Action for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Columbus, Ohio, serving as the local child care resource and referral agency for Central Ohio. The organization operates across seven counties: Columbus and Franklin County, as well as Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union Counties.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.0M
-16.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.4M
+208.3% YoY
Grant Count
207
+84.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
+66.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Action for Children's mission is to ensure that children in Central Ohio can thrive by supporting and empowering parents, guardians, and families to establish healthy, respectful family environments. The organization equips parents with essential knowledge, skills, and resources while providing enriching learning experiences to enhance school readiness outcomes.
Primary service areas include:
- Information & Referral Services: Free child care referrals and access to community resources for parents and families
- Family Support: Parenting education classes, seminars, workshops, and home visiting services (pre- and post-natal and kindergarten readiness)
- Professional Development: Training, coaching, and technical assistance for early childhood programs and practitioners, including a 135-hour child development associate coursework program
- Quality Improvement: Coaching and technical assistance to child care programs, including Step Up to Quality coaching
- Community Services: FBI checks, Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) background checks, and fingerprinting services for child care professionals, parents, guardians, and community members
- Family Engagement: Community events and programs supporting families
- Child Care Scholarships: Financial assistance for families accessing quality child care
Grantmaking
Action for Children functions primarily as a service provider and grant recipient rather than a traditional grantmaking foundation. However, the organization does distribute child care scholarships and support to other organizations and individuals.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Action for Children serves Central Ohio, with a service area encompassing:
- Columbus and Franklin County
- Delaware County
- Fairfield County
- Licking County
- Madison County
- Pickaway County
- Union County
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (Fiscal Year 2024):
- Total Assets: $5,979,337
- Total Revenue: $18,674,824
- Total Expenses: $19,180,093
- Total Liabilities: $3,500,000
Audit Findings:
An independent audit for the fiscal year ending June 2024 identified a significant deficiency in internal controls. The audit noted a deficiency in internal financial or governance controls that could limit the organization's ability to track and report financial data reliably. This deficiency is classified as less severe than a material weakness but warrants attention from management.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,979,337 | $7,178,819 | $4,675,038 |
| Revenue | $18,674,824 | $15,950,626 | $6,344,885 |
| Expenses | $19,180,093 | $15,869,641 | $6,095,536 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $18,062 | $6,608 | $2,642 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
134 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Kings Kids Learning Center - 409799 ($42,000), Star Kids Daycare ($22,000), Amazing Kids Academy Learning Center ($21,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMAZING KIDS ACADEMY LEARNING CENTER COLUMBUS, OH | INCENTIVES | $21,000 |
| HARMON LORRIE GAHANNA, OH | INCENTIVES | $10,500 |
| SUNSHINE NURSERY SCHOOL COLUMBUS, OH | INCENTIVES | $21,000 |
| VICTORIA HALL COLUMBUS, OH | INCENTIVES | $10,500 |
| INDIANOLA CHILDREN CENTER COLUMBUS, OH | INCENTIVES | $21,000 |
| NEW DIMENSIONS CHILD CARE CENTER COLUMBUS, OH | INCENTIVES | $21,000 |
| KINGS KIDS LEARNING CENTER - 409799 COLUMBUS, OH | INCENTIVES | $42,000 |
| GLADDEN COMMUNITY HOUSE COLUMBUS, OH | INCENTIVES | $21,000 |
| ZAINAB NUUR COLUMBUS, OH | INCENTIVES | $10,500 |
| ANGELA BLAKE COLUMBUS, OH | INCENTIVES | $10,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| LISA COCHRAN | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| DR MARY KAY IRWIN | PRESIDENT ELECT | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW SHARP | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| REBECCA LOVE PHD | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| ALEX ANTHONY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DAN BAUER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MATTHEW BELL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KAREN BETANCOURT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| LYNN BLASHFORD | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| REBECCA CIMINILLO | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MELISSA HAMMER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ANN LOCKETT | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ERNEST SULLIVAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROBERT WHITE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER WHITEHURST | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ROCHELLE WILKERSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TAMAR WILLIAMSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ERIC J KAROLAK PHD | CEO | 40 | $139,197 |
| NATALIE ATKINS | DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZATIONAL ADVANCEMENT | 40 | $100,819 |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Action for Children fund?
Action for Children's mission is to ensure that children in Central Ohio can thrive by supporting and empowering parents, guardians, and families to establish healthy, respectful family environments. The organization equips parents with essential knowledge, skills, and resources while providing enriching learning experiences to enhance school readiness outcomes. **Primary service areas include:** • **Information & Referral Services**: Free child care referrals and access to community resources …
How do I apply for a grant from Action for Children?
Action for Children functions primarily as a service provider and grant recipient rather than a traditional grantmaking foundation. However, the organization does distribute child care scholarships and support to other organizations and individuals. **Recent grantmaking activity:** • Awarded $5,182,335 in child care scholarships on behalf of 668 children in fiscal year 2024 • Provided 5,677 hours of quality improvement coaching and technical assistance to child care programs and professionals •…
Where does Action for Children make grants?
Action for Children serves Central Ohio, with a service area encompassing: • Columbus and Franklin County • Delaware County • Fairfield County • Licking County • Madison County • Pickaway County • Union County
What size grants does Action for Children award?
In 2024, Action for Children awarded 207 grants totaling $3.4M — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Action for Children's EIN?
Action for Children's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 31-0820393. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Action for Children'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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