WELCOME TO THE GADDIS FOUNDATION

We're glad you're here.

Learn about the Gaddis Foundation and our enriching programs, designed for Central Ohio students.

“Succeeding is inevitable for me. Success is my reality.”

Use your gifts with Central Ohio Youth. Become a Mentor/Chaperone

Open Access Scholars

Jumpstart Open Access is here.

Select monthly Compass sessions are available at no cost to any high school Scholar who wants to explore college, career, and leadership pathways. Sessions are interactive, discussion-based, and designed to meet you where you are, whether you attend once or all year.


There is no cost, no full enrollment requirement, and no barrier to showing up.

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Fall 2026 Jump Start Tour Experience
(a part of Jump Start Compass (Cohort 1))

October 11 - 16, 2026

Proposed visits include Alabama A&M University, Jackson State University, Dillard University, Clark Atlanta University (tentative), Morehouse College, Spelman College, and North Carolina A&T State University. Historic opportunities include the International Civil Rights Museum in Greensboro, North Carolina, and the Whitney Plantation in New Orleans, Louisiana.

We are also pursuing a potential civil rights preservation visit to the historic McDonogh 19 Public School building, now the Tate, Etienne, and Prevost (TEP) Interpretive Center, where Leona Tate integrated the school on the exact same day Ruby Bridges entered William Frantz Elementary. Cultural exposure continues with time in the French Quarter. Must be enrolled in Jump Start Compass (Cohort 1).

At Capacity - See where we're going

The Willie and Vivian Gaddis Foundation is dedicated to empowering youth in Central Ohio by fostering education, entrepreneurship, and purposeful development to help every scholar realize their potential.

Our Mission and Vision


The foundation believes that every child carries a divine spark and has the potential to become a scholar. Through education, entrepreneurship, and intentional exposure, we equip youth in Central Ohio to discover, affirm their talents, and live out their individual purpose

More about us

Our Programs

Our programs are designed to build legacy, foster leadership, and create multigenerational impact—one scholar at a time.

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Jump Start
Compass (Cohort 1)

A 10-month Pathway to Leadership & Readiness

Jump Start Compass is a 10-month, cohort-based program for high school scholars in grades 9–11. Through monthly sessions, mentorship, and experiential learning, students build leadership skills, college and career awareness, decision-making ability, and confidence to navigate life beyond high school.

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Jump Start Open Access Scholars (Cohort 2)

Explore Compass without Full Enrollment

Open Access Scholars are high school students who participate in select Compass monthly sessions at no cost. While not enrolled in the full Compass cohort, students are welcome to engage in designated learning experiences, discussions, and activities alongside cohort scholars.

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Jump Start Capstone (Cohort 3)

Scholarship Preparation Starts Here

Jump Start Capstone is a free workshop series for high school juniors and seniors that guides students through the scholarship application process, including essay writing, opportunity search, and application strategies.

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Legacy Scholarships

Investing in Educational Access & Opportunity

Our academic scholarships support students who demonstrate commitment, potential, and a desire to pursue higher education. By reducing financial barriers, we help scholars focus on learning, growth, and achieving their academic goals.

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