Photo courtesy of Jonathan Moore
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
The SAM Initiative, a Los Angeles-based giving circle with ties to Pacific Palisades, announced its 2021-22 grant recipients, which total more than $350,000 across seven local nonprofits.
“The SAM Initiative is an LA-based giving circle whose members are committed to driving social change and nonprofit sustainability—many of which live in the Palisades,” Director of Operations Michelle Ohayon shared.
The program was launched in 2013 by Mindy Freedman, a member of Kehillat Israel, as a group of individuals who pool their financial resources and experience to fund and support programming throughout the city that aims to promote social change and benefit women, children and families.
“Together, we strive to educate and engage donors by investing in community-based organizations that reflect our passions and address the most pressing needs in our community,” according to The SAM Initiative website. “We pride ourselves on our ability to connect people to organizations they’re passionate about—many of our members have been inspired to make personal donations, volunteer and get involved in new causes.”
The SAM Initiative focused on three primary areas when selecting recipients this cycle: education equity, at-risk youth and mental health, “with an expanded focus on social enterprises.”
“It’s been another powerful year for SAM, especially coming out of the throes of the pandemic,” Freedman shared. “Our members continue to be generous with their time, their commitment and resources.”
A Place Called Home, which strives to provide South Central youth with a safe, nurturing environment as well as programming in the arts, education and wellness, received $80,000 to support 700 underserved youth by bridging the technological gap that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a statement from The SAM Initiative.
“At a time when so many individuals feel powerless to make a difference,” A Place Called Home Founder Jonathan Zeichner shared, “SAM unites us for a collective purpose: to impact the world together.”
Bridge Builders LA received $75,000 to “empower young men of color through their elementary and high school mentorship program,” which teaches values and strategies for them to thrive within the community.
“Piece by Piece was granted $65,000 to support residents of South Los Angeles and Skid Row who have experienced homelessness by providing free mosaic art workshops as a path to earned income,” according to the statement. “EmpowHer institute was granted $55,000 to empower marginalized girls and young women through mentoring, training and education.”
In order to help provide young adults with developmental disabilities with job training, Mychal’s Learning Place received $35,000, and MADE By Downtown Women’s Center was granted $20,000 to support women experiencing homelessness by providing training and employment opportunities through the program’s three businesses: a gift shop, resale boutique and cafe.
The final grant recipient this giving cycle was NeuroTalent Works, which received $20,000 to “support individuals on the autism spectrum so they can find gainful employment based on their skills and interests.”
In addition to doling out these grants, SAM also hosted an event for KidSave, which raised awareness and $150,000 for the program. KidSave helps find families for older children for adoption, driven by the “simple belief that orphans and children everywhere deserve to grow up with the support of a loving, caring family,” according to its website.
For the third year in a row, The SAM Initiative worked with students from Wildwood Schools’ Wildwood Institute for Social Leadership, which consults with area nonprofits and organizations in order to define and address social issues. The members conduct community and field research, which results in “both deep understanding and concrete plants to create positive change.”
This year, 16 students actively participated in SAM’s research process for the most recent giving cycle, with the collaboration designed to emphasize the program’s “commitment to the community by including local youth perspectives as they work to improve the lives of women, children and families in Los Angeles through engaged philanthropy.”
Since its inaugural giving cycle in 2014, The SAM Initiative has bestowed more than $2.5 million to local nonprofits, motivated by Freedman’s personal motto: “We can do far more together than we can alone.”
For more information on The SAM Initiative, visit saminitiative.org.
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