Seth Bonder Foundation
The Seth Bonder Foundation is a private foundation based in Independence, Ohio. On its 2025 filing, it reported charitable contributions to organizations and universities and stated that it contributes only to preselected charitable organizations.
Seth Bonder Foundation at a glance
In short: Seth Bonder Foundation gave $423K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $42K), top state Michigan. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $423,309
- -1.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- +25.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $42,331
- -21.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,500
- Total assets
- $4,812,403
- -2.4% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Michigan (46% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Seth Bonder Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 6050 Oak Tree Blvd Suite 500, Independence, OH 44131
Phone: (216) 920-4800
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Seth Bonder Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was University of Michigan ($176K). Together the top 10 received $423K.
Grant Size Distribution
49 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 33 grants of 49 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, the foundation’s grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan (46%), Georgia (19%), Maryland (17%), Florida (9%), and Tennessee (8%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
Cities
How Seth Bonder Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−8%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 251% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $421K (2020) to $461K (2022). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $423K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Cheps, Global Leadership Honors Program & Tauber Institute. | $176,047 |
| Georgia Tech Foundation Atlanta, GA | Seth Bonder Camp in Computational & Data Sciences | $80,000 |
| Informs Catonsville, MD | Student activities 2023, bonder scholar research award (5 @ $5,000 each), additional stipend for new bonder scholars ( 2 @ $2,000 each), student newsletter & chapter activity ($22,500) | $73,500 |
| Brinkley Heights Urban Academy Memphis, TN | Edgenuity my path integration and school supplies and gift cards | $35,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties Sarasota, FL | General Support | $21,000 |
| Girls Group Ann Arbor, MI | Scholarship & Programs Support | $10,000 |
| Leslie Science & Nature Center Ann Arbor, MI | Ideas Program/Raptors Respect/School Programs, Scholarships | $10,000 |
| Ringling College of Art & Design Sarasota, FL | General Support | $10,000 |
| Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation Inc Sarasota, FL | General Support | $7,750 |
| Huron Valley Tennis Club Ann Arbor, MI | General Support | $12 |
Ready to take the next step with Seth Bonder Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,812,403 | $378,010 | $616,034 | $423,309 | 10 | $587,910 | $364,266 | $234,054 |
| 2024 | $4,929,428 | $294,337 | $612,562 | $430,544 | 8 | $583,925 | $278,329 | $239,104 |
| 2023 | $4,982,977 | $327,341 | $609,147 | $436,197 | 10 | $579,620 | $293,420 | $239,477 |
| 2022 | $4,962,274 | $317,196 | $631,681 | $461,409 | 9 | $597,819 | $290,903 | $266,845 |
| 2021 | $6,457,286 | $382,691 | $587,439 | $433,583 | 12 | $544,038 | $308,569 | $307,511 |
| 2020 | $6,170,799 | $96,901 | $573,104 | $420,844 | 14 | — | $69,730 | $282,788 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Seth Bonder Foundation reported a distributable amount of $234K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s filing describes its direct charitable activity as donations to charitable organizations and universities; it does not state a separate mission. Its 2025 grants included support for university programs, student activities, scholarships, and educational and community programs.
Among the recipients, Girls Group describes its mission as empowering middle and high school women to achieve emotional and economic security, including by graduating from high school and becoming first-generation college graduates. Brinkley Heights Urban Academy describes its mission as providing Christian education for at-risk inner-city children. The University of Michigan describes its mission as representing and advocating for its member physicians.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $423,309. Grant amounts ranged from $12 to $176,047, with a median grant of $15,500.
The largest grants included $176,047 to the University of Michigan for CHEPS, the Global Leadership Honors Program, and the Tauber Institute; $80,000 to the Georgia Tech Foundation for the Seth Bonder Camp in Computational & Data Sciences; and $73,500 to INFORMS for student activities, scholar awards and stipends, a student newsletter, and chapter activity. Other grants included $35,000 to Brinkley Heights Urban Academy for Edgenuity My Path integration and school supplies and gift cards, and $21,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Merrill Bonder as president; John G Ciancibello as treasurer; Marie Deveney as secretary; and Larry Sieford, Charlie Roehrig, and Jeffrey Stark as directors.
Seth Bonder Foundation is led by Merrill Bonder, President on every filing since 2020; all 6 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Merrill Bonder
President
On filings since 2020
25 hrs/week
$78K (2020) → $96K (2025)
Larry Sieford
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $1K (2025)
Charlie Roehrig
Director
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
$1K (2023) → $1K (2025)
Jeffrey Stark
Director
New on the 2025 filing
5 hrs/week
$1K (2025)
John G. Ciancibello
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $1K (2025)
Marie Deveney
Secretary
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$1K (2020) → $1K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $96K, to Merrill Bonder (President). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Seth Bonder Foundation
How much does Seth Bonder Foundation give each year?
Seth Bonder Foundation gave $423K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $431K across 8 grants.
What is Seth Bonder Foundation's typical grant size?
Seth Bonder Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,500, and its average grant was $42,331, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Seth Bonder Foundation give grants?
Seth Bonder Foundation's top state is Michigan, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Georgia (19%) and Maryland (17%). The most frequent recipient cities were Ann Arbor, MI (4 grants) and Sarasota, FL (3 grants).
Does Seth Bonder Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 40% of Seth Bonder Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 10) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Seth Bonder Foundation's largest grantees?
Seth Bonder Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include University of Michigan ($176,047), Georgia Tech Foundation ($80,000) and Informs ($73,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 78% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Seth Bonder Foundation?
Seth Bonder Foundation reported $4.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $588K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $234K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Seth Bonder Foundation fund?
The foundation’s filing describes its direct charitable activity as donations to charitable organizations and universities; it does not state a separate mission. Its 2025 grants included support for university programs, student activities, scholarships, and educational and community programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Seth Bonder Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds; it states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Seth Bonder Foundation's EIN?
Seth Bonder Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4929846. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Seth Bonder Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 31, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Seth Bonder Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
Montague Foundation
Ann Arbor, MI
The Montague Foundation supports education, health care, food assistance, housing, youth services, arts and culture, and conservation, with most grants going to Michigan organizations. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $101,000, with a median award of $5,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$10.8M
Grants
43
Total Given
$348K
AUC Consortium Inc
Atlanta, GA
Assets
$14.5M
Grants
9
Total Given
$271K
The DLR Group Foundation
Omaha, NE
The DLR Group Foundation supports charitable organizations in education, arts and culture, public school facilities, and other fields. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,000 to $50,000, typically $25,000, with funding reported in Ohio, Nebraska, Georgia, Washington, DC, and several other states. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7K
Grants
11
Total Given
$255K
Scott & Margy Trumbull Family Foundation
Ottawa Hills, OH
The Scott & Margy Trumbull Family Foundation supports preselected charitable organizations, including universities, arts and cultural organizations, health and social-service groups, and schools. In 2024, it made 19 grants totaling $310,500; grants ranged from $1,500 to $118,000, with a median of $5,000. Most funding went to Ohio, with additional grants in several other states, and the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$278K
Grants
19
Total Given
$311K
Betmar Charitable Foundation Inc
Palm Beach Gardens, FL
The foundation supports charitable organizations in areas including community assistance, health and medical research, education, and culture. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $5,000, with a median of $1,000, and primarily benefited organizations in Michigan and Florida, with additional grants in Maryland, Virginia, and New York. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$504K
Grants
20
Total Given
$28K
More similar funders
More Funders in Ohio
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Seth Bonder Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/seth-bonder-foundation-morg_3da3da836e9e484d9abd89e73839d831
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_454929846_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Seth Bonder Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/seth-bonder-foundation-morg_3da3da836e9e484d9abd89e73839d831},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Seth Bonder Foundation'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.
Seth Bonder Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?