The Stocker Foundation
The Stocker Foundation is a private foundation based in Elyria, Ohio. Established in 1979, it focuses competitive grantmaking on literacy and STEAM programming, with an emphasis on improving educational access and achievement for students.
The Stocker Foundation at a glance
In short: The Stocker Foundation gave $2.9M across 208 grants in 2025 (avg $14K), top state Ohio. 34% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,942,117
- +4.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 208
- +5.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $14,145
- -0.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $34,605,720
- +9.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 34% first-time grantees (53 of 157, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Ohio (40% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Stocker Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states on its filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website describes a two-stage online process beginning with an eligibility quiz and short questionnaire; organizations selected to proceed receive access to the application. The filing’s application instructions request one cover sheet, a grant proposal, and supplemental materials.
- Review Cycle
- The filing lists November 30 as the application deadline. The website’s listed 2026 cycle has a September 30 Stage 1 deadline and a November 30 Stage 2 deadline, with decisions in spring 2026; these dates are past as of September 28, 2026.
- Deadline
- The filing lists November 30 as the application deadline.
- Contact
Application contact: Patrica O'Brien
Mailing address: 151 Innovation Drive Suite 240A, Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: (440) 366-4884
Email: grantapplication@stockerfoundation.org
Website: https://stockerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Stocker Foundation
Who The Stocker Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community Foundation for Southern Arizona ($502K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($10,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
931 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 874 grants of 931 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s filing lists eligible service areas as Lorain and Cuyahoga counties in Ohio; Pima County, Arizona; Alameda and San Francisco counties, California; Dona Ana County, an individual recipient; King County, Washington; and Hartford County, Connecticut. Its website identifies annual grantmaking priorities in Lorain County and in communities where trustees reside, including Cuyahoga County, Pima County, King County, Alameda and San Francisco counties, and Hartford County. In 2025, 40% of grant dollars went to Ohio, 27% to Arizona, 11% to California, 10% to Connecticut, and 10% to Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 208 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Stocker Foundation open to new grantees?
34%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 53 of 157 grantees (34%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $8K; repeat grants $24K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 45% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−4%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 146% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.5M (2021) to $3.4M (2020). In 2025 it made 208 grants totaling $2.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community Foundation for Southern Arizona Tucson, AZ | Donor Advised Fund | $500,000 |
| Neighborhood Alliance Elyria, OH | Neighborhood Alliance Capital Campaign | $350,000 |
| Second Harvest Foodbank of North Central Ohio Lorain, OH | Lorain County School Food Program Fy 2025-26 | $85,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio Cleveland, OH | Project Learn (Literacy + STEAM) Over 24 Months | $75,000 |
| Girl Scouts of North East Ohio Macedonia, OH | Girl scout dreamlab: stem and life-skills experiential learning for all children in Lorain county during school year 2025-26 | $50,000 |
| Great Lakes Museum of Science Environment and Technology Cleveland, OH | Early childhood exhibition support for great lakes science center during school year 2025-26 | $50,000 |
| Lighthouse Community Public Schools Oakland, CA | K-3 Literacy Program During School Year 2025-26 | $50,000 |
| Literacy Connects Tucson, AZ | Stories that soar! Magic box and youth programs during school years 2025-26 and 2026-27; $50,000 each of two years | $50,000 |
| Make Way for Books Tucson, AZ | Story School Tucson During School Year 2025-26 | $50,000 |
| San Francisco Education Fund San Francisco, CA | San Francisco Literacy Coalition During School Year 2025-26 | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Stocker Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,605,720 | $5,723,981 | $3,741,522 | $2,942,117 | 208 | $3,475,789 | $5,537,135 | $2,377,865 |
| 2024 | $31,563,546 | $3,892,506 | $3,688,781 | $2,822,292 | 198 | $3,321,284 | $3,575,038 | $2,311,132 |
| 2023 | $36,083,643 | $1,610,669 | $3,604,978 | $2,739,967 | 140 | $3,233,775 | $1,262,307 | $2,233,886 |
| 2022 | $37,899,686 | $1,936,270 | $3,765,350 | $3,071,692 | 173 | $3,482,297 | $1,668,630 | $2,394,606 |
| 2021 | $39,720,602 | $5,116,244 | $3,196,258 | $2,472,204 | 212 | $2,917,994 | $4,849,850 | $2,633,074 |
| 2020 | $37,722,069 | $1,919,159 | $4,064,687 | $3,441,702 | 276 | — | $1,699,162 | $2,520,094 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Stocker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.4M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “to invest in literacy and STEAM-focused programming for students to become creative, contributing members of their communities.” Its website describes a broader definition of literacy that includes reading and writing as well as critical and creative thinking through science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. It highlights kindergarten readiness and helping students read at or above grade level by third grade.
The foundation says it partners with new and existing 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Its areas of interest are developing foundational reading and writing skills; implementing cross-disciplinary, project-based STEAM learning; and providing safety-net services that help students stay healthy, engaged, supported, and ready to learn. The website says a small percentage of available funding per community will be considered for safety-net services.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate the range of work represented in its grants. The San Francisco Education Fund describes its mission as advancing equitable education through learning programs, community support, and resources for teachers, students, and schools. Make Way for Books says it aims to give all children the chance to read and succeed. Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio says it works to help young people reach their full potential, while Save Our Children of Elyria describes programs supporting academic excellence and artistic expression for at-risk youth.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 208 grants totaling $2,942,117. Grants ranged from $100 to $500,000, with a median award of $5,000. Notable grants included $500,000 to Community Foundation for Southern Arizona for a donor-advised fund; $350,000 to Neighborhood Alliance for its capital campaign; $85,000 to Second Harvest Foodbank of North Central Ohio for the Lorain County School Food Program; and $75,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio for Project Learn, a literacy and STEAM program.
Other 2025 awards included $50,000 each to Girl Scouts of North East Ohio for STEM and life-skills experiential learning, Lighthouse Community Public Schools for a K–3 literacy program, Literacy Connects for Stories That Soar! and youth programs, Make Way for Books for Story School Tucson, San Francisco Education Fund for the San Francisco Literacy Coalition, and Save Our Children of Elyria for Summer 2025 Dream Chasers.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Dawn Dobras as chair; Mary Ann Dobras, Nancy Woodling, Brad Norton, Jerry Humble, and Ryan Humble as trustees; Brent Norton as treasurer; and KeyBank National Association and Monticello Associates as trust managers.
The Stocker Foundation is led by Patricia O'Brien, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 14 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Patricia O'Brien
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$132K (2020) → $165K (2025)
Dawn Dobras
Chair
Trustee → Chair-Elect, 2024
Chair-Elect → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Amy Dobras
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ann Dobras
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Woodling
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brad Norton
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brenda Norton
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Humble
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ian Myers
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jerry Humble
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brent Norton
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Keybank National Association
Trust Manager
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monticello Associates
Trust Manager
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gretchen Norton
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Anne Woodling (2020–2024) — Chair
- Former: Wendy Dobras Zappelli (2020–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Kimberlee Woodling (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Lauren Humble (2021–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Jane Norton (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Kaitlin Humble (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Sara Jane Norton (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Benjamin P. Norton (2020) — Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $165K, to Patricia O'Brien (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Stocker Foundation
How much does The Stocker Foundation give each year?
The Stocker Foundation gave $2.9M across 208 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.8M across 198 grants.
What is The Stocker Foundation's typical grant size?
The Stocker Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $14,145, across 208 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Stocker Foundation that year got $8K on average.
Where does The Stocker Foundation give grants?
The Stocker Foundation's top state is Ohio, with 40% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Arizona (27%) and California (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Tucson, AZ (36 grants), Elyria, OH (19 grants), Lorain, OH (18 grants) and Cleveland, OH (16 grants).
Does The Stocker Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 39% of The Stocker Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (82 of 208) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "2025 Membership Renewal" (3 grants).
Who are The Stocker Foundation's largest grantees?
The Stocker Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Community Foundation for Southern Arizona ($502,000 across 2 grants), Neighborhood Alliance ($362,200 across 3 grants) and Second Harvest Foodbank of North Central Ohio ($134,304 across 4 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($10,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Stocker Foundation?
The Stocker Foundation reported $34.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Stocker Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is “to invest in literacy and STEAM-focused programming for students to become creative, contributing members of their communities.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Stocker Foundation?
The foundation states on its filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Stocker Foundation's EIN?
The Stocker Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 34-1293603. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Stocker Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 24, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Stocker Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-stocker-foundation-morg_589f901a383b4c0ca71f073a77758d1d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_341293603_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Stocker Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-stocker-foundation-morg_589f901a383b4c0ca71f073a77758d1d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 The Stocker Foundation'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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