Thank you to everyone who attended our Fast Pitch Presentations. We heard from extraordinary leaders and learned about the incredible work being done to address critical issues in our community.

SAM's grant of $80,000 allowed LA Food Policy Council to hire a Development and Grants Manager. This new role has been instrumental in managing grants and spearheading fundraising efforts to continue their commitment to addressing food insecurity in LA County.

SAM’s funding enabled Alzheimer's Los Angeles to recruit and hire a highly skilled Care Navigator who has a Masters in Gerontology and has a background in geriatric case management. This new staff member developed a welcome packet for program participants which provides tools, templates, and materials that are integral to ensuring not only the program's success but will continue to further provide free dementia care and support to patients and their families.

SAM members (along with our KI partners) enjoyed a fun, productive summer morning assembling welcome bags for Ready to Succeed’s (past SAM grant recipient) Project Dorm Room. Each year in LA, over 4000 former foster youth embark on their college journey alone – with no bedding, supplies or family support. Project Dorm Room provides essentials and more to many of these students.

Now in SAM’s 11th year, we are proud to announce we are approaching 3.5 million in grantmaking since we began in 2013. The SAM Initiative remains passionately committed to supporting collective giving by funding programs dedicated to driving social change and promoting nonprofit sustainability.

SAM's President & Founder Mindy Freedman will be speaking at Philanthropy Together's #WeGiveSummit. Don't miss her session "Give Outside the Box: CDFIs, Direct Giving, and Advocacy 501(c)(4)s" on May 8th at 1PM PT. Click here to register.

SAM members toured Piece by Piece, a social enterprise that provides individuals who have faced economic insecurity or experienced homelessness with an opportunity to work, creating mosaic masterpieces, big and small.

SAM's President & Founder, Mindy Freedman, was featured in this report which showcases collective giving circle's role in reshaping philanthropic practices, fostering social connections, and amplifying the voices of underserved communities.

Wendy Marantz Levine, SAM member and Founder of Beauty Bus Foundation, hosted a visit to Beauty Bus.

SAM Initiative Funds Milestone $320,000 in Fall Cycle

5 organizations participated in our 2023 Fast Pitch Presentations, which took place at the Skirball Center.

We’ve now reached $3 million in grants as we celebrate 10 years of collective giving!

The SAM Initiative celebrated its 10-year anniversary, marking a decade of collaborative giving and engaged philanthropy.

SAM members shared a wonderful evening with the families of one of our grantees, Alexandria House.

SAM Giving Circle: Doing far more together than alone