Press Release: August 22, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: 614/251-4000, Carol Harmon x 113

THE COLUMBUS FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANTS TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION AND PROTECTION
EFFORTS IN CENTRAL OHIO

Columbus, OH (August 22, 2008)—The Governing Committee of The Columbus Foundation has announced $76,000 in grants from its new competitive grantmaking program, Giving Strength.

 

The conservation Small Grants Program, a component of Giving Strength, is focused on a variety of environmental preservation and protection efforts in central Ohio. The grants support the work of six nonprofits and were approved at The Columbus Foundation’s summer Governing Committee meeting.

Through grants in the conservation impact area, the Foundation supports activities that contribute to the preservation of and sustainable use of the environment and protection of endangered species. The Green Committee of The Columbus Foundation (formerly Conservation Committee) provides support in the review of grant requests.

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission received $5,000 for the 2008 Summit on Sustainability and the Environment, which aims to encourage and maintain momentum for the environmental movement in central Ohio. MORPC, is a voluntary association of local governments in central Ohio helping local governments implement good planning practices with the purpose of improving quality of life and enhancing the region’s competitive advantages.

 

For more information, please visit www.morpc.org.

Additional conservation awards were made to area nonprofits:

  • National Audubon Society/Ohio—$25,000 to identify site monitoring needs based on Scioto Audubon Metro Park’s conservation plan goals and measurable outcomes and to support the conservation classroom program.
  • Ohio Environmental Council—$25,000 to support the Vernal Pool Education Project.
  • Green Energy Ohio—$15,000 to advance renewable energies in Franklin County by building partnerships and expanding educational opportunities.
  • Keep Ohio Beautiful Inc.—$5,000 to launch a litter prevention/public awareness campaign.
  • Ohio State University Research Foundation—$1,000 to support Ways of Knowing Water, an exhibition to be held at The Ohio State University’s Urban Arts Space at the Lazarus building on the place of water in central Ohio, especially the Olentangy and Scioto watersheds.

About the Small Grants Program
The Small Grants Program annually provides opportunities for all established nonprofit organizations working in a variety of impact areas, including animals, arts education, health education, social services, and special populations. For more information, please visit, GO! Grants Opportunities at www.columbusfoundation.org or contact Lisa Courtice at 614/251-4000, or lcourtice@columbusfoundation.org.

About The Columbus Foundation 

The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor to nearly 1,700 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 65 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.