Grant Information

Through this foundation, the Frankino family desires to share God’s blessing by a commitment to philanthropic excellence.

How to Get Started

How to apply

If your organization is considering a grant application, we encourage you to explore our mission, vision, and core programs to see how your initiative can contribute to our goals. While your proposal doesn’t have to perfectly align with a specific core program, we are especially eager to support projects that uplift children and families in need through educational and well-being initiatives, preserve and celebrate community and cultural heritage—particularly Italian-American traditions, advance medical and surgical knowledge to enhance healthcare, inspire creativity and enrich communities through arts and culture, drive progress through scientific innovation, and promote environmental stewardship for a sustainable future. If your vision resonates with ours, we’re excited to hear from you.

Grant Application Process for 2026

The Sam J. Frankino Foundation will accept grant applications twice in 2026, with the following submission deadlines:

The Sam J. Frankino Foundation will accept grant applications twice in 2026, with the following submission deadlines:

  • Spring cycle: April 24, 2026
  • Fall cycle: September 25, 2026
Organizations may apply during either cycle, subject to the eligibility requirements outlined below.

Letter of Inquiry (LOI) Requirement

All organizations seeking funding, including prior grantee recipients, must first submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI).

LOI Submission Deadlines

Spring cycle
  • LOI Deadline: March 16, 2026
  • Notification of Invitation to Apply: April 3, 2026

Fall cycle:

  • LOI Deadline: August 7, 2026
  • Notification of Invitation to Apply: September 4, 2026

The LOI allows the Foundation to assess alignment between your organization’s work and our strategic priorities before inviting a full application.

Step 1

Submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

Organizations required to submit an LOI must complete the Foundation’s standardized online LOI form and submit it by the applicable deadline.
All LOIs will undergo internal review. Organizations will be notified of their status by the dates listed above. If additional information is needed, the Foundation team will reach out via email.

Step 2

Full Grant Application

Organizations invited to submit a full grant application will need to submit the following to complete their applications:
  • Letter signed by the Executive Director, CEO, or Board Chair with a description of the funding need and how the organization aligns with the Mission of The Sam J. Frankino Foundation.
  • Organization budget
  • Project or program budget (if applicable)
  • Board and leadership list

Completed grant applications must be submitted via email by 11:59 PM ET on the applicable deadline (April 24, 2026, or September 25, 2026). Late submissions will not be accepted.
Organizations that submit full applications will receive notification of their status within 90 days of the application deadline.

Grant Requests – Frequently Asked Questions

Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, particularly those whose missions align with our funding priorities.

We focus our philanthropic efforts in the following areas:

  • Education & Youth Development
  • Medical, Health, & Human Services
  • Arts, Culture, & Heritage
  • Community Development & Social Services
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • International & Global Initiatives

To be considered for 2026 funding, organizations must submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) and their IRS determination letter by March 16, 2026. The LOI allows us to evaluate alignment with our strategic priorities.

Organizations whose LOIs are approved will be notified by April 3, 2026, and invited to submit a full grant application. Completed proposals must be submitted via email by 11:59 p.m. on April 24, 2026.

You will be notified of our funding decision within 90 days of the submission deadline.

We offer financial support for:

  • Projects (one-time funding)
  • Programs (ongoing funding needs)
  • General annual support (ongoing funding needs)
  • Capital campaigns (one-time funding)

We do not typically fund:

  • Endowments
  • Individuals
  • Ticket purchases
  • Fundraising event advertisements/marketing
  • Political campaigns or lobbying efforts

Yes, but we prioritize program support over general fundraising events.

Due to high demand and limited funds, the Foundation generally approves only one grant per organization per year.

Yes, organizations may request multi-year funding for up to two years.

We appreciate acknowledgment of received funds and welcome updates throughout the year.

For grants of $10,000 or more: A progress report on previous funding is recommended for future grant consideration.

For grants of $50,000 or more: A progress report is recommended, and a site visit may be required before future funding is approved.

Yes, if your organization meets our funding guidelines, you are welcome to reapply in the future.

We recommend reviewing our guidelines and FAQs first. If you have additional questions, you may email us at sjffoundation@aol.com.

We also encourage you to visit our website and Facebook page for updates.

Proposal Review & Funding Decision

Upon submission, each proposal will undergo a thorough review. Additional information may be requested, and meetings may be scheduled to discuss the project in more detail. Funding decisions will be communicated within 90 days of the submission deadline.

Grant Reporting & Follow-Up

Grantees are required to submit progress reports:
  • For grants of $10,000 and above: An updated progress report on previous grant funding is recommended for future funding consideration.
  • For grants of $50,000 and above: An updated progress report is recommended for future
 funding consideration, and a site visit may be requested to be conducted before future funding is approved.

General Information

  1. Submission Deadline: All applications must be emailed by 11:59 PM ET on April 24, 2026, or September 25, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered.
  2. Incomplete Applications: Proposals missing required documents will not be reviewed.
  3. Funding Alignment: LOIs and grant proposals must align with The Sam J. Frankino Foundation’s funding priorities. Please review our website for details.
  4. Solicitation Appeals: Generic fundraising appeals will not be considered.
  5. Multi-Year Funding: Multi-year funding requests may be considered for up to two years.
  6. Restrictions on Funding:
    • Endowments (except in rare cases)
    • Political campaigns or action groups
    • Grants or loans to individuals
    • Personal scholarships, tickets, or fundraising event advertisements
  7. Event Sponsorship Requests: These should not be submitted through the grant application process. Instead, email sjffoundation@aol.com with the organization name and event name in the subject line. Be sure to include all necessary supporting documents with your request.

For additional questions, please contact us at sjffoundation@aol.com.