Sahm Family Foundation

What Sahm Family Foundation does

The Sahm Family Foundation is a private, family-controlled 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation established in 1997 by Roland Sahm (founder of Elixir Industries) and his wife Ramona Sahm, devoted to philanthropic grantmaking in three focus areas: visual and performing arts, welfare of children, and welfare of seniors. As of 2022 the foundation reported awarding nearly $10 million in cumulative grants since inception to dozens of nonprofit organizations across Southern California, California, and Idaho, including marquee cultural institutions (San Diego Symphony, The Old Globe, MCASD, Lux Art Institute / Institute of Contemporary Art, MOPA, Museum of Making Music, Community Music Center) and social-service organizations (Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego, YMCA, Voices for Children, Feeding San Diego, Meals on Wheels Greater San Diego, Serving Seniors, San Diego Seniors Community Foundation).

Operationally, the foundation does not build or sell technology products. Its distribution model is invitation-only grantmaking: eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California or Idaho, and the 2022 cycle is on hold while the foundation conducts a strategic planning process. Strategic funding flows from distributions of Elixir Industries (founded 1948, taken private by Roland Sahm in 1982) and from investment returns on the foundation's endowment assets. The current stated initiatives are 'Children in the Environment,' 'Every Community Deserves a Modern Senior Center' (delivered in partnership with San Diego Seniors Community Foundation), and a 'New Arts Initiative.'

Governance sits with a small board led by the founders' grandson, Christopher A. Sahm (President and Chairman), supported by David A. Ebershoff (Vice President and Secretary), Robert Cuthbertson (Treasurer), board members Noah Levine and Linda Guinn, Julie Cameron (Administrator), and Abigail Sahm (Executive Director). The headquarters is in Fullerton, California, with an additional presence in the San Diego region where most grantees are concentrated. The foundation communicates via its website (sahmfamilyfoundation.org) and a LinkedIn page; it has no mobile app, no public APIs, and no enterprise software offering.

Name

Sahm Family Foundation

Legal name

Sahm Family Foundation

Website

https://sahmfamilyfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Sahm Family Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that awards grants to arts, children's welfare, and seniors welfare organizations across California and Idaho, with cumulative giving of nearly $10 million since inception and current initiatives in environmental education, senior centers, and the arts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Foundation Philanthropic Grantmaking

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAKAA

Private Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAKAB

Community Foundations

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

SECONDARYBPAGAKAD

Family Offices & Philanthropic Advisors (Grantmaking)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Philanthropy, Foundations & Grantmaking

Keywords

• Philanthropic grantmaking
• Family foundation
• Arts funding
• Children welfare grants
• Senior services funding

Headquarters

HQ city

Fullerton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Foundation Grantmaking: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation, revenue is generated through investment returns on endowment assets and distributions from Elixir Industries (the company started by founder Roland Sahm in 1948). The foundation awards grants to qualifying nonprofit organizations rather than generating revenue from products or services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

The Sahm Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private family foundation that awards grants to eligible nonprofit organizations across three focus areas: visual and performing arts, welfare of children, and welfare of seniors. Since 1997 it has distributed nearly $10 million in grants to dozens of charitable organizations in Southern California, with grantmaking currently structured around three strategic initiatives: Children in the Environment; Every Community Deserves a Modern Senior Center; and the New Arts Initiative.

Product overview

The Sahm Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation focused on grantmaking to support the visual and performing arts, welfare of children, and welfare of seniors. The foundation's offerings consist of grantmaking programs organized across three focus areas (Arts, Children, Seniors) and three current initiatives (Children in the Environment, Every Community Deserves a Modern Senior Center, and New Arts Initiative). Since 1997, the foundation has awarded nearly $10 million in grants to dozens of nonprofit organizations in San Diego and beyond.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Children in the Environment A grantmaking initiative focused on engaging and educating youth through outdoor experiences and environmental education, fostering appreciation for the natural world. Targeted at 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children and youth in California and Idaho.
• Every Community Deserves a Modern Senior Center A partnership initiative with the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation to fund the first-ever Master Plan for Senior Centers. Supports dynamic community-based senior centers that serve as trusted hubs for older adults, addressing the projected growth to nearly 1 million people over 60 in San Diego by 2030. Targeted at senior-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofits.
• New Arts Initiative A strategic initiative in development regarding arts grantmaking, with more updates expected in 2023. Designed to support visual and performing arts 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California and Idaho.
• Visual and Performing Arts Grants Grant funding program awarding nearly $10 million since 1997 to dozens of visual and performing arts nonprofits including museums (Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Lux Art Institute), symphony orchestras (San Diego Symphony), theaters (The Old Globe), and music education organizations (Community Music Center, Museum of Making Music).
• Children Welfare Grants Grant funding program supporting organizations providing mentorship, support, and services to disadvantaged and underserved youth including Boys & Girls Clubs of San Diego, YMCA, Voices for Children, I Have A Dream Foundation - Idaho, and Feeding San Diego.
• Senior Welfare Grants Grant funding program addressing urgent needs of the aging population including senior centers, Meals on Wheels - Greater San Diego, Serving Seniors, caregiver resource centers, and elder law advocacy. Inclusive of the first-ever Master Plan for Senior Centers partnership with San Diego Seniors Community Foundation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly $10 million in grants awarded to dozens of nonprofit organizations since 1997
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• San Diego Seniors Community FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to fund the first-ever Master Plan for Senior Centers. Foundation believes every senior deserves a place to turn to and trust. Dynamic community-based senior centers can become the trusted source for all things related to aging, allowing older adults to thrive.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sahm-family-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sahm Family Foundation