The Smith Richardson Foundation is financed by the Vicks Vaporub fortune. The Foundation reported assets of $494 million in 2001 and gave away $23 million.

The Foundation became active in supporting conservative causes in 1973 when R. Richardson Randolph became its president. Forbes estimates the Richardsons to have a net worth of $870 million, which makes it one of the U.S.'s richest families.[1]