The Synchrony Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2018 as the philanthropic arm of Synchrony Financial, a leading consumer financial services company. Based in Stamford, Connecticut, the foundation operates with a board of directors who serve without compensation and maintains an invitation-only grantmaking model.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$72.3M
-18.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$20.5M
+13.7% YoY
Grant Count
394
+0.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$52K
+13.2% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Synchrony Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on "Education as an Equalizer," a comprehensive initiative launched in 2021 with a commitment of over $50 million over five years. Primary funding priorities include:
- Expanding access to higher education for underserved communities
- Skills training in high-growth fields
- Financial literacy education and personal finance
- Closing the Financial Knowledge Gap through financial literacy programs
The foundation specifically targets Black, Hispanic, and Native American populations. In 2022, Synchrony joined the HBCU Partnership Challenge, reinforcing its commitment to equity and inclusion.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Organizations are selected and invited by the foundation to apply.
Grant Range
$10,000 - $2,000,000+
Average Grant
$46,018
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports a wide range of cities and states across the United States, with particular emphasis on:
- National focus with local concentration in Stamford, Connecticut
- Operations in numerous states including Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and 30+ additional states
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $72,274,886
- Total revenues: $3,697,317
- Total expenses: $22,420,643
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $88.4 million
- Total revenues: $2.45 million
- Total expenses: $18.7 million
- Total liabilities: $0
Tax Status:
- Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization
- Tax-exempt since August 2018
- EIN: 82-2935158
- Donations are tax-deductible
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $72,274,886 | $88,394,943 | $100,111,912 |
| Revenue | $3,697,317 | $2,446,644 | $51,076,715 |
| Expenses | $22,420,643 | $18,711,547 | $18,962,519 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $20,738,397 | $18,319,462 | $17,860,009 |
| Net Investment Income | $3,430,746 | $2,091,507 | $1,272,247 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,993,378 | $4,667,827 | $4,414,677 |
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 Synchrony Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Indigenous Business Leaders (aibl) ($254,300), Alpfa ($250,000), Ascend ($150,900).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1N10 INC PHOENIX, AZ | FUNDING SUPPORTS GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMMING. | $24,750 |
| 7TH GENERATION COMMUNITY SERVICES CORPORATION TITUSVILLE, FL | FUNDING SUPPORTS GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMMING. | $3,000 |
| A BETTER CHANCE IN RIDGEFIELD RIDGEFIELD, CT | FUNDING SUPPORTS GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMMING. | $61,000 |
| A CONTEMPORARY THEATRE OF CT RIDGEFIELD, CT | FUNDING SUPPORTS GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMMING. | $12,500 |
| AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION LOS ANGELES, CA | FUNDING SUPPORTS GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMMING. | $10,000 |
| AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL FOODBANK AKRON, OH | FUNDING SUPPORTS GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMMING. | $3,100 |
| ALBANIAN-AMERICAN HUMANITARIAN FUND TROJET TONA YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY | FUNDING SUPPORTS GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMMING. | $20,000 |
| ALL THINGS POSSIBLE MEDICAL FUNDRAISING FORT MILL, SC | FUNDING SUPPORTS GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMMING. | $3,750 |
| ALPFA AUSTIN, TX | FUNDING SUPPORTS GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMMING. | $250,000 |
| ALS UNITED CONNECTICUT INC MILFORD, CT | FUNDING SUPPORTS GENERAL OPERATIONS AND PROGRAMMING. | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Denise Yap — President (30 hours per week involvement)
- Brian Doubles — Chief Executive Officer and Director
- Brian Wenzel — Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, and Director
All board members serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN DOUBLES | CEO/DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| DENISE YAP | PRESIDENT | 30 | — |
| DOUG STEARE | VICE PRESIDENT - TAX | 3 | — |
| CHRIS COFFEY | VICE PRESIDENT - TREASURY | 3 | — |
| BRIAN WENZEL | VICE PRESIDENT/CFO/TREASURER/DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| DAVID CASTO | VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| JONATHAN MOTHNER | SECRETARY/DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| PAUL WERNER | ASSISTANT SECRETARY | 3 | — |
| CAROL JUEL | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
| MICHAEL MATTHEWS | DIRECTOR | 0.2 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024:** Synchrony announced more than $1.5 million in grants to Stamford nonprofits and joined Mayor Simmons to celebrate spring with daffodil blooms
Synchrony Gives $100K Grant To Stamford Parks Community Partnership**2024:** Synchrony gave a $100,000 grant to Stamford Parks Community Partnership; more than 50 Synchrony employee volunteers participated in a beach cleanup as part of the service initiative
Synchrony Gives $100K Grant To Stamford Parks Community Partnership**2024:** Synchrony Foundation awarded $2 million to LISC for small business grants
Synchrony Announces More Than $1.5 Million in Grants to Stamford ...**2024:** Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine received a grant from Synchrony Foundation to support student scholarships
Synchrony Gives $100K Grant To Stamford Parks Community PartnershipSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Synchrony Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on "Education as an Equalizer," a comprehensive initiative launched in 2021 with a commitment of over $50 million over five years. Primary funding priorities include: • **Expanding access to higher education** for underserved communities • **Skills training in high-growth fields** • **Financial literacy education** and personal finance • **Closing the Financial Knowledge Gap** through financial literacy programs The foundation specifically targets Black, Hispani…
How do I apply for a grant from Synchrony Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $18-20 million • Total grants awarded (2024): $20,515,652 • Number of grants: Approximately 2,865 grants in recent years • Grant range: $10,000 - $2,000,000+ • Average grant: $46,018 **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Organizations are selected and invited by the foundation to apply. **Recent Grants (2024):** • The Blackbaud Giving Fund (Employee Matching Gifts): $2,615,774 • Oneten Coalition (General Oper…
Where does Synchrony Foundation make grants?
The foundation supports a wide range of cities and states across the United States, with particular emphasis on: • **National focus** with local concentration in Stamford, Connecticut • Operations in numerous states including Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and 30+ additional states
What size grants does Synchrony Foundation award?
In 2024, Synchrony Foundation awarded 394 grants totaling $20.5M — an average of about $52K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Synchrony Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Synchrony Foundation reported a distributable amount of $4.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Synchrony Foundation's EIN?
Synchrony Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-2935158. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Synchrony 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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