors, including:

Committee for Economic Development's Distinguished Leadership Award in 2024
HBCU Impact Award in 2023
Legal Defense Fund's National Equal Justice Award in 2023
Founders Award from Foster Love in 2023
George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award in 2023
National Arts Award in 2022
theGrio's Philanthropy Icon Award in 2022
The Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2019
UNCF's President's Award in 2019
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Chair's Award in 2016
The Jackie Robinson Foundation ROBIE Achievement in Industry Award in 2016
The Ripple of Hope Award from Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights in 2010

In addition, Smith was listed on Forbes' 100 Greatest Living Business Minds in 2017 and TIME100's “Most Influential People of 2020.” He also serves as the Chairman of SFI and Carnegie Hall, is on the Board of Overseers at Columbia Business School and is a member of the Cornell Engineering College Council.