About Us | Grounded Soles Foundation

Why Shoes Matter

Grounded Soles Foundation was created to remove footwear as a barrier to opportunity. Shoes are often overlooked when we think of basic needs but the reality is that footwear is a basic necessity. Designed originally for protection, shoes have over time become tied to economic status and fashion, and less recognized as the functional tools they are. At Grounded Soles Foundation, we believe that something as fundamental as shoes should never prevent anyone from fully participating in daily life. That's why we don't just distribute shoes. We remove a barrier that too many people carry silently, so they can show up for education, employment, and the demands of everyday life.

Mission & Vision

Our Mission

To remove barriers to opportunity by providing essential footwear and creating pathways to education, employment, and economic stability for families facing hardship.

Our Vision

A community where no child misses school and no parent misses a job opportunity simply because they lack proper footwear—where every family has access to the resources they need to build a stable, prosperous future.

Our Values

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Dignity

We believe every person deserves respect, compassion, and the opportunity to thrive with dignity intact.

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Impact

We measure success not by shoes distributed, but by lives changed and opportunities unlocked.

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Sustainability

We create lasting change through education, training, and pathways to economic independence.

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Partnership

We collaborate with communities, businesses, and organizations to multiply our impact.

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Innovation

We continuously seek better ways to serve families and address root causes of hardship.

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Compassion

We lead with empathy, understanding that every family's journey is unique.

Founder Story

Sam Cambridge is the founder of Grounded Soles Foundation, a Georgia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ensuring no one misses an opportunity due to lack of access to necessary footwear.

With 16 years of experience as a parent and a lifelong passion for shoes, Sam recognized a gap that others overlooked. Through years of volunteering - donating clothes, school supplies, food, and financial assistance - she noticed shoes were consistently the afterthought. A conversation with a coach about families needing help with sports dues crystallized the realization: if they couldn't afford dues, they definitely couldn't afford shoes.

Combining this insight with 24 years of corporate experience in risk management and compliance at Verizon - including conducting countless interviews where she saw how inadequate footwear affected confidence and presentation - Sam launched Grounded Soles Foundation in 2025.

"Economic hardship can fall on anyone at any time," Sam explains. "Zip codes aren't boundaries for need. Over the years, I've seen kids with taped shoes, people making do with what they had. Shoes aren't just about physical needs - not having the right shoes creates an emotional barrier to even attempting something."

That realization drove the creation of Grounded Soles Foundation, with a mission that extends beyond any single community. The organization serves both youth and adults, providing shoes and pathways to education, employment, and economic stability.

Sam holds a Master's degree in Organizational Behavior from University of Phoenix and a Bachelor's degree in Criminology from University of South Florida. She is an active member of Junior League of Gwinnett and North Fulton Counties and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

A Cumming resident and single parent to a multi-sport athlete, Sam understands firsthand the importance of proper footwear for athletic participation and academic success. Through Grounded Soles Foundation, she's building partnerships with social service organizations, schools, athletic programs, and community groups to ensure families have access to the shoes they need.

Our Story