The Samowitz Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $2,005,512 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
• Decision Time: Not applicable (preselected organizations)
• Grant Range: Varies by recipient
• Geographic Focus: National (based in Florida, formerly Pennsylvania)
• Total Assets: $49 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: Long Boat Key, FL
EIN: 46-5451755
Previously located: Exton, PA

Note: The foundation does not have a public website or published contact information for grant inquiries.

Overview

The Samowitz Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation established in November 2014, following the legacy of Martin "Marty" Samowitz, a World War II veteran and successful businessman who founded Marty's Discount Shoes. Samowitz, who served at Iwo Jima and was the oldest known survivor of that battle, established the earlier Martin A. Samowitz Foundation in 2004 to support dozens of charities. After his death in December 2013, his wife Paulette Samowitz and daughter Lani Haynes continue the family's philanthropic legacy through The Samowitz Foundation. The foundation maintains substantial assets of $49 million and distributes approximately $2 million annually in grants to preselected charitable organizations. The foundation is known for its support of healthcare, medical research, and educational institutions, including a $1 million pledge to Sarasota Memorial Hospital's ENVISION initiative.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on a trustee-discretion basis with no formal grant programs or publicly advertised funding streams. Grants are awarded to preselected charitable organizations identified by the trustees.

Priority Areas

Based on known grant recipients:

• Healthcare and medical research (including support to Boston University's Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine)
• Hospital systems (including Sarasota Memorial Hospital)
• Educational institutions
• Other charitable causes selected by trustees

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly states it does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Organizations not previously known to the trustees are unlikely to receive funding.

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

• Paulette Samowitz, Trustee
  Compensation: $100,000 annually
  Hours per week: 15
  Widow of founder Martin Samowitz; continues the family's philanthropic legacy

• Lani Haynes, Trustee
  Compensation: $60,000 annually
  Hours per week: 10
  Daughter of Martin Samowitz; involved in foundation operations alongside her mother

The foundation operates with minimal staff, relying on the two family trustees to make all grantmaking decisions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees to organizations with which they have established relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are awarded based on trustee discretion throughout the year to preselected organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since The Samowitz Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, organizations cannot apply directly. The foundation awards grants based on trustee discretion to organizations they have preselected. All grantmaking decisions are made internally by Paulette Samowitz and Lani Haynes.

Organizations that have received funding typically have:

• Pre-existing relationships with the Samowitz family
• Strong track records in healthcare, medical research, or education
• Clear alignment with the family's philanthropic interests
• Connections to the Sarasota/Longboat Key, Florida area or Pennsylvania

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications or funding requests
• Invitation only: Grants are awarded solely to preselected organizations at trustee discretion
• Family foundation: Operated by Paulette Samowitz and her daughter Lani Haynes, continuing Martin Samowitz's legacy
• Healthcare focus: Known support for medical institutions and hospital systems, particularly in Florida
• Substantial assets: With $49 million in assets, the foundation distributes approximately $2 million annually
• Relationship-based: Funding appears to go to organizations with established connections to the Samowitz family
• Geographic ties: Connections to both Florida (current location) and Pennsylvania (previous location) may be relevant

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: The Samowitz Foundation (EIN 46-5451755). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/465451755 (Accessed January 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile: The Samowitz Foundation. Available at: https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/465451755-the-samowitz-foundation/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Cause IQ: The Samowitz Foundation organizational profile. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-samowitz-foundation,465451755/ (Accessed January 2026)
• Your Observer: "A final salute" (December 11, 2013). Article about Martin Samowitz and his $1 million pledge to Sarasota Memorial Hospital
• Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine: Corporations & Foundations donor roster listing The Samowitz Foundation Trust (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)
• IRS Form 990-PF filings for The Samowitz Foundation (2015-2024)