In 1979, Beth K. Stocker established The Stocker Foundation with the help of her three daughters (Nancy Woodling, Jane Norton, and Mary Ann Dobras). Beth’s leadership is greatly missed. She served on the board until her death in 2005 at age 98.
The Stocker Foundation began with $2.5 million dollars. Over time, the Foundation has evolved into a mature grant making organization with current assets of approximately $50 million.
The Stocker Foundation’s mission is to invest in literacy and STEAM-focused programming for students to become creative, contributing members of their communities.
The Stocker Foundation is geographically restricted to locations where family board members reside. Currently eligible communities are Lorain and Cuyahoga counties, Ohio; Pima County, Arizona; Alameda and San Francisco counties, California; King and San Juan counties, Washington; and Hartford County, Connecticut.
On an annual basis, The Stocker Foundation distributes approx. $3 million dollars to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Nearly one million dollars is restricted to Lorain County, the place where the money was earned. Since inception, nearly 8000 grants have been awarded to 2500 nonprofit organizations totaling more than $82 million.
The Stocker Foundation’s competitive grant making focuses on literacy and STEAM-focused programming, from educating students to read and write proficiently, to teaching students to think critically and creatively with a design and entrepreneurial mindset.