
The Sam Simon Charitable Giving Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on animal welfare and direct human relief, primarily channeling large gifts to a small set of affiliated charities and national animal‑protection organizations. Much of its funding flows to vehicles bearing Sam Simon’s name (including a dedicated feeding‑families fund) and to PETA for cruelty investigations, rescue work, and capacity building. Grants are typically unrestricted or broad program support intended to scale operations and sustain ongoing charitable activities.
Sam Simon Charitable Giving Foundation Inc. directs some of its largest grants to feeder charities and animal-protection work, with repeated seven-figure support for The Sam Simon Feeding Families Foundation and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Those awards show a pattern of backing organizations that can sustain ongoing programs rather than one-time projects. The foundation also gives sizable support to affiliated Sam Simon entities for charitable, scientific, literary, or educational activities, alongside direct grants for rescue, cruelty investigations, and capacity building. Its animal welfare funding is not limited to advocacy: one of the named recent grants supported the Sam Simon Animal Rescue Fund, cruelty investigations and interventions, and organizational capacity building at PETA. Another grant went to Save the Chimps Inc for emergency rescue and care for chimpanzees. On the human services side, the foundation has backed direct service providers in Los Angeles with grants for street outreach, interim housing, food distribution, early education, and employment-related services. Across these areas, the foundation favors large awards to organizations already operating at scale, often with broad or unrestricted support language that helps sustain ongoing charitable work.
Animal welfare is a central thread in the foundation’s giving. In 2025 it gave $500,000 to Save the Chimps Inc for emergency rescue and care for chimpanzees, and it also supported Mercy for Animals Inc with $400,000 for its investigations unit. Earlier grants to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals carried the same animal-rescue and cruelty-investigation language, showing a consistent emphasis on intervention and protection. Human services grants cluster around Los Angeles-based direct service work. Para Los Ninos received $600,000 in 2025 for its early education program, while Homeless Health Care Los Angeles received $500,000 for the street outreach and integration program. Food procurement and hunger relief also appear through Food Forward, which received $580,000 in 2025 for core programming and $350,000 in 2025 from Farmlink Project for food procurement for food banks and communities in need. The foundation also funds education and youth pathways, including $525,000 to Kipp La Schools for the KIPP Forward program and $450,000 to Chrysalis for staff training, employment programming, enterprises, and compensation increases.
$17.1M
$283.8M
$23.4M
$18.8M
Most grants fall between $50K and $300K, with a median of $140K.
25th Percentile
$50K
Median
$140K
75th Percentile
$300K
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Highly concentrated: few, very large grants concentrated among a small number of repeat grantees (multiple grants to the foundation’s own entities and to PETA), favoring broad program/organizational support over many small awards.
Notable grantees: The Sam Simon Feeding Families Foundation, The Sam Simon Charitable Foundation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
Typical grant size is $50,000 at the 25th percentile, $140,000 at the median, and $300,000 at the 75th percentile, though the recent grants list includes much larger awards in the multi-million-dollar range. The pattern suggests a mix of very large institutional support and a broader tier of six-figure operating or program grants. Several recipients recur across years, including The Sam Simon Feeding Families Foundation, The Sam Simon Charitable Foundation, PETA, Para Los Ninos, Food Forward, and Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, which points to repeat support rather than one-off giving. The foundation is classified as a regular funder, and the grants shown are mostly program support, general operating support, or capacity-building awards.
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in California: 78% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and California is also the top state by grant count. Los Angeles appears often, including grants to Para Los Ninos, Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, Kedren Community Health Center Inc, and The People Concern. Other California recipient locations include North Hollywood, Westlake Village, and Los Angeles County-area organizations such as Food Forward. Outside California, the list includes Norfolk, Virginia, and Fort Pierce, Florida.
The foundation most often backs animal welfare organizations and direct human services providers. Recent grants include support for animal rescue, cruelty investigations, and chimpanzee care, as well as early education, street outreach, interim housing, food procurement, and employment-related services in Los Angeles.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated support for The Sam Simon Feeding Families Foundation, The Sam Simon Charitable Foundation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Para Los Ninos, Food Forward, and Homeless Health Care Los Angeles across multiple years.
Typical grant size is $50,000 at the 25th percentile, $140,000 at the median, and $300,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants also include several larger six- and seven-figure awards, including multi-million-dollar support for affiliated Sam Simon entities.
California receives 78% of the grants listed, and it is the top state by grant count. Many recipients are in Los Angeles, with additional California grantees in North Hollywood, Westlake Village, and other parts of the region.
The active programs list says both Compassionate Treatment of Animals and Pathways Out of Poverty do not accept unsolicited applications.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE SAM SIMON FEEDING FAMILIES FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $3,500,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY, OR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE GRANTEE. |
| THE SAM SIMON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,774,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY, OR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE GRANTEE. |
| PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS | NORFOLK, VA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE SAM SIMON ANIMAL RESCUE FUND, CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS AND INTERVENTIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING. |
| PARA LOS NINOS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $600,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT PARA LOS NINOS EARLY EDUCATION PROGRAM. |
| FOOD FORWARD | NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | $580,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT FOOD FORWARD'S CORE PROGRAMMING. |
| SAVE THE CHIMPS INC | FT PIERCE, FL | $500,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE EMERGENCY RESCUE AND CARE FOR CHIMPANZEES. |
| HOMELESS HEALTH CARE LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | To support THE STREET OUTREACH AND INTEGRATION PROGRAM. |
| DOWNTOWN WOMEN'S CENTER | Los Angeles, CA | $450,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE AGING IN PLACE PROGRAM. |
| KIPP SOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $450,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT creating joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with skills and confidence they need to pursue their paths. |
| MERCY FOR ANIMALS INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT INVESTIGATIONS UNIT. |
| KEDREN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER INC | LOS ANGELES, CA | $375,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE AB109 PROGRAM. |
| PEOPLE CONCERN inc | LOS ANGELES, CA | $350,000 | 2025 | To support interim housing and wellness. |
| SHOES THAT FIT | claremont, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE PURCHASE OF SHOES FOR DISTRIBUTION TO CHILDREN IN NEED. |
| THE WILD ANIMAL SANCTUARY | KEENESBURG, CO | $300,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. |
| CHRYSALIS CENTER INC | HARTFORD, CT | $300,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT PROVIDING SERVICES TO ASSIST PEOPLE IN NEED TO TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES. |
| UNITED ANIMAL NATIONS dba redrover | sacramento, CA | $300,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE REDROVER SAFE HOUSING PILOT PROGRAM. |
| Center for Orangutan & Chimpanzee Conservation Inc | Wauchula, FL | $300,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT CARE FOR THE APES AT THE SANCTUARY. |
| BET TZEDEK | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE EVICTION DEFENSE PROJECT. |
| COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE community development | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE LAUNCHING SUCCESSFUL YOUTH WORKFORCE THROUGH STABLE HOUSING SUPPORT. |
| SWIPE OUT HUNGER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $245,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT SWIPE'S PROGRAMS ADDRESSING HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES. |
| Chimp Haven Inc | Keithville, LA | $240,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE TRANSPORT AND CARE OF THE ANIMALS. |
| PUBLIC COUNSEL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $235,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE EVICTION PREVENTION AND HOUSING INSTABILITY PROGRAM. |
| PERFORMING ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY | GALT, CA | $225,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT MEDICAL AND GENERAL CARE OF ANIMALS. |
| LOS ANGELES YOUTH NETWORK | los angeles, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | TO support empowering young people and end homelessness. |
| NEIGHBORHOOD LEGAL SERVICES OF LOS ANGELES County | GLENDALE, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE HOUSING AND EVICTION DEFENSE PROGRAM. |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF LOS ANGELES | Los Angeles, CA | $200,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. |
| SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH inc | venice, CA | $160,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE EMERGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM. |
| Karsh Family Social Service Center Inc | Los Angeles, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT STAFF AT THE KARSH CENTER WEST. |
| MANY MANSIONS | THOUSAND OAKS, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE community SERVICES PROGRAM. |
| READY TO SUCCEED | Santa Monica, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF THE FOSTER YOUTH CAREER ACCELERATOR PROGRAM. |
| A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $150,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. |
| Community Partners FBO Stepping Forward LA | Los Angeles, CA | $135,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE STEPPING FORWARD LA APP. |
| A SENSE OF HOME | Hawthorne, CA | $130,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT providing home for foster youth. |
| HARVEST HOME INC | Santa Monica, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE OPERATIONS OF THE PICO HOME. |
| MARINE MAMMAL CARE CENTER | San pedro, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT Ocean Conservation through marine animal rehabilitation, education, and research. |
| WILDLIFE SOS | SALT LAKE CITY, UT | $124,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT PROTECTING WILDLIFE. |
| WESTSIDE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER | CULVER CITY, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO support THE FAMILY PRACTICE PROGRAM. |
| THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST USA INC | LAGUNA HILLS, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE ORPHAN'S PROJECT. |
| DIDI HIRSCH PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE | CULVER CITY, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTERS. |
| CAL STATE FULLERTON PHILANTHROPIC Foundation | fullerton, CA | $90,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT BASIC NEEDS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PROJECT REBOUND PARTICIPANTS. |
| THE WHALE SANCTUARY PROJECT | KANAB, UT | $50,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. |
| NOHO HOME ALLIANCE | NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT providing meals for homeless. |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM | new york, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT RELIEF EFFORTS IN ISRAEL. |
| EL NIDO FAMILY CENTERS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. |
| BETTER ANGELS UNITED INC | Los Angeles, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT tackling and confronting homelessness |
| PITZER COLLEGE | claremont, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FORMERLY INCARCERATED STUDENTS AND STUDENTS AT RISK OR FACING HOUSING INSECURITY WHILE PURSUING A BACHELOR'S DEGREE AT PITZER COLLEGE. |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LOS ANGELES | Los Angeles, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO support MOORPARK PANTRY PLUS. |
| INTERFACE CHILDREN FAMILY SERVICES | CAMARILLO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | To support MENTAL HEALTH AND TRAUMA TREATMENT PROGRAM. |
| MARTHA'S VILLAGE AND KITCHEN INC | indio, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT transforming the lives of the impoverished and homeless. |
| STEP UP TUTORING | SANTA MONICA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. |
THE SAM SIMON FEEDING FAMILIES FOUNDATION
$3,500,000TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY, OR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE GRANTEE.
THE SAM SIMON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$2,774,000TO SUPPORT THE ONGOING CHARITABLE, SCIENTIFIC, LITERARY, OR EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES OF THE GRANTEE.
TO SUPPORT THE SAM SIMON ANIMAL RESCUE FUND, CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS AND INTERVENTIONS, AND ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING.
TO SUPPORT FOOD FORWARD'S CORE PROGRAMMING.
SAVE THE CHIMPS INC
$500,000TO SUPPORT THE EMERGENCY RESCUE AND CARE FOR CHIMPANZEES.
HOMELESS HEALTH CARE LOS ANGELES
$500,000To support THE STREET OUTREACH AND INTEGRATION PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT creating joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with skills and confidence they need to pursue their paths.
KEDREN COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER INC
$375,000TO SUPPORT THE AB109 PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT THE PURCHASE OF SHOES FOR DISTRIBUTION TO CHILDREN IN NEED.
TO SUPPORT PROVIDING SERVICES TO ASSIST PEOPLE IN NEED TO TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES.
TO SUPPORT THE REDROVER SAFE HOUSING PILOT PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT CARE FOR THE APES AT THE SANCTUARY.
COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE community development
$250,000TO SUPPORT THE LAUNCHING SUCCESSFUL YOUTH WORKFORCE THROUGH STABLE HOUSING SUPPORT.
TO SUPPORT SWIPE'S PROGRAMS ADDRESSING HUNGER AND FOOD INSECURITY ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.
TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE TRANSPORT AND CARE OF THE ANIMALS.
TO SUPPORT THE EVICTION PREVENTION AND HOUSING INSTABILITY PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT MEDICAL AND GENERAL CARE OF ANIMALS.
LOS ANGELES YOUTH NETWORK
$200,000TO support empowering young people and end homelessness.
TO SUPPORT THE HOUSING AND EVICTION DEFENSE PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT THE EMERGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT STAFF AT THE KARSH CENTER WEST.
MANY MANSIONS
$150,000TO SUPPORT THE community SERVICES PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF THE FOSTER YOUTH CAREER ACCELERATOR PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT THE STEPPING FORWARD LA APP.
TO SUPPORT Ocean Conservation through marine animal rehabilitation, education, and research.
WILDLIFE SOS
$124,000TO SUPPORT PROTECTING WILDLIFE.
TO SUPPORT THE ORPHAN'S PROJECT.
DIDI HIRSCH PSYCHIATRIC SERVICE
$100,000TO SUPPORT THE RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTERS.
TO SUPPORT BASIC NEEDS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PROJECT REBOUND PARTICIPANTS.
THE WHALE SANCTUARY PROJECT
$50,000TO PROVIDE GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT.
NOHO HOME ALLIANCE
$50,000TO SUPPORT providing meals for homeless.
BETTER ANGELS UNITED INC
$25,000TO SUPPORT tackling and confronting homelessness
PITZER COLLEGE
$25,000TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FORMERLY INCARCERATED STUDENTS AND STUDENTS AT RISK OR FACING HOUSING INSECURITY WHILE PURSUING A BACHELOR'S DEGREE AT PITZER COLLEGE.
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF LOS ANGELES
$10,000TO support MOORPARK PANTRY PLUS.
To support MENTAL HEALTH AND TRAUMA TREATMENT PROGRAM.
TO SUPPORT transforming the lives of the impoverished and homeless.