Aspyr is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, also known as the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio. Founded in 2017, the organization partners with area businesses and organizations to address workforce needs and connect job seekers with employment opportunities aligned with their abilities and potential in the Central Ohio economy.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.2M
-22.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.1M
+15.5% YoY
Grant Count
21
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$481K
+15.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To partner with area businesses and organizations on workforce needs so that people are fully employed at their ability and potential in the thriving Central Ohio economy.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Workforce development and job training
- Employment procurement assistance
- Job search assistance and career planning
- Assessment testing and occupational testing
- Support services for job seekers
- Services for dislocated workers, unemployed, and underemployed individuals
- High-growth job placement and career development
- Registered apprenticeships
Grantmaking
Aspyr administers grant funding to support workforce development initiatives in Central Ohio.
Review Cycle
.
How to Apply
** Aspyr accepts applications for funding opportunities through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) process, with electronic submission required by specified deadlines.
Ready to take the next step with Aspyr?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Central Ohio, with particular emphasis on Franklin County and the Columbus area.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (2024):
- Total Assets: $4,158,592
- Total Revenues: $13,812,424
- Total Expenses: $13,819,738
- Total Giving: $10,340,451
Staffing: 14-18 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,158,592 | $5,385,731 | $5,573,124 |
| Revenue | $13,812,424 | $11,757,357 | $10,258,211 |
| Expenses | $13,819,738 | $11,633,162 | $10,275,750 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
110 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Equus Workforce Solutions ($5,308,893), Eckerd Youth Alternatives Inc ($868,930), Impact Community Action ($822,614).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| SCHOOLINKS INC DALLAS, TX | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $692,500 |
| GROVEPORT MADISON SCHOOLS GROVEPORT, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $31,742 |
| BRONZEVILLE IT ACADEMY LLC COLUMBUS, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $50,500 |
| UPPER ARLINGTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT COLUMBUS, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $13,824 |
| ECKERD YOUTH ALTERNATIVES INC CLEARWATER, FL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $868,930 |
| CENTRAL OHIO YOUTH FOR CHRIST COLUMBUS, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $7,227 |
| LEAD THE WAY LEARNING ACADEMY COLUMBUS, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $7,774 |
| PAST FOUNDATION COLUMBUS, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $169,481 |
| UPRYS LLC COLUMBUS, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $447,241 |
| COMPUTER HELPER PUBLISHING INC COLUMBUS, OH | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $5,592 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board of Directors:
- Nichole Kneedler (Board Chair) – Chief Talent Officer, SVP, Huntington National Bank
- Rocky Parker (Board Vice Chair) – Senior External Affairs Officer, Nationwide Insurance
- Evelyn Sullen Smith (Treasurer, Past Board Chair) – Legal Director, Global Operations, Dell Technologies Inc.
- Sean Grant (Past Treasurer) – CFO, The Columbus Partnership
- Pegeen Cleary Potts (Secretary) – Director, Tolles Career & Technical Center
- Lisa Courtice (Chair, Job Center Committee) – CEO, United Way of Central Ohio
- Brian Morris (Chair, Business Solutions Committee) – President, Morris Communications
- Robert (Bo) Chilton (Chair, Central Ohio Workforce Development Network) – Executive Director, Impact
- Jim Negron (Past Board Chair) – President, CK Construction Group, Inc.
- Archie Williamson (Past Board Chair) – President/CEO, Diversified Systems
Executive Leadership:
- Lisa Patt McDaniel – CEO
- Michael Hiler – Chief Financial Officer
- Chance Shannan – Chief Operations Officer
- Andrew Campbell – Senior Director of Communications
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEAN GRANT | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
| BRIAN MORRIS | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| JIM NEGRON | CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| EVELYN SULLEN SMITH | PAST BOARD CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| ARCHIE WILLIAMSON | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| SUMITHRA JAGANNATH | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| BO CHILTON | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| MATT HABASH | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| LISA COURTICE | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| PEGEEN CLEARY POTTS | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| QUINTEN HARRIS | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| JEREMY GILDOW | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| TOM POOLE | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| ROCKY PARKER | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| NICHOLE KNEEDLER | CO CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| JOY BIVENS | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| ANTHONY CALDWELL | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| LISA DEVINE | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| RUCHELLE PRIDE | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| ASHON MCKENZIE | MEMBER | 0.5 | — |
| LISA PATT-MCDANIEL | PRESIDENT/CEO | 40 | $183,186 |
| CHANDLER SHANNAN | COO/CFO | 40 | $119,691 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Registered Apprenticeships Expansion (September 2024):** Aspyr received a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to expand registered apprenticeships in Central Ohio.
Aspyr Receives $4 Million ABA Grant to Expand Registered ...**CAREER 500 Launch (March 2025):** Columbus City Council and Aspyr announced the CAREER 500 (Columbus Access to Resources for Expanding Employment Readiness) initiative, distributing $1.8 million to seven workforce development organizations. The program aims to uplift 500 Columbus residents into secure, stable, wealth-building careers by expanding existing successful programs and providing wraparound services. With local job growth expected to be twice that of other Midwest cities, the initiative focuses on connecting residents with careers offering good wages, quality health care benefits, and retirement plans.
Aspyr Receives $4 Million ABA Grant to Expand Registered ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Aspyr fund?
**Mission:** To partner with area businesses and organizations on workforce needs so that people are fully employed at their ability and potential in the thriving Central Ohio economy. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Workforce development and job training • Employment procurement assistance • Job search assistance and career planning • Assessment testing and occupational testing • Support services for job seekers • Services for dislocated workers, unemployed, and underemployed individuals • High-gro…
How do I apply for a grant from Aspyr?
Aspyr administers grant funding to support workforce development initiatives in Central Ohio. **CAREER 500 Initiative:** In partnership with Columbus City Council, Aspyr awarded $1.8 million in grants to expand existing workforce development programs. Seven organizations received awards ranging from $150,000 to $350,000 to recruit, serve, and graduate 500 or more Columbus residents over two years. Grant recipients included Goodwill Columbus, National Center for Urban Solutions Columbus, Jewish …
Where does Aspyr make grants?
Central Ohio, with particular emphasis on Franklin County and the Columbus area.
What size grants does Aspyr award?
In 2024, Aspyr awarded 21 grants totaling $10.1M — an average of about $481K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Aspyr's EIN?
Aspyr's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1497840. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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