To encourage the enrichment of the public education experience for K-12 students and to support at-risk children or those with medical and special needs in the communities we serve.
A defining thread in Gpd Group Employees Foundation Inc’s grantmaking is support for K-12 education enrichment paired with help for children who are at-risk or have medical and special needs. That pattern shows up in awards to school districts, youth-serving nonprofits, and pediatric support organizations, with many grants staying close to Akron and Northeast Ohio while others reach beyond Ohio through annual outside-state grant cycles. The foundation’s recent grants show both school-based and community-based support. Akron Public Schools received $11,970 for the Bridges Bulldog Dawgpound, while Cloverleaf Local Schools was awarded $22,800 for special education programs. Outside the classroom, Providence House Inc received $15,000 for its pediatric crisis nursery, reflecting a focus on children with medical needs. A Kid Again also appears more than once, including a $32,000 grant for Adventures and a separate $15,000 award for 2022 programs. The mix of grantees suggests a funder that supports direct service, educational enrichment, and specialized programming rather than a single narrow cause area.
K-12 public education is a core theme. The foundation gave $30,000 to Akron Children's Museum for new makerspace furniture and design, and $19,715 to Canton Local School District for Canton Local Elementary STEAM. Those grants sit alongside support for classroom and school enrichment, including $15,000 to Independence Local Schools for Lumoplay interactive floor systems. It also funds literacy and music access. Louisville City School District received $13,500 for Louisville Academy 2022 and early literacy intervention, while Strongsville City Schools got $12,000 for large instruments in its music program. For health- and disability-related support, Summit County Educational Service received $15,026 for Hearing Matters, and Include Ability was awarded $10,000 for inclusive emergency preparedness. Community and therapeutic programs are another visible area, including $15,000 to Camp Quality Ohio for ongoing and new programming and $10,000 to Autism Society of Greater Akron for a water safety program.
Typical grant size is modest but flexible: the 25th percentile is $2,000, median $2,653, and 75th percentile $5,000. The recent list also shows larger awards at the top end, including several grants above $20,000. Recipients appear in multiple years, which points to recurring relationships rather than one-time gifts; A Kid Again, First Tee - Greater Akron, and Providence House Inc each received repeated awards in the recent-grants list. The foundation uses annual grant cycles and a portal-based process for Ohio awards, while outside-Ohio applicants may need an application code from a GPD contact. It funds individuals as well as organizations, and it does not make program-related investments.
$1M
$9.1M
$2.2M
$1.2M
Most grants fall between $2K and $5K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$5K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Grantmaking is heavily centered in Ohio: 74% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Ohio is also the top state by grant count. The list includes multiple awards in Akron, along with grants in Twinsburg, Cleveland, Cuyahoga Falls, and Canton. Outside the Akron area, awards also reached Lodi, Columbus, Strongsville, Lorain, and Medina. All listed recent grants went to U.S. recipients, with no non-U.S. countries appearing in the data.
It funds K-12 public schools, nonprofits serving children, and organizations supporting children with medical or special needs. Recent awards include school districts, a pediatric crisis nursery, a disability-focused emergency preparedness project, and youth-serving nonprofits.
The typical grant size is $2,000 at the 25th percentile, $2,653 at the median, and $5,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes larger awards, such as $32,000 and $30,000.
No. Ohio is the main state by grant count and 74% of grants go to Ohio recipients, but the foundation also has outside-Ohio grant programs for K-12 nonprofits and school-related projects. The recent-grants list shows an Indiana recipient as well.
Yes. Several organizations appear multiple times in the recent-grants list, including A Kid Again, First Tee - Greater Akron, and Providence House Inc. That suggests ongoing relationships across years rather than one-off awards.
Yes for some programs. The Ohio School Grants and Annual Spring Grant Cycle pathways accept unsolicited applications, and the outside-Ohio Spring Grant Cycle track is also marked as accepting unsolicited applications. Other outside-Ohio programs require a GPD contact and an application code.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY OF OHIO | PIGEON FORGE, TN | $33,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| AKRON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM | WADSWORTH, OH | $30,000 | 2026 | CANALWAY CORNER EDUCATIONAL WATER TABLE EXHIBIT |
| A KID AGAIN - INDIANA CHAPTER | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $25,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| AKRON-CANTON REGIONAL FOODBANK | AKRON, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| PROVIDENCE HOUSE INC | CLEVELAND, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| CAMP QUALITY OHIO | UNIONTOWN, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| VICTORY GALLOP | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | 2025 GAME CHANGER GRANT |
| DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL OHIO | COLUMBUS, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| A KID AGAIN INC | TWINSBURG, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | HOPE SPONSOR - COUNTRY WESTERN ADVENTURE |
| FIRST TEE - GREATER AKRON | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| AUTISM SOCIETY OF GREATER AKRON | AKRON, OH | $15,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| WOOSTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | WOOSTER, OH | $14,500 | 2026 | WOOSTER CITY SCHOOLS BEST BUDDIES PROGRAMS AND COFFEE CARTS AT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL |
| THE HUDSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | HUDSON, OH | $12,000 | 2026 | HUDSON INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND-FLEXX SWING SPONSORSHIP |
| GAHANNA-JEFFERSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | GAHANNA, OH | $11,026 | 2026 | ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACE |
| SMILES WITH STYLE INC | PORT CLINTON, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| BLICK CLINIC INC DBA THE BLICK CENTER | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| LOUISVILLE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | LOUISVILLE, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | LOUISVILLE ELEMENTARY BACKPACK PROGRAM |
| EMBRACING FUTURES INC | AKRON, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| REPLAY FOR KIDS | MEDINA, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAM OF OHIO | WOOSTER, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | DONATION |
| DALLAS EDUCATION FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $9,225 | 2026 | ADVANCING LITERACY IN DALLAS ISD THROUGH A BOOK VENDING MACHINE AT ANDERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL |
| AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | AKRON, OH | $8,872 | 2026 | COMMUNITY BASED RECREATION PROGRAMMING (CBRP) |
| BOARDMAN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | BOARDMAN, OH | $8,055 | 2026 | DONATION |
| EDISON LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | MILAN, OH | $8,000 | 2026 | EDISON ELEMENTARY SENSORY ROOM/PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT |
| RAVENNA SCHOOL DISTRICT | RAVENNA, OH | $8,000 | 2026 | FIELD TRIPS FOR STUDENTS |
| ACCESS INC | AKRON, OH | $8,000 | 2026 | ANNUAL SUPPORT |
| STREETSBORO CITY SCHOOLS | STREETSBORO, OH | $7,575 | 2026 | SES ROCKETS READ TOGETHER |
| GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE INDIANAPOLIS | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $7,550 | 2026 | GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE EARLY LEARNER PROGRAMS |
| INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $7,500 | 2026 | MRS. LAWSON'S CLASSROOM OF POSSIBILITIES |
| CAMP TWIN LAKES INC | ATLANTA, GA | $7,500 | 2026 | CAMP TWIN LAKES CAMPER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM |
| AMHERST EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOLS | AMHERST, OH | $7,000 | 2026 | INCLUSIVE LEARNING |
| TEAM HEART AND SOLE | WORTHINGTON, OH | $7,000 | 2026 | EQUIPMENT AND RACE ENTRY FEES |
| LAKEWOOD CITY SCHOOLS | LAKEWOOD, OH | $7,000 | 2026 | EMPOWERMENT THROUGH INCLUSION |
| SANDY SPRINGS EDUCATION FORCE INC | SANDY SPRINGS, GA | $6,500 | 2026 | SANDY SPRINGS EDUCATION FORCE SUMMER BOOK CLUB |
| METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF WARREN TOWNSHIP | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $6,460 | 2026 | RAYMOND PARK SCIENCE OLYMPIAD |
| FULTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $6,000 | 2026 | FULTON STUDENT BASIC NEEDS |
| TELL CITY - TROY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL CORPORATION | JASPER, IN | $6,000 | 2026 | WILLIAM TELL ELEMENTARY STEM EDUCATION |
| THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULTS | MARIETTA, GA | $6,000 | 2026 | CRITICAL TEEN CENTER AND VOLUNTEER CENTER FLOORING |
| WESTERVILLE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | WESTERVILLE, OH | $6,000 | 2026 | SENSORY EXPLORATION |
| BEARINGS BIKE SHOP INC | ATLANTA, GA | $6,000 | 2026 | FRAMEWORKS ADVANCED JOB TRAINING PROGRAM |
| ORANGE CITY SCHOOLS | PEPPER PIKE, OH | $6,000 | 2026 | EMPOWER THREADS: BUILDING SKILLS, BREAKING BARRIERS. |
| PROJECT OUTRUN | FAIRLAWN, OH | $6,000 | 2026 | TO EMPOWER KIDS & FAMILIES AS THEY BATTLE LIFE THREATENING ILLNESSES THROUGH SHOES, SWAG & SUPPORT |
| SOUTHEAST LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | RAVENNA, IN | $5,500 | 2026 | SOUTHEAST PIRATES SERVE |
| THE NUHOP CENTER FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING | PERRYSVILLE, OH | $5,344 | 2026 | PROJECT SUMMER CAMP! A NUHOP - ANAZAO PARTNERSHIP FOR WAYNE COUNTY KIDS |
| GIRLS ON THE RUN NORTHEAST OHIO | BRECKSVILLE, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | EMPOWERING HEALTHY & RESILIENT YOUTH |
| B BRAVE FOUNDATION | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND COMFORT CARTS FOR CHILDREN WITH RARE, FATAL NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS. |
| CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA FOUNDATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $5,000 | 2026 | CAMP NO LIMB-ITATIONS |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHEAST OHIO | CLEVELAND, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ACADEMIC SUCCESS/ LIFE & WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAMS, AT NO COST, FOR UNDER-RESOURCED YOUTH. |
| CLYDE-GREEN SPRINGS SCHOOLS | GREEN SPRINGS, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | ROBOQUEST: BUILDING TOMORROW'S ENGINEERS WITH ROBOTICS |
| AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS | AKRON, OH | $5,000 | 2026 | FHS ROBOTICS CLUB: TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ROBOTEERS |
DOLLY PARTON'S IMAGINATION LIBRARY OF OHIO
$33,000DONATION
AKRON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
$30,000CANALWAY CORNER EDUCATIONAL WATER TABLE EXHIBIT
CAMP QUALITY OHIO
Current and upcoming funding from Gpd Group Employees Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Applicant must be a 501(c)(3) that supports at-risk children or children with medical/special needs and obtain an application code from a GPD contact prior to applying. Faith-based organizations are screened; see full eligibility page.
DONATION
VICTORY GALLOP
$15,0002025 GAME CHANGER GRANT
DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL OHIO
$15,000DONATION
FIRST TEE - GREATER AKRON
$15,000DONATION
AUTISM SOCIETY OF GREATER AKRON
$15,000DONATION
WOOSTER CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$14,500WOOSTER CITY SCHOOLS BEST BUDDIES PROGRAMS AND COFFEE CARTS AT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL
THE HUDSON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$12,000HUDSON INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND-FLEXX SWING SPONSORSHIP
GAHANNA-JEFFERSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$11,026ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE OUTDOOR LEARNING SPACE
SMILES WITH STYLE INC
$10,000DONATION
BLICK CLINIC INC DBA THE BLICK CENTER
$10,000DONATION
LOUISVILLE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$10,000LOUISVILLE ELEMENTARY BACKPACK PROGRAM
EMBRACING FUTURES INC
$10,000DONATION
REPLAY FOR KIDS
$10,000DONATION
ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAM OF OHIO
$10,000DONATION
ADVANCING LITERACY IN DALLAS ISD THROUGH A BOOK VENDING MACHINE AT ANDERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$8,872COMMUNITY BASED RECREATION PROGRAMMING (CBRP)
BOARDMAN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
$8,055DONATION
EDISON LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
$8,000EDISON ELEMENTARY SENSORY ROOM/PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
RAVENNA SCHOOL DISTRICT
$8,000FIELD TRIPS FOR STUDENTS
STREETSBORO CITY SCHOOLS
$7,575SES ROCKETS READ TOGETHER
GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE INDIANAPOLIS
$7,550GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE EARLY LEARNER PROGRAMS
INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$7,500MRS. LAWSON'S CLASSROOM OF POSSIBILITIES
AMHERST EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOLS
$7,000INCLUSIVE LEARNING
TEAM HEART AND SOLE
$7,000EQUIPMENT AND RACE ENTRY FEES
LAKEWOOD CITY SCHOOLS
$7,000EMPOWERMENT THROUGH INCLUSION
SANDY SPRINGS EDUCATION FORCE INC
$6,500SANDY SPRINGS EDUCATION FORCE SUMMER BOOK CLUB
METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT OF WARREN TOWNSHIP
$6,460RAYMOND PARK SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
FULTON EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
$6,000FULTON STUDENT BASIC NEEDS
TELL CITY - TROY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL CORPORATION
$6,000WILLIAM TELL ELEMENTARY STEM EDUCATION
CRITICAL TEEN CENTER AND VOLUNTEER CENTER FLOORING
WESTERVILLE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
$6,000SENSORY EXPLORATION
ORANGE CITY SCHOOLS
$6,000EMPOWER THREADS: BUILDING SKILLS, BREAKING BARRIERS.
PROJECT OUTRUN
$6,000TO EMPOWER KIDS & FAMILIES AS THEY BATTLE LIFE THREATENING ILLNESSES THROUGH SHOES, SWAG & SUPPORT
SOUTHEAST LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
$5,500SOUTHEAST PIRATES SERVE
THE NUHOP CENTER FOR EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
$5,344PROJECT SUMMER CAMP! A NUHOP - ANAZAO PARTNERSHIP FOR WAYNE COUNTY KIDS
GIRLS ON THE RUN NORTHEAST OHIO
$5,000EMPOWERING HEALTHY & RESILIENT YOUTH
B BRAVE FOUNDATION
$5,000MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND COMFORT CARTS FOR CHILDREN WITH RARE, FATAL NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS.
CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA FOUNDATION INC
$5,000CAMP NO LIMB-ITATIONS
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTHEAST OHIO
$5,000ACADEMIC SUCCESS/ LIFE & WORKFORCE READINESS PROGRAMS, AT NO COST, FOR UNDER-RESOURCED YOUTH.
CLYDE-GREEN SPRINGS SCHOOLS
$5,000ROBOQUEST: BUILDING TOMORROW'S ENGINEERS WITH ROBOTICS
AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$5,000FHS ROBOTICS CLUB: TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ROBOTEERS
Deadline: Annual cycle: opens October 15, closes January 14 (applications must be received by 5 p.m. on the deadline).
Track these deadlines, get reminders, and see how well your nonprofit fits — free with a Kindora account.
Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
