Samson Foundation
Samson Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Carmel, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $29K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 2 grants totaling $2K.
Samson Foundation at a glance
In short: Samson Foundation gave $2K across 2 grants in 2024 (avg $1K), mostly in California. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,000
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 2
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $1,000
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $29,279
- -16.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Samson Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 2 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Carmel Public Library Foundation ($1K). Together the top 2 received $2K.
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 13 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 2 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Samson Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out 254% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2024) to $29K (2020). In 2024 it made 2 grants totaling $2K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Carmel Public Library Foundation Carmelbythesea, CA | General | $1,000 |
| Monterey Symphony Carmel, CA | General | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $29,279 | — | $5,885 | $2,000 | 2 | $3,955 | $1,555 |
| 2023 | $35,164 | — | $5,340 | $3,000 | 3 | $4,183 | $1,736 |
| 2022 | $40,504 | — | $5,640 | $3,000 | 3 | $4,320 | $1,995 |
| 2021 | $46,144 | — | $2,515 | — | — | — | $2,271 |
| 2020 | $48,659 | $25,000 | $31,375 | $29,000 | 5 | — | $2,390 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Samson Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Samson Foundation is led by Carolyn Samson, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carolyn Samson
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Leslie Fross
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Leslie J. Bell
Secretary
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Susan E. Galen
Treasurer & CFO
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: David Samson (2020–2022) — Assistant Secretary
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.
Frequently asked questions about Samson Foundation
How much does Samson Foundation give each year?
Samson Foundation gave $2K across 2 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3K across 3 grants.
How large is Samson Foundation?
Samson Foundation reported $29K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Samson Foundation?
Samson Foundation is a private foundation focused on Arts and culture, based in Carmel, CA. It holds $29K in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Samson Foundation operate?
Samson Foundation has awarded grants in California.
What is Samson Foundation's EIN?
Samson Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2462620. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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