The Sidney Frohman Foundation concentrates its giving locally in Sandusky, OH, supporting civic cultural institutions and public K–12 education. Recent grants fund a presidential library/museum, the local school district for a cultural center and scholarships, and a high-school booster organization—indicating a priority on community heritage, student opportunities, and school programs. Grants are sizable and targeted rather than widely distributed, suggesting a hands-on, place-based philanthropy.
Sidney Frohman Foundation C/o Payne Nickles & Co centers its giving on Sandusky-area public institutions and community services, with a visible emphasis on education, cultural heritage, and local support programs. One of its largest recent grants went to the Hayes Presidential Library Museum in Fremont for program funding, while other sizable gifts supported the Sandusky Board of Education for a cultural center and scholarships and the Sandusky Blue Streak Boosters for program funding. The foundation’s recent activity shows a place-based pattern rather than broad dispersion. It backs school-related priorities through Sandusky public schools and education-adjacent projects, and it also supports civic and cultural venues such as the Sandusky State Theatre. Alongside those grants, the foundation has funded direct service organizations serving local needs, including food assistance, hospice care, domestic violence services, and senior support. Its grantmaking appears targeted, with repeated support for some recipients across 2023 and 2024 and a preference for established local organizations.
Education and student support are a recurring thread in the foundation’s recent giving. It granted $55,000 to Sandusky Board of Education for a cultural center and scholarships, then repeated that support with another $15,000 grant in 2024 for the same purpose. Sandusky City Schools also received $15,000 for program funding. Cultural programming is another clear area of support. The foundation gave $30,000 in 2023 and $25,000 in 2024 to Sandusky State Theatre for operating expenses. It also funded the Hayes Presidential Library Museum with $60,287 for program funding. Direct service grants reach community members through food and family support. Second Harvest Food Bank received $30,000 in both 2023 and 2024 for food programs, and Safe Harbor Domestic Violence received $20,000 in each of those years for program funding.
The foundation’s typical grant size is modest and tightly grouped: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $8,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. That distribution fits a portfolio of targeted local grants rather than large outliers. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2024, including Sandusky State Theatre, Safe Harbor Domestic Violence, Serving Our Seniors, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Sandusky Board of Education, which points to repeat support rather than one-time awards. The foundation is structured as a private foundation and, in the materials provided, no individual giving or program-related investments are listed.
$409K
$10.6M
$1.1M
$534K
Most grants fall between $5K and $15K, with a median of $8K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$8K
75th Percentile
$15K
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Concentrated, local giving: a small number of relatively large grants focused on Sandusky-area cultural and public school recipients rather than many small or geographically diverse awards.
Notable grantees: Hayes Presidential Library & Museum, Sandusky Board of Education, Sandusky Blue Streak Boosters
All reported grants go to U.S. recipients, and 100% of grants are in Ohio. The giving is concentrated in Sandusky and nearby Erie County communities, with multiple awards to Sandusky organizations such as Sandusky State Theatre, Sandusky City Schools, and Serving Our Seniors. Other Ohio recipients include Fremont, Lorain, Huron, Castalia, Port Clinton, Kelleys Island, and Cleveland. The pattern is local in scope and centered in the foundation’s home region.
Recent grants support public education, cultural institutions, food assistance, hospice care, domestic violence services, senior services, and other local community programs. Named recipients include Sandusky Board of Education, Sandusky State Theatre, Second Harvest Food Bank, Stein Hospice Services Inc, and Safe Harbor Domestic Violence.
The grant-size distribution is fairly compact. The 25th percentile is $5,000, the median grant is $8,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. Many recent awards fall in that range, with some larger program grants above it.
Yes. Several recipients received grants in both 2023 and 2024, including Sandusky State Theatre, Safe Harbor Domestic Violence, Serving Our Seniors, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Sandusky Board of Education. That suggests repeated support for selected local organizations.
Giving is local and entirely in Ohio. The recipient list includes Sandusky, Fremont, Lorain, Huron, Castalia, Port Clinton, Kelleys Island, and Cleveland, with Sandusky appearing most often among the recent grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SANDUSKY BOARD OF EDUCATION | SANDUSKY, OH | $40,000 | 2026 | CULTURAL CENTER & SCHOLARSHIPS |
| BACK TO THE WILD INC | CASTALIA, OH | $35,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| CARE AND SHARE OF ERIE COUNTY | SANDUSKY, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| SANDUSKY STATE THEATRE | SANDUSKY, OH | $25,000 | 2026 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | LORAIN, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | FOOD PROGRAMS |
| SANDUSKY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | SANDUSKY, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| SAFE HARBOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE | SANDUSKY, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF ERIE CO | SANDUSKY, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| FIRELANDS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | HURON, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| OHGO | SANDUSKY, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| SALVATION ARMY HURON UNIT | HURON, OH | $14,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| CHI LIVING COMMUNITIES | SANDUSKY, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| KINSHIP INC | HURON, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| STEIN HOSPICE SERVICES INC | SANDUSKY, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF TOLE | TOLEDO, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| COMMUNITY YOUTH MENTORING | SANDUSKY, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| WABASH COLLEGE | CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| CANCER SERVICES OF ERIE COUNTY | SANDUSKY, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE | TOLEDO, OH | $9,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| EDISON BIRTHPLACE ASSOCIATION | MILAN, OH | $8,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| HEARTBEAT OF SANDUSKY INC | SANDUSKY, OH | $8,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF ERIE COUNTY | SANDUSKY, OH | $8,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| PARKVIEW COMMUNITY | SANDUSKY, OH | $7,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF ERIE COUNTY | SANDUSKY, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| MUSEUM OF CAROUSEL ART HISTORY | SANDUSKY, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| VICTORY TEMPLE SOUP KITCHEN | SANDUSKY, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| HURON COMMUNITY SERVICES INC | HURON, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | DIAL-A-RIDE SUPPORT |
| THE AMERICAN RED CROSS | SANDUSKY, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| SANDUSKY IMAGINATION LIBRARY | SANDUSKY, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| ERIE METRO LIVE STEAMERS | SANDUSKY, OH | $4,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF NE OHIO | MACEDONIA, OH | $4,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| PREVENT BLINDNESS OHIO | COLUMBUS, OH | $4,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| PERKINS HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUN | SANDUSKY, OH | $3,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SANDUSKY CONCERT ASSOCIAITON | SANDUSKY, OH | $3,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| ALUMNI CLUB OF ERIE COUNTY | COLUMBUS, OH | $2,500 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| ERIE COUNTY COMMMUNITY FOUNDATION | SANDUSKY, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| HURON CITY SCHOOLS | HURON, OH | $2,000 | 2026 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| HAYES PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY MUSEUM | FREMONT, OH | $60,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| SANDUSKY BLUE STREAK BOOSTERS | SANDUSKY, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| SANDUSKY BOARD OF EDUCATION | SANDUSKY, OH | $25,000 | 2025 | CULTURAL CENTER & SCHOLARSHIPS |
| SAFE HARBOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE | SANDUSKY, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| CARE AND SHARE OF ERIE COUNTY | SANDUSKY, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| BACK TO THE WILD INC | CASTALIA, OH | $17,000 | 2025 | FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS |
| BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF ERIE CO | SANDUSKY, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| SANDUSKY STATE THEATRE | SANDUSKY, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | OPERATING EXPENSES |
| SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK | LORAIN, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | FOOD PROGRAMS |
| COMMUNITY YOUTH MENTORING | SANDUSKY, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| PERKINS LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | SANDUSKY, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| KINSHIP INC | HURON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
| CANCER SERVICES OF ERIE COUNTY | SANDUSKY, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM FUNDING |
SANDUSKY BOARD OF EDUCATION
$40,000CULTURAL CENTER & SCHOLARSHIPS
BACK TO THE WILD INC
$35,000PROGRAM FUNDING
CARE AND SHARE OF ERIE COUNTY
$25,000PROGRAM FUNDING
SANDUSKY STATE THEATRE
$25,000OPERATING EXPENSES
SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK
$20,000FOOD PROGRAMS
SANDUSKY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$20,000PROGRAM FUNDING
SAFE HARBOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
$20,000PROGRAM FUNDING
BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF ERIE CO
$15,000PROGRAM FUNDING
FIRELANDS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$15,000PROGRAM FUNDING
OHGO
$15,000PROGRAM FUNDING
SALVATION ARMY HURON UNIT
$14,000PROGRAM FUNDING
CHI LIVING COMMUNITIES
$10,000PROGRAM FUNDING
KINSHIP INC
$10,000PROGRAM FUNDING
STEIN HOSPICE SERVICES INC
$10,000PROGRAM FUNDING
CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF TOLE
$10,000PROGRAM FUNDING
COMMUNITY YOUTH MENTORING
$10,000PROGRAM FUNDING
CANCER SERVICES OF ERIE COUNTY
$10,000PROGRAM FUNDING
COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATE
$9,000PROGRAM FUNDING
EDISON BIRTHPLACE ASSOCIATION
$8,000PROGRAM FUNDING
HEARTBEAT OF SANDUSKY INC
$8,000PROGRAM FUNDING
HUMANE SOCIETY OF ERIE COUNTY
$8,000PROGRAM FUNDING
PARKVIEW COMMUNITY
$7,500PROGRAM FUNDING
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF ERIE COUNTY
$5,000PROGRAM FUNDING
MUSEUM OF CAROUSEL ART HISTORY
$5,000PROGRAM FUNDING
VICTORY TEMPLE SOUP KITCHEN
$5,000PROGRAM FUNDING
HURON COMMUNITY SERVICES INC
$5,000DIAL-A-RIDE SUPPORT
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
$5,000PROGRAM FUNDING
SANDUSKY IMAGINATION LIBRARY
$5,000PROGRAM FUNDING
ERIE METRO LIVE STEAMERS
$4,000PROGRAM FUNDING
PREVENT BLINDNESS OHIO
$4,000PROGRAM FUNDING
PERKINS HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP FUN
$3,000SCHOLARSHIPS
SANDUSKY CONCERT ASSOCIAITON
$3,000PROGRAM FUNDING
ALUMNI CLUB OF ERIE COUNTY
$2,500PROGRAM FUNDING
ERIE COUNTY COMMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$2,000PROGRAM FUNDING
HURON CITY SCHOOLS
$2,000PROGRAM FUNDING
HAYES PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY MUSEUM
$60,000PROGRAM FUNDING
SANDUSKY BLUE STREAK BOOSTERS
$50,000PROGRAM FUNDING
SANDUSKY BOARD OF EDUCATION
$25,000CULTURAL CENTER & SCHOLARSHIPS
SAFE HARBOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
$20,000PROGRAM FUNDING
CARE AND SHARE OF ERIE COUNTY
$20,000PROGRAM FUNDING
BACK TO THE WILD INC
$17,000FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS
BOYS GIRLS CLUB OF ERIE CO
$15,000PROGRAM FUNDING
SANDUSKY STATE THEATRE
$15,000OPERATING EXPENSES
COMMUNITY YOUTH MENTORING
$10,000PROGRAM FUNDING
PERKINS LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
$10,000PROGRAM FUNDING
KINSHIP INC
$10,000PROGRAM FUNDING
CANCER SERVICES OF ERIE COUNTY
$10,000PROGRAM FUNDING