Synthomer Foundation

Private foundation · EIN 34-1909350 · since 2000synthomer.com/sustainability/synthomer-foundation·Akron, Beachwood, Chester, Houston, Jefferson Hills, Kingsport, Longview, Mogadore, Roebuck, Spartan…·Updated 13 October 2026

At a glance

$1.3M

Annual giving, 2024 tax year

From the Form 990-PF filing

$250 to $10,000

Grant range

From grants in the 990-PF filings

$3,000

Typical grant (median)

289 grants in the latest filing

Open to applications

Fixed application deadlines · unsolicited applications welcome

Key takeaways

Synthomer Foundation, based in Beachwood, OH, gives first priority to education, alongside arts and culture, civic projects, and health and human services, so an approach fits best if your work sits in one of these areas and you hold 501(c)(3) status.
Most of its grants fall between $250 and $10,000 and its median grant is $2,800, so a modest request for a specific project is realistic; its largest grant was $40,000, so that band is typical rather than a ceiling.
About 86% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had funded before, so it leans towards existing grantees, but a first approach is still welcome.
Send the full package (organisational description, budget with annual report, 501(c)(3) letter, project statement and trustee list) by the annual deadline of 31 October, and explain how the project will be evaluated and measured.
Individuals, private foundations, fraternal, social or labour organisations, political parties or candidates, organisations that discriminate, and any group that is not tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) should not apply.

Overview

Synthomer Foundation is a US private foundation based in Beachwood, OH.

What they fund

Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website, with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.

Priority Areas

The Synthomer Foundation supports nonprofit organisations throughout its U.S. footprint whose programmes and projects make a significant impact in the community. It gives in education, arts and culture, civic projects, and health and human services, with education its highest priority. It prefers specific projects, though some unrestricted funding is provided. It considers tax-exempt nonprofits established for public use with active 501(c)(3) status. Priority goes to organisations in the U.S. where Synthomer has facilities and employees live and work; it also funds a limited number of national projects. Funded organisations are expected to show competence and effectiveness, explain how projects will be evaluated and measured, and submit a final programme report before further funding where applicable.

Themes

Education
Arts and culture
Civic projects
Health and human services

Geographic Focus

Priority: Akron; Beachwood; Warrensville Heights; Chester; Houston; Jefferson Hills; Kingsport; Longview; Mogadore; Roebuck; Spartanburg; Stafford.

What They Don't Fund

Organizations that are not considered tax-exempt under Section 501(c)3 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code, or the equivalent
Individuals, private foundations, fraternal, social, or labor organizations
Organizations that discriminate because of race, color, creed or national origin
Political parties, candidates or lobbying activities
Organizations and programs that might pose a potential conflict of interest for Synthomer
Courtesy advertising, benefits, raffle tickets and the purchase of tables

How to apply

A request should include an organisational description, budget information with an annual report, a copy of the current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt letter, a project statement addressing purpose, budget and objectives, and a list of the organisation's trustees.

Deadlines: Annual deadline: 31 October.

Application success factors

Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 86% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 904 grants to organisations were $2,800 or less.

What the foundation says:

The Foundation prefers to fund specific projects rather than unrestricted support.
Education is its highest giving priority.
The Foundation funds organisations that demonstrate competency and effectiveness; requests should explain how projects will be evaluated and measured.
Recipients must submit a final programme report before the distribution of new funds, where applicable.

Where grants go

From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.

Grant dollars by state

Ohio79%

New York5%

Pennsylvania4%

South Carolina3%

Massachusetts1%

Virginia1%

6 other states: 4%

Outside the US or with no state on the filing: 3%

The largest single recipient received 4% of grant dollars to organisations.
In tax year 2024, 86% of grant dollars went to organisations Synthomer Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
11% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.

Grants

289 grants in the latest filing analysed · median $3,000

How much do they typically give?

Share of 289 grants in tax year 2024 by size

Under $1k15%

$1k–$2.5k21%

$2.5k–$5k23%

$5k–$10k27%

$10k–$25k13%

$25k–$50k1%

Median $3,000 (tax year 2024)

The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:

United Way of Greater Cleveland · Program/project support
$40,0002024 tax year
Akron Urban League · Program/project support
$35,0002024 tax year
University of Akron Research Foundation · Program/project support
$30,0002024 tax year
United Way of Summit and Medina · Program/project support
$28,0002024 tax year
American Institute of Chemical Engineers · Program/project support
$24,0002024 tax year
American Institute of Chemical Engineers · Program/project support
$24,0002024 tax year
Cuyahoga Community College Foundation · Program/project support
$20,0002024 tax year
ACCESS · Program/project support
$20,0002024 tax year

Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.

Officers and directors

Joy Gallo — Trustee
Sonya Varga — Vice Chairman
Amy Castle — Trustee
Joe Muska — Secretary
Kimberly Grimm — Trustee
Jeffrey Scranton — Treasurer
Gregg Geldart — Chairman
S Theresa Carter — Foundation Manager

From the latest Form 990-PF filing

3 years of tax filings

Year	Total expenses	Grants paid	Assets	Filing document
2022 tax year	$1,710,770	$1,316,040	$26,091,796	Filing for 2022 tax year
2023 tax year	$1,733,870	$1,364,268	$26,766,612	Filing for 2023 tax year
2024 tax year	$1,757,839	$1,314,581	$27,820,498	Filing for 2024 tax year

Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.