Our Story
The SAM Initiative began in 2013 with a simple idea: what if we brought women together not only to give, but to learn how to give more thoughtfully and effectively?
Founded by Mindy Freedman, SAM was created to harness the power of collective philanthropy to improve the lives of women, children, and families throughout Los Angeles. From the beginning, SAM was about more than pooling charitable dollars. It was about creating a community of women who could learn together, engage deeply with the needs of Los Angeles, and make a greater impact together than any one of us could alone.
SAM’s founding members believed in that vision and helped bring it to life. Their generosity, curiosity, and commitment created the foundation for the community SAM is today.
SAM’s story would not be complete without Sally Kirshner, Mindy’s mother and one of SAM’s founding members. Sally loved the community SAM created—women connected by friendship, shared purpose, and a commitment to philanthropy. Her warmth, enthusiasm, and belief in giving back helped shape the spirit of SAM from its earliest days.
That spirit of generosity is also reflected in Mort Kirshner, whose longstanding philanthropic support has helped sustain and strengthen SAM throughout its history. Sally and Mort’s example reflects a value that remains central to SAM today: philanthropy is not simply about giving money, but about creating a legacy of generosity that can be passed from one generation to the next.
A Legacy of Giving
Our Impact & Evolution
Since 2013, SAM has awarded more than $3.8 million to organizations serving the Los Angeles community. But SAM’s impact extends well beyond its grants. Members have become more informed and engaged philanthropists, building lasting relationships with organizations and continuing to support them with their time, expertise, connections, and individual giving.
In 2025, SAM became a fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles, beginning a new chapter that provides the professional support and infrastructure to deepen SAM’s impact while preserving the values and community that have defined it from the beginning.
Today, SAM continues to bring women together to learn, connect, give, and create lasting change—guided by the same belief that inspired its founding:
We can do far more together than we can do alone.