Sam L Cohen Foundation
Historical FunderPortland, Maine · EIN 20-2262822 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2025)$3.3M
Organizations funded125
Typical grant$15,000
Total assets$34.5M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $10,000 and $25,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2025):
| Contact | JOHN SHOOS |
|---|---|
| Address | 22 FREE STREET STE 401, PORTLAND ME 04101 |
| Phone | 2078715600 |
| Form and materials | REFER TO WWW.SAMLCOHENFOUNDATION.ORG FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION |
| Deadlines | REFER TO WWW.SAMLCOHENFOUNDATION.ORG FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION |
| Restrictions | REFER TO WWW.SAMLCOHENFOUNDATION.ORG FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
1% of grants went outside Maine.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youth and Family Outreach | South Portland, ME | Building a brighter future campaign | $275,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine | Portland, ME | A place of growth capital campaign | $250,000 |
| Jewish Community Alliance | Portland, ME | Addressing antisemitism | $225,000 |
| Maine Public | Portland, ME | Capital campaign | $125,000 |
| Gulf of Maine Research Institute | Portland, ME | Operating support | $100,000 |
| Portland Parks Conservancy | Portland, ME | 21St century community pool | $100,000 |
| Maine Initiatives | Portland, ME | Operating support | $75,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Northern New England | Portland, ME | Operating support | $60,000 |
| Maine Children's Alliance | Augusta, ME | Right from the start coalition | $58,333 |
| Holocaust & Human Rights Center of Maine | Augusta, ME | Operating support | $54,545 |
| Good Shepherd Food Bank | Auburn, ME | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project | Portland, ME | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Maine Children's Alliance | Augusta, ME | Operating support | $50,000 |
| Maine Equal Justice | Augusta, ME | Operating support | $40,000 |
| Maine Family Planning | Augusta, ME | Operating support | $40,000 |
| My Place Teen Center | Westbrook, ME | Operating support | $40,000 |
| Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center | Biddeford, ME | Operating support | $40,000 |
| Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging | Biddeford, ME | Operating support | $40,000 |
| Biddeford Food Pantry | Biddeford, ME | Operating support | $35,000 |
| Fair Tide | Kittery, ME | Operating support | $35,000 |
| Maine Women's Lobby Education Fund | Augusta, ME | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Mid Coast Hunger Prevention Program | Brunswick, ME | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Milestone Foundation | Portland, ME | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Temple Beth El | Portland, ME | Operating support | $30,000 |
| The Ecology School | Saco, ME | Operating support | $30,000 |
| Congregation Etz Chaim | Kennebunk, ME | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Farms for Food Equity | Cape Elizabeth, ME | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Full Plates Full Potential | Brunswick, ME | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Hope Acts | Portland, ME | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Hospice of Southern Maine | Scarborough, ME | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Intercultural Community Center | Westbrook, ME | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Jobs for Maine's Graduates | Augusta, ME | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Maine Coast Fishermen's Association | Brunswick, ME | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Mainehealth | Portland, ME | Maine children's cancer program | $25,000 |
| Portland Recovery Community Center | Portland, ME | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Preble Street | Portland, ME | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Psl Services | South Portland, ME | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Robbie Foundation | Scarborough, ME | Operating support | $25,000 |
| Southern Maine Jewish Cemetery Association | Portland, ME | Cemetery renovation | $25,000 |
| Avesta Housing Development Corporation | Portland, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Consumers for Affordable Health Care | Augusta, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Dempsey Center | Lewiston, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Disability Rights Maine | Augusta, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Heart of Biddeford | Biddeford, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Levey Day School | Portland, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Maine Jewish Film Festival | Portland, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Mitchell Institute | Portland, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Portland Community Squash | Portland, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Quality Housing Coalition | Portland, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Regional Transportation Program | Westbrook, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Side X Side | Portland, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Susan L Curtis Charitable Foundation | Portland, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Through These Doors | Portland, ME | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Maine Audubon | Falmouth, ME | Operating support | $18,452 |
| Greater Portland Health | Portland, ME | Operating support | $16,016 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Maine | Westbrook, ME | Operating support | $15,000 |
| Black Owned Maine | Portland, ME | Operating support | $15,000 |
| Cumberland County Food Security Council | South Portland, ME | Operating support | $15,000 |
| Elder Abuse Institute of Maine | Brunswick, ME | Operating support | $15,000 |
| Food for All Services | Portland, ME | Operating support | $15,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 125 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,345,408 | 125 |
| 2024 | $2,482,100 | 94 |
| 2023 | $2,316,223 | 112 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Jun 29, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202611809349100216
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 20-2262822
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.