The SAMS organize two annual benefit events, Gardens of Art and the Nordstrom Designer Preview.

The Seattle Art Museum Supporters (SAMS) was founded in 1985 by Sally Nordstrom. Since its inception, SAMS has raised over$4 million to fund selected exhibits, arts education, museum publications, installations, and SAM's capital campaign. Membership in SAMS is by invitation only.

SAMS is proud to have supported exhibitions such as:

• Roman Art from the Louvre, February 21–May 11, 2008
• Opening Exhibitions at the Olympic Sculpture Park PACCAR Pavillion featuring photographs by Glenn Rudolph and installations by Pedro Reyes
  
• The Orchid Pavilion Gathering, January 14– April 2, 2006
• Louis Comfort Tiffany: Artist for the ages, October 13, 2005–January 4, 2006
• Isamu Noguchi Sculptural Design, June 9–September 5, 2005
• Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Mexican Modernism The Jacques and Natasha Gelman Collection, October 17, 2002–January 5, 2003
• Baja to Vancouver: The West Coast and Contemporary Art, October 9, 2003–January 4, 2004
• Intimate Worlds: Indian Paintings from Alvin O. Bellak Collection Conversations with Traditions: Nilima Sheikh and Shahzia Sikander, June 12–September 7, 2003
• Treasures from a Lost Civilization: Ancient Chinese Art from Sichuan, May 10–August 12, 2001
• Eastman Johnson: Painting America, June 8–September 10, 2000

The SAMS have also supported the "Services for Schools" program, among many other exhibits and programs.