The Synthomer Foundation primarily funds Greater Akron/Cleveland-area nonprofit programs with an emphasis on higher education, community human services, and regional economic/workforce initiatives. Grants are often unrestricted program support to local universities, United Ways, food banks, and workforce development partners, with recurring multi-year or repeat funding to several core institutions. The foundation also shows a distinct interest in chemical engineering and STEM-related professional groups, reflecting ties to the donor’s industry. Overall, giving is locally concentrated and program-focused rather than nationally distributed or capital-heavy.
A defining feature of Synthomer Foundation Inc. is its repeated support for Northeast Ohio institutions that anchor education, workforce development, and human services. In the recent grants list, the largest award goes to United Way of Greater Cleveland at $76,000 for project support, while Kent State University received $70,005 for scholarship and matching gift support. That pairing shows two of the foundation’s main modes: backing local service systems and helping students through university-linked giving. The foundation’s grantmaking also reaches community intermediaries such as Cleveland Foundation and United Way of Summit and Medina, along with regional nonprofits serving Akron, Cleveland, and nearby communities. Grants often appear as program or project support, with some general operating support and sponsorships mixed in. The pattern is local and recurring, with several grantees appearing across multiple years and multiple awards. Chemical engineering and STEM also surface in the giving record, reflecting a narrower professional and academic interest alongside broader community priorities.
Education is a recurring theme in Synthomer Foundation Inc.’s giving. The foundation awarded $30,000 to University of Akron Research Foundation for program/project support and $20,000 to The University of Akron for program/project support, alongside scholarship-linked support to Kent State University. In human services, it gave $50,000 to Cleveland Foundation for general operating support and $25,000 to Greater Cleveland Food Bank for program/project support, showing reliance on intermediaries and direct service providers. Workforce and community development also appear through $35,000 gifts to Akron Urban League for both program/project support and sponsorship. Chemical engineering is a distinct niche: American Institute of Chemical Engineers received multiple $24,000 awards, including program/project support and a scholarship grant.
Recent grants cluster around modest-to-mid-sized awards, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $3,000, and a p75 of $5,000. The recent list also includes larger project awards, but the typical transaction is relatively small. Giving is recurring rather than one-off: United Way of Greater Cleveland, Akron Urban League, United Way of Summit and Medina, and American Institute of Chemical Engineers all appear in multiple years. The foundation also uses several grant types, including program/project support, general operating support, scholarships, sponsorships, and matching gifts. It runs open programs for U.S. nonprofits and employees, including a general grant program and employee matching gifts.
$1.3M
$24.2M
$2M
$1.8M
Most grants fall between $1K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
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Concentrated, regionally-focused giving with many small-to-midsize program-support grants; frequent repeat grants to a core set of local institutions (universities, United Ways, community foundations) alongside targeted gifts to food security and workforce partners.
Notable grantees: Akron Urban League, Kent State University, United Way of Summit and Medina, Greater Cleveland Food Bank, American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Grants are heavily concentrated in Ohio, with 64% of grants going to recipients in the state and the top giving cities including Cleveland, Akron, and Kent. Recent awards also reached Macedonia and Beachwood/Warrensville Heights-area organizations through regional intermediaries and local nonprofits. Outside Ohio, the recent-grants list shows New York, NY as a recipient location for American Institute of Chemical Engineers. The broader country distribution in the provided data is entirely U.S.-based.
The foundation prioritizes nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations and uses project-specific funding most often. Its active general grant program emphasizes Education, Arts and Culture, Civic initiatives, and Health and Human Services, while the recent grants list shows repeated support for universities, United Ways, food banks, and workforce groups.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including United Way of Greater Cleveland, Akron Urban League, United Way of Summit and Medina, and American Institute of Chemical Engineers. That pattern suggests repeat relationships rather than isolated one-time awards.
Typical grants are small to moderate: the provided distribution shows a p25 of $1,000, a median of $3,000, and a p75 of $5,000. The recent grants list also includes larger awards for universities, community foundations, and United Way partners.
Yes. The foundation lists an active general grant program that accepts unsolicited applications from U.S. nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, and it also has an Employee Community Leadership Award and an employee matching gifts program that accept unsolicited requests.
Its grantmaking is regional and centered in Ohio. The data shows 64% of grants going to recipients in Ohio, with frequent awards in Cleveland, Akron, and Kent, while the broader recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Synthomer Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Eligible U.S. employees may make contributions to any eligible nonprofit organisation; the nonprofit must be eligible for the employee's contribution match.
Deadline: Matches processed annually; employees can submit per internal deadlines (not publicly specified).
Who can apply: The employee must be eligible and volunteering with the nonprofit organization that will receive support.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTD WAY OF GTR CLEVELAND | CLEVELAND, OH | $40,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| AKRON URBAN LEAGUE | AKRON, OH | $35,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| UNIV OF AKRON RESEARCH FDN | AKRON, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF SUMMIT AND MED | AKRON, OH | $28,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| AMER INST OF CHEMICAL ENGINE | NEW YORK, NY | $24,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| AMER INST OF CHEMICAL ENGINE | NEW YORK, NY | $24,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| ACCESS | AKRON, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| CUYAHOGA COMM COLLEGE FDN | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| THE UNIV OF AKRON | AKRON, OH | $20,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| OSU FDN | COLUMBUS, OH | $18,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| CLEVELAND STATE UNIV FDN | CLEVELAND, OH | $17,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF UNIV OF WATERLOO | ARLINGTON, VA | $16,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTH EAST OH | MACEDONIA, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| TEAM NEO FDN | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| STARK STATE COLLEGE FDN | NORTH CANTON, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| GREATER AKRON AMENITIES INC | AKRON, OH | $12,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| THE UNIV OF AKRON | AKRON, OH | $12,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| AMER INST OF CHEMICAL ENGINE | NEW YORK, NY | $12,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| PROJECT GRAD AKRON | AKRON, OH | $10,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| AMER HEART ASSN | UNIONTOWN, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARIR | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| CHILDRENS HUNGER ALLIANCE | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| KENT STATE UNIV | KENT, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| MOGADORE LOCAL SCHOOL DIST | MOGADORE, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| THE UNIV OF AKRON | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| FAM PROMISE OF GRTR CLEVELAN | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS SUMMIT PO | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP |
| AL STATE UNIV | MONTGOMERY, AL | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| KENT STATE UNIV FDN | KENT, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| UNIV OF WI STEVENS PIONT PAP | STEVENS POINT, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIV | BOWLING GREEN, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC AKRON GEN F | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| OSU | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| JOHN CARROLL UNIV | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF NORTHE | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| FAM PROMISE OF SUMMIT CO INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| AKRON COMM FDN | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| OSU | COLUMBUS, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| IDEASTREAM | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| ST MARTIN DE PORRES HS | CLEVELAND, OH | $8,900 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| HUNGER NETWORK OF GREATER CL | CLEVELAND, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| ARTS NOW | AKRON, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| ACCESS ZINC | AKRON, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| LITERACY COOP OF GREATER CLE | CLEVELAND, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| COMM HEALTH CENTER | AKRON, OH | $7,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| NATL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP CORP | EVANSTON, IL | $7,050 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| SUMMIT METRO PARKS FDN | AKRON, OH | $6,850 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
| NORTHEASTERN OH SCIENCE ENG | NORTH OLMSTED, OH | $6,500 | 2025 | PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT |
UTD WAY OF GTR CLEVELAND
$40,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
AKRON URBAN LEAGUE
$35,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
UNIV OF AKRON RESEARCH FDN
$30,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
AMER INST OF CHEMICAL ENGINE
$24,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
AMER INST OF CHEMICAL ENGINE
$24,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
THE UNIV OF AKRON
$20,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
OSU FDN
$18,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF UNIV OF WATERLOO
$16,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTH EAST OH
$15,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
GREATER AKRON AMENITIES INC
$12,500PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
THE UNIV OF AKRON
$12,500PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
AMER INST OF CHEMICAL ENGINE
$12,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
AMER HEART ASSN
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARIR
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
KENT STATE UNIV
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
MOGADORE LOCAL SCHOOL DIST
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
THE UNIV OF AKRON
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
FAM PROMISE OF GRTR CLEVELAN
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
AMERICAN RED CROSS SUMMIT PO
$10,000SPONSORSHIP
AL STATE UNIV
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
UNIV OF WI STEVENS PIONT PAP
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
BOWLING GREEN STATE UNIV
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
CLEVELAND CLINIC AKRON GEN F
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
OSU
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF NORTHE
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
FAM PROMISE OF SUMMIT CO INC
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
$10,000SCHOLARSHIP
OSU
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
IDEASTREAM
$10,000PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
HUNGER NETWORK OF GREATER CL
$7,500PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
ACCESS ZINC
$7,500PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
COMM HEALTH CENTER
$7,500PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
NATL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP CORP
$7,050PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
NORTHEASTERN OH SCIENCE ENG
$6,500PROGRAM/PROJECT SUPPORT
