The People Behind the Paul & Carol David Foundation
Meet the team who manage the scholarship and grant programs – with new, exciting ideas for the future.
Carol David
CO-FOUNDER
Carol and her late husband Paul founded the David Foundation in 1980. Both natives of Massillon, Ohio, they shared a passion for community and education. As Paul’s business, Camelot Music, flourished beginning in the 1960s, the couple looked for ways to support underprivileged and disadvantaged children in local communities. The Paul and Carol David Foundation, established in 1980, has to date awarded more than 1,300 scholarships to Stark County high school students as well as grants to many area nonprofit, civic and humanitarian organizations. Carol’s enthusiasm for education continues each year as she reviews and awards new scholarships to students who demonstrate need, desire and character in their pursuit of higher learning.
Jeff David
President
Jeff David grew up and worked in the family business, Camelot Music. There he not only learned the makings of a successful business operation, but he saw firsthand his father’s passion for providing opportunities and giving back to the community. Jeff has developed a mission of his own – to build upon the Foundation’s legacy in providing scholarships to Stark County high school students and grants to area organizations.
Walt Stanislawski
Executive Vice President & Director
An entrepreneur and longtime financial officer, Walt is a conscientious steward of the Foundation’s resources. This is essential to our growth and expansion as we continue to provide scholarships, grants and new programs to the communities we serve. Walt joined the David Foundation in 2003.
Christy Melert
Executive Assistant
Grant & Scholarship Coordinator
Christy helps to keep the Foundation’s operations running smoothly. Her vast experience working in the philanthropy industry has made her skilled in grants and scholarship management, event planning, customer service, as well as website and social media maintenance. Christy joined the Foundation in 2017.
The late Paul David
Co-Founder
Paul David died in 2002 at the age of 79. While he was known nationally as the founder of the Camelot Music retail chain that grew into more than 400 stores across the United States, Paul David remained a lifelong Massillon resident and philanthropist to many causes. Friends remember him as a humble man whose generosity helped people – especially children – in his hometown and in communities across Stark County and beyond. The spirit of Paul David can be seen in every scholarship and grant awarded.
