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Paul & Maxine Frohring Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$4.7M
Grant Range
$700K - $1.0M

Paul & Maxine Frohring Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $4,715,000 (2023)
  • Average Grant: ~$393,000
  • Number of Awards: 12 annually (approximate)
  • Total Assets: $108.76 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: National (primarily Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, New York, Florida, and international - Italy)
  • Application Method: No public application process - invitation/relationship-based

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 75000
Detroit, MI 48275-7874

EIN: 34-6513729

Note: The foundation does not appear to maintain public contact information for unsolicited inquiries. Contact details are available through IRS Form 990 filings.

Overview

Founded in 1958 by Paul R. and Maxine A. Prince Frohring, the Paul & Maxine Frohring Foundation Inc is a private foundation with over $108 million in assets that distributed $4.7 million in grants in 2023. The foundation focuses on higher education, conservation, and social outreach with an emphasis on supporting collaborative efforts that bring together multiple organizations to achieve significant impacts. The foundation has deep historical ties to Ohio, particularly through Paul Frohring's long-term service on the Hiram College Board of Trustees from 1956 until his death in 1998, and his role in founding and developing John Cabot University in Rome. Currently led by Paula C. Frohring (daughter of the founders) as President and Trustee, the foundation maintains a selective grant-making approach, typically awarding approximately 12 grants per year to institutions with which the trustees have established relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal, named grant programs. Instead, grants are awarded through trustee discretion on an annual basis. Recent documented grants include:

  • Major institutional support: $700,000 - $1,000,000 (multi-year commitments to key institutions)
  • Scholarships and endowments: $1,000,000 (endowed scholarship funds)
  • Program-specific support: Variable amounts for conservation research, field stations, and international education programs

Priority Areas

Higher Education:

  • Scholarships for students, particularly in STEM fields (biology, chemistry)
  • International education programs
  • Faculty development grants
  • Campus facilities and infrastructure
  • Support for students from developing countries (non-US, non-EU)

Conservation and Environmental Education:

  • Natural resource stewardship programming
  • Conservation research and field station operations
  • Environmental education initiatives
  • Grassland and habitat preservation programs
  • Tree canopy and ecosystem projects

Social Outreach:

  • Collaborative efforts bringing together multiple organizations
  • Health and social services (historical focus)
  • Community land conservation initiatives

Geographic Preferences

The foundation supports projects across multiple states including Ohio, Maryland, Virginia, New York, Florida, and has significant international giving to Italy (John Cabot University in Rome).

What They Don't Fund

Based on their grant history, the foundation does not appear to fund:

  • Individual requests (grants go to institutions)
  • Organizations without established relationships with trustees
  • Short-term or one-off projects without institutional partnerships
  • Organizations outside their focus areas of education, conservation, and social services

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership (2024)

  • Paula C. Frohring - Trustee/President (daughter of founders; serves as trustee at both John Cabot University and Hiram College)
  • Jeffrey Larichie - Trustee/Vice President
  • Dennis Taylor - Trustee
  • Philip Kushlan - Director
  • Lucy Chamberlain - Director
  • Kristin Finkelstein - Secretary

All trustees and directors serve without compensation.

Leadership Perspective

Paula C. Frohring has been described as a "beloved" and "cherished Trustee" at John Cabot University, continuing her parents' philanthropic legacy. The foundation emphasizes supporting collaborative efforts and long-term institutional relationships, with the Frohring family collectively gifting approximately $15 million to Hiram College alone over the decades, making Paul R. Frohring the top donor in that institution's history.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Paul & Maxine Frohring Foundation does not have a public application process. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on established relationships with educational and conservation organizations. The foundation's grant-making is primarily directed to institutions where trustees serve in leadership roles or have long-standing connections.

Decision Timeline

Grants appear to be awarded on an annual cycle, though specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. With approximately 12 grants awarded per year from the foundation's annual charitable disbursements of $5+ million, the foundation maintains a highly selective approach.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications. Organizations that have received support appear to receive ongoing multi-year commitments (e.g., John Cabot University received grants in 2015, 2020, 2021, and 2024).

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation operates on an invitation-only basis through trustee relationships, the key factors for receiving support appear to be:

Existing Relationships:

  • Institutional connections with foundation trustees
  • Long-term partnerships developed over years or decades
  • Leadership or board involvement by Frohring family members or trustees

Alignment with Founding Mission:

  • Strong focus on higher education institutions
  • Conservation and environmental stewardship programs embedded within educational institutions
  • Projects that demonstrate collaborative approaches bringing together multiple stakeholders

Demonstrated Impact:

  • Major infrastructure or endowment needs (the foundation makes substantial grants averaging nearly $400,000)
  • Programs with lasting impact (field stations, campus facilities, endowed scholarships)
  • International education initiatives, particularly those connecting developing countries with educational opportunities

Institutional Capacity:

  • Established educational institutions with track records
  • Organizations capable of managing six- to seven-figure grants
  • Institutions with clear conservation or educational missions

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application process exists - this foundation awards grants exclusively through trustee discretion and established relationships
  • Very high average grant size (~$393,000) indicates the foundation makes substantial, transformative gifts rather than small grants
  • Long-term commitment model - the foundation demonstrates multi-year, sometimes multi-decade support for institutions in its network (e.g., supporting Hiram College since the 1950s, John Cabot University since 1972)
  • Trustee connections are essential - reviewing the foundation's grantees shows a pattern of institutions where Frohring family members or trustees serve in governance roles
  • Focus on sustainability - grants support endowments, capital projects, and long-term programs rather than annual operating support
  • Conservation within education - environmental grants are typically made to educational institutions for research, field stations, and student programming rather than standalone conservation organizations
  • Small number of grants - with only ~12 awards annually from assets of $108 million, this foundation is highly selective and relationship-driven

References

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