Earl W. Stafford

Earl W. Stafford, Sr. (born 1948 in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey) is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist. Stafford is best known for "The People’s Inaugural Project," which brought more than 300 disadvantaged and underserved individuals to Washington D.C. for a three-day, deluxe celebration of President Barack Obama’s inauguration. Stafford is the founder of The Stafford Foundation and was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans in 2010. He is the chief executive officer of The Wentworth Group, LLC, a consulting firm headquartered in Reston, Virginia. On Thursday, February 5, 2015, President Barack Obama appointed Stafford to serve as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Stafford was raised in Mount Holly Township and has lived in a house a block away from where he grew up. He received a Bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and an MBA from Southern Illinois University. He is a graduate of the OPM Executive Program at Harvard Business School.

Before entering the corporate world, Stafford had a 20-year distinguished career in the U.S. military that included service as the assistant Air Force Liaison Officer to the Federal Aviation Administration. In that capacity, he was responsible for ensuring that Department of Defense initiatives and programs were integrated into the FAA’s National Airspace System modernization effort. Stafford retired from the Air Force in 1987. Among his assignments in the Air Force, Stafford served as the Commander of the 2004th Communications Squadron air traffic control unit at Sondrestrom Air Base, Greenland in 1985 - 1986.

In 1988, Stafford founded Unitech, makers of Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems, and served until 2009 as the chairman and chief executive officer. UNITECH was an award-winning training and simulation technology solutions company, headquartered in Northern Virginia. UNITECH served a wide range of federal and commercial customers with professional services and solutions. Through integrated teams, flexible methodologies, and precise implementations, the company assured customers’ success in three core areas: sustaining operations, aviation solutions, and training and simulation.

Stafford currently serves on the Boards of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Drexel University, Wesley Theological Seminary, Venture Philanthropy Partners, and Business Executives for National Security.

Stafford has made major philanthropic contributions in the form of investing in the underprivileged.

The Stafford Foundation

In 2002 Stafford founded the faith-based nonprofit organization, The Stafford Foundation (TSF), Inc., based in Reston, VA. The foundation’s work is based on the precepts of Jesus and aims to bring about a world in our lifetime in which all people have the opportunity to become self-reliant and live in dignity.

TSF collaborates with and invests in capacity-building efforts that equip the underserved through programs that provide health, education, training, and faith-based mission support. Since the Foundation began its grantmaking program it has committed more than $1 million in funding to viable nonprofits that focus on education and training, health and wellness, and mission-based support. The Foundation remained relatively unknown until January 2009, when it became internationally renowned for its People’s Inaugural Project.

The People’s Inaugural Project

In March 2008, Stafford conceived the idea of an unprecedented event to bring disadvantaged people from all walks of life to Washington, D.C. to be part of the 2009 presidential inaugural celebration. The idea manifested into the People's Inaugural Project, which, in January 2009, brought more than 400 disadvantaged people to the inauguration of President Obama.

More than 2,000 individuals attended in total, including representatives from more than 40 nonprofit groups that help people in need, such as wounded veterans, homeless individuals, and severely disabled adults become self-sufficient. The 300 disadvantaged guests were lodged in rooms at the JW Marriott and participated in several events over the course of three days, including a 1,000-person Prayer Breakfast, a 1,000-person Martin Luther King Luncheon with a keynote speech by Martin Luther King III, a viewing of the inaugural parade from the JW Marriott 12th floor terrace, and a main inaugural ball. TSF is continuing to partner with these organizations as part of building a community of doing good for those in need.

The People’s Project and the Doing Good (TM) Campaign

Since the People's Inaugural Project, The Stafford Foundation has continued its investment in underserved people through continued outreach. The Peoples' Project 2010 national initiative, launched with the assistance of friend and supporter Bill Cosby, focused on "Doing Good".

The People’s Project encompasses initiatives through grants that support programs with viable nonprofits groups aligned with TSF’s mission. Since the fall of 2009, TSF has supported the work of 30 organizations with grants totaling more than $1 million.

In January 2010, The Stafford Foundation (TSF) launched a national movement to motivate people to help others in need by Doing Good. Comedian and educator Bill Cosby stood alongside Earl W. Stafford, TSF chairman and CEO, to announce the launch of the Doing Good (TM) campaign. Stafford and Dr. Cosby unveiled a national public service announcement featuring Dr. Cosby promoting the initiative. The Doing Good campaign is based on a simple principle: to help those in need become self-reliant so that they will in turn be inspired to help others. The effort focuses on ways to help people with job-training, health and wellness, and mission-based support. The campaign will result in bringing support and services to people in need to help them become self-sufficient and live in dignity. The impact ranges from supporting women's homeless shelters that also provide job training to helping low-income families have healthy diets.

TSF recognizes that many people want to do good, but simply don't know how. The People's Project emphasizes initiatives that serve to combat this impediment to doing good. It is TSF's goal to help others learn how to help themselves, so that one day they may be capable of helping someone else in need.

Stafford has won several awards commemorating his philanthropic work.

2010 Horatio Alger Achievement Award

"The Stafford Foundation Chairman and CEO to be Inducted April 2010 in Washington, D.C. for Overcoming Adversity" The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans announced on January 13, 2010 that Earl W. Stafford, chairman and chief executive officer of The Stafford Foundation, Inc., will receive the 2010 Horatio Alger Award in recognition of his personal and professional success despite humble and challenging beginnings. Stafford was formally inducted into the association on April 9, 2010, in Washington, D.C. at the Awards Induction Ceremony at Constitution Hall.

Outstanding Philanthropist Award at National Capital Philanthropy Day Celebration

The Washington DC Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP/DC) honored Stafford with the Outstanding Philanthropist Award during its National Capital Philanthropy Day celebration on Friday, November 20, 2009. Stafford was nominated by the Venture Philanthropy Partners and was recognized for his contributions to making a positive impact in his community and throughout the country.

"Stand Together" Award from Salvation Army of Greater New York

The Salvation Army of Greater New York honored Stafford with its first "Stand Together" Award during its 62nd Annual Luncheon. Kathie Lee Gifford hosted the event, which also honored New York Yankees pitcher, Andy Pettitte; longtime Salvation Army of Greater New York advisory board member, Theodore J. Carlson (posthumously); and humanitarian, Malaak Compton-Rock.

Lifetime Achievement Award from N’Digo Foundation

The N’Digo Foundation honored Stafford with the Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual black-tie gala, held at Chicago’s new UIC Forum on June 20, 2009. The Reverend Jesse Jackson presented the award in recognition of Stafford’s professional achievements and career contributions to making a positive impact in his community and throughout the country.

Tennessee Legislature Honors The Stafford Foundation

Tennessee’s State Legislature recognized both Stafford and The Stafford Foundation with a joint resolution honoring both for sponsoring the unprecedented People’s Inaugural Project in January 2009. From Joint Resolution No. 58, sponsored by Representatives Karen D. Camper, Barbara Cooper and Joanne Favors and Senators Ophelia Ford, Beverly Marrero and Jim Kyle:

"Earl W. Stafford and The Stafford Foundation have demonstrated a firm commitment to the principle of democratic inclusion, the idea that men and women from all walks of life should not only be tolerated but encouraged to participate in the civic life of the United States of America."

Earl W. Stafford is the ninth of 12 children of his parents Mabel (née Willis) and Robert E. Stafford. His father was a part-time assistant minister at a church he helped found, the Second Baptist Church in Mount Holly, NJ, and also worked full-time as a laborer at the Campbell Soup Company for more than 40 years. Stafford began his entrepreneurial career at age 8 by selling hot dogs and mowing lawns.

Stafford is married to the former Amanda Boardley, with whom he currently resides in McLean, Virginia. They have three children.