Sam L Cohen Foundation
Accepts applications
Sam L Cohen Foundation is a private foundation in Portland, Maine. In tax year 2025 it gave $3.3 million in 125 grants; the typical grant was $15,000 and the largest $275,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$3.3 million
- Number of grants125
- Typical grant$15,000
- Largest grant$275,000
- Assets$34.5 million
- New grantees80%
Giving in 2025 was up from $2.5 million the year before.
80% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $2.3 million | 112 | $32.3 million |
| 2024 | $2.5 million | 94 | $33.3 million |
| 2025 | $3.3 million | 125 | $34.5 million |
How to apply
| Contact | John Shoos 22 Free Street Ste 401, Portland, ME 04101 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (207) 871-5600 |
| What to submit, deadlines, restrictions | Refer to www.samlcohenfoundation.org for specific information |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Sam L Cohen Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Maine.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Maine | 123 | $3.3 million |
| Hawaii | 1 | $15,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Youth and Family Outreach | Building a brighter future campaign | $275,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine | A place of growth capital campaign | $250,000 |
| Jewish Community Alliance | Addressing antisemitism | $225,000 |
| Maine Public | Capital campaign | $125,000 |
| Gulf of Maine Research Institute | Operating support | $100,000 |
| Portland Parks Conservancy | 21st century community pool | $100,000 |
| Maine Initiatives | Operating support | $75,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Northern New England | Operating support | $60,000 |
| Maine Children's Alliance | Right from the start coalition | $58,333 |
| Holocaust & Human Rights Center of Maine | Operating support | $54,545 |
| Good Shepherd Food Bank | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Maine Children's Alliance | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Maine Equal Justice | Operating support | $40,000 |
| Maine Family Planning | Operating support | $40,000 |
| My Place Teen Center | Operating support | $40,000 |
| Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center | Operating support | $40,000 |
| Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging | Operating support | $40,000 |
| Biddeford Food Pantry | Operating support | $35,000 |
| Fair Tide | Operating support | $35,000 |
| Maine Women's Lobby Education Fund | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Milestone Foundation | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Temple Beth El | Operating support | $30,000 |
| The Ecology School | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Congregation Etz Chaim | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Farms for Food Equity | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Full Plates Full Potential | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Hope Acts | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Hospice of Southern Maine | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Intercultural Community Center | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Jobs for Maine's Graduates | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Maine Coast Fishermen's Association | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Mainehealth | Maine children's cancer program | $25,000 |
| Portland Recovery Community Center | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Preble Street | Operating support | $25,000 |
| PSL Services | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Robbie Foundation | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Southern Maine Jewish Cemetery Association | Cemetery renovation | $25,000 |
| Avesta Housing Development Corporation | Operating support | $20,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Jerome F Goldberg Esq
- Edward K Simensky Cpa
- Jeffrey A Nathanson Esq
- Sherry P Broder Esq
- John Shoos
Questions people ask
Does Sam L Cohen Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Refer to www.samlcohenfoundation.org for specific information.
How much does Sam L Cohen Foundation give?
$3.3 million in tax year 2025, across 125 grants, with a typical grant of $15,000.
Who runs Sam L Cohen Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Jerome F Goldberg Esq (Director, Chair), Edward K Simensky Cpa (Director, Treasurer), Jeffrey A Nathanson Esq (Director, President) and Sherry P Broder Esq (Director, Secretary) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Sam L Cohen Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly youth programs, faith communities and food and hunger.