The Mission

The John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation invests in initiatives to strengthen families and the communities in which they live, work and play. The Foundation is proud to support 501(c)(3) organizations working in food security, housing stability, and youth education —as well as rural public libraries. Since 2012, we’ve contributed a total of $5,160,500 to more than 100 nonprofit organizations across Northwest Ohio and small, rural libraries in low-income communities across the United States.

Who Was John Henry Eldred Jr.?

A passionate entrepreneur and philanthropist, John Henry Eldred Jr. established Midwest Tape in 1989, and then, with business partner Jeff Jankowski, Hoopla Digital. This global media distribution company now serves more than 11,000 libraries. His vision laid the groundwork not only for a successful business but also for a philanthropic mission rooted in community enrichment. 

Rural Libraries Benefit

The Foundation has special interest in its local community, supporting important nonprofits in Northwest Ohio, including Connecting Kids to Meals, the YWCA, Cherry St. Mission, and Partners in Education. 

But their other focus is nationwide, supporting underserved rural areas as they align closely with the Foundation’s mission and John’s childhood. The Funds for Rural Libraries, which is by invitation only, totals over $1.75 million in grants given to support access to resources that spark learning and opportunity for low-income areas in 29 states, including: 

  • Michigan 
  • Maine 
  • Pennsylvania 
  • Indiana 
  • West Virginia 
  • Virginia 
  • North Carolina 
  • South Carolina 
  • Georgia 
  • Florida 

Built on the belief that businesses can be a force for good, the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation receives core support from a charitable trust established by John Eldred, founder of Midwest Tape (and Hoopla). By placing his shares of Midwest Tape into this trust, John ensured that the company’s success would directly fuel lasting community impact. This visionary act of giving links enterprise with purpose, creating a legacy that grows with every achievement of the business. 

Since 1989, Midwest Tape has served libraries and their patrons with unparalleled access to the best content available in the media world. That library-first mission drives everything we do: we build innovative products, promote equitable access to content, share knowledge to help libraries thrive, and deliver a passion for service that ensures libraries succeed, because strong libraries build healthy communities.