The SAMFund Grant Program

The SAMFund Grant Program is sponsored by Expect Miracles Foundation's SAMFund. The SAMFund provides direct financial assistance to young adult post-treatment cancer survivors (ages 21-39) for designated expenses related to the cancer experience, including financial assistance and family building grants.

Financial Assistance Grant - Expect Miracles Foundation Sponsor, Register, or Purchase tickets for upcoming EMF events. Atlantic Coast Classic 2026 SAMFund Soirée Manhattan 2026 2026 – 2027 Event Schedule Boston YPEM Battle of the Bartenders 2026 Boston YPEM’s 2026 Battle of the Bartenders brought a big crowd to Howl At the Moon for an unforgettable night of friendly competition and philanthropy.

The event rallied 19 guest bartenders who went head-to-head, raising more than $40,000 to support EMF’s SAMFund Grant Program for young adult cancer survivors. New York YPEM Battle of the Bartenders 2026 New York YPEM’s 2026 Battle of the Bartenders brought a sold-out crowd to Tailor Public House for an unforgettable night of friendly competition and philanthropy.

The event rallied 30 guest bartenders who went head-to-head, raising more than $60,000 to support Expect Miracles Foundation’s SAMFund Grant Program and young adult cancer survivors. The 32nd East Coast Classic golf tournament, held at Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, MA, was another powerful example of the momentum building across the Expect Miracles Foundation community.

A memorable moment came before the first tee shot, when more than 250... For grant seekers, community partners, and foundations BECOME A SAMFUND GRANT REVIEWER For donors, corporate sponsors, event attendees, and volunteers Become a SAMFund Grant Reviewer Grant is closed, Spring Cycle opens January 2027 SAMFund Financial Assistance Grants are for cancer survivors seeking assistance with essential living expenses.

Young adults account for 5% of cancer diagnoses in the US, with approximately 80,000 diagnosed each year. Young adults experience financial toxicity at a greater level than any other age group impacted by cancer. These grants are awarded to cancer survivors whose financial well-being has been negatively impacted by their cancer experience, and serves as a bridge to help these individuals reach the next step in fulfilling their goals.

Applicants must meet the general and medical criteria to apply for a SAMFund grant. Between 21-39 years of age at time of application Not tax dependent in most recent year’s tax filing. Did not receive a SAMFund grant in the previous grant cycle Have not been awarded 2 or more SAMFund grants (financial assistance and/or family building), ensuring equitable support for all participants.

Complete Response/Remission or No Evidence of Disease (NED). Partial Response or Stable Disease and 1 year passed active treatment. Long-term hormonal therapy (such as Tamoxifen), long-term targeted molecular therapy (such as Gleevac or Herceptin), and immunotherapy are accepted as long as one of the above remission criteria is met.

If you are actively receiving chemotherapy or radiation, you are not eligible at this time for a SAMFund grant. Who Gets Prioritized for a SAMFund Financial Assistance Grant?

Applicants who provide detailed information in their application about how their current financial situation has been adversely impacted by their cancer experience Applicants with an immediate and essential financial need and lacking financial support from other sources Fully complete and accurate application that describes the applicant’s financial circumstances and value of a SAMFund grant Applicants who clearly explain how a SAMFund grant will help applicant move forward beyond providing immediate financial relief To make the SAMFund Grant application easier to navigate, we created a step-by-step walkthrough video that guides applicants through the full process and highlights what to expect along the way.

WHAT A FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE GRANT COVERS Rent or mortgage payments Graduate or continuing education Reconstructive, dental, or cosmetic procedures related to your cancer treatment Payments to friends or family members Personal or student loans Family-building expenses (these are covered by our Family Building Grant) Please review our frequently asked questions to learn more.

“Thanks to EMF’s SAMFund grant, I was able to welcome my daughter into the world with a sense of financial security. ” “The support from EMF has given my family and me the stability and support we needed to breathe a sigh of relief." "My SAMFund grant helped me regain financial security; I was able to refocus on my photography work and get back to capturing and sharing stories through my lens."

“The beauty and uniqueness of EMF’s SAMFund is that it helps during survivorship, unlike most financial aid, which is only available during treatment. ” “EMF's SAMFund grant is crucial for young survivors like me. People often link cancer with older adults, but EMF's timely support felt like a miracle.

” “I don't know what we would have done without Expect Miracles Foundation. We found their SAMFund grant program when we had reached a financial tipping point, and it saved us." “As we navigated life after cancer, EMF’s SAMFund grant provided crucial financial and emotional relief, giving us a moment to breathe.

” “EMF’s SAMFund grant gave us hope and made starting our own family feel possible. ” “EMF's SAMFund's support transformed my life. Despite being beyond my diagnosis, ongoing medical expenses from cancer's lasting effects persist.

The assurance that organizations like EMF are there for cancer survivors in financial hardship is invaluable." “Thank you, Expect Miracles Foundation! Receiving a SAMFund Grant reminds me that even in a harsh world, there are still people who care."

“Receiving a SAMFund Grant Transformed my dream of having another child into a reality. Our hearts are forever bound to Expect Miracles Foundation." “With my SAMFund Grant I stopped living paycheck to paycheck and regained my financial footing.

” “Thank you to EMF! I used my grant to pay off my student loans and medical debt completely. ” “I used my SAMFund Grant to pursue a professional certification that is taking my career in a new and exciting direction.

” “My SAMFund Grant was a game changer! It made space for me to land a new job and start graduate school at NYU. ” “Expect Miracles Foundation showed me that others care, want to help, and made me feel hope again.

” “My SAMFund Grant gave me the financial freedom to complete my last semester of graduate school and emerge debt free. ” “I reduced my debt and improved my credit score, which made it possible for me to purchase a car and move into a new apartment. ” “My SAMFund Grant made it possible for me to continue working on my doctorate and earn a PhD.

” Apply for an EMF Samfund Grant Download a medical history verification form and send to your healthcare practitioner for completion. Form can’t be completed greater than 14 days prior to grant opening. If you have not filed taxes in 2024 and or 2025, download and complete a tax affidavit form.

Form can’t be completed greater than 14 days prior to grant opening. Otherwise, you will be instructed to upload tax documents to confirm income. Apply for an EMF SAMFund grant using our online application.

Applicants must upload the medical history verification form and tax documents as part of their application. Other Financial Assistance Resources Explore websites that provide financial assistance and resources to cancer patients, survivors, and their families. (Note: The website links provided are not affiliated with nor endorsed by EMF.)

EMF partners with Dollar For, an organization which helps patients navigate the process of reducing or eliminating medical debt. As part of our partnership, Dollar For offers prioritized debt forgiveness services to the EMF community.