Philanthropy Ohio

In recent years, The Stocker Foundation adopted a new vision statement to guide its grantmaking:

“To lessen the achievement-gap for under-resourced prekindergarten through third grade public school students by investing in programs that strengthen reading literacy.” [http://www.stockerfoundation.org/mission.aspx] In February, the foundation made a major commitment to its new focus, with a $1.25 million grant to a local elementary school struggling to make passing grades on state standardized tests.  A recent news article http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/2014/02/20/franklin-school-changing-course/ announced the grant, saying that Franklin Elementary School will use the funds over 5 years to support its work in preschool, early education, literacy, technology and parent involvement. Foundation executive director Patty O’Brien explains that “At this time, Elyria City Schools is the only district able to meet specific criteria outlined by The Stocker Foundation Board.  In five years, we are very hopeful that this project will not only be successful, but a model to replicate by other districts in Lorain County and, possibly, in other communities where the Foundation has a funding presence.”