The Sammy Fund

03/06/2026

Samantha June Otte passed away 26 years ago today at age 10. We miss and love her and her beautiful smile. Thank you to this generous community for keeping Sam’s memory alive all this time with $700,000+ distributed in her name to local organizations! 💜🦋

01/10/2026

Yesterday was our 26th grant distribution of the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund (SOYOF), bringing the grand total distributed to over $709,000!

On Friday morning, 29 grants totaling $79,500 were distributed to area nonprofits in Samantha’s memory. Yes, you read that correctly! Our largest grant distribution to date: $79,500!

Special thanks to the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri who manages the SOYOF, to Gem City Breakfast Kiwanis for continuing fundraising efforts, and to every individual and business who has generously supported our mission over the years! 💜🦋

01/07/2026

Today would have been Samantha’s 36th birthday. Sammy loved to go BIG with parties and celebrations, so we will be celebrating her birthday this Friday with an extra special annual grant distribution! Stay tuned for the exciting announcement! 💜🦋

10/13/2025

We are grateful to Gem City Breakfast Kiwanis for their hosting of the Sammy & Kids Golf Scramble yesterday! The weather was beautiful, the community was generous, and our hearts are full! 🦋💜

09/24/2025

Nonprofits that create opportunities for local youth in the arts, leadership, service, and community betterment are invited to apply for funding through the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund.

One-page request letters are due October 1. https://www.mycommunityfoundation.org/grants

09/15/2025

Reminder to get those grant request letters submitted! 💜

Grant request letters for the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund are due October 1.

This fund honors Samantha’s legacy by supporting organizations that enhance community betterment and provide artistic, leadership, and humanitarian opportunities for local youth.

Learn more and apply here: https://mycommunityfoundation.org/samantha-otte-youth-opportunity-fund

08/30/2025

It’s that time again! We are looking forward to reading this year’s grant applications to learn more about all the great things local programs are offering for children!

Samantha Otte’s life was short, but her impact continues to grow. Created in her memory, the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund has supported numerous programs that open doors for local children by providing opportunities for artistic, leadership, and humanitarian pursuits among youth.

Nonprofits are invited to apply for 2025 grants by October 1 at mycommunityfoundation.org/grants

Together, we honor Samantha’s legacy by investing in the next generation.

04/16/2025

The Sammy Fund recently provided a grant benefiting students at Veterans Elementary School in Hannibal! Students in Ms. Lehman's self-contained special ed classroom learned hands on life-skills in creating their works of art, which were then sold in their classroom store. A color printer we helped purchase aided in printing price tags and labels.

The kids loved this activity so much that they didn't even realize they were learning life skills. Thank you for your support, which made this grant possible!

03/05/2025

Twenty five years ago today, we had to say goodbye to our sweet Samantha. It is hard to believe it has been that long already, yet sometimes it feels like it’s been so much longer. We love her and miss her every day. We continue to be grateful to this generous community for keeping our Sammy’s spirit alive. 🦋 💜

01/12/2025

🦋 💜

The Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund was created to celebrate the life and legacy of Samantha Otte by empowering children in the community to reach their fullest potential. Samantha, who died in

01/11/2025

Yesterday was the 25th grant distribution of the Samantha Otte Youth Opportunity Fund through the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri! Thank you to our generous community for making this fund possible! We are so grateful to all of the wonderful agencies and organizations who serve area children! This year over $51,000 was distributed in Samantha’s name 💜

QUINCY — St. Dominic second-graders Hannah Hoffer and Claire O’Neal love doing art projects in the classroom.