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SAMFund Financial Assistance Grant

EXPECT MIRACLES FOUNDATION

Foundation Semi-annual Grants for Cancer NonprofitsHardship Grants
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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

SAMFund Financial Assistance Grant

Organization: Expect Miracles Foundation (EMF)

Status: Currently Closed (as of 2026-04-03)

Geographic Scope: United States (U.S. residents only)

Program Focus: Financial assistance grants for young adult cancer survivors experiencing financial hardship from their cancer experience.

    Background

  • SAMFund grants were first awarded in 2005 in response to higher rates of financial toxicity among young adult survivors
  • Became an EMF program in 2019
  • As of the latest data, 2,800+ grants totaling nearly $5 million have been awarded
  • Grants are awarded twice yearly (semi-annual cycles)
  • Fall 2024 cycle awarded $275,474 to 111 survivors

Eligibility Requirements

General Criteria (ALL must be met):

  • U.S. Resident

  • Between 21-39 years of age at time of application

  • Not tax dependent in most recent year's tax filing

  • Did not receive a SAMFund grant in the previous grant cycle

  • Have not been awarded 2 or more SAMFund grants total (financial assistance and/or family building combined)

    • Medical Criteria (ONE must be met):

  • Complete Response/Remission or No Evidence of Disease (NED)

  • Partial Response or Stable Disease with 1+ year passed active treatment

  • Long-term hormonal therapy (Tamoxifen), long-term targeted molecular therapy (Gleevac, Herceptin), or immunotherapy acceptable if remission criteria met

  • Not eligible if actively receiving chemotherapy or radiation

      • What's Covered

    • Rent or mortgage payments
    • Car payments
    • Graduate or continuing education
    • Fertility storage fees
    • Reconstructive, dental, or cosmetic procedures related to cancer treatment

      What's NOT Covered

    • Undergraduate tuition
    • Medical bills
    • Credit card payments
    • Payments to friends or family members
    • Personal or student loans
    • Car purchases or repairs
    • Utilities
    • Family-building expenses (covered by Family Building Grant)
    • Weddings
    • Vacations

      Prioritization Criteria

    • Applicants providing detailed information about how current financial situation was adversely impacted by cancer
    • Applicants with immediate and essential financial need lacking other financial support
    • Fully complete and accurate applications describing financial circumstances
    • Clear explanation of how grant will help applicant move forward beyond immediate relief

    Contact Information

    Expect Miracles Foundation 89 South Street Suite 701 Boston, MA 02111 Phone: 617.938.3484 Email: info@expectmiraclesfoundation.org Website: expectmiraclesfoundation.org

      Additional Resources

    • EMF partners with Dollar For for medical debt relief services
    • Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) available on website

    How to Apply

    How to Apply for SAMFund Financial Assistance Grant

    Step 1: Download a medical history verification form and send to your healthcare practitioner for completion.

  • Form cannot be completed more than 14 days prior to grant opening

  • [Medical Form available on website]

    • Step 2: Complete tax documentation

  • If you have not filed taxes in 2023 and/or 2024, download and complete a tax affidavit form

  • Form cannot be completed more than 14 days prior to grant opening

  • Otherwise, you will be instructed to upload tax documents to confirm income

  • [Affidavit Form available on website]

    • Step 3: Submit online application

  • Complete EMF SAMFund grant application through online portal

  • Upload the medical history verification form and tax documents as part of application

  • Include detailed information about:

    • - How cancer experience negatively impacted financial situation
    - Current financial circumstances
    - Specific need the grant will address
    - How grant will help applicant move forward

      Application Support

    • NEW FOR 2026: Step-by-step walkthrough video available to guide applicants through full process
    • Video highlights what to expect along the way
    • FAQ section available to answer common questions

    Current Status: Grant is Closed (check website for next cycle opening date)

    Apply with Grantable Learn more

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    cancerhardship

    Categories

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    Grants for Cancer NonprofitsHardship Grants

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