Our mission is to improve the lives of women, children & families in Los Angeles through engaged philanthropy.

Who We Are

The SAM Initiative serves as a catalyst to improve the lives of women, children, and families in Los Angeles through engaged philanthropy. SAM members are a strong, supportive, and responsive community, committed to learning and working together to create positive change. Our fundamental belief is that through collaborative giving, we can do far more together than we could do alone.

What We Do

SAM educates and engages donors by investing in community-based organizations that address the most pressing needs in our community. As a giving circle, we pool our financial resources and expertise to drive social change and nonprofit sustainability. We are a strong, supportive, responsive community, committed to learning and working together to make a difference. 

Why It Matters

Since our founding in 2013, SAM has given over $3.3 million in grants to the community, and our influential collective spirit and network reaches far beyond the grants. SAM’s impact has a ripple effect that is exponentially greater than the dollar amounts of our grants. Our gifts inspire others to give, and help organizations expand at critical points in their growth. Many of our members stay involved as volunteers and as donors that continue to give to strengthen our community.

Our Giving Cycle

  • We begin by surveying our members and community partners to identify urgent needs in our community.

  • Our nomination committee identifies and does the initial vetting of organizations to be considered for SAM grants.

  • Our members are introduced to potential grant recipients and delve into the complex issues that our nominated organizations are working to address. The due diligence process proceeds including grant application review, site visits, and evaluation of needs.

  • Organizations make final presentations to our membership and members vote. Final grant recipients and grant amounts are determined.

  • Our impact has a ripple effect that is exponentially greater than the dollar amounts of our grants. Our gifts inspire others to give, and help organizations expand at critical points in their growth. Many of our members stay involved as volunteers and donors.

Our Community

  • “In a city with overwhelming need, it can seem that making a difference is a hopeless endeavor. But with SAM we can make a tangible difference in the lives of so many which, in turn, makes our communities better and stronger. I am proud to be a small part of SAM's tremendous efforts to support those doing such important work.”

    — Susan Samuels, SAM member

  • "It feels like we’re building something together. After my very first conversation with the SAM team I remember thinking to myself, 'they get it.' Their refreshing approach is rooted in a genuine focus on the needs of the community and, truthfully, the needs of the organizations they choose to support."

    — Daniel Fernandez, CEO of TMC Community Capital

  • “Being part of SAM has taught me how to give thoughtfully and with more impact than I could on my own. We learn about issues, meet people moving the needle for those in need in Los Angeles, all while exponentially increasing the impact of our dollars.”

    — Lauren Schiff, SAM member

  • "At a time when so many individuals feel powerless to make a difference, SAM unites us for a collective purpose: to impact the world together.”

    — Jonathan Zeichner, Former Executive Director, A Place Called Home

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