Responsive grants are awarded semi-annually in response to proposals submitted through the Foundation's grant application process. The Foundation accepts requests up to $50,000. In 2021, the Sam L. Cohen Foundation awarded 74 responsive grants totaling $1,308,572. In total, the Foundation considered 114 proposals requesting $2,145,155. The average grant award was $17,683; the smallest grant was $5,000; the largest grant was $50,000

Foundation-initiated grants are awarded to projects identified by directors and staff. Applications are accepted only at the invitation of the directors. Grant amounts have no limit.