The estate of long time animal lover and philanthropist, Sam Simon, today announced the formation of The Sam Simon Charitable Giving Foundation and a $1 million grant to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Best known as the co-creator of The Simpsons, Simon was also an outspoken opponent of the mistreatment of animals, and he was committed to serving underprivileged communities by providing access to the resources and opportunities that individuals need to reach their full potential. Simon’s foundation will fund efforts to improve the treatment and welfare of animals, prioritizing support for animals in captivity. The foundation will also support programs that provide pathways out of poverty by increasing access to education and employment in underserved communities in the Los Angeles region.
“Sam was deeply committed to philanthropy throughout his lifetime, and his legacy of giving lives on through the Foundation’s work championing both human and animal rights,” said Julie Miller of the Sam Simon Charitable Giving Foundation.
PETA added, “Knowing that the Sam Simon Charitable Giving Foundation has committed to supporting our work for animals and their guardians reminds us of Sam’s generosity and allows us to make Sam’s wishes keep coming true far into the future.”
The $1 million grant will be used for programs Sam supported during his lifetime. Funding will support PETA’s work to build empathy for animals through educational exhibits targeted towards young adults and children; the Sam Simon Animal Rescue Fund, an initiative responsible for quickly transporting a variety of animals from unsafe and cruel environments and placing them in sanctuaries, homes, or other shelters; cruelty investigations, which will focus on the entertainment industry and animal agriculture; and lastly the Sam Simon Investigations and Rescue Matching Challenge, an online fundraising initiative to generate new donors to PETA.
To learn more about the Sam Simon Charitable Giving Foundation, click here.
