Committed to Philanthropy with a Giving Heart
Through this foundation, the Frankino family shares God’s blessings with a commitment to philanthropy that uplifts children, supports families, and advances meaningful progress in communities.
Our Areas of Giving
The Sam J. Frankino Foundation is a family foundation guided by the enduring business philosophy and personal values of Mr. Sam Frankino. His approach to business and community involvement laid the groundwork for the Foundation’s philanthropic direction.
As Executive Director, Lorraine Frankino-Dodero continues this legacy by identifying and researching charitable organizations that align with the Foundation’s mission and values. Through thoughtful, Foundation-directed giving, we seek to support initiatives that improve lives, strengthen communities, and create lasting positive change.
These are the areas in which our family has historically chosen to make a difference.
What We Stand For
The Sam J. Frankino Foundation is an independent family foundation dedicated to creating opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for children and families in need.
The Sam J. Frankino Legacy
“My father, Sam J. Frankino, taught our family that giving back is one of life’s greatest privileges. He showed us that through both our time and our blessings, we have the power to touch lives, uplift communities, and create meaningful change.
At The Sam J. Frankino Foundation, we are honored to partner with nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving women, children, and families facing difficult challenges. Through initiatives that advance education, meet basic human needs, support innovative healthcare solutions, protect our environment, and nurture the arts, we strive to make a lasting and meaningful impact.
Our family has been richly blessed by God’s grace, and it is our heartfelt desire to share those blessings with others. In all that we do, we seek to honor my father’s legacy by restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and helping to build stronger, more vibrant communities for generations to come.”
SAM J. FRANKINO
(1924-2009)
The Founder
Founder: Mr. Sam J. Frankino (1924–2009)
Sam J. Frankino’s life is a testament to hard work, integrity, and compassion. Born into an Italian-American family in Cleveland during the Great Depression, Sam experienced firsthand the challenges of financial hardship. Despite these struggles, his family remained close-knit, united by shared meals, faith, and a commitment to helping one another. From an early age, Sam embraced the values of hard work, thrift, and generosity—principles that would shape his life and legacy. By age 12, he was working multiple small jobs to help support his family, driven by a deep sense of responsibility and love.
A pivotal influence in Sam’s life was his mother, who taught him the importance of being frugal, the value of diligent work, and the duty to serve those less fortunate. These lessons became the cornerstone of Sam’s lifelong philosophy and are at the heart of the foundation that bears his name. His commitment to faith, family, and community is a legacy he passed down to his family and continues to inspire the work of The Sam J. Frankino Foundation.
SAM J. FRANKINO
(1924-2009)
Our Approach to Giving
The Sam J. Frankino Foundation is a private family foundation that does not solicit contributions. The Foundation operates under an invitation-only grantmaking model and does not accept unsolicited grant applications or proposals. All grantmaking decisions are made at the discretion of the Foundation and its Trustees.