The SPE Foundation supports the development of plastics professionals by funding quality educational programs, grants, and scholarships emphasizing science, engineering, sustainability, and manufacturing while creating STEM opportunities for students worldwide.
Society of Plastics Engineers Inc uses grantmaking to support plastics education, scholarships, and STEM outreach tied to the plastics industry. In the recent grant list, scholarship support appears across universities and colleges, including a $40,500 award to Western Washington University and a $18,000 scholarship to the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The foundation also backs school-based STEM programming: American International Academy in Detroit received $30,000 for EcoTek Science at Work! Lab, continuing a three-year run of support, and Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas received $25,000 for a Girl Scouts of America patch program in both 2024 and 2025. That pattern fits the organization’s stated emphasis on plastics and polymer education, scholarships for students, educational programs and equipment, and STEM outreach. Its giving also includes support for manufacturing-related learning, sustainability and circularity in plastics, and professional development activities connected to the field. The grant list shows a mix of higher education, K-12 outreach, and program sponsorships rather than a single-use strategy.
A major share of the foundation’s support goes to scholarships for students preparing for plastics-related careers. Recent awards include $13,000 to Pennsylvania College of Technology and $12,625 to Penn State University for scholarship support. It also funds university-level scholarships in engineering and science fields, such as $12,500 to the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and $10,500 to the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Beyond higher education, the foundation supports classroom and outreach programming. McKinney Education Foundation received $20,470 for an after school STEM program, while Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana received $10,000 for sponsorship. The foundation also backs lab-based science education: New Paradigm for Education in Detroit received $15,000 for EcoTek Science at Work! Lab.
Typical awards are modest and clustered tightly: the p25 is $7,531, the median is $9,375, and the p75 is $12,375. The recent grant list shows repeat support to the same recipients across multiple years, including Western Washington University, American International Academy, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Mckinney Education Foundation, Lehigh University, Michigan State University, and Penn State Erie - Behrend College. The foundation is a regular funder and also makes program-related investments. It accepts unsolicited applications for several active programs, including scholarships, 3D printer grants, PlastiVan outreach support, thermoforming division grants, and plastics and polymer education grants.
$409K
$7M
$4.8M
$5.6M
Most grants fall between $8K and $12K, with a median of $9K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$9K
75th Percentile
$12K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in MI.
PATRICK FARREY
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Giving is national and entirely U.S.-based in the recent grants list, with 64 grants to U.S. recipients and 0% in Connecticut. Michigan appears frequently, with grants to Detroit and East Lansing, and Pennsylvania also shows up repeatedly through University Park, Erie, Bethlehem, and Williamsport. Other recurring recipient locations include Bellingham, Washington; Dallas and McKinney, Texas; and Champaign, Illinois. The top state by grant count is Massachusetts, reflecting where the foundation gives most often rather than where it is headquartered.
It funds universities, colleges, schools, and youth-serving organizations. Recent grants went to Western Washington University, American International Academy, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Mckinney Education Foundation, and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, showing a mix of higher education, classroom programming, and youth STEM outreach.
Typical grants are in a narrow range: the p25 is $7,531, the median is $9,375, and the p75 is $12,375. The recent list includes both larger scholarship awards and many grants clustered around this middle range.
Yes. Several active programs explicitly accept unsolicited applications, including SPE Foundation Scholarships, 3D Printer Grants, PlastiVan® Program sponsorships and grants, SPE Thermoforming Division Grants, and Plastics & Polymer Education Grants.
The foundation focuses on plastics and polymer education, scholarships for students, grants for educational programs and equipment, STEM outreach, sustainability and circularity in plastics, and professional conferences and training.
It includes recurring support. Multiple recipients appear in consecutive years, such as Western Washington University, American International Academy, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, Mckinney Education Foundation, Lehigh University, Michigan State University, and Penn State Erie - Behrend College.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Society of Plastics Engineers that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Programs and/or equipment for classroom use or to deliver plastics education to the public.
Deadline: February 15; August 15; November 15
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | BELLINGHAM, WA | $40,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY | DETROIT, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | ECOTEK SCIENCE AT WORK! LAB |
| WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | BELLINGHAM, WA | $29,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHEAST TEXAS | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA PATCH PROGRAM |
| MCKINNEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | MCKINNEY, TX | $20,470 | 2025 | AFTER SCHOOL STEM PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUETTS-LOWELL | LOWELL, MA | $18,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY | WILLIAMSPORT, PA | $13,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| PENN STATE UNIVERSITY | UNIVERSITY PARK, PA | $12,625 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA CHAMPAIGN | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $12,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| LEHIGH UNIVERSITY | BETHLEHEM, MA | $12,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| PENN STATE ERIE - BEHREND COLLEGE | ERIE, PA | $11,375 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE KNOXVILLE | KNOXVILLE, TN | $10,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | EAST LANSING, MI | $10,250 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | ATLANTA, GA | $10,125 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF AKRON | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF GREATER CHICAGO AND NORTHWEST INDIANA | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP |
| TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY | LUBBOCK, TX | $9,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY | BIG RAPIDS, MI | $9,250 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| BAYLOR UNIVERSITY | WACO, TX | $9,250 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | EAST LANSING, MI | $9,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| KETTERING UNIVERSITY | FLINT, MI | $8,250 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY | WINONA, MN | $8,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY | BIG RAPIDS, MI | $8,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY | WILLIAMSPORT, PA | $7,625 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE STATION | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $7,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY | PORTSMOUTH, OH | $7,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| PITTSBURGH STATE UNIVERSITY | PITTSBURGH, KS | $6,625 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| PENN STATE ERIE - BEHREND COLLEGE | ERIE, PA | $6,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES | GOLDEN, CO | $6,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM | BIRMINGHAM, AL | $5,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | PRINCETON, NJ | $5,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE STATION | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $5,250 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | BELLINGHAM, WA | $40,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY | DETROIT, MI | $30,000 | 2024 | ECOTEK SCIENCE AT WORK! LAB |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHEAST TEXAS | DALLAS, TX | $25,000 | 2024 | GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA PATCH PROGRAM |
| MCKINNEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION | MCKINNEY, TX | $20,470 | 2024 | AFTER SCHOOL STEM PROGRAM |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA CHAMPAIGN | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $12,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| LEHIGH UNIVERSITY | BETHLEHEM, MA | $12,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| PENN STATE ERIE - BEHREND COLLEGE | ERIE, PA | $11,375 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | EAST LANSING, MI | $10,250 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY | LUBBOCK, TX | $9,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| BAYLOR UNIVERSITY | WACO, TX | $9,250 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| KETTERING UNIVERSITY | FLINT, MI | $8,250 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY | BIG RAPIDS, MI | $8,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY | WILLIAMSPORT, PA | $7,625 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE STATION | COLLEGE STATION, TX | $7,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY | PORTSMOUTH, OH | $7,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| PITTSBURGH STATE UNIVERSITY | PITTSBURGH, KS | $6,625 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIP |
WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$40,500SCHOLARSHIP
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
$30,000ECOTEK SCIENCE AT WORK! LAB
WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$29,000SCHOLARSHIP
MCKINNEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$20,470AFTER SCHOOL STEM PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUETTS-LOWELL
$18,000SCHOLARSHIP
PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
$13,000SCHOLARSHIP
PENN STATE UNIVERSITY
$12,625SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA CHAMPAIGN
$12,500SCHOLARSHIP
PENN STATE ERIE - BEHREND COLLEGE
$11,375SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE KNOXVILLE
$10,500SCHOLARSHIP
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$10,250SCHOLARSHIP
GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
$10,125SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO
$10,000SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
$10,000SCHOLARSHIP
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
$9,500SCHOLARSHIP
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
$9,250SCHOLARSHIP
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$9,000SCHOLARSHIP
KETTERING UNIVERSITY
$8,250SCHOLARSHIP
WINONA STATE UNIVERSITY
$8,000SCHOLARSHIP
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
$8,000SCHOLARSHIP
PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
$7,625SCHOLARSHIP
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE STATION
$7,500SCHOLARSHIP
SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY
$7,000SCHOLARSHIP
PITTSBURGH STATE UNIVERSITY
$6,625SCHOLARSHIP
PENN STATE ERIE - BEHREND COLLEGE
$6,000SCHOLARSHIP
COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
$6,000SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
$5,500SCHOLARSHIP
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
$5,500SCHOLARSHIP
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE STATION
$5,250SCHOLARSHIP
WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$40,500SCHOLARSHIP
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
$30,000ECOTEK SCIENCE AT WORK! LAB
MCKINNEY EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$20,470AFTER SCHOOL STEM PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA CHAMPAIGN
$12,500SCHOLARSHIP
PENN STATE ERIE - BEHREND COLLEGE
$11,375SCHOLARSHIP
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$10,250SCHOLARSHIP
TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
$9,500SCHOLARSHIP
KETTERING UNIVERSITY
$8,250SCHOLARSHIP
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
$8,000SCHOLARSHIP
PENNSYLVANIA COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY
$7,625SCHOLARSHIP
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY - COLLEGE STATION
$7,500SCHOLARSHIP
SHAWNEE STATE UNIVERSITY
$7,000SCHOLARSHIP
PITTSBURGH STATE UNIVERSITY
$6,625SCHOLARSHIP