AWS Foundation Incorporated
AWS Foundation Incorporated is a Miami, Florida-based public charity and the philanthropic arm of the American Welding Society. Founded in 1989, it supports the growth and development of the welding industry through education, research, scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
AWS Foundation Incorporated at a glance
In short: AWS Foundation Incorporated gave $434K across 16 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), top state Ohio. 88% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $433,569
- -47.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 16
- -40.7% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $27,098
- -10.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $24,823
- Total assets
- $136,717,248
- +14.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 88% first-time grantees (14 of 16, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (16% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to AWS Foundation Incorporated
- How to Apply
-
For the Welding Workforce Grant, eligible institutions apply through the program application; AWS Educational Institution Membership is required. The foundation’s website says applications are currently closed and directs applicants to check back in January 2027.
- Contact
Mailing address: 8669 Nw 36Th Street 130, Miami, FL 33166
Phone: (305) 443-9353
Website: https://aws.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from AWS Foundation Incorporated
Light a Spark Grant
AWS Foundation Incorporated
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Section Grants
AWS Foundation Incorporated
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Welding Workforce Grant
AWS Foundation Incorporated
Amount
Up to $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who AWS Foundation Incorporated funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Ohio State University ($70K). Together the top 10 received $314K.
Grant Size Distribution
77 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 72 grants of 77 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Miami, Florida. Its 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states; the largest reported shares were Ohio (16%), Pennsylvania (14%), and Colorado (14%), followed by Nebraska (6%) and Idaho (6%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is AWS Foundation Incorporated open to new grantees?
88%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 16 grantees (88%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $23K; repeat grants $53K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $53K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $308K (2021) to $818K (2023). In 2024 it made 16 grants totaling $434K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Ohio State University Columbus, OH | Graduate Fellowship | $70,000 |
| The Pennsylvania State University State College, PA | Graduate Fellowship | $35,000 |
| Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO | Graduate Fellowship | $35,000 |
| Lawrence-Nelson Community Schools Nelson, NE | Welding Workforce Grant | $25,000 |
| Rimrock JRSR High School Bruneau, ID | Welding Workforce Grant | $25,000 |
| Santa Fe Independent School District Santa Fe, TX | Welding Workforce Grant | $25,000 |
| Tidioute Community Charter School Tidioute, PA | Welding Workforce Grant | $24,955 |
| The Mill National Training Center Co Springs, CO | Welding Workforce Grant | $24,846 |
| Bristol Technical Education Center Bristol, CT | Welding Workforce Grant | $24,799 |
| Capital Area Career Center Springfield, IL | Welding Workforce Grant | $24,536 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation reported 16 grants in 2024, 27 in 2023, and 21 in 2022.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $136,717,248 | $11,053,745 | $4,705,249 | $433,569 | 16 | $3,102,369 |
| 2023 | $119,200,200 | $11,713,709 | $4,969,551 | $818,456 | 27 | $3,090,392 |
| 2022 | $97,809,189 | $9,544,699 | $4,524,120 | $601,807 | 21 | $2,562,944 |
| 2021 | $114,521,791 | $12,519,020 | $3,183,330 | $308,455 | 13 | $3,805,080 |
| 2020 | $98,696,688 | $5,423,051 | $2,766,445 | — | — | $2,505,957 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to support the growth and development of the welding industry by strengthening research and educational opportunities in welding and related industries. Its website frames its mission as strengthening and expanding the welding workforce and industry through investments that meet society’s evolving needs.
Its funding includes scholarships and graduate research fellowships, as well as grants for welding education and training programs. The Welding Workforce Grant supports secondary and post-secondary institutions seeking to improve welding programs, increase the number of welding graduates, or improve their placement in welding-related jobs. Its website lists possible uses such as welding equipment, testing equipment, and lab materials. Section Grants support local welding education through participating AWS Sections. A separate Light a Spark program has provided starter equipment packages to introduce welding in high school programs; the foundation’s website says this program would not be offered in 2025.
Among the 2024 grantees, The Ohio State University received a graduate fellowship grant. The university describes its mission as inspiring and cultivating engaged citizens and enriching friendships among its alumni. Tidioute Community Charter School received a welding workforce grant; the school describes its mission as supporting students’ development through a safe environment, community involvement, innovative teaching, individualized attention, and mentoring.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 16 grants totaling $433,569. Grant amounts ranged from $8,299 to $70,000, with a median of $24,822.
The largest reported grant was $70,000 to The Ohio State University for a graduate fellowship. Other graduate fellowship grants included $35,000 to The Pennsylvania State University and $35,000 to Colorado School of Mines. Welding Workforce Grants included $25,000 each to Lawrence-Nelson Community Schools, Rimrock Jr-Sr High School, and Santa Fe Independent School District, among others.
The website describes the Welding Workforce Grant as offering up to $50,000 per eligible institution. It says applications are currently closed and to check back in January 2027. Eligible applicants include U.S. secondary schools, technical schools, and community colleges that are AWS Educational Institution Members. The website lists welding and testing equipment, training systems, lab materials, and upgrades to AWS Accredited Testing Facilities as possible uses; it excludes construction, salaries, student tuition, PPE, textbooks, and travel. Post-award requirements include itemized invoices, progress reporting, and a final summary.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Bill Rice as chairman; Mary Bihrle as treasurer; and Rick Richardson as vice chair. Trustees listed are Bill Visintainer, Bob Pali, Carey Chen, David Abe, Elizabeth Stropki, Jeff Deckrow, and Jenny McCall.
AWS Foundation Incorporated is led by Robert W. Roth, Interim CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 17 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Robert W. Roth
Interim CEO
Trustee → Interim CEO, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Monica A. Pfarr
Executive Director & Foundation
On filings since 2020
35 hrs/week
$87K (2022) → $190K (2024)
Mike A. Krupnicki
Trustee & Aws President
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Rice
Chairman
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carey Chen
Trustee
Treasurer → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Abe
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Deckrow
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Bray
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bill Visintainer
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bob Pali
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jenny McCall
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Stropki
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Marhefke
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Strawn
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gesana Villegas
CFO & Chief Administrator Officer
CFO & Chief Administration Officer → CFO, 2021
CFO → CFO & Chief Administrator Officer, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rick Richardson
Vice Chair
Vice Chairman → Vice Chair, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary Bihrle
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Michael Krupnicki (2023) — Trustee & Aws President
- Former: Gary W. Konarska (2020–2022) — Secretary, Executive Director & CEO
- Former: Jason Scales (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: W. Rick Polanin (2020–2022) — Trustee & Aws President
- Former: Justin Blount (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Liz Stropki (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Dennis Eck (2022) — Trustee & Aws Vice President
- Former: Robert G Pali (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: William A Rice Jr. (2020–2021) — Chairman
- Former: William A Visintainer (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Becky Tuscherer (2020) — Trustee
- Former: David E. Levin (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Matthew Miller (2020) — Former Executive Director & CEO
- Former: Ray W. Shook (2020) — Executive Director Emeritus
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $190K, to Monica a Pfarr (Executive Director, Foundation).
Frequently asked questions about AWS Foundation Incorporated
How much does AWS Foundation Incorporated give each year?
AWS Foundation Incorporated gave $434K across 16 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $818K across 27 grants.
What is AWS Foundation Incorporated's typical grant size?
AWS Foundation Incorporated's median grant in 2024 was $24,823, and its average grant was $27,098, across 16 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from AWS Foundation Incorporated that year got $23K on average.
Where does AWS Foundation Incorporated give grants?
AWS Foundation Incorporated's top state is Ohio, with 16% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Pennsylvania (14%) and Colorado (14%).
Does AWS Foundation Incorporated give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on AWS Foundation Incorporated's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Welding Workforce Grant" (12 grants) and "Graduate Fellowship" (4 grants).
Who are AWS Foundation Incorporated's largest grantees?
AWS Foundation Incorporated's largest 2024 grantees include The Ohio State University ($70,000), The Pennsylvania State University ($35,000) and Colorado School of Mines ($35,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is AWS Foundation Incorporated?
AWS Foundation Incorporated reported $136.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $11.1M.
What does AWS Foundation Incorporated fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support the growth and development of the welding industry by strengthening research and educational opportunities in welding and related industries. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from AWS Foundation Incorporated?
For the Welding Workforce Grant, eligible institutions apply through the program application; AWS Educational Institution Membership is required. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is AWS Foundation Incorporated's EIN?
AWS Foundation Incorporated's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 65-0148545. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in AWS Foundation Incorporated's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). AWS Foundation Incorporated funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/aws-foundation-incorporated-morg_032ef30007494dc289fa727be93a96f9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_650148545_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{AWS Foundation Incorporated funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/aws-foundation-incorporated-morg_032ef30007494dc289fa727be93a96f9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from AWS Foundation Incorporated's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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