Investor, entrepreneur and
philanthropist Robert F. Smith is passionate about helping students realize their full potential. Under Smith’s leadership as founding director and President,
Fund II Foundation has developed programs like internXL and other initiatives that expand access for students and young professionals to build skills and gain work experience.
Smith’s belief in the importance of internship opportunities stems from his personal experience. While still in high school, Smith earned an internship spot at Bell Labs, a position usually reserved for college students. He continued working at Bell Labs during his undergraduate studies at
Cornell University and used the money he earned to help pay for his tuition. Smith credits his experience with Bell Labs and his time at Cornell University with providing him opportunities to learn and grow in ways that would not otherwise have been available. It also inspired him to continuously learn and find solutions to problems.
Smith’s Education and Career
After graduating from Cornell University, Smith worked as a chemical engineer at Goodyear Tire and Rubber and later at Kraft General Foods. In 1994, Smith earned his MBA from
Columbia Business School and then went on to work for Goldman Sachs, where he specialized in investing in technology companies.
In 2000, Smith founded
Vista Equity Partners (Vista). Vista is a leading global investment firm that invests in enterprise software through private equity and credit strategies. Vista also offers eligible investors the opportunity to invest in enterprise software through the firm’s private wealth channel.
Smith’s Philanthropy
In addition to creating internships and scholarship programs, Smith supports a variety of other organizations, institutions and initiatives. One of his most notable efforts was his commitment to eliminate the student loan debt of the 2019
Morehouse College graduating class, along with the student debt incurred by their parents or guardians on their behalf. In his commencement address, Smith challenged the recent graduates, along with other alumni and benefactors, to help future classes in a similar way.
Inspired by the positive impact his donation had on the Morehouse graduates, Smith worked with organizational leaders and education experts to create
Student Freedom Initiative (SFI), of which he is the Chairman. SFI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing eligible STEM students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) with academic, financial and professional support.
Between 2016 and 2022, Smith personally donated a collective $45 million to Cornell University’s College of Engineering to fund educational opportunities for students. Specifically, some of his donations were used to establish scholarships for Black and female students pursuing tech. In addition, the donations established three funds.
Smith also founded and co-leads
Southern Communities Initiative (SCI) . SCI is a catalytic consortium dedicated to accelerating economic growth in six Southern U.S. communities.
Smith’s Achievements and Board Memberships
Smith’s business acumen and philanthropic efforts have earned him a number of honors and awards throughout his career. In May 2025, he was named one of TIME100’s “Most Influential People in Philanthropy.” He has also received other prestigious awards including the Founder’s Award from Foster Love, George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award and Legal Defense Fund’s National Equal Justice Award in 2023.
Smith’s dedication to education and future generations earned him the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2019. He has also been honored by organizations such as the UNCF’s President’s Award, the Ripple of Hope Award from Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Robert Toigo Foundation.
In business, Forbes recognized Smith as one of the “100 Greatest Living Business Minds,” highlighting his leadership in private equity and his innovative approach to investing in enterprise software.
Beyond his awards, Smith also offers his leadership as the Chairman of Carnegie Hall, a member of the Cornell Engineering College Council and a member of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism.
Learn More About Robert F. Smith
Stay up to date with the current initiatives of Robert F. Smith through his social platforms:
