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Sam Shine Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$2.2M

Sam Shine Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,206,071 (2023)
  • Total Awards: 12 grants (2023)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: Not publicly disclosed (varies by project)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Indiana and conservation lands in the U.S.
  • Application Method: Invitation only / preselected organizations

Contact Details

Overview

The Sam Shine Foundation Inc was established in 1995 as a private grantmaking foundation focused on conservation. Founded by Sam M. Shine (1933-2019), who built the global electronics connector company Samtec, Inc., the foundation engages in long-term conservation preservation efforts to better and protect the natural world. The foundation awarded $2,206,071 in grants during 2023 across 12 awards. Its mission centers on restoring natural ecosystems by maintaining and enhancing native wildlife habitats associated with unique lands and waters. Operating for nearly 30 years, the foundation aims to engage broader and younger demographics in conservation efforts while addressing human-caused environmental damage and protecting future generations. Major conservation initiatives have included a $1 million gift to Sycamore Land Trust for land purchases in the Beanblossom Creek Bicentennial Conservation Area and a $250,000 donation for Sycamore's Monarch Environmental Education Endowment in 2018.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Sam Shine Foundation operates as an invitation-only funder and does not have publicly defined grant programs with set funding ranges. Grant amounts vary significantly based on project scope, from major land acquisition gifts of $1 million to program endowments of $250,000 and other conservation initiatives.

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses exclusively on conservation, with specific emphasis on:

  • Land Conservation & Acquisition: Purchasing and preserving ecologically sensitive lands, particularly floodplain farmland and forest areas
  • Habitat Restoration: Maintaining and enhancing native wildlife habitats for species diversity
  • Environmental Education: Programs that provide educational opportunities about conservation and environmental stewardship
  • Forest Management: Supporting forest conservation initiatives and sustainable forestry practices
  • Wildlife Conservation: Programs supporting migratory birds and other wildlife species
  • Ecosystem Restoration: Long-term projects addressing human-caused environmental damage

Known Grant Recipients:

  • Indiana Department of Natural Resources
  • Sycamore Land Trust (major recipient with $1 million+ in grants)
  • Conservation Law Center (listed as partner)
  • Organizations focused on monarch butterfly migration research and education

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not fund:

  • Projects outside the conservation and environmental preservation sector
  • Organizations not aligned with their land conservation and habitat restoration mission
  • Unsolicited grant requests (they only make contributions to preselected organizations)

Governance and Leadership

CJ Jackson - Executive Director

CJ Jackson has been involved with the Sam Shine Foundation since 2000, working to ensure Sam and Betty Shine's landscape-level conservation impact continues in perpetuity. With teaching experience at middle school, high school, and college levels, CJ emphasizes "informally teaching others through the Sam Shine Foundation's programs in an effort to improve the land ethic." He values hands-on field conservation work and believes it's essential to practice conservation tasks directly to understand interactions.

Contact: cj@samshinefoundation.org

Allen Pursell - Director of Forest Programs

Allen Pursell holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Forestry from Purdue University and brings over 25 years of experience from The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, where he served as Director of Forest Conservation. His accomplishments include acquiring thousands of acres for conservation and developing forest management initiatives like the Forest Bank and "Forestry for the Birds" program. He currently serves on the advisory council of Purdue University's Hardwood Tree Improvement and Regeneration Center and sits on the board of the Central Hardwood Joint Venture, a partnership focused on migratory bird conservation. Allen frequently lectures on forest and wildlife conservation topics.

Contact: allen@samshinefoundation.org

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Sam Shine Foundation does not have a public application process. The foundation has indicated on its Form 990-PF that it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Grants are awarded through internal processes, likely based on trustees' discretion, existing relationships, and strategic conservation priorities identified by foundation leadership.

Getting on Their Radar

The Sam Shine Foundation operates through pre-existing relationships and strategic conservation partnerships rather than open solicitation. Based on available information about their grantmaking patterns:

  • Partnership Approach: The foundation appears to work closely with established conservation organizations in Indiana, particularly those focused on land preservation and habitat restoration. Organizations like Sycamore Land Trust and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources have received multiple grants.

  • Geographic Connection: The foundation has strong ties to Indiana conservation efforts, particularly in southern Indiana counties like Monroe County.

  • Conservation Network: Given that Director of Forest Programs Allen Pursell serves on boards including the Central Hardwood Joint Venture and has extensive Nature Conservancy connections, the foundation appears connected to broader regional conservation networks.

  • Direct Contact: Organizations doing significant conservation work aligned with the foundation's mission may contact the Executive Director (cj@samshinefoundation.org) or Director of Forest Programs (allen@samshinefoundation.org) to introduce their work, though there is no guarantee of grant consideration.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As an invitation-only funder, the foundation does not publish application deadlines or decision timelines.

Success Rates

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable, as the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Application Success Factors

Since the Sam Shine Foundation does not accept public applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. However, examining their grantmaking patterns reveals what the foundation values:

Conservation Impact at Scale: The foundation has demonstrated commitment to landscape-level conservation. Their $1 million gift to Sycamore Land Trust enabled the preservation of 339 acres of floodplain farmland, which catalyzed over 850 additional acres of preservation along Beanblossom Creek since 2015. Projects with potential for significant, measurable environmental impact appear to align with their priorities.

Long-Term Sustainability: The foundation's approach emphasizes "long-term conservation preservation efforts." Their $250,000 endowment for Sycamore's Monarch Environmental Education program demonstrates interest in creating lasting infrastructure for conservation work rather than one-time projects.

Educational Component: Executive Director CJ Jackson emphasizes "informally teaching others through the Sam Shine Foundation's programs in an effort to improve the land ethic." Projects that combine conservation action with education appear to resonate with the foundation's values.

Hands-On Field Work: CJ Jackson's statement that he values "hands-on field conservation work" and believes "it's essential to practice conservation tasks directly to understand interactions" suggests the foundation appreciates practical, field-based conservation rather than purely theoretical or policy-oriented work.

Forest and Wildlife Focus: With a dedicated Director of Forest Programs and connections to initiatives like "Forestry for the Birds" and the Central Hardwood Joint Venture, forest conservation and wildlife habitat projects—particularly those supporting migratory birds—align with demonstrated funding patterns.

Indiana Conservation: While the foundation has supported conservation beyond state borders (such as donating 6,200 acres in northern Florida to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service), there is a strong focus on Indiana conservation projects, particularly in the southern Indiana region.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Public Application Process: This foundation does not accept unsolicited grant requests and only funds preselected organizations. Traditional grant writing approaches will not be effective.

  • Relationship-Based Grantmaking: Access to funding appears to require pre-existing relationships with foundation leadership or trustees, or connection through Indiana conservation networks.

  • Substantial Grants for Major Projects: When the foundation does make grants, they can be substantial—ranging from $250,000 endowments to $1 million+ land acquisition gifts—indicating they support transformational conservation projects.

  • Conservation Exclusivity: The foundation funds exclusively in the conservation and environmental preservation space, with particular emphasis on land acquisition, habitat restoration, and forest management.

  • Long-Term Vision: Both in their stated mission and grant patterns, the foundation demonstrates commitment to multi-generational conservation impact, suggesting they value sustainability over short-term projects.

  • Indiana Focus: While not exclusively an Indiana funder, organizations working on conservation in southern Indiana—particularly in areas like Monroe County—align with demonstrated funding patterns.

  • Professional Conservation Expertise: With leadership from experienced conservation professionals with advanced forestry degrees and decades of field experience, the foundation values scientifically-grounded, professionally-managed conservation work.

References

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