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Samuelson Charitable Foundation Inc.

Annual Giving
$0.7M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.0M

Samuelson Charitable Foundation Inc.

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~$180,000 (2023); $699,000 (2024, significant increase)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly stated
  • Grant Range: $257 - $29,000 (2023); grants typically partial project funding, single-year
  • Typical Grant: ~$3,000 median (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily California (Los Angeles metro area and wider Southern California); also Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and Pennsylvania
  • Total Assets: ~$24.8 million (2024)

Contact Details

  • Website: samuelsoncf.org
  • Email: info@samuelsoncf.org
  • Phone: (818) 500-0155
  • Address: 5000 Edenhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039
  • Initial Enquiry: Email the foundation office to request more information and discuss alignment before submitting any application materials

Overview

The Samuelson Charitable Foundation Inc. was established in 1996 by Jack Samuelson, Sally Samuelson, Bob Samuelson, and Doris Samuelson as a faith-driven family foundation based in Los Angeles, California. The foundation's mission is rooted in Christian values, with a stated purpose "directed to the furthering of the Kingdom of God... with a focus on the quality of human life; that is, access to the basics of food, habitat, health, and education, in an environment of social and economic freedom, with an emphasis on Christian witness."

The foundation holds assets of approximately $24.8 million (2024) and distributed around $180,000 in 2023 across 26 grants. In the most recent filing year (2024), total giving grew substantially to approximately $699,000, reflecting a period of significant asset and activity growth - assets rose from $2.3 million in 2022 to over $24 million in 2024. Leadership is provided voluntarily by family members and associates. The foundation collaborates with nonprofits that share its vision of alleviating hunger, homelessness, and barriers to education and healthcare in underserved communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not advertise distinct named grant streams, but funds single-year, partial-project grants across its core priority areas. Grants in 2023 ranged from $257 to $29,000.

  • General Program Support: The most common grant type; supports ongoing organisational programs aligned with the foundation's focus areas.
  • Capital/Project Grants: Partial funding of specific capital or programmatic projects that would not otherwise be affordable.
  • Operating Support: Some operating expense funding is considered.

Applications are handled on an inquiry-and-invitation basis (see Application Process below).

Priority Areas

  • Food Security: Hunger relief, food banks, meal programmes for those in need
  • Habitat/Housing: Homelessness prevention, transitional housing, housing security
  • Healthcare: Access to health services for underserved communities
  • Education: Promoting education access in low-income and marginalised communities
  • Christian Witness: The foundation specifically funds organisations that combine practical assistance with spiritual guidance and operate with a Christian ethos, including faith-based nonprofits, churches, and ministries
  • Organisations serving underserved populations in Los Angeles and the wider Southern California region are prioritised, though funding extends to other states

What They Don't Fund

  • Organisations without 501(c)(3) IRS classification
  • Organisations whose mission is not aligned with the foundation's Christian values and focus areas
  • Multi-year grants (grants are limited to single-year terms)
  • Full project funding (the foundation typically provides partial funding)
  • Unsolicited applications that have not first made contact with the foundation

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed and managed on a voluntary, uncompensated basis by family members and close associates:

  • Reid G. Samuelson - Chief Executive Officer
  • Todd Samuelson - Secretary
  • Warren Lukesh - Chief Financial Officer

The foundation was founded by Jack Samuelson, Sally Samuelson, Bob Samuelson, and Doris Samuelson, reflecting its family foundation character. All officers serve without compensation, indicating a tightly held, mission-driven governance structure where personal relationships and shared values are central to decision-making.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Samuelson Charitable Foundation does not operate a fully open public application process. IRS Form 990-PF filings indicate that the foundation primarily makes contributions to preselected charitable organisations. However, the foundation's own website maintains a "How to Apply" page and actively invites interested nonprofits to make initial contact.

Step 1 - Initial Contact: Organisations interested in funding should first contact the foundation by email (info@samuelsoncf.org) or phone ((818) 500-0155) to request more information and discuss whether there is alignment with the foundation's mission and focus areas.

Step 2 - Mission Alignment Check: Applicants are directed to carefully review the foundation's focus areas (food, housing, healthcare, education) and its Christian witness emphasis before making contact. The foundation expects applicants to demonstrate a clear connection to its mission.

Step 3 - Invitation to Apply: If the foundation determines there is sufficient alignment, it will provide further guidance on how to proceed with a formal application or proposal.

There are no advertised open grant rounds or fixed deadlines. All grants are awarded at trustee discretion following initial inquiry.

Decision Timeline

No specific decision timelines are publicly stated. Given the family foundation structure and small grant volume, timelines are likely determined case-by-case. Grant writers should expect to allow several months from initial contact to a funding decision.

Success Rates

No public data is available on success rates or the number of applications received versus funded. In 2023, 26 grants were awarded; in 2024, 21 grants were awarded. Given the preselected/inquiry-based nature of funding, the foundation's network of existing grantee organisations is likely to represent the primary beneficiaries.

Reapplication Policy

No formal reapplication policy is stated publicly. Given the preselected nature of grants and the family foundation structure, prior grantees appear to receive ongoing support (several organisations appear in multiple years' grant lists). First-time applicants should contact the foundation directly to discuss prospects.

Application Success Factors

Based on research into the foundation's stated mission, grant history, and website guidance, the following factors are most critical for success:

  1. Faith-based alignment is essential: The foundation's full mission statement explicitly references "the furthering of the Kingdom of God," "Christian witness," and the "power of the Holy Spirit." Grant recipients consistently include churches, Christian ministries, and faith-motivated service organisations. Secular organisations may struggle to demonstrate adequate alignment unless they can articulate a connection to the foundation's values.

  2. Focus on the four pillars: All funded work should clearly address one or more of: food security, housing/habitat, healthcare, or education. Projects that span multiple pillars (e.g., a faith-based housing programme that also provides food assistance) may be particularly attractive.

  3. Southern California proximity matters: The vast majority of grants (21 out of 25 in 2023) went to California organisations, with heavy concentration in the Los Angeles metro area including Pasadena, La Canada, Simi Valley, and Santa Clarita. Organisations based in or serving these communities have the strongest alignment.

  4. Demonstrate community impact and leverage: The foundation's "What We Fund" page states a preference for projects that "directly benefit the community," "might not otherwise be affordable," and "leverage future impact on organization and community." Proposals should show how partial funding from Samuelson will unlock broader change.

  5. Single-year, partial funding model: The foundation funds specific single-year projects or programmes rather than providing multi-year or full-project support. Frame requests as discrete, time-bound project phases rather than ongoing operational needs.

  6. 501(c)(3) status is required: Only IRS-classified 501(c)(3) organisations are eligible. This should be confirmed and clearly stated in any application or correspondence.

  7. Relationship-first approach: The inquiry-based process means that organisations that take time to build a relationship with the foundation before formally requesting funds are more likely to succeed. Initial contact should be conversational and exploratory rather than transactional.

Examples of recently funded organisations (2023 grants):

  • Beacon Housing Inc. (Los Angeles) - homelessness prevention and housing security - $29,000
  • La Canada Presbyterian Church (La Canada) - general program support - $29,000
  • Door of Hope (Pasadena) - housing/support for vulnerable families - $25,000
  • Connect 2 Ministries (Simi Valley) - community outreach ministry - $18,000
  • YMCA of the Foothill (La Canada) - community services - $17,000
  • Bridges (La Canada) - community services - $16,000
  • Christ Lutheran Church (Santa Clarita) - general program support - $5,000

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a faith-based family foundation: Christian values and mission alignment are non-negotiable. Organisations working outside a Christian ethos will find it very difficult to secure funding.
  • Initial email or phone contact is the correct first step: Do not attempt to submit a formal application without first contacting info@samuelsoncf.org to confirm alignment and request guidance.
  • Southern California focus: The vast majority of grants go to Los Angeles metro area organisations. Out-of-state applicants are rare and likely have pre-existing relationships with the Samuelson family.
  • Grants are small but meaningful: With a median grant of around $3,000 and a maximum of $29,000 (2023), Samuelson is best suited as a supplementary or community funder rather than a lead funder for large projects. However, with $699,000 distributed in 2024, total giving is growing.
  • Assets and giving are growing rapidly: The foundation's assets grew from $2.3M (2022) to $24.8M (2024), and giving increased significantly. This may indicate an expanded grantmaking programme in coming years.
  • Single-year, partial funding only: Structure grant requests as discrete, fundable project phases. Budget requests should be realistic given the typical grant range.
  • Persistence and relationship: This foundation rewards organisations that share its values and take time to demonstrate alignment. Churches, Christian ministries, and faith-motivated service providers are the most natural fit.

References

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