Who we are

The Dash Legacy Foundation was created to honor the life and spirit of John-Hayden Blaine Smith (lovingly known as Dash) who tragically left us too soon. Dash had the heart of a changemaker, and though his time was cut short, his legacy lives on through our mission to inspire individuals to register as organ donors and bridge the gap between those in need and life-saving donations.

At Dash Legacy Foundation, we believe in the power of education, awareness, and community action. We work closely with organizations, healthcare professionals, and local communities to ensure that registering as an organ donor is an accessible and informed decision for all. Through outreach, advocacy, and direct support, we provide individuals and families with the resources they need throughout the donation process, fostering a culture of compassion, generosity, and hope.

Every life has the potential to make an impact, and through organ donation, we can help ensure that Dash’s legacy continues to create positive change.

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Meet the team!

  • Co-Founder & Executive Director

    Johnny Smith is a PhD candidate in Strategic Management at the University of Arkansas and a serial entrepreneur who runs several small businesses. Guided by the question “How can one person most effectively reduce suffering in the world?”, Johnny’s research into psychology and decision-making revealed a clear, high-impact opportunity: millions of Americans support organ donation in principle but never take the simple step of registering. Determined to close that gap, he helped launch the Dash Legacy Foundation, where he channels his analytical skills and entrepreneurial energy into data-driven, grassroots campaigns that make signing up easy, personal, and widely accessible—ultimately turning untapped good intentions into countless saved lives.

  • Co-Founder & Director

    Brody Murphy is the team’s resident connector and momentum-builder. A born entrepreneur with an instinctive feel for where attention flows, Brody reads social dynamics of our target communities the way others read headlines—spotting emerging trends and turning them into meaningful engagement. His deep ties within our target communities give the Dash Legacy Foundation immediate credibility on the ground, while his magnetic energy turns casual conversations into committed action. Equally driven by generosity, Brody blends hustle with heart, ensuring that every outreach event and partnership not only captures attention but also translates into real progress for organ donation awareness and sign-ups.

  • Co-Founder & Director

    Adriana Schmidt bridges the worlds of frontline care and evidence-based strategy. As a nursing student immersed in clinical training, she brings firsthand insight into the lifesaving impact of organ transplants and enjoys a growing network of physicians, nurses, and hospital administrators who champion our cause. Adriana also keeps a researcher’s eye on the latest scholarship, distilling complex findings on donation behavior, consent policies, and public-health messaging into clear guidance for the Dash Legacy Foundation. Her dual role—health-care liaison and research translator—ensures that every initiative we launch is both clinically informed and academically grounded, maximizing our ability to convert awareness into registered donors.

Accountability and Transparency

At Dash Legacy Foundation every dollar entrusted to us is treated as a public trust. From our founding, we have adopted the highest standards of governance and financial stewardship to ensure that our mission is pursued with integrity, efficiency, and full transparency.

1. Governance & Independence

  • Volunteer Board of Directors
    All directors serve pro bono. They receive no salary, stipends, honoraria, consulting fees, expense reimbursements, or in-kind benefits of any kind.

  • No Self-Dealing
    The charity will never transfer funds, contracts, or assets to any organization that is owned, operated, or materially influenced by a director or their immediate family members.

  • Conflict-of-Interest Policy
    Every director and key volunteer is asked to sign an annual disclosure and is recused from any discussion or vote in which a potential conflict might exist.

2. Financial Stewardship

  • 100 % of Donations Advance the Mission
    Because we operate solely with volunteer labor, donor funds are used exclusively for program activities and essential third-party services (e.g., payment processors, licensed professionals) that directly support our beneficiaries.

  • Prudent Reserves
    Any operating reserves are maintained only to ensure continuity of services and are invested conservatively, in accordance with our Board-approved investment policy.

3. Transparency & Reporting

  • Open Books
    Our full, financial statements, annual IRS form(s), and independent accountant’s review (or audit, once required by law) will be made available upon request when completed and filed.

  • Program Metrics
    We set clear, measurable objectives for every initiative and publish outcome reports at least annually so donors (when registered to our update mailing list) can see the tangible impact of their contributions.

  • Donor Privacy
    We never sell, trade, or rent donor information. Aggregate fundraising data may be reported, but individual donor identities are shared only with explicit consent or when required by law.

4. Ethical & Legal Compliance

  • Code of Ethics
    All volunteers adhere to a written code that emphasizes honesty, respect, inclusion, and fiscal responsibility.

  • Regulatory Filings
    We file all required documents with state and federal agencies and comply with the U.S. Internal Revenue Code governing 501(c)(3) organizations.

  • Whistleblower Protection
    A confidential mechanism is being developed which allows anyone—inside or outside the organization—to report concerns about improper conduct without fear of retaliation.

5. Continuous Improvement

We regularly benchmark our policies against best-practice guides such as the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, Guidestar’s Gold Seal criteria, and the Independent Sector’s Principles for Good Governance, and will seek accreditation from at least one accountability certification organization when we have completed our first annual filings. Feedback from donors, partners, and beneficiaries informs annual policy reviews and strategic planning.

Contact us

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