Women and Families Funding

Women and Families Funding is sponsored by Sam J Frankino Foundation. This funding is available to Ohio 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving children, families, and vulnerable communities for education, health care, basic needs, arts, environmental, and medical research programs.

Home | The Sam J. Frankino Foundation Committed to Philanthropy with Through this foundation, the Frankino family shares God’s blessings with a commitment to philanthropy that uplifts children, supports families, and advances meaningful progress in communities. Arts, Culture, & Heritage The creative spirit and imagination are central to healthy communities.

Education & Youth Development Education is the cornerstone within the life and development of a child. Community Development & Social Services Welcomes opportunities to support our community and culture International & Global Initiatives We contribute to finding solutions to global challenges. Environmental Sustainability A clean, healthy environment is vital for future generations.

Medical, Health & Human Services We invest in medical research, scientific innovation, and health-related education. The Foundation awards monetary grants to qualifying institutions and agencies for initiatives designed to improve the quality of life along with the advancement of medical research. We are a family foundation guided by the enduring business philosophy and personal values of Mr. Sam Frankino.

His approach to business and community participation were the groundwork for the foundation’s philanthropic direction overall. As Executive Director of the foundation, Lorraine Frankino-Dodero guides the foundation by seeking out and researching charitable organizations that are best able to make a meaningful impact.

Building on the legacy of our founder, we believe that the leadership of our grantees will make a profound impact and create lasting change within our community. The Sam J. Frankino Foundation is an independent family foundation dedicated to creating opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for children and families in need.

The Sam J. Frankino Legacy Words from Lorraine Frankino-Dodero, the Executive Director-Trustee “My father, Sam J. Frankino, taught our family that giving back is one of life’s greatest privileges.

He showed us that through both our time and our blessings, we have the power to touch lives, uplift communities, and create meaningful change. At The Sam J. Frankino Foundation, we are honored to partner with nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving women, children, and families facing difficult challenges.

Through initiatives that advance education, meet basic human needs, support innovative healthcare solutions, protect our environment, and nurture the arts, we strive to make a lasting and meaningful impact. Our family has been richly blessed by God’s grace, and it is our heartfelt desire to share those blessings with others.

In all that we do, we seek to honor my father’s legacy by restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and helping to build stronger, more vibrant communities for generations to come. ” Founder: Mr. Sam J. Frankino (1924–2009) Sam J.

Frankino’s life is a testament to hard work, integrity, and compassion. Born into an Italian-American family in Cleveland during the Great Depression, Sam experienced firsthand the challenges of financial hardship. Despite these struggles, his family remained close-knit, united by shared meals, faith, and a commitment to helping one another.

From an early age, Sam embraced the values of hard work, thrift, and generosity—principles that would shape his life and legacy. By age 12, he was working multiple small jobs to help support his family, driven by a deep sense of responsibility and love. A pivotal influence in Sam’s life was his mother, who taught him the importance of being frugal, the value of diligent work, and the duty to serve those less fortunate.

These lessons became the cornerstone of Sam’s lifelong philosophy and are at the heart of the foundation that bears his name. His commitment to faith, family, and community is a legacy he passed down to his family and continues to inspire the work of The Sam J. Frankino Foundation.

After serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II, Sam returned home eager to build a better future for his young bride and their daughter, Lorraine. Armed with a relentless work ethic and a passion for excellence, he entered the business world and eventually rose to prominence as CEO of Agency Rent-A-Car and National Auto Credit.

A visionary entrepreneur, Sam identified untapped opportunities and navigated the financial market with remarkable skill. Yet it was his unwavering commitment to hard work that truly set him apart, leading him to become a self-made multi-millionaire. Throughout his career, Sam created thousands of jobs, impacting countless lives.

He led with humility and integrity, maintaining an “open door” policy and mentoring many, including his daughter Lorraine. Despite his financial success, Sam remained grounded and approachable, living without extravagance and always keeping his trademark wry sense of humor. Whether in the company of dignitaries, business leaders, neighbors, or children, Sam treated everyone with respect and warmth.

Sam never lost sight of his roots or his commitment to giving back. He carried his Italian-American heritage with pride and held steadfast to his work ethic and compassion for those in need. His legacy of generosity, leadership, and dedication to community lives on through The Sam J.

Frankino Foundation. Today, the foundation carries forward his mission of helping others, remaining steadfast in his vision of improving lives and making a lasting impact on the world—one person at a time. 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. Proposal Review & Funding Decision 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. The Sam J. Frankino Foundation (Executive Director – Trustee) The Sam J.

Frankino Legacy Words from Lorraine Frankino-Dodero, the Executive Director-Trustee “My father, Sam J. Frankino, taught our family that giving back is one of life’s greatest privileges. He showed us that through both our time and our blessings, we have the power to touch lives, uplift communities, and create meaningful change.

At The Sam J. Frankino Foundation, we are honored to partner with nonprofit organizations dedicated to serving women, children, and families facing difficult challenges. Through initiatives that advance education, meet basic human needs, support innovative healthcare solutions, protect our environment, and nurture the arts, we strive to make a lasting and meaningful impact.

Our family has been richly blessed by God’s grace, and it is our heartfelt desire to share those blessings with others. In all that we do, we seek to honor my father’s legacy by restoring dignity, creating opportunity, and helping to build stronger, more vibrant communities for generations to come. ”