The Sam & Salwa Ellis Family Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various charitable initiatives. Its mission focuses on funding programs related to health, education, and community development, with particular emphasis on cancer awareness, scholarships, and religious programs. The foundation serves a diverse range of recipients, including health charities, educational institutions, and faith-based organizations. It primarily operates within California, although it also supports initiatives in Tennessee. Through its grants, the foundation aims to enhance community welfare and promote educational opportunities.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small, locally based California nonprofits (especially Imperial Valley area) with programs in education/scholarships, faith-based community services, youth development, or local health/cancer support.
Good Fit
- • Organization is located in-state (California), preferably serving the Imperial Valley/El Centro/Holtville area.
- • Programs focused on scholarships, faith-based services, youth development, or local health/cancer awareness.
- • Established local presence or prior relationship with foundation leadership or trustees.
- • Needs consistent with modest, one-time grants in the $7.5K–$10K range.
Geography
Observed giving is tightly concentrated in California, accounting for roughly 93% of dollars and grants, with only one out-of-state gift noted.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 15 distinct independent recipients across faith-based groups, schools, health and youth programs, and that same cohort recurred in the prior year, indicating a reasonably broad institutional mix for this foundation's size.
New Applicants
The foundation's filings and default application state grants are to preselected recipients only, and no new grantees appeared across the two observed years, so unfamiliar applicants are unlikely to enter the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
