Samueli Family Philanthropies Distributed Millions in 2026
The foundation allocated $185 million in grants during 2026, targeting regional community colleges and international aid.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Philanthropy
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In 2026, the Samueli Family Philanthropies distributed $185 million to a variety of organizations. This effort marked a significant expansion from the $18.8 million in grants awarded by the foundation just four years earlier.
Why it matters
The foundation utilized a needs assessment report to identify critical gaps in the nonprofit sector, leading to increased funding for local education and global causes. The shift reflects a strategic change in the organization's approach to community impact and philanthropic reach.
The foundation allocated 60% of its 2026 funding to Orange County organizations, while 40% was designated for recipients in Israel. Additionally, a $24 million multi-year investment was directed toward six local community colleges.
The players
Samueli Family Philanthropies
This foundation directs significant capital toward educational initiatives and social causes.
Lindsey Spindle
She has served as the president of Samueli Family Philanthropies since 2022.
Skoll Foundation
This organization functions as a prominent philanthropic entity that held $2.2 billion in assets in 2024.
The details
The philanthropic expansion included the launch of open-call grant initiatives titled Breakaway and Build OC. The funding strategy follows a mission and vision framework established in 2022 to guide the organization's charitable investments.
Timeline
Lindsey Spindle joined the foundation in 2022.
The Skoll Foundation recorded its asset valuation in 2024.
The Business Journal Women in Business Awards occurred on September 17, 2026.
The Samueli Family Philanthropies distributed $185 million in grants throughout 2026.
Market Landscape
The foundation's scaling of operations mirrors a broader trend of private philanthropies moving toward larger, targeted community investments. By expanding its focus, the organization has solidified its competitive positioning as a primary driver of non-profit development in the region.
Local students and faculty at the six selected community colleges stand to benefit from the $24 million multi-year investment. These grants are intended to bridge resource gaps, potentially improving educational outcomes for the Anaheim student population.
The takeaway
Large-scale philanthropic foundations are increasingly relying on empirical needs assessments to determine their grant allocations. Strategic planning allows these organizations to prioritize specific local sectors, such as community colleges, to maximize their societal impact.
Further reading
For additional context on regional giving, explore the Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Orange County Business Journal.
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