Press Release: March 14, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Carol Harmon, 614/251-4000 (office) 614/738-2755 (mobile) 

POWERPHILANTHROPY MATCH DAY PUMPS MORE THAN $800,000
INTO CENTRAL OHIO NONPROFIT COMMUNITY 
 

COLUMBUS, Ohio (March 14, 2008)—With the click of a mouse, central Ohioans and The Columbus Foundation successfully executed an unprecedented, extraordinary day of giving—contributing $805,000 to 245 local nonprofit organizations in a matter of hours on PowerPhilanthropy Match Day, held March 6.

“Central Ohioans made it very clear that they are committed to strengthening our community and supporting their passions,” Doug Kridler, president and CEO of The Columbus Foundation said. “Match Day provided a wonderful opportunity to introduce our donors and the public to PowerPhilanthropy, and the money raised will help hundreds of organizations meet the growing needs of our residents.”

It took less than 45 minutes for public donors to exhaust the $150,000 in matching grant funds made available by The Columbus Foundation. Existing donors gave $74,000 through donor advised funds during the same time, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by The Columbus Foundation for a total impact of $148,000. All donations were made through the Foundation’s new online philanthropic marketplace, PowerPhilanthropy.

Contributions from public donors ranged from $20 to $1,000. Many chose to give more than the $1,000 matched, or continued to give after the matching funds were exhausted, pushing the total impact to $805,000. The donations were contributed directly to each nonprofit organization to support interests ranging from conservation and the arts to children, education, and the homeless.

PowerPhilanthropy allows users to search an online database with information on 348 central Ohio nonprofit organizations. Each nonprofit in PowerPhilanthropy has created a customized portrait with details about their mission, programs offered, finances, and the results of their efforts.

PowerPhilanthropy was created to help anyone interested in charitable giving build an understanding of the charitable causes most important to them and to learn about needs in the central Ohio community. By sharing its knowledge and providing information, The Columbus Foundation helps donors make the most effective giving decisions possible.

For more information visit www.columbusfoundation.org.

The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor to nearly 1,600 individuals, families, and businesses, who have created unique funds to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. Serving the region for 64 years, The Columbus Foundation is one of the ten largest community foundations in the United States today, with assets of over $1 billion. The Foundation's new online resource, PowerPhilanthropy, makes it possible for donors and the public to access valuable information about central Ohio nonprofits.

For more information visit www.columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.