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Designed for High School Students
“Succeeding is inevitable for me. Success is my reality.”
Willie & Vivian Gaddis
Alethea Eunice Gaddis, Co-Founder
Randal L. Gaddis I, Co-Founder
Welcome to the Willie & Vivian Gaddis Foundation
We are dedicated to providing the very best in college access information and programming to youth and families. Every person has a "spark," something that ignites them to action. It's a burning desire that drives one to achieve above and beyond the ordinary. Our foundation seeks to prime that spark and passion, challenging young people to develop a vision for their lives. Their image should be fueled by that activity, talent, or academic subject that brings joy and peace. The picture should cause one to thrive and live a meaningful and life. We challenge parents to recognize that spark in their young children; a keen interest in music, numbers, art, creating, building, organizing, sports; fuel their sparks early!
To quote Olympian Wilma Rudolph, "Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us."
Our Hope:
- Every young person will recognize the value of learning and preparation.
- Every young person will realize their best path: a two-year college or university, a four-year college or university, or a professional trade or vocation.
- Parents, families, educators, clergy, and community organizations will embrace our role and responsibility to inspire children and youth to live extraordinary lives.
- No matter your age, realize it is not too late to seize new opportunities.
We look forward to serving you! Are you pursuing your purpose? What is your "spark?"
OUR PROGRAMS
The Willie & Vivian Gaddis Foundation is a publicly supported non-profit organization established to empower children and youth by promoting and providing educational and artistic opportunities for those at risk among this population.
Program initiatives include:
Jump Start College Experience
A program of the Gaddis Foundation
Since its inception, the Gaddis Foundation’s Jump Start College Experience has delivered 300+ hours of college preparation, career exploration, and life skills workshops to
1,190+ scholars—empowering youth with the tools, confidence, and clarity to navigate their futures with purpose and visited 58 colleges and universities.
Leadership & Career Discovery
- College Selection & Financial Aid
- Civic Responsibility & Mental Wellness
- Time Management & Networking
- Choosing Your Tribe (Friendships)
- Healthy Life Choices & More
We affirm each student’s journey—whether college-bound or exploring other pathways—with culturally affirming, purpose-driven support.
On-the-Tour Experience
Students embark on a 3–5-day journey to explore a range of college environments—primarily Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), while also including select Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs)—through:
- Campus Tours & Admissions Presentations
- Q&A with Current Students
- Scholarship Info Sessions
- On-Campus Dining (when available)
This immersive experience helps students compare campus cultures, envision their futures, and make informed, values-aligned decisions.
Academic Scholarships
Honoring Legacy. Empowering Dreams.
Since 2004, The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation has awarded scholarships that honor the resilience, sacrifice, and vision of our ancestors—sharecroppers, enslaved people, and African heritage bearers whose yearning for opportunity lives on through each student we serve.
Foundational Awards
- The Willie Lee Gaddis Scholarship
- The Vivian Ann Thompson Gaddis Scholarship
- The Debra Ann Gaddis-Sawyer Memorial Scholarship (in loving memory of a sibling gone too soon)
Legacy Expansion
- Jump Start Academic Scholarship
- The Marvin and Essie (Flemister) Thompson Legacy Scholarship
- The Willie and Eunice (McGee) Legacy Scholarship
- The Ruby (Moncrief) Gaddis Legacy Scholarship
These awards reflect the branches of our family tree—each rooted in perseverance and watered by hope. Student recipients are not just scholars; they are the embodiment of generational dreams.
Next Round: Fall 2025
Scholarships are awarded based on the availability of funds. With your support, we can expand access and affirm more students on their journey toward college, career, and community leadership. In 2024, over $10,000 awarded to Jump Start Program Alumni.
How to Give
Your tax-deductible contribution helps us honor legacy and uplift futures.
Give via Givelify: https://giv.li/4v51gs

Mail a check:
The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation
P.O. Box 360832, Columbus, OH 43236
OPEN TO STUDENTS IN GRADES 9 THROUGH 12
Open to students in grades 9-12, the Jump Start College Experience Tour is jam-packed with everything you need to know about college and life choices. Be empowered and informed as you make important decision about what university or college to attend or what career path to choose.
2025 Community Partners
