Columbus Foundation awards more than $418,000 to support area nonprofits
COLUMBUS, OH (January 20, 2016)—Grants to support the Ohio Association of Foodbanks and 18 other nonprofit organizations were approved by The Columbus Foundation’s Governing Committee at its December meeting, providing valuable dollars to assist with operations and program-related expenses.
A $110,000 grant was awarded to the Ohio Association of Foodbanks (OAF). The OAF and its Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB) program are responding to the State of Ohio's new focus on comprehensive case management and wraparound workforce development. This grant will support projects aimed at transitioning the OBB network into a new era of personal responsibility, workforce development and reintegration, and long-term case management.
OBB is a web-based, counselor-assisted program that helps Ohioans apply for and receive benefits including health coverage, energy assistance, food assistance, tax help, and veteran’s benefits. One of The Columbus Foundation’s most significant funding initiatives, OBB has served more than 727,000 individuals since launching in 2006. There are currently more than 1,400 OBB sites with over 3,100 counselors throughout the state of Ohio.
Over the past nine years, the Foundation has awarded more than $3.4 million in grants, helping the program leverage a remarkable $1.4 billion.
"This incredible grant from The Columbus Foundation invests in programs that pay short- and long-term dividends for people in need in central Ohio."
Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks
"Their extraordinary recognition of the barriers facing low-income families, and their commitment to supporting innovative solutions to overcoming those barriers, is nothing short of visionary. We thank The Columbus Foundation for their long-time support of our efforts to serve and strengthen households in need," said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt.
The following grants were also approved in December through the Foundation’s Giving Strength competitive grantmaking program:
FUND FOR TARGETED NEEDS
Community Development Collaborative of Greater Columbus—$35,000 to strengthen the capacity of Columbus community development corporations to develop affordable housing and initiate community-building activities.
Community Shelter Board—$110,000 to support operations.
Mid-Ohio Foodbank—$50,000 to support and expand food distribution services, food stamp outreach efforts, and specialty programming.
FUND FOR FINANCIAL INNOVATION
Community Development Collaborative of Greater Columbus—$5,000 to assess the potential for shared services among community development corporations.
SMALL AND SPECIALIZED GRANTS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)—$5,000 to fund the purchase of adaptive equipment for use in the lending library to assist patients and families in need.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio—$7,900 to renovate four bath facilities within Sebring Lodge at Camp Oty’Okwa.
Camp Wyandot Inc.—$14,205 to support concrete and fence repairs at the camp’s pool, and repair/replace the roofs on three tree house units.
Cornerstone of Hope—$10,000 to support the Franklin County L.O.S.S. team—local outreach to suicide survivors.
Cristo Rey Columbus High School—$3,000 to support lodging costs for the summer professional development workshop.
Girl Scouts of Ohio's Heartland Council—$5,849 to renovate seven latrines at Camp Ken-Jockety.
Godman Guild Association—$5,000 to support a new shelter house at Camp Mary Orton.
Marburn Academy—$2,500 to support the Keys to Literacy program.
National Church Residences Foundation—$9,950 to provide training on end-of-life care to the direct care staff.
Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio—$25,000 to support educational programming aimed at reducing the rates of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Recreation Unlimited Foundation—$1,700 to purchase a MIG Welder and accessories for the maintenance and repair of equipment at the Recreation Unlimited campus.
Simon Kenton Council, Boy Scouts of America—$5,280 to prepare an area at Camp Lazarus for the permanent placement of six cabins.
SOBBS, Inc.—$11,056 to support grieving families of stillborn babies through the expanded presence of Cuddle Cots in four additional central Ohio hospitals.
YMCA of Central Ohio—$2,549 to replace a food warmer at Camp Willson.
About The Columbus Foundation
The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor® to 2,400 individuals, families, and businesses who have created charitable funds and planned gifts to make a difference in the lives of others through the most effective philanthropy possible. Serving the region for more than 70 years, The Columbus Foundation is the seventh largest community foundation in the United States. The Foundation’s online marketplace, PowerPhilanthropy,® makes giving mobile, easy, and smart. For more information, visit columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.