Samis Foundation
Samis Foundation is a private foundation based in Seattle, Washington. It supports Jewish education and youth programs in Washington State, as well as initiatives in Israel.
Samis Foundation at a glance
In short: Samis Foundation gave $8.3M across 73 grants in 2024 (avg $114K), mostly in Washington. 32% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $8,322,959
- +4.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 73
- +4.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $114,013
- -0.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $109,313,366
- +1.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 32% first-time grantees (23 of 73, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Washington (80% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Samis Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
Samis does not accept unsolicited requests. It considers requests by invitation only; invited potential partners work with foundation professionals to prepare materials for review by the Grants Committee and Board of Directors. Applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) determination letter or otherwise valid tax-exempt status. The foundation does not support grants outside Washington State or Israel; in Washington, it excludes congregational schools and programs serving age groups outside K–12. It also does not consider initiatives outside its funding priorities or programs that conflict with its values.
- Review Cycle
- The foundation uses an annual grants calendar with specific deadlines for each funding area.
- Deadline
- The foundation uses an annual grants calendar with specific deadlines for each funding area.
- Contact
Mailing address: 208 James Street C, Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 622-3363
Website: https://samisfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Samis Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Northwest Yeshiva High School ($1.6M). Together the top 10 received $7.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
336 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 248 grants of 336 (74%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation states that it funds in Washington State and Israel. In 2024, 80% of grant dollars went to recipients in Washington, 15% to New York, and 1% each to recipients in Washington, D.C., Massachusetts and New Jersey. These reported recipient-state shares include locations outside the foundation’s stated funding geographies.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 73 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Samis Foundation open to new grantees?
32%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 23 of 73 grantees (32%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $19K; repeat grants $158K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 60% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 40% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 103% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.9M (2021) to $8.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 73 grants totaling $8.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Yeshiva High School Mercer Island, WA | Educational & Humanitarian | $1,636,448 |
| Seattle Hebrew Academy Seattle, WA | Educational & Humanitarian | $1,501,814 |
| Jewish Day School Bellevue, WA | Educational & Humanitarian | $1,049,769 |
| Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder Seattle, WA | Educational & Humanitarian | $861,189 |
| Seattle Jewish Community School Seattle, WA | Educational & Humanitarian | $734,862 |
| PEF Israel Endowment Funds New York, NY | Educational & Humanitarian | $416,980 |
| NLI USA Inc New York, NY | Educational & Humanitarian | $250,000 |
| Central Fund of Israel Cedarhurst, NY | Educational & Humanitarian | $200,000 |
| Torah Day School Seattle, WA | Educational & Humanitarian | $182,913 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle Seattle, WA | Educational & Humanitarian | $181,442 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $109,313,366 | $16,645,587 | $14,542,674 | $8,322,959 | 73 | $9,772,130 | $12,469,841 | $9,469,150 |
| 2023 | $108,273,318 | $15,078,963 | $14,084,969 | $8,000,921 | 70 | $9,505,109 | $11,035,819 | $9,573,866 |
| 2022 | $102,867,210 | $14,031,785 | $13,618,383 | $6,970,312 | 79 | $8,461,175 | $10,307,820 | $8,507,927 |
| 2021 | $93,922,239 | $13,751,752 | $11,367,808 | $5,931,074 | 54 | $7,156,850 | $10,311,118 | $8,278,119 |
| 2020 | $94,569,987 | $11,606,495 | $9,228,868 | $6,178,267 | 60 | — | $6,987,054 | $9,022,172 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Samis Foundation reported a distributable amount of $9.5M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
In Washington State, Samis supports Jewish day schools, overnight Jewish summer camps, teen Israel experiences, and youth enrichment and engagement programs. Its website describes operating and special-initiative grants, capital and endowment campaign support for Seattle-area day schools; opportunity grants, capital funding and needs-based scholarships for Washington State Jewish overnight camps; and multi-year program grants for youth enrichment and engagement. It also describes grants for specific teen Israel travel programs and needs-based scholarships.
In Israel, the foundation identifies six areas of philanthropy: archaeology, Aliyah and absorption, educational support, poverty and social mobility, widows and orphans, and wildlife preservation. Its website also describes capital, multi-year program and incubator grants in Israel.
Among its grantees, Northwest Yeshiva High School describes itself as a private institution educating Jewish students in grades 9–12. Seattle Hebrew Academy says it provides a Judaic and secular dual curriculum and Torah values, and also offers adult education and parenting classes and hosts athletic events. NLI USA says it builds U.S. support for the National Library of Israel and works to expand the impact of its collections, cultural programs and educational resources. PEF Israel Endowment Funds describes work that includes supporting people in need and educational and religious institutions in Israel.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Samis reported 73 grants totaling $8,322,959. Grant amounts ranged from $180 to $1,636,448, with a median of $20,000. The listed grants generally give the purpose as “educational & humanitarian.”
Among the largest 2024 grants were $1,636,448 to Northwest Yeshiva High School, $1,501,814 to Seattle Hebrew Academy, $1,049,769 to Jewish Day School, $861,189 to Menachem Mendel Seattle Cheder, and $734,862 to Seattle Jewish Community School. Other notable grants included $416,980 to PEF Israel Endowment Funds, $250,000 to NLI USA Inc, $200,000 to Central Fund of Israel, and $181,442 to Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Constance Kanter as chief executive officer; David Ellenhorn as chair from March 2024; and Eli Genauer as chair through February 2024 and member at large. It also lists Rabbi Benjamin Hassan as rabbi; Louis Treiger as secretary; Greg Roer as treasurer; Victor Alhadeff and Eli Almo as members at large; Jack Almo as member at large; and Dave Azose as member at large through December 2024.
Samis Foundation is led by Constance Kanter, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; 3 of 20 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Constance Kanter
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$157K (2020) → $185K (2024)
David Ellenhorn
Chair
Board Vc, Vc Trustee & Governor → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$4K (2024)
Eli Genauer
Chair & Member at Large
Treasurer, Chair, Finance, Audit & Vc Endow → Chair, 2022
Chair → Chair & Member at Large, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rabbi Benjamin Hassan
Rabbi
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$4K (2024)
Al Maimon
Member at Large
Chair & Grants Committee → Member at Large, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barry Ernstoff
Member at Large
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dana Behar
Member at Large
Chair & Endowment Investment → Member at Large, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Azose
Member at Large
Board Chair → Member at Large, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eli Almo
Member at Large
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Greg Roer
Treasurer
Chair Trusteeship Committee → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Cohen
Member at Large
Secretary → Member at Large, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Judy Neuman
Member at Large
Member at Large → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Member at Large, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Louis Treiger
Secretary
Member at Large → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Erlitz
Member at Large
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Victor Alhadeff
Member at Large
Vice Chair & Grants Committee → Member at Large, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bea Nahon
Member at Large
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jack Almo
Member at Large
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elana Zana
Member at Large
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hart Cole
Member at Large
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Deva Hasson
Member at Large
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: Ernie Sherman (2020–2023) — Member at Large
- Former: Alex Sytman (2020–2022) — Member at Large
- Former: Eddie Hasson (2020–2022) — Member at Large
- Former: Lucy Pruzan (2020–2022) — Member at Large
- Former: Rabbi Ron-Ami Meyers (2020–2022) — Rabbi
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $185K, to Constance Kanter (Chief Executive Officer). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Samis Foundation
How much does Samis Foundation give each year?
Samis Foundation gave $8.3M across 73 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $8.0M across 70 grants.
What is Samis Foundation's typical grant size?
Samis Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $114,013, across 73 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Samis Foundation that year got $19K on average.
Where does Samis Foundation give grants?
Samis Foundation gives mostly in Washington: 80% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Seattle, WA (26 grants), New York, NY (14 grants), Mercer Island, WA (4 grants) and Bellevue, WA (3 grants).
Does Samis Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 73 grants with a stated purpose on Samis Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational & Humanitarian" (73 grants).
Who are Samis Foundation's largest grantees?
Samis Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Northwest Yeshiva High School ($1,636,448), Seattle Hebrew Academy ($1,501,814) and Jewish Day School ($1,049,769), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Samis Foundation?
Samis Foundation reported $109.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $9.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Samis Foundation fund?
In Washington State, Samis supports Jewish day schools, overnight Jewish summer camps, teen Israel experiences, and youth enrichment and engagement programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Samis Foundation?
Samis does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Samis Foundation's EIN?
Samis Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1641746. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Samis Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Samis Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Samis Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/samis-foundation-morg_5a64f49288f94fef803ef62a397f5ac2
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_911641746_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Samis Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/samis-foundation-morg_5a64f49288f94fef803ef62a397f5ac2},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Samis Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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