Samuel S Fels Fund
Preselected recipients only
Samuel S Fels Fund is a private foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In tax year 2024 it gave $3.2 million in 75 grants; the typical grant was $10,000 and the largest $300,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$3.2 million
- Number of grants75
- Typical grant$10,000
- Largest grant$300,000
- Assets$46.4 million
- New grantees68%
Giving in 2024 was up from $1.8 million the year before.
68% of its 2024 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 | $1.8 million | 106 | $45.1 million |
| 2024 | $3.2 million | 75 | $46.4 million |
How to apply
Samuel S Fels Fund says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Samuel S Fels Fund funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to Pennsylvania.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 67 | $1.1 million |
| California | 4 | $455,000 |
| New York | 2 | $40,000 |
| Delaware | 1 | $15,000 |
| Illinois | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rockwood Leadership Institute | Capacity building grants | $300,000 |
| Windcall Institute | Capacity building grant | $135,000 |
| Amistad Law Project | General support | $30,000 |
| Asian Americans United | General support | $30,000 |
| Beyond the Bars Inc | General support | $30,000 |
| Coalition of Africian Communities - | General support | $30,000 |
| Juntos | General support | $30,000 |
| Lift Every Voice Philly Inc | General support | $30,000 |
| Neighborhood Land Power Project | General support | $30,000 |
| New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelp | General support | $30,000 |
| Movement Alliance Project | General support for fiscally sponsor | $30,000 |
| National Domestic Workers Alliance | General support | $30,000 |
| Philadelphia Assembly Inc | General support | $30,000 |
| Philly Black Worker Project | General support | $30,000 |
| Spiral Q Puppet Theater | General support | $30,000 |
| Movement Alliance Project | General support for fiscally sponsor | $30,000 |
| Abolitionist Law Center | General support | $25,000 |
| Movement Alliance Project | General support | $25,000 |
| Pennsylvania Voice | General support | $25,000 |
| Movement Alliance Project | General support for fiscally sponsor | $25,000 |
| Philly Thrive | General support | $25,000 |
| Puentes de Salud | General support | $25,000 |
| Youth Sentencing Reentry Project | General support | $25,000 |
| Movement Alliance Project | Capacity building grant for fiscally | $25,000 |
| Philadelphia Folklore Project | General support | $20,000 |
| Pennsylvania Immigration Citizenshi | General support | $20,000 |
| United Way of Greater Philadelphia | Pooled funds | $20,000 |
| Gender Justice Fund | Pooled funds | $20,000 |
| The Leeway Foundation | Pooled funds | $20,000 |
| Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Healt | Pooled funds | $15,000 |
| Juntos | Leadership development & wellness | $10,000 |
| Asian Americans United | Leadership development & wellness | $10,000 |
| New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelp | Leadership development & wellness | $10,000 |
| Youth Sentencing Reentry Project | Leadership development & wellness | $10,000 |
| Pennsylvania Voice | Leadership development & wellness | $10,000 |
| Coalition of Africian Communities - | Leadership development & wellness | $10,000 |
| Movement Alliance Project | Leadership development & wellness | $10,000 |
| Abolitionist Law Center | Leadership development & wellness | $10,000 |
| Amistad Law Project | Leadership development & wellness | $10,000 |
| Beyond the Bars Inc | Leadership development & wellness | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Sarah Martinez-Helfman
- Fariha Khan
- Michael O'Bryan
- Will Gonzalez Esq
- John L Jackson Jr
- Danyelle Austin
- Ida K Chen
- Chelsea Hicks
- Nimrit Kang
Questions people ask
Does Samuel S Fels Fund accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Samuel S Fels Fund give?
$3.2 million in tax year 2024, across 75 grants, with a typical grant of $10,000.
Who runs Samuel S Fels Fund?
Its 2024 filing lists Sarah Martinez-Helfman (President), Fariha Khan (Board Chair), Michael O'Bryan (Vice Chair) and Will Gonzalez Esq (Board Member) among 9 officers and trustees.
What does Samuel S Fels Fund fund?
Based on its grants, mainly health, arts and culture and human services.