Society of Plastics Engineers Inc
The Society of Plastics Engineers Inc. (SPE) is a public charity based in Danbury, Connecticut. Founded in 1942, it supports people and companies in the plastics industry through professional programs and, through the SPE Foundation, educational grants and scholarships related to plastics and polymers.
Society of Plastics Engineers Inc at a glance
In short: Society of Plastics Engineers Inc gave $178K across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $10K), top state Pennsylvania. 38% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $177,750
- -23.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $10,456
- -23.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $7,048,555
- +3.3% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (6 of 16, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Pennsylvania (18% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Society of Plastics Engineers Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 83 Wooster Heights Road 125, Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: (203) 740-5400
Website: https://4spe.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Society of Plastics Engineers Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Western Washington University ($29K). Together the top 10 received $133K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($11,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
67 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 67 grants of 67 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation describes its work as creating STEM opportunities for students around the world, but the grant-program pages do not specify an eligible geographic area. In 2024, reported grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states; the largest state shares were Pennsylvania (18%), Washington (16%), Illinois (11%), Michigan (10%), and Massachusetts (10%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Society of Plastics Engineers Inc open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 6 of 16 grantees (38%) 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 $9K; repeat grants $12K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). 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 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $92K (2020) to $231K (2023). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $178K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Western Washington University Bellingham, WA | Scholarship | $29,000 |
| University of Massachuetts-Lowell Lowell, MA | Scholarship | $18,000 |
| Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA | Scholarship | $13,000 |
| Penn State University University Park, PA | Scholarship | $12,625 |
| University of Tennessee Knoxville Knoxville, TN | Scholarship | $10,500 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA | Scholarship | $10,125 |
| University of Akron Akron, OH | Scholarship | $10,000 |
| University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, IL | Scholarship | $10,000 |
| Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Chicago, IL | Sponsorship | $10,000 |
| Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI | Scholarship | $9,250 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,048,555 | $4,799,789 | $5,587,201 | $177,750 | 17 | $324,505 |
| 2023 | $6,822,671 | $4,266,109 | $5,576,321 | $231,345 | 17 | $4,292 |
| 2022 | $6,755,198 | $3,614,660 | $3,761,483 | $145,375 | 13 | $461,147 |
| 2021 | $7,877,326 | $3,851,885 | $3,043,716 | $137,400 | 11 | $556,293 |
| 2020 | $7,347,666 | $3,019,995 | $2,729,576 | $92,350 | 9 | $222,188 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
SPE’s stated mission is to support people and companies in the plastics industry by producing programs that facilitate knowledge-sharing, strengthen skills, and promote the plastics industry worldwide. Its filing describes service to professionals across the industry, including engineers, scientists, technicians, salespeople, marketers, and retailers.
The SPE Foundation says it supports the development of plastics professionals through educational programs, grants, and scholarships emphasizing science, engineering, sustainability, and manufacturing, while creating STEM opportunities for students around the world. Its education grants fund programs or equipment for classroom use or public plastics education. Its 3D Printer Grants provide a printer to junior high, middle, and high schools. Thermoforming Division Grants provide matching funds for specified thermoforming equipment and related technology.
The 2024 filing lists grants to universities and other organizations for scholarships and sponsorships. Among the grantees, the University of Akron Research Foundation describes its mission as benefiting the University of Akron through research administration and intellectual-property management, and promoting economic development in Northeast Ohio by licensing technologies to startup companies. An individual recipient Reserve University describes itself as an independent, research-oriented university with strengths including engineering and a commitment to teaching, research, and scholarship.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, SPE reported 17 grants totaling $177,750. The grants ranged from $5,250 to $29,000, with a median of $10,000. The listed grant purposes were primarily scholarships; one of the largest awards was a sponsorship.
The largest reported 2024 awards included $29,000 to Western Washington University for a scholarship, $18,000 to the University of Massachusetts-Lowell for a scholarship, $13,000 to Pennsylvania College of Technology for a scholarship, and $12,625 to Penn State University for a scholarship. Other listed awards included $10,500 to the University of Tennessee Knoxville for a scholarship, $10,125 to Georgia Institute of Technology for a scholarship, and $10,000 to the University of Akron for a scholarship and to Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana for a sponsorship.
The SPE Foundation website says education and 3D Printer Grants use a revolving cycle, with application deadlines of February 15, August 15, and November 15 and award dates of April 1, October 1, and January 1. The listed August 15, 2026 deadline has passed; the website also lists November 15 as a recurring deadline. Thermoforming Division Grants have deadlines of January 1, April 1, and August 1; the listed August 1, 2026 deadline has passed. The website instructs applicants to use the “Apply Today” button. Nonmembers must establish an account as a new customer, while SPE members apply using their membership login. The website states that requests are considered case by case and generally excludes, among other things, capital campaigns, general operating expenses, for-profit entities, individuals, and meals or refreshments. It also excludes scholarships other than SPE’s own programs. The scholarship page says applicants must be in good standing at their colleges, must be SPE student members, and must be majoring in or taking courses beneficial to a plastics-industry career; it says the application for the 2027–28 academic year will reopen in December.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Conor Carlin as president and Scott Eastman as president-elect. Other listed officers and directors are James Waddell, treasurer; Lynzie Nebel, secretary; Bruce Mulholland, past president; and directors Mubashir Ansari, Margaret Sobkowicz, Jungmee Kang, Todd Bier, and Praveen Boopalachandran.
Society of Plastics Engineers Inc is led by Patrick Farrey, Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; 2 of 14 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Patrick Farrey
Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
50 hrs/week
$331K (2020) → $377K (2024)
Conor Carlin
President
Vice President Sustainabil → President-Elect, 2023
President-Elect → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eve Vitale
Foundation Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$180K (2023) → $183K (2024)
Ellen Lee
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gustavo Nechar
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Margaret Sobkowicz
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Praveen Boopalachandran
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Todd Bier
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jungmee Kang
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mubashir Ansari
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bruce Mulholland
Past President
President-Elect → President, 2023
President → Past President, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynzie Nebel
Secretary
Vice President Member Engagement → Vice President Member Enga, 2021
Vice President Member Enga → Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Eastman
President-Elect
Vice President Chapters → Director, 2023
Director → President-Elect, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James Waddell
Treasurer
Vice President Business An → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Jason Lyons (2020–2023) — Past President
- Former: Diane Marret (2023) — Director
- Former: Jeremy Dworshak (2023) — Director
- Former: Jaime A. Gomez (2020–2022) — Past President
- Former: Raymond Pearson (2020–2022) — Vice President Publication
- Former: Paul Martin (2021–2022) — Vice President Appointed
- Former: Pavan Valavala (2021–2022) — Vice President Professiona
- Former: Brian Landes (2020) — Past President
- Former: Edward Trueman (2020) — Vice President Business & Finance
- Former: Lidzki Gustavo (2020) — Vice President Appointed
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 $377K, to Patrick Farrey (Chief Executive Officer). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Society of Plastics Engineers Inc
How much does Society of Plastics Engineers Inc give each year?
Society of Plastics Engineers Inc gave $178K across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $231K across 17 grants.
What is Society of Plastics Engineers Inc's typical grant size?
Society of Plastics Engineers Inc's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,456, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Society of Plastics Engineers Inc that year got $9K on average.
Where does Society of Plastics Engineers Inc give grants?
Society of Plastics Engineers Inc's top state is Pennsylvania, with 18% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Washington (16%) and Illinois (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does Society of Plastics Engineers Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 17 grants with a stated purpose on Society of Plastics Engineers Inc's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (16 grants).
Who are Society of Plastics Engineers Inc's largest grantees?
Society of Plastics Engineers Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Western Washington University ($29,000), University of Massachuetts-Lowell ($18,000) and Pennsylvania College of Technology ($13,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 individual scholarships ($11,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Society of Plastics Engineers Inc?
Society of Plastics Engineers Inc reported $7.0M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.8M.
What does Society of Plastics Engineers Inc fund?
SPE’s stated mission is to support people and companies in the plastics industry by producing programs that facilitate knowledge-sharing, strengthen skills, and promote the plastics industry worldwide. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Society of Plastics Engineers Inc?
Society of Plastics Engineers Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check 4spe.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Society of Plastics Engineers Inc's EIN?
Society of Plastics Engineers Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 06-0692002. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Society of Plastics Engineers Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Society of Plastics Engineers Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/society-of-plastics-engineers-inc-morg_b33cd85fc6a44258b82795c9607a8058
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_060692002_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Society of Plastics Engineers Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/society-of-plastics-engineers-inc-morg_b33cd85fc6a44258b82795c9607a8058},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Society of Plastics Engineers Inc'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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