What is

The Sammy Fund

Humanitarian, Artistic and Leadership Opportunities for Every Child

The Sammy Fund is a registered Illinois 501(c)(3) charitable organization.  It is the primary funding source for the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund at the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri. 

We are an all-volunteer group that raises money in memory of Samantha Otte, a young girl who lost her life in March of 2000 after a liver transplant necessitated by cystic fibrosis.  Our mission is to ensure that all area children have access to life-enhancing opportunities every child needs in the humanitarian, artistic and leadership fields.  By supporting opportunities for disadvantaged children, we honor Samantha's zest for life and increase the overall quality of life in our community, now and in the future.

  • Mission

    The Sammy Fund provides youth access to worthwhile activities in our community by opening doors to participation for children whose opportunities are limited. Founded in memory of Samantha Otte, the Fund ensures the accessibility of programs that provide artistic, leadership and humanitarian opportunities for young people. Through funding and awareness-raising activities, the Sammy Fund increases opportunities for children, and increases the overall quality of life in our community, now and in the future.

  • Goals

    • To direct the energy of the people who loved Samantha towards fundraising and awareness building so that other youth will have opportunities to develop their skills, talents and abilities.
    • To ensure that funds raised are prudently managed and distributed to organizations which provide artistic, leadership and humanitarian opportunities for youth.
    • To raise awareness and foster increased individual participation throughout our community in charitable acts and financial support of local organizations that enhance our quality of life, and, in particular, opportunities for young people.

  • The Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund

    A primary vehicle for achieving the goals of the Sammy Fund is the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund established at the  Community Foundation. Contributions to the fund at the Community Foundation are tax deductible and receive professional investment management to achieve the best possible growth to maximize the good works that can be accomplished. Through our agreement with the Foundation, it distributes the funds in ways that perpetuate our mission.

People walking
Golf Carts

Fundraising

During our active fundraising years (2000 to 2014), we held the Sammy Fund weekend in October, which consisted of a golf tournament at Westview Golf Course in Quincy, Illinois, a silent auction and dinner after the golf outing which was attended by hundreds of supporters from throughout the community and a run/walk through the beautiful East End Historic District in Quincy.

We received amazing support from local businesses underwriting the expenses of our fundraising events, and received generous contributions from family, friends and the entire local community.  In total, the Sammy Fund group raised over $577,000 during its 15 years of active fundraising.

The Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund

The majority of monies raised by the Sammy Fund are held in the Community Foundation by the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund.  Each year qualified organizations that provide artistic, leadership and humanitarian opportunities for young people can submit a request for funding to the Community Foundation.

The Sammy Fund also directly supports the involvement of disadvantaged children in a variety of worthwhile pursuits.

  • Awards

    From the monies raised, gifts and donations received, the Sammy Fund has awarded over $39,000 in grants, and the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund has awarded 303 grants totaling over $435,000 to date.  From the remaining funds held at the Community Foundation, each January -- on or near Samantha's birthday -- grants are awarded from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund.  Grants from The Sammy Fund are awarded year-round on an as-needed basis to eligible organizations and individuals.

  • Sammy & Kids Golf Scramble

    After active fundraising by the Sammy Fund ceased, The Gem City Breakfast Kiwanis have graciously continued hosting an annual Sammy & Kids golf scramble, generously donating much of the proceeds to the Sammy Fund and the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund.  For information on the Sammy & Kids golf scramble, click here.

  • Grant Opportunities

    While The Sammy Fund no longer holds annual fundraisers, we are actively seeking grant opportunities!  Submit your request by completing The Sammy Fund Application for Funding.  Grant opportunities from the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund at the Community Foundation can apply online!

Samantha Otte Butterfly

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