Paradise Empowers Inc
Paradise Empowers Inc is a private foundation based in Griffin, Georgia. It supports children and youth, particularly at-risk children, through financial backing and volunteer involvement in academic, cultural, and social programs.
Paradise Empowers Inc at a glance
In short: Paradise Empowers Inc gave $139K across 41 grants in 2024 (avg $3K), mostly in Georgia. 43% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $139,310
- -20.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 41
- +13.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $3,398
- -30.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $352,721
- +14.7% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 43% first-time grantees (17 of 40, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Georgia (58% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Paradise Empowers Inc
- Review Cycle
- None stated.
- Deadline
- None stated.
- Contact
Application contact: Ann Dobbertin
Mailing address: PO Box 149, Griffin, GA 30224
Phone: (404) 362-9255
Website: https://www.paradiseempowers.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Paradise Empowers Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Paradise Scholarship Program ($38K). Together the top 10 received $104K.
Grant Size Distribution
174 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 174 grants of 174 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 58% of grant dollars went to recipients in Georgia, 15% to New York, 8% to Maryland, 7% to Texas, and 4% to Virginia. The listed grants also include recipients in California and other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 41 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Paradise Empowers Inc open to new grantees?
43%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 40 grantees (43%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $2K repeat.
- 55% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 102% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $61K (2020) to $175K (2023). In 2024 it made 41 grants totaling $139K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Paradise Scholarship Program Griffin, GA | General Operating Funds | $38,260 |
| Charity Water New York, NY | General Operating Funds | $10,000 |
| Doctors Without Borders Hagerstown, MD | General Operating Funds | $10,000 |
| Mercy Ships Garden Valley, TX | General Operating Funds | $10,000 |
| United Hatzalah New York, NY | General Operating Funds | $10,000 |
| Gigi's House Morrow, GA | General Operating Funds | $7,500 |
| Islamic Aid USA Rated Alexandria, VA | General Operating Funds | $5,000 |
| Palestinian Children's Relief Fund Los Angeles, CA | General Operating Funds | $5,000 |
| Southwest Christian Care Union City, GA | General Operating Funds | $5,000 |
| Christian's Woman Center Sunny Side, GA | General Operating Funds | $3,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $352,721 | $201,851 | $156,597 | $139,310 | 41 | $139,310 | $12,351 |
| 2023 | $307,467 | $200,001 | $188,028 | $175,178 | 36 | $175,178 | $11,392 |
| 2022 | $295,494 | $200,000 | $102,159 | $86,226 | 40 | $86,226 | $7,372 |
| 2021 | $197,653 | $101,709 | $79,292 | $69,099 | 32 | $69,099 | $7,161 |
| 2020 | $175,236 | $128,059 | $66,877 | $61,290 | 25 | — | $4,422 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Paradise Empowers Inc reported a distributable amount of $12K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Paradise Empowers says its mission is to improve the quality of life for youth, especially at-risk children, by helping them build character and self-esteem, develop positive relationships, and make informed choices. Its website describes activities including enrichment programs, support for children with developmental disabilities, and assistance to community organizations.
Its 2024 grants include support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Gigi’s House says it provides a safe home and supportive services for teenage girls who are victims of sex trafficking; Joy House describes Christ-centered restorative care and counseling for struggling teens, families, and individuals; and the American Cancer Society says it works to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families.
Grantmaking
In 2024, Paradise Empowers reported 41 grants totaling $139,310. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $38,260, with a median grant of $1,000. The largest grant was $38,260 to the Paradise Scholarship Program in Griffin, Georgia, for general operating funds. Other notable grants included $10,000 each to Charity Water, Doctors Without Borders, Mercy Ships, and United Hatzalah, all for general operating funds, and $7,500 to Gigi’s House for general operating funds.
The foundation’s filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its application information describes a program offering self-defense classes to children from low-income families with two or more children. The program is advertised in Henry County schools, and household income is verified annually using tax returns and current pay stubs. The filing gives Henry County as a restriction because of transportation from school to the after-school program. This information concerns participation in the program, not an application process for outside organizations seeking grants.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Leah Michele Wilson as president, Victoria P Carver as vice president, Alyssa Fleury as advisor, Jay Patterson as technical advisor, and Ann Robinson as secretary/treasurer.
Paradise Empowers Inc is led by Leah Michele Wilson, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Leah Michele Wilson
President
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Patterson
Technical Advisor
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Victoria P. Carver
Vice President
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alyssa Fleury
Advisor
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann Robinson
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Ann Dobbertin (2020–2022) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Helen Zysk (2020–2022) — Advisor
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Paradise Empowers Inc
How much does Paradise Empowers Inc give each year?
Paradise Empowers Inc gave $139K across 41 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $175K across 36 grants.
What is Paradise Empowers Inc's typical grant size?
Paradise Empowers Inc's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $3,398, across 41 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Paradise Empowers Inc that year got $2K on average.
Where does Paradise Empowers Inc give grants?
Paradise Empowers Inc gives mostly in Georgia: 58% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (15%) and Maryland (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were McDonough, GA (6 grants), Atlanta, GA (6 grants), New York, NY (2 grants) and Hagerstown, MD (2 grants).
Does Paradise Empowers Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 95% of Paradise Empowers Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (39 of 41) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Paradise Empowers Inc's largest grantees?
Paradise Empowers Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Paradise Scholarship Program ($38,260), Charity Water ($10,000) and Doctors Without Borders ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 42% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Paradise Empowers Inc?
Paradise Empowers Inc reported $353K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $139K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $12K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Paradise Empowers Inc fund?
Paradise Empowers says its mission is to improve the quality of life for youth, especially at-risk children, by helping them build character and self-esteem, develop positive relationships, and make informed choices. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Paradise Empowers Inc?
Paradise Empowers Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check paradiseempowers.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Paradise Empowers Inc's EIN?
Paradise Empowers Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 54-2093763. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Paradise Empowers Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/paradise-empowers-inc-morg_bf72cacaa13f43cb93f085e952ddac91
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_542093763_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Paradise Empowers Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/paradise-empowers-inc-morg_bf72cacaa13f43cb93f085e952ddac91},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Paradise Empowers Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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