Sam Simon Charitable Giving Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $10,217,000 (2023)
Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: $10,000 - $1,000,000
Average Grant: $192,774
Geographic Focus: National (US) with emphasis on Los Angeles region for poverty programs; international for animal welfare
Total Assets: $276 million
Number of Grants: 53 awards (2023)

Contact Details

Website: www.sscgf.org
Location: Westlake Village, California
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@samsimongiving)
EIN: 46-5575133

Overview

The Sam Simon Charitable Giving Foundation Inc was established in 2017 following the death of Sam Simon (1955-2015), Emmy Award-winning co-creator of The Simpsons and passionate animal rights advocate. Funded entirely by Sam Simon's estate, the foundation manages assets of approximately $276 million and distributes over $10 million annually in grants. The foundation carries forward Simon's dual commitment to animal welfare and human rights, focusing on two primary areas: improving the treatment and welfare of animals in captivity worldwide, and providing pathways out of poverty through education and employment access in underserved Los Angeles communities. The foundation launched in 2017 with a $1 million grant to PETA, honoring programs Simon championed during his lifetime. Under President Julie Miller's leadership, the foundation provides ongoing support to organizations with established relationships, with grant amounts ranging from $10,000 to $1 million and averaging approximately $193,000.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with no public application process. Grants are awarded to preselected 501(c)(3) public charities or international nonprofits in good standing.

Grant Types:

General operating support
Program-specific grants
Grant terms: One to multiple years
Grant range: $10,000 - $1,000,000
Average grant: $192,774

Priority Areas

Compassionate Treatment of Animals

Animals in captivity globally facing mistreatment and exploitation
Wild animal rescue and rehabilitation
Organizations working toward systemic change for animal welfare
Animal rights advocacy and direct rescue operations
Sanctuary support for animals rescued from roadside zoos and captive situations

Pathways Out of Poverty (Los Angeles Region Focus)

Programs increasing access to education
Housing initiatives
Health services
Employment programs in underserved communities
Urgent responses to situations threatening children's health and well-being worldwide

What They Fund

Organizations must demonstrate:

Measurable impact and proven track records
Strong leadership and trained staff
Targeted, community-responsive approaches
Sustainable funding models

What They Don't Fund

The foundation explicitly will NOT support:

Public awareness campaigns
Policy advocacy
Organizational capacity building
Unsolicited applications from organizations not already on their radar

Governance and Leadership

Julie Miller - President and Director Miller stated: "Sam was deeply committed to philanthropy throughout his lifetime, and his legacy of giving lives on through the Foundation's work championing both human and animal rights."

Additional Directors:

Robin Paule, Director
Stephanie Wilkinson, Director
Stephen Davis, Director

Sam Simon's Philosophy (Founder) Simon was deeply passionate about animal rights, stating: "I care deeply about animal rights and feel that the mistreatment of animals is an injustice." He also believed that "Alleviating human suffering is urgent, important, and challenging work." About his activism, he noted: "One of the things about animal rights, which is not the only thing that I care about in this world, is that your money can bring success. I see results."

In dedicating the Sam Simon Center at PETA, he said: "One day, people will realize that Sam Simon knew that what PETA says is right, 'Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, or use in entertainment.'" He also stated that his work with PETA in his final years—closing bear pits, rescuing an abused elephant in India, sending roadside zoo chimpanzees to sanctuaries—were "the happiest of his life."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Sam Simon Charitable Giving Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds or proposals.

All grants are awarded at the discretion of the foundation's board of directors to organizations they have identified and selected themselves. The foundation provides ongoing support to organizations with which it has established relationships.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Grants are awarded on the foundation's timeline to preselected organizations.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept public applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates on an invitation-only basis, the traditional concept of "application success factors" does not apply. However, understanding what the foundation values in its grantees is instructive:

Organizational Qualities the Foundation Seeks:

Measurable impact: The foundation prioritizes organizations with proven track records and demonstrable results
Strong leadership: Organizations must have experienced, trained staff leading initiatives
Targeted approaches: Community-responsive strategies that address specific needs
Sustainable funding: Organizations with diversified funding models, not dependent solely on one source

Alignment with Sam Simon's Values: The foundation's grantmaking reflects Sam Simon's personal philosophy and priorities during his lifetime. Simon was known for:

Direct action and tangible results over awareness campaigns
Rescuing animals from captivity and exploitation
Supporting systemic change in animal welfare
Providing practical support to underserved communities
Focus on measurable outcomes: "One of the things about animal rights... is that your money can bring success. I see results."

Recent Funding Examples:

$1 million to PETA (2017 inaugural grant) to support programs Simon championed during his lifetime
Grants tend to provide ongoing, multi-year support to established partner organizations
Average grant size of $193,000 suggests substantial, meaningful support rather than token funding

What the Foundation Avoids: Organizations focused primarily on public awareness campaigns, policy advocacy, or organizational capacity building will not align with the foundation's priorities, as these are explicitly excluded from funding consideration.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications - they identify and select all grantees themselves
Relationship-based grantmaking: The foundation provides ongoing support to organizations with established relationships, with grants ranging from one to multiple years
Substantial grants: With an average grant of $193,000 and awards ranging up to $1 million, this foundation provides meaningful, not token, support
Dual focus: Equal commitment to animal welfare (particularly animals in captivity) and poverty alleviation (specifically in Los Angeles region)
Results-oriented: The foundation values measurable impact, proven track records, and tangible outcomes over advocacy or awareness work
Estate-funded: The foundation is 100% funded by Sam Simon's estate, ensuring long-term sustainability with $276 million in assets
Honors founder's legacy: Grantmaking reflects Sam Simon's personal passions and priorities, particularly his commitment to animal rescue and direct service to vulnerable populations

References

Information accessed December 2024