The Joe & Sandy Samberg Foundation makes a small number of large, strategic grants to national organizations focused on improving wellbeing, social impact innovation, and philanthropic capacity. Their giving favors program-forward nonprofits that work at the intersection of mental/brain health, experiential therapeutic programming, and building the infrastructure or platforms for social good rather than local, place-based charity. Grants are sizable and appear intended to scale programs or support organizational growth.
The Joe & Sandy Samberg Foundation Inc has made a visible commitment to mental health and psychedelic-informed care through repeated grants to organizations working on treatment models, research, and access. One of its largest recent gifts went to The 1440 Foundation for $400,000 in 2025, and other major awards have gone to First Descents for $250,000 in 2025 and Brainfutures for $250,000 in 2024. That pattern points to a funder that backs program-forward organizations rather than broad local charity. The foundation’s recent grants also show support for therapeutic and health-oriented nonprofits serving people facing serious illness or vulnerability. Heroic Hearts Project received $160,000 in 2024 and $150,000 in 2025, while Fireside Project received $125,000 in 2024 and another $125,000 in 2025. In the same period, it also funded Usona Institute and NYU Langone Health, suggesting interest in both research and service delivery. Its giving is not limited to one subtype of health work. The portfolio includes general support for social-good platforms and capacity-building organizations, alongside grants to university and clinical institutions. Overall, the foundation appears to favor substantial, targeted awards to groups that can extend services, advance innovation, or strengthen the infrastructure around wellbeing.
Mental health is a core theme in the foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $250,000 in 2024 to Brainfutures, and the grant lists also include awards to Usona Institute for $120,900 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2024, as well as NYU Langone Health for $100,000 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2024. A second thread is experiential support for ill or vulnerable people. First Descents received $250,000 in 2025, and Heroic Hearts Project received $160,000 in 2024 and $150,000 in 2025. The foundation also backed Fireside Project with $125,000 in 2024 and $125,000 in 2025. Beyond direct services, it funds organizations connected to philanthropy and social-good infrastructure. The 1440 Foundation received $400,000 in 2025, while Social Good received $250,000 in 2023. Those grants fit a portfolio that includes platforms and intermediaries as well as program providers.
The Joe & Sandy Samberg Foundation Inc makes relatively large grants compared with its typical distribution: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. The recent grant list, however, includes many six-figure awards, showing a split between smaller grants and selective large commitments. Recurring support is common for some recipients: Fireside Project, Heroic Hearts Project, Arbor Brothers Inc, NYU Langone Health, Usona Institute, Chakanareconsider, Soul Ryeders, and Psfc each appear more than once across years. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make PRIs. Its core programs are invitation-based rather than open to unsolicited applications.
$2.2M
$39.7M
$1.3M
$2.3M
Most grants fall between $1K and $15K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Concentrated giving: very few, large grants (five grants totaling $1.45M) directed to national organizations. Emphasis on one-time or major gifts to scale programs and strengthen institutional capacity rather than many small awards; mix of programmatic and general support.
Notable grantees: THE 1440 FOUNDATION, FIRST DESCENTS, BRAINFUTURES, CHAKANARECONSIDER, SOCIAL GOOD
Although the foundation is headquartered in Rye, NY, its grants are distributed nationally. New York recipients appear frequently, including New York City, Rye, and Accord. Other repeated locations include San Francisco, Madison, and Chicago. By recipient-country distribution, every grant in the data goes to U.S. organizations. The top state by grant count is Wisconsin, which reflects where recipients are located rather than the foundation’s headquarters.
Its recent grants favor nonprofits working in mental health, including traditional and psychedelic-informed approaches, physical health, food security, education, and employment. The grant list also shows support for therapeutic programs, research institutions, and organizations that build philanthropic or social-good infrastructure.
No. The listed grant programs say funding is by invitation only, and the foundation accepts unsolicited applications as false across the active programs shown.
The distribution shows a p25 of $1,000, a median grant of $2,500, and a p75 of $15,000. At the same time, the recent grants list includes larger strategic awards such as $400,000 and multiple $250,000 grants.
Giving is regional, with 60% of grants going to recipients in New York state. The grant list also includes organizations in California, Colorado, Maryland, Illinois, Virginia, and Wisconsin, so the portfolio reaches beyond the HQ state.
Yes. Fireside Project appears in 2024 and 2025, Heroic Hearts Project appears in 2024 and 2025, and several other recipients recur across years, including NYU Langone Health, Usona Institute, Arbor Brothers Inc, Chakanareconsider, Soul Ryeders, and Psfc.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE 1440 FOUNDATION | SARATOGA, CA | $400,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| FIRST DESCENTS | DENVER, CO | $250,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| HEROIC HEARTS PROJECT | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| FIRESIDE PROJECT | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $125,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| RYE ARTS CENTER | RYE, NY | $101,120 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| ARBOR BROTHERS INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| PSFC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| SOUL RYEDERS | RYE, NY | $60,260 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| FJCNATAN FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $51,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| TAMID GROUP | SILVER SPRING, MD | $50,150 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SHEFA - JEWISH PSYCHEDELIC SUPPORT | BERKELEY, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| HEALING BREAKTHROUGH | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| PANORAMA GLOBAL | SEATTLE, WA | $35,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| CHAKANARECONSIDER | ACCORD, NY | $32,500 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUE OF RYE | RYE, NY | $32,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| FEEDING WESTCHESTER | ELMSFORD, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| EMMAS TORCH | BROOKLYN, NY | $30,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| APOLLO PACT | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| DREAM | OAKLAND, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| OPEN DOOR FOUNDATION | OSSINING, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| WILLIAM G NASH FOUNDATION | SANTA MONICA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| BOB WOODRUFF FAMILY FOUNDATION | BRISTOW, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| WHIN COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| INDIGENOUS MEDICINE CONSERVATION FU | SANTA ROSA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| PROTEA FOUNDATION | BOULDER, CO | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| THE SURVIVORSHIP COLLECTIVE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| SOTF | SMYRNA, GA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| FRIENDS OF OFANIM | WAYNE, PA | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| PROJECT MORRY | WHITE PLAINS, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| STEER FOR STUDENT ATHLETES | RYE, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| GRASSROOT SOCCER | HANOVER, NH | $15,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| CHACRUNA | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $12,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| YM YMHA OF WASHINGTON HEIGHTS AND I | NEW YORK, NY | $12,500 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| MACCABI WORLD UNION | NEW YORK CITY, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| NORTHWELL HEALTH FOUNDATION | NEW HYDE PARK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| NPA FOUNDATION | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| HEALING ADVOCACY FUND | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| RYE NATURE CENTER | RYE, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| HAND IN HAND | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| ELEPHANT FAMILY USA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $7,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER | PLEASANTVILLE, NY | $6,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| MAPS | SAN JOSE, CA | $5,761 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| MEALS ON MAIN STREET | PORT CHESTER, NY | $5,650 | 2025 | CHARITY |
| COMPASSION CHOICES | NEW YORK, NY | $5,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| PORT CHESTER CARVER CENTER | PORT CHESTER, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| NORTHERN WESTCHESTER HOSPITAL | MOUNT KISCO, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| JEWISH FEDERATION LOS ANGELES | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITY |
THE 1440 FOUNDATION
$400,000CHARITABLE
RYE ARTS CENTER
$101,120CHARITY
CHARITABLE
SOUL RYEDERS
$60,260CHARITABLE
FJCNATAN FUND
$51,000CHARITABLE
TAMID GROUP
$50,150CHARITABLE
CHAKANARECONSIDER
$32,500CHARITY
COMMUNITY SYNAGOGUE OF RYE
$32,000CHARITABLE
APOLLO PACT
$25,000CHARITABLE
DREAM
$25,000CHARITABLE
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
$25,000CHARITY
WILLIAM G NASH FOUNDATION
$25,000CHARITY
BOB WOODRUFF FAMILY FOUNDATION
$25,000CHARITABLE
PROTEA FOUNDATION
$20,000CHARITY
THE SURVIVORSHIP COLLECTIVE
$20,000CHARITABLE
SOTF
$20,000CHARITABLE
FRIENDS OF OFANIM
$20,000CHARITY
PROJECT MORRY
$15,000CHARITABLE
CHACRUNA
$12,500CHARITABLE
YM YMHA OF WASHINGTON HEIGHTS AND I
$12,500CHARITY
NPA FOUNDATION
$10,000CHARITY
HARLEM CHILDREN'S ZONE
$10,000CHARITABLE
RYE NATURE CENTER
$10,000CHARITABLE
ELEPHANT FAMILY USA INC
$7,000CHARITABLE
MAPS
$5,761CHARITABLE
MEALS ON MAIN STREET
$5,650CHARITY
COMPASSION CHOICES
$5,500CHARITABLE
JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER
$5,000CHARITABLE
JEWISH FEDERATION LOS ANGELES
$5,000CHARITY