The Sampson Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The Sampson Foundation, based in Bethesda, MD, funds healthy food choices, integrative medicine and wellness education, so a request should show clearly how it fits one of those themes.
- Applications are by invitation only and the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests, so start by seeking an invitation rather than sending a proposal cold.
- The filings show grants mainly in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, District of Columbia and Virginia, but no geographic focus is stated, so that pattern is not a rule about who may apply.
- About 8 in 10 of its 188 grants to organisations fall between $1,000 and $60,000, and the median is $20,000, so a request of that size is typical, although its largest grant was $100,000.
- In its latest filing, 74% of grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in earlier filings, so a relationship with the foundation may matter as much as the request itself.
Overview
The Sampson Foundation is a US private foundation based in Bethesda, MD.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Sampson Foundation's stated work covers healthy food choices and integrative medicine. It is committed to educating communities, especially children, about healthy food choices and the benefits of healthy eating for mind, body and soul. In integrative medicine, it seeks to develop the research base, educate the general public and medical practitioners about its benefits, and increase access for everyone. It also supports opportunities for wellness training and education. The foundation provides grants to selected organisations to cover operating costs and/or scholarships, supporting health and wellness education as well as organisational activity.
Themes
- Healthy food choices
- Integrative medicine
- Wellness education
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, District of Columbia and Virginia.
How to apply
Applications are by invitation; invited applicants enter the password-protected application site.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 74% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 188 grants to organisations were $20,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 6%
- The largest single recipient received 8% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 74% of grant dollars went to organisations The Sampson Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 5% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 66 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $25,000 (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Grow Pittsburgh · Capital campaign$100,0002025 tax year
- Grow Pittsburgh · School gardens support and expansion$85,0002025 tax year
- Community Kitchen Pittsburgh · General operating support$75,0002025 tax year
- Midwife Center for Birth & Women's Health · Community outreach and walk-in care$75,0002025 tax year
- Give Back Yoga Foundation · Eat breathe thrive$65,0002025 tax year
- Documenting Hope · Flight study$60,0002025 tax year
- Center for Coalfield Justice · General operating support$60,0002025 tax year
- Center for Mind-Body Medicine · General operating support$60,0002025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- J Faye Sampson — Trustee
- Katherine S Mcbride — Secretary / Trustee
- Kristy S Rodriguez — President / Lead Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $1,707,930 | $1,361,699 | $31,961,673 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,690,013 | $1,269,100 | $33,215,268 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $2,035,421 | $1,563,000 | $35,354,472 | Filing for 2025 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
Registers and filings
Other sources
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At a glance
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Applying to The Sampson Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required