Sam L. Cohen Foundation

What Sam L. Cohen Foundation does

The Sam L. Cohen Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) philanthropic foundation headquartered at 22 Free Street, Suite 401 in Portland, Maine, that awards grants to nonprofit organizations in southern Maine. The foundation concentrates its giving in five program areas: Arts & Culture; Civic & Community; Education (pre-K through adulthood); Health & Human Services; and Jewish Culture & Traditions. Its grantmaking is split between a two-step Responsive Grant cycle (semi-annual LOI and full application windows, capped at $50,000 per request with average awards in the $17,000–$21,400 range) and Foundation-Initiated Grants, which are unsolicited and uncapped, awarded at the discretion of directors and staff.

The foundation's underlying technology stack is intentionally minimal. Grant intake, reporting, and grantee management are handled through the Blackbaud Grantmaking online portal, which was migrated to a consolidated grantee account experience in June 2025. Day-to-day operations are run by three staff (Executive Director John Shoos, Senior Program Officer Dana Baldwin, and Grants & Finance Manager Gloria Nicholson) under a four-member Board of Directors. Endowment assets are managed externally by Bryan Bolte and Brian Matthews of Prime Buchholz & Associates; no proprietary technology products, APIs, or AI capabilities are developed or operated by the foundation.

Since inception, the foundation has awarded $44,485,203 to 480 nonprofit organizations. In its most recent full year (2025), it processed 170 letters of inquiry, invited 95 full applications, and awarded 93 responsive grants totaling $1,700,863, alongside foundation-initiated grants to organizations including Preble Street, the Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine, and Youth and Family Outreach. Leadership transition is underway: Executive Director John Shoos announced his retirement effective end of 2026 after 13 years, and the foundation has retained national search firm NPAG to identify a successor.

Name

Sam L. Cohen Foundation

Legal name

Sam L. Cohen Foundation

Website

https://samlcohenfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Sam L. Cohen Foundation is a private Portland, Maine-based 501(c)(3) philanthropic foundation that awards responsive and foundation-initiated grants to nonprofit organizations in Cumberland and York counties working in Arts & Culture, Civic & Community, Education, Health & Human Services, and Jewish Culture & Traditions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Foundation Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Culture & Humanities Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAJ), Grantmaking Agencies & Education Program Grants Administration (EDADAHAD)

Keywords

• Philanthropic grantmaking
• Nonprofit foundation grants
• Community foundation funding
• Charitable grant programs
• Foundation endowment grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grantmaking: As a philanthropic foundation, Sam L. Cohen Foundation distributes grants to nonprofit organizations. Revenue comes from endowment fund assets. The foundation awards responsive grants (up to $50,000, average under $15,000) and foundation-initiated grants (no limit) to organizations in southern Maine.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Sam L. Cohen Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation that awards grants to nonprofit organizations serving southern Maine (Cumberland and York counties). It concentrates its funding in five program areas—Arts & Culture, Civic & Community, Education, Health & Human Services, and Jewish Culture & Traditions—and distributes grants through a structured two-step process with semi-annual cycles. Two grant types are offered: Responsive Grants (up to $50,000 per request, average under $15,000) and Foundation-Initiated Grants (awarded by invitation, no stated maximum), administered through the Blackbaud Grantmaking portal.

Product overview

The Sam L. Cohen Foundation is a philanthropic grantmaking organization, not a technology product company. Its offerings consist entirely of grant programs for nonprofit organizations in southern Maine working in five focus areas: Arts & Culture, Civic & Community, Education, Health & Human Services, and Jewish Culture & Traditions. The Foundation offers two types of grants: Responsive Grants (awarded semi-annually, requests up to $50,000) and Foundation-Initiated Grants (awarded at directors' invitation, no limit). The Foundation does not offer technology products, platforms, or modules.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Responsive Grants Semi-annual grants of up to $50,000 (average under $15,000) awarded to southern Maine nonprofits in five program areas (Arts & Culture, Civic & Community, Education, Health & Human Services, Jewish Culture & Traditions) via a two-step application process with decisions in June and November.
• Foundation-Initiated Grants Invitation-only grants awarded at the initiative of Foundation directors and staff to strategic nonprofit projects in southern Maine, with no stated maximum grant size (used historically for larger capital and program investments such as a $250,000 capital campaign grant in 2021).

Quantifiable outcome

• $44.4 million awarded to 480 nonprofits since inception
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• BlackbaudcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 June 2025Blackbaud Grantmaking platform provides online application and reporting system. New consolidated portal launched June 2025 allows grantees single account to manage all funders using Blackbaud Grantmaking. Existing Blackbaud users (e.g., Raiser Edge) can use existing login.
• NPAG (National search firm)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025Partnering with national search firm NPAG for Executive Director search to succeed John Shoos. NPAG managing the search process and outreach for the leadership position. Foundation working with NPAG to identify candidates for the role that will oversee day-to-day operations and collaborate with Board on strategy.
• Mitchell InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership through Pioneer Scholar Program recognizing Mitchell Scholars and Alumni who demonstrate exceptional contributions to school and community. Foundation co-sponsors recognition of outstanding students. Mitchell Institute administers the program with Foundation support.
• Good Shepherd Food BankmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner$200,000 grant in 2022 to launch Community-Driven Strategies initiative in Biddeford. Foundation supports GSFB's collaborative approach to identify unique community needs and close meal gaps. Partnership includes ongoing grantee relationship with food security programs.
• Full Plates Full PotentialmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple grants supporting child nutrition programs in York and Cumberland counties. Partnership on food access initiatives including Maine Youth Food Council. Collaborated on 'Speak Up For SNAP' events at farmers markets.
• Maine Oral Health Funders GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation participates in and supports the Maine Oral Health Funders Group, a collaborative of funders working to improve oral health access. Annual consultant contribution of $3,000.
• Immigrant and Refugee Funders CollaborativecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation is involved in and supports the Immigrant and Refugee Funders Collaborative. Provides funding through Maine Initiatives for rapid response to support immigrant communities in Maine.
• Maine Early Childhood Funders GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation participates in this collaborative of funders focused on early childhood issues. Annual membership contribution of $6,000. Supports Right from the Start coalition.
• Education Funders NetworkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual membership of $500 supporting education-focused funder network. Collaborative learning and coordination on education grantmaking.
• Jewish Community Alliance of Southern MainemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner$50,000 grant in 2024 for Volunteer Coordination and Programmatic Support. Major grantee partner for Jewish community programming including addressing antisemitism ($375,000 Director of Community Relations).
• Portland ConnectEDcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation participates in Portland ConnectED collaborative initiative focused on education. Multiple grants through this collaborative including $25,000 in 2023.
• Campaign for Grade Level ReadingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation participates in or supports this collaborative initiative focused on improving grade-level reading proficiency through community-wide efforts.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• John T. Gorman Foundation: Maine-based private foundation focused on improving economic and life outcomes for disadvantaged populations. Similar in mission, geographic focus, and grantmaking approach through Maine-based nonprofits.
• Maine Community Foundation: Maine-based community foundation operating across multiple program areas with grantmaking throughout Maine. Highly comparable in geographic focus and broad-based grantmaking model, though typically with broader reach than Sam L. Cohen Foundation's southern Maine focus.
• Davis Family Foundation: Maine-based private family foundation with similar geographic and programmatic focus. Comparable as a small Maine-based family foundation making grants to local nonprofits.
• Elmina B. Sewall Foundation: Maine-based private foundation focused on health, environment, and community programs across the state. Directly comparable as a Maine-focused private family foundation with similar size and program breadth, including grants for underserved populations.
• Jessie B. Cox Foundation: Private New England-based family foundation supporting education, health, environment, and community development. Comparable in operating model (small staff, board-driven, semi-structured cycles) and multi-program-area grantmaking, though with broader geographic reach.
• Quimby Family Foundation: Maine-based private family foundation with broad programmatic focus including environment, education, arts, and community development. Comparable in scope and Maine geographic focus, with similar grantmaking profile.
• Portland Foundation (Maine): Portland, Maine-based foundation supporting education, community development, and arts. Direct peer in the southern Maine grantmaking ecosystem with overlapping grantee pool and program areas.

Others

• United Way of Greater Portland: Major funder in the same southern Maine ecosystem, with significant overlap with many of the same grantees (including precedent at Preble Street and many Cohen-funded agencies). Comparable community funder and likely grantee partner, though operating via a different model (campaign-driven fundraising rather than endowment-based).

Regional players

• New Hampshire Charitable Foundation: Large regional community foundation serving communities in New Hampshire and adjacent regions. Comparable community-foundation model focused on a defined geographic area, though primarily New Hampshire-focused rather than Maine-focused.
• Unum Foundation: Portland, Maine-headquartered corporate foundation supporting health and human services, education, and community development. Comparable as a Portland, Maine-based grantmaker focused on similar program areas, though typically larger and corporate-sponsored rather than family-endowed.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/samlcohenfdtn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sam-l-cohen-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sam L. Cohen Foundation