The Walter and Marilyn Joy Samuels Charitable Foundation Trust makes a small number of sizable grants focused on urgent health and emergency needs. Recent grants combine local capital support for emergency medical services with substantial gifts to medical research and humanitarian relief organizations, indicating a preference for tangible impact—both community-level equipment and mission-driven national/international nonprofits. Gifts tend to be unrestricted or for capital/equipment, suggesting trust in recipient organizations' priorities.
A $350,000 grant to Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Inc for an ambulance set the tone for Walter and Marilyn Joy Samuels Charitable Foundation Trust’s recent giving: large checks directed to emergency response, medical research, and urgent human needs. The trust also made six-figure gifts in 2025 to World Central Kitchen Incorporated, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Inc, St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc, and Mercy Ships, showing a pattern that reaches from disaster relief to disease-specific research and treatment. The foundation’s recent grants include both capital support and unrestricted funding. In the health space, recipients range from hospitals and research universities to specialized nonprofits working on cancer, cardiology, ophthalmology, cleft care, and autoimmune disease. Outside medicine, the trust has backed food relief, animal welfare, and services for abandoned animals. Across these awards, the foundation favors organizations already carrying out direct service or research work, often with funding framed for equipment, program support, or general operations rather than short-term one-off projects. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on practical support for organizations addressing immediate needs and long-running medical challenges.
Emergency medical services appear prominently in the foundation’s giving. In 2025, it gave $100,000 to Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Inc for an ambulance fund and to purchase equipment, after a $350,000 grant in 2023 for an ambulance. Medical research is another clear thread. The trust awarded $150,000 to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Inc for ovarian cancer and related gynecologic research, and $50,000 to New York University for an immunology research fund. The foundation also supports treatment programs tied to specific patient populations. It gave $100,000 to Operation Smile Inc for treating cleft lips and cleft palates, and $25,000 to Overlook Foundation for an MS & NMOSD Patient Support Fund. Cardiovascular care is present as well, through a $115,000 grant to Norwalk Hospital Foundation Inc for its Heart and Vascular program and a $25,000 gift to St Vincents Foundation Inc for interventional cardiology, cardiovascular medicine, and cardiology physicians of Fairfield County.
$2.7M
$5.2M
$1.8M
$2.7M
Most grants fall between $21K and $75K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$21K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$75K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Concentrated giving with very few, relatively large grants per year; mix of one-off capital gifts and unrestricted operating support to established national charities rather than many small awards. Appears to fund both local community infrastructure and high-profile medical/humanitarian organizations.
Notable grantees: Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Inc., Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Inc., St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Inc., World Central Kitchen Incorporated
Typical awards cluster in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $21,250, a median grant size of $25,000, and a p75 of $75,000. The trust also makes occasional six-figure grants, including several at $100,000 or more. The recent record shows repeat support for some recipients across 2023 and 2025, including Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Inc, World Central Kitchen Incorporated, St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc, Operation Smile Inc, Lown Cardiovascular Group Inc, New York-presbyterian Fund Inc, Westport Animal Shelter Advocates, and Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York. The foundation is a trust, and the grants shown are to organizations rather than individuals, with many awards labeled general and unrestricted or directed to a specific fund or project.
Grant recipients are all in the United States, with no non-U.S. recipient countries in the recent record. New Jersey is the top state by grant count, led by recipients in South Orange, West Orange, and Summit. Other repeated locations include New York City and Westport, Connecticut. The pattern shows a national footprint rather than a single-city focus, with grants also reaching Washington, DC; Memphis; Virginia Beach; and Chicago.
The recent grants show a strong mix of emergency medical services, medical research, hospital and patient-support programs, and humanitarian relief. Examples include ambulance and equipment support for Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Inc, research funding for Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Inc, and general support for World Central Kitchen Incorporated.
The trust’s grant sizes cluster around $25,000, with a p25 of $21,250 and a p75 of $75,000. Recent awards also include larger grants at $100,000, $115,000, $125,000, $150,000, and $350,000.
Its giving is national. The recent grants go to recipients in multiple states, including New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Massachusetts, California, Illinois, and Washington, DC.
Yes. The recent record shows repeat support for several organizations across 2023 and 2025, including Westport Volunteer Emergency Medical Service Inc, World Central Kitchen Incorporated, St Jude Childrens Research Hospital Inc, Operation Smile Inc, Lown Cardiovascular Group Inc, New York-presbyterian Fund Inc, Westport Animal Shelter Advocates, and Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York.
No. The foundation funds organizations rather than individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WESTPORT VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE INC | WESTPORT, CT | $184,000 | 2026 | To purchase Life Packs and monitors |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INCORPORATED | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2026 | FUNDS DIRECTED FOR GLAUCOMA RESEARCH TO THE OPHTHALMOLOGY GIFT FUND UNDER DIRECTION OF AND IN HONOR OF DOCTOR JEFFREY M. LIEBMAN |
| NORWALK HOSPITAL FOUNDATION INC | NORWALK, CT | $150,000 | 2026 | For Heart and Vascular |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $150,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2026 | For Ovarian Cancer and Related Gynecologic research |
| MERCY SHIPS INTERNATIONAL | LINDALE, TX | $125,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY | PASADENA, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | To be used to rebuild and restore the damage caused by the California wild fires |
| COVENANT HOUSE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | To be used to rebuild and restore the damage caused by the California wild fires |
| CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION | SACRAMENTO, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | To be used to rebuild and restore the damage caused by the California wild fires |
| FEEDING AMERICA | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2026 | Help End Hunger in America |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC | FAIRFIELD, CT | $100,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| OPERATION SMILE INC | TOPEKA, KS | $100,000 | 2026 | Treating cleft lips and cleft palates |
| NEW YORK-PRESBYTERIAN FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $90,000 | 2026 | Cancer Research Fund |
| NORTHWELL HEALTH FOUNDATION | NEW HYDE PARK, NY | $75,000 | 2026 | To elevate patient experience by integration of, and communication among, departments, nurses and patients of Norwalk Hospital/Nuvance and Northwell Health by patient navigators who guide, inform and support patients and families |
| HUMANE WORLD FOR ANIMALS INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| WESTPORT ANIMAL SHELTER ADVOCATES | WESTPORT, CT | $50,000 | 2026 | Care and Placement for Adoption of Abandoned Animals |
| LOWN CARDIOVASCULAR GROUP INC | CHESTNUT HILL, MA | $50,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| ST VINCENTS FOUNDATION INC | BRIDGEPORT, CT | $50,000 | 2026 | For the Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiology Physicians of Fairfield County |
| NORWALK HOSPITAL FOUNDATION INC | NORWALK, CT | $50,000 | 2026 | General support of the Gastroenterology department in recognition of Doctors Patrick Dolan and Steven Brandwein |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTERS OF SOUTH BROWARD INC | DAVIE, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | For the MARTA-BETH FRIEDMAN NEVER AGAIN ENDOWMENT FUND - Empowering Teens to Fight Anti-Semitism |
| PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK INC | BOONE, IA | $50,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | To Fund Immunology Research |
| MOONCATCHER PROJECT INC | SCHENECTADY, NY | $40,000 | 2026 | For washable menstrual management kits and reproductive health curriculum for boys and girls |
| JESPY HOUSE INC | SOUTH ORANGE, NJ | $30,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| OVERLOOK FOUNDATION | SUMMIT, NJ | $30,000 | 2026 | For the MS & NMOSD Patient Support Fund |
| BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SOCIETY | KANAB, UT | $30,000 | 2026 | For the promotion of no kill animal shelters in the United States |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF TAOS INC | TAOS, NM | $30,000 | 2026 | No kill care and placement for adoption of abandoned animals |
| DAUGHTERS OF ISRAEL INC | WEST ORANGE, NJ | $30,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| ACTT NATURALLY INC | GREENWICH, NY | $30,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY ASSOC OF PUTNAM & SOUTHERN D | BREWSTER, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | For the pre-school special education program for children who experience disabilities |
| SHAKER HERITAGE SOCIETY | ALBANY, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | For building stabilization projects |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INCORPORATED | WASHINGTON, DC | $150,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2025 | FUNDS FOR ovarian cancer and related gynecologic research |
| ST JUDE CHILDRENS RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC | MEMPHIS, TN | $150,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MERCY SHIPS | LINDALE, TX | $125,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| NORWALK HOSPITAL FOUNDATION INC | NORWALK, CT | $115,000 | 2025 | Heart and Vascular PROGRAM |
| WESTPORT VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE INC | WESTPORT, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | ambulance fund and to purchase equipment |
| OPERATION SMILE INC | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | FUNDS FOR Treating cleft lips and cleft palates |
| NEW YORK-PRESBYTERIAN FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $90,000 | 2025 | Cancer Research |
| HUMANE WORLD FOR ANIMALS INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| FEEDING AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | Help End Hunger in America |
| WESTPORT ANIMAL SHELTER ADVOCATES | WESTPORT, CT | $50,000 | 2025 | Care and Placement for Adoption of Abandoned Animals |
| NEW YORK UNIVERSITY | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | Immunology Research FUND |
| PANCREATIC CANCER ACTION NETWORK INC | EL SEGUNDO, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| LOWN CARDIOVASCULAR GROUP INC | CHESTNUT HILL, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| NORTHWELL HEALTH FOUNDATION | NEW HYDE PARK, NY | $40,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| DAUGHTERS OF ISRAEL INC | WEST ORANGE, NJ | $30,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
WESTPORT VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE INC
$184,000To purchase Life Packs and monitors
TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW
$150,000FUNDS DIRECTED FOR GLAUCOMA RESEARCH TO THE OPHTHALMOLOGY GIFT FUND UNDER DIRECTION OF AND IN HONOR OF DOCTOR JEFFREY M. LIEBMAN
General & Unrestricted
OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH FUND INC
$150,000For Ovarian Cancer and Related Gynecologic research
PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY
$100,000To be used to rebuild and restore the damage caused by the California wild fires
To be used to rebuild and restore the damage caused by the California wild fires
CALIFORNIA FIRE FOUNDATION
$100,000To be used to rebuild and restore the damage caused by the California wild fires
To elevate patient experience by integration of, and communication among, departments, nurses and patients of Norwalk Hospital/Nuvance and Northwell Health by patient navigators who guide, inform and support patients and families
WESTPORT ANIMAL SHELTER ADVOCATES
$50,000Care and Placement for Adoption of Abandoned Animals
LOWN CARDIOVASCULAR GROUP INC
$50,000General & Unrestricted
ST VINCENTS FOUNDATION INC
$50,000For the Interventional Cardiology, Cardiovascular Medicine and Cardiology Physicians of Fairfield County
General support of the Gastroenterology department in recognition of Doctors Patrick Dolan and Steven Brandwein
For the MARTA-BETH FRIEDMAN NEVER AGAIN ENDOWMENT FUND - Empowering Teens to Fight Anti-Semitism
MOONCATCHER PROJECT INC
$40,000For washable menstrual management kits and reproductive health curriculum for boys and girls
For the promotion of no kill animal shelters in the United States
HUMANE SOCIETY OF TAOS INC
$30,000No kill care and placement for adoption of abandoned animals
DAUGHTERS OF ISRAEL INC
$30,000General & Unrestricted
ACTT NATURALLY INC
$30,000General & Unrestricted
UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY ASSOC OF PUTNAM & SOUTHERN D
$25,000For the pre-school special education program for children who experience disabilities
SHAKER HERITAGE SOCIETY
$20,000For building stabilization projects
OVARIAN CANCER RESEARCH FUND INC
$150,000FUNDS FOR ovarian cancer and related gynecologic research
MERCY SHIPS
$125,000General & Unrestricted
WESTPORT VOLUNTEER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE INC
$100,000ambulance fund and to purchase equipment
WESTPORT ANIMAL SHELTER ADVOCATES
$50,000Care and Placement for Adoption of Abandoned Animals
LOWN CARDIOVASCULAR GROUP INC
$50,000General & Unrestricted
DAUGHTERS OF ISRAEL INC
$30,000General & Unrestricted