Samuelson Charitable Foundation
The Samuelson Charitable Foundation is a private foundation based in Los Angeles, California. Its 2024 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including universities, housing organizations, churches, and other community organizations.
Samuelson Charitable Foundation at a glance
In short: Samuelson Charitable Foundation gave $699K across 21 grants in 2024 (avg $33K), mostly in California. 29% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $699,000
- +288.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- -19.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $33,286
- +380.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $7,500
- Total assets
- $24,789,659
- +74.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 29% first-time grantees (6 of 21, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- California (97% 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 Samuelson Charitable Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 5000 Edenhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Phone: (818) 500-0155
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Samuelson Charitable Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was California Lutheran University ($250K). Together the top 10 received $652K.
Grant Size Distribution
106 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 102 grants of 106 (96%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 filing reports that 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in California. It reports 1% each for Utah, Colorado, and Arizona, and 0% for Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 21 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Samuelson Charitable Foundation open to new grantees?
29%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 21 grantees (29%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $46K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 67% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 539% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 67% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 $81K (2020) to $699K (2024). In 2024 it made 21 grants totaling $699K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California Lutheran University Thousand Oaks, CA | General Program Support | $250,000 |
| Occidental College Los Angeles, CA | General Program Support | $250,000 |
| Beacon Housing Inc Los Angeles, CA | General Program Support | $29,500 |
| Connect 2 Ministries Simi Valley, CA | General Program Support | $29,500 |
| Bridges La Canada, CA | General Program Support | $20,000 |
| Door of Hope Pasadena, CA | General Program Support | $20,000 |
| Crossroads Community Church Valencia, CA | General Program Support | $18,500 |
| Christ Lutheran Church Santa Clarita, CA | General Program Support | $14,000 |
| The Madeleine Choir School Salt Lake City, UT | General Program Support | $10,000 |
| YMCA of the Foothill La Canada, CA | General Program Support | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Samuelson Charitable Foundation?
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 | $24,789,659 | $11,361,546 | $746,754 | $699,000 | 21 | $723,187 | $1,013,924 | $1,082,261 |
| 2023 | $14,180,742 | $12,058,287 | $210,453 | $179,957 | 26 | $191,636 | $244,470 | $340,861 |
| 2022 | $2,332,896 | $140,979 | $199,743 | $185,515 | 19 | $185,615 | $26,351 | $147,820 |
| 2021 | $2,391,660 | $543,606 | $132,176 | $109,400 | 20 | $109,425 | $9,888 | $144,693 |
| 2020 | $1,980,230 | $90,320 | $89,931 | $80,600 | 20 | — | $81,136 | $118,945 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Samuelson Charitable Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for higher education, housing and services for people facing homelessness, church and ministry organizations, and youth and environmental work.
The grantees describe their own missions as follows: California Lutheran University says it educates leaders for a global society and commits them to service and justice. Beacon Housing says it assists people vulnerable to homelessness through low-cost accommodation, supportive services, and affordable housing solutions. Door of Hope says it provides transitional housing and services to families facing homelessness. Connect 2 Ministries says it connects local churches to foreign mission projects. The Los Angeles Conservation Corps says it creates opportunities for young people through work, education, and support.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 21 grants totaling $699,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $250,000, with a median of $7,500. The two largest grants were $250,000 each to California Lutheran University and Occidental College, both for general program support. Other notable grants included $29,500 each to Beacon Housing Inc. and Connect 2 Ministries, and $20,000 each to Bridges and Door of Hope. The filing lists the grants as general program support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Reid G Samuelson as chief executive officer, Warren Lukesh as chief financial officer, Todd Samuelson as secretary, and Gary Awad and H James Schafer as officers.
Samuelson Charitable Foundation is led by Reid G. Samuelson, Chief Executive Officer since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Reid G. Samuelson
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer → Chief Executive Officer, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Awad
Officer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
H. James Schafer
Officer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd Samuelson
Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Warren Lukesh
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Doris C. Samuelson (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Jack D. Samuelson (2020–2021) — Chief Executive Officer
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 Samuelson Charitable Foundation
How much does Samuelson Charitable Foundation give each year?
Samuelson Charitable Foundation gave $699K across 21 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $180K across 26 grants.
What is Samuelson Charitable Foundation's typical grant size?
Samuelson Charitable Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $7,500, and its average grant was $33,286, across 21 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Samuelson Charitable Foundation that year got $46K on average.
Where does Samuelson Charitable Foundation give grants?
Samuelson Charitable Foundation gives mostly in California: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Los Angeles, CA (4 grants), La Canada, CA (2 grants) and Santa Clarita, CA (2 grants).
Does Samuelson Charitable Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Samuelson Charitable Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (21 of 21) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Samuelson Charitable Foundation's largest grantees?
Samuelson Charitable Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include California Lutheran University ($250,000), Occidental College ($250,000) and Beacon Housing Inc ($29,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Samuelson Charitable Foundation?
Samuelson Charitable Foundation reported $24.8M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $723K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Samuelson Charitable Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants include support for higher education, housing and services for people facing homelessness, church and ministry organizations, and youth and environmental work. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Samuelson Charitable Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Samuelson Charitable Foundation's EIN?
Samuelson Charitable Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-4594473. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Samuelson Charitable 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 Samuelson Charitable Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Schneider Foundation
La Canada, CA
The Schneider Foundation supports schools, churches, and organizations working in areas including housing, health, and humanitarian aid. Its 2025 grants ranged from $200 to $1,800, with a median of $1,000; most funding went to California, with smaller amounts going to Colorado, North Carolina, and Virginia. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$327K
Grants
18
Total Given
$15K
Pasadena Community Foundation
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena Community Foundation funds nonprofits and community initiatives across arts and culture, education, human services, health and safety, community development, and environmental and animal welfare, primarily in Pasadena, Altadena, and Sierra Madre. Its 2025 grants had a median award of $20,000, though amounts varied widely; it uses both competitive and invitation-only programs, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$225.2M
Grants
275
Total Given
$27.9M
Ann Peppers Foundation
Pasadena, CA
The Ann Peppers Foundation supports education, social services, and arts organizations in the Los Angeles County area. In 2024, grants ranged from $4,000 to $150,000, with a median of $25,000. It does not limit giving to preselected organizations; contact Whittier Trust Philanthropic Services for submission guidelines and deadlines.
Assets
$50.8M
Grants
54
Total Given
$1.5M
The Ahmanson Foundation
Beverly Hills, CA
The Ahmanson Foundation funds Los Angeles County nonprofits in arts and humanities, education, health care, human services, homelessness, and environmental preservation, often for construction, equipment, or other one-time project costs. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $6.3 million, with a median of $50,000. It encourages applicants to submit a Letter of Inquiry, but the profile does not explicitly state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5B
Grants
442
Total Given
$65.5M
The Rose Hills Foundation
Pasadena, CA
The Rose Hills Foundation funds qualified nonprofits working in education, arts and culture, support for at-risk youth and families, and human services, primarily benefiting Los Angeles County and Southern California. Its 2024 grants ranged from $6,000 to $1 million, with a median of $50,000. It accepts applications year-round from eligible organizations, but does not accept unsolicited requests from certain large medical and educational institutions.
Assets
$561.2M
Grants
297
Total Given
$27.9M
The Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris
Torrance, CA
The Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation funds nonprofits in medicine, education, community and youth programs, science, and the arts, with a strong emphasis on California, especially Southern California. Its 2025 grants ranged from $3,000 to $1.1 million, with a median of $30,000. It funds preselected organizations only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$127.4M
Grants
159
Total Given
$13.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in California
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Samuelson Charitable Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/samuelson-charitable-foundation-morg_a5af9a81f9ef46d98a638673206e1a2b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_954594473_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Samuelson Charitable Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/samuelson-charitable-foundation-morg_a5af9a81f9ef46d98a638673206e1a2b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Samuelson Charitable 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.
Samuelson Charitable Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?