Stranahan Foundation
The Stranahan Foundation is a family-governed philanthropic organization founded in 1944 by brothers Frank D. and Robert A. Stranahan, founders of the Champion Spark Plug Company in Toledo, Ohio. Now in its fifth generation of family leadership, the foundation supports vital nonprofit programs that enhance quality of life for individuals, families, and communities across the United States.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$124.0M
+6.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.0M
-4.6% YoY
Grant Count
65
-14.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$61K
+11.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Stranahan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation operates grant programs that support charitable projects in the following areas:
- Human Services
- Ecological Well-being
- Education
- Arts & Culture
- Physical & Mental Health
The foundation's approach emphasizes empowering family members to serve as "community stewards" through building grantmaking relationships with nonprofits addressing community-based needs.
Grantmaking
The Stranahan Foundation operates two distinct grantmaking approaches:
Grant Range
$10,000 - $300,000 (varies by program)
Average Grant
$210
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
- Primary focus: Greater Toledo, Ohio area
- Secondary focus: National scope for the Early Childhood Education program
- Supports local, state, and national U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored organizations, public school districts, and higher education institutions
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
- Total Assets: $116.6 million
- Annual Giving: $4.2 million (2023)
- Annual Revenue: $8.2 million
- Annual Expenses: Approximately $5.67 million
- Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; tax-exempt since March 1949
- EIN: 34-6514375
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $123,960,776 | $116,593,455 | $105,200,379 |
| Revenue | $9,830,729 | $6,216,757 | $4,685,627 |
| Expenses | $5,489,858 | $5,667,298 | $6,033,081 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,955,892 | $5,256,495 | $5,532,070 |
| Net Investment Income | $9,683,534 | $5,878,748 | $3,886,882 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,935,559 | $5,418,922 | $5,993,239 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Stranahan Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include All Our Kin Inc ($150,000), Edvance ($150,000), New Profit Inc ($150,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ADELANTE MUJERES FOREST GROVE, OR | ADVANCING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR LATINE TEACHERS. | $50,000 |
| ALL OUR KIN INC NEW HAVEN, CT | SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSION OF THE ORGANIZATION'S TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE OFFERINGS. | $150,000 |
| ARLEE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NORTH ARLEE, MT | FOOD RESOURCE CENTER PROGRAMS | $35,000 |
| ASPEN SCIENCE CENTER CARBONDALE, CO | INCREASING HISPANIC ENGAGEMENT IN STEM EDUCATION THROUGHOUT THE GREATER ROARING FORK VALLEY OF COLORADO. | $26,000 |
| ASTORIA FOOD PANTRY INC ASTORIA, NY | DIAPER BANK & INFANT SUPPORT SUPPLIES | $15,000 |
| AVANCE INC SAN ANTONIO, TX | AVANCE QUALITY CHILD CARE MATTERS INNOVATION PROJECT | $85,884 |
| AVOW CARE SERVICES INCORPORATED NAPLES, FL | PALLIATIVE CARE FOR CHRONIC AND SERIOUSLY ILL PEOPLE | $35,000 |
| BLACK CHILD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE - ATLANTA INC LAWRENCEVILLE, GA | SUPPORT TO PILOT A CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE COACHING, MENTORING, AND TRAINING PROGRAM FOR BLACK TEACHERS SEEKING THEIR ASSOCIATES AND BACHELOR'S DEGREES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. | $50,000 |
| COMMUNITY COORDINATED CHILD CARE OF S INDIANA EVANSVILLE, IN | SUPPORT FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE EARLY LEARNING REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER PILOT. | $100,000 |
| DAVID LAWRENCE MENTAL HEALTH CENTER INC NAPLES, FL | CHILDREN'S HOLISTIC WELLNESS PROGRAM | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- CEO: Breta Cooper (joined 2022)
- President: Patrick Stranahan
- Board Member (Finance): Owen Easter
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PATRICK STRANAHAN | PRESIDENT | 2.5 | — |
| ROBERT BAYNE | VICE PRESIDENT | 1.5 | — |
| ABBOT STRANAHAN WARD | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| RENEE GOUBEAUX | TRUSTEE, TREASURER | 2.5 | — |
| MARK E STRANAHAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| STEPHANIE STRANAHAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TREVOR FOSTER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JAMES PAWLAK | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAVID WARD | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BEN ELROD | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROBERT STRANAHAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HEATHER PARRY | TRUSTEE AS OF 9/11/24 | 1 | — |
| ANNA WILLIAMS | TRUSTEE AS OF 9/11/24 | 1 | — |
| BRETA COOPER | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $246,906 |
Contact Information
Address: 539 East Front Street, Perrysburg, OH 43551
Phone: 419-882-5575
Email: grants@stranahanfoundation.org
Website: www.stranahanfoundation.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Stranahan Foundation fund?
The foundation operates grant programs that support charitable projects in the following areas: • Human Services • Ecological Well-being • Education • Arts & Culture • Physical & Mental Health The foundation's approach emphasizes empowering family members to serve as "community stewards" through building grantmaking relationships with nonprofits addressing community-based needs.
How do I apply for a grant from Stranahan Foundation?
The Stranahan Foundation operates two distinct grantmaking approaches: **Community Stewardship Program** • Focused on the greater Toledo area • Supports local nonprofit organizations addressing community-based needs **Early Childhood Education Program** • National in scope • Focuses on increasing access to high-quality early childhood teaching and learning • By invitation only and not referenced on the foundation's website **Grant Characteristics** • Grant range: $10,000 - $300,000 (varies by p…
Where does Stranahan Foundation make grants?
• **Primary focus:** Greater Toledo, Ohio area • **Secondary focus:** National scope for the Early Childhood Education program • Supports local, state, and national U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored organizations, public school districts, and higher education institutions
What size grants does Stranahan Foundation award?
In 2024, Stranahan Foundation awarded 65 grants totaling $4.0M — an average of about $61K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Stranahan Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Stranahan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Stranahan Foundation's EIN?
Stranahan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-6514375. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Stranahan Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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