What the Air Products Foundation Supports in Pennsylvania

Based in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, the international corporation Air Products operates and pursues philanthropy at the local level. Founded in 1940, the company’s business include electronics, metals, chemicals and refining. Air Products’ commercial offerings range from frozen foods to MRI imagery, flat-screen LCD TVs, balloons and beer. When it comes to social responsibility, in addition to commitments to the environment, safety and employee diversity, Air Products has a charitable foundation that awards grants throughout Pennsylvania and beyond.

Here are some top things to know about the Air Products Foundation’s Pennsylvania giving.

A well-established funder

Throughout the company’s history, it has made financial contributions, provided in-kind donations and encouraged employee volunteerism to pursue its philanthropic goals. The history of the Air Products Foundation (APF) dates back to 1979, when it was initially incorporated in Pennsylvania. The foundation is based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, the state’s third-largest city after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. It’s in Lehigh County and about 60 miles northeast of Philadelphia.

Broad interest areas

The Air Products Foundation takes a broad approach to grantmaking and supports many different interest areas. APF grantees work in the fields of education, health, human services, the environment, civic and community development, and arts and culture. Most foundation grants are for specific programs rather than general operating support.

Here’s a sampling of local Pennsylvania grantees to provide a sense of what this funder supports close to its global headquarters:

Allentown Symphony Association
Allentown School District
Lancaster Emergency Medical Services Association
Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation
Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council
Lehigh Valley Public Telecommunications Corporation
Muhlenberg College, Allentown

Besides Allentown, other grantees are based in the Pennsylvania towns of Harrisburg, Bethlehem, Breinigsville, Emmaus and Media. And since the company operates in many countries worldwide, grantmaking is not restricted to Pennsylvania.

Approaching APF for support

The company website does not link to a separate foundation website, so much of the information about this foundation comes from past tax records. These records indicate that APF is open to receiving unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits that operate in and benefit communities where Air Products employees live and work.

APF uses Benevity, a donation and grant management software platform, to its handle grantmaking activities. Grantseekers can access the Benevity website or contact the platform’s Calgary, Alberta office directly to inquire about the grant application process for APF. There are no submission deadlines.

APF grants have ranged anywhere from a few hundred dollars to more than $2 million. However, this funder typically prefers to spread grants around to many organizations, giving smaller grants to numerous groups rather than just a few multimillion-dollar commitments.

Overall, this is still an important corporate funder to know because of its size and giving power. APF recently reported over $6.7 million in annual grants and more than $86 million in total assets.

Learn more about locally focused funders in IP’s Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Funding Guide.

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