COLUMBUS, OH (February 14, 2012)—On February 14, the official date of Columbus’ Bicentennial, The Columbus Foundation’s Governing Committee announced two grants to benefit the people of Columbus and the state of Ohio. The Ohio Benefit Bank and the Columbus Historical Society were named the recipients of the Foundation’s new Bicentennial Leadership Award, created to benefit Columbus and the working poor in the state of Ohio. The surprise announcement was made at Celebrating Columbus’ 200 Years, the Foundation’s Bicentennial event held today in Davis Hall.

“We honor Columbus’ diverse history—past, present, and future, and the effective nonprofit organizations working to strengthen our community and benefit Ohioans,” said Columbus Foundation President and CEO Douglas F. Kridler.

A $200,000 gift to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks will support The Ohio Benefit Bank (OBB) and will benefit people from all around the state of Ohio. This gift is being given in the spirit of Columbus, giving all of Ohio a gift on the occasion of Columbus’ 200th birthday.

“It’s difficult to find a program that has positively benefited more people in the state of Ohio and in Columbus than The Ohio Benefit Bank,” Kridler said. “The successful track record of The Ohio Benefit Bank has made it the number one program in America leveraging benefits for the working poor.”

The grant will help OBB expand its program with three new components encouraging education, health, and financial literacy.

One of The Columbus Foundation’s most significant funding initiatives, 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 most recently, veteran’s benefits. OBB was named the first recipient of the Foundation’s Continuous Improvement Grants in 2008, a new program created to fund innovative nonprofits. To date, thanks to support from the Foundation and its donors, OBB has received more than $2.4 million from the Foundation, leveraging $578 million, and serving 273,000 people in 184,000 households. More than 3,500 trained counselors are helping individuals and families across Ohio at more than 1,150 OBB sites.

The $100,000 grant to the Columbus Historical Society (CHS) will help preserve and promote Columbus’ history with a new partnership and move to COSI.

The grant will support CHS’s partnership with COSI, which will serve as the new home for its administrative and exhibition space. Established in 1991, CHS preserves and collects artifacts and stories while educating Columbus residents about the history of the city. In 2008, CHS opened its first permanent gallery space offering regular exhibit hours accessible to the public. Its new exhibition space will be catalytic for the organization, allowing it to reduce expenses while bringing its exhibition to a broader audience.

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Columbus Foundation Bicentennial Grants
The following nonprofits have also received Columbus Foundation Bicentennial grants, which support organizations, programs, and services that positively impact the community: See Kids Dream, $265,000 to expand the successful youth philanthropy program, Penny Harvest; Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, $75,000 to support Eco-Summit 2012; Jazz Moves Columbus, (a collaboration among Jazz Arts Group of Columbus, BalletMet, and WOSU Public Media) $30,000 to support a multi-media presentation with dance, music, and imagery from WOSU’s Columbus Neighborhoods historic documentary series; WOSU Public Media, $20,000 to support the production of the Columbus Neighborhoods documentaries; Community Research Partners, $150,000 to expand DataSource 2.0, a centralized source of data, making information about central Ohio available to all; Consider Biking, $295,451 develop a Corporate Mode Shift Program to increase the number of persons riding bicycles to work to two percent in Columbus’ bicentennial year 2012; 200Columbus, $75,000 to support the promotional efforts, events planning, and management needs for the city’s bicentennial celebration; and Special Improvement District (SID Public Services Association) $14,000 to support Finding Time: Columbus Public Art 2012, a yearlong program of temporary public art in downtown Columbus, and $5,000 to restore two historic street clocks in downtown Columbus as part of the recognition of Columbus’ Bicentennial (this project is managed by the Downtown Residents’ Association of Columbus).

The Columbus Foundation
The trusted philanthropic advisor® to nearly 2,000 donors who have created unique funds to make a difference in the lives of others, the Foundation helps builds families, communities, and legacies through the most effective philanthropy possible. Serving the region for 68 years, The Columbus Foundation ranks among the top ten community foundations in the United States today. The Foundation’s online marketplace, PowerPhilanthropy®, is available to everyone who wants to be informed about the work of central Ohio nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.columbusfoundation.org.

Award recipients

• Camp Fire USA Northwest Ohio Council—to support programs for at-risk children.
• Christian Counseling Center—to support counseling services for youth.
• Financial Assistance for Cancer Treatment Inc.—to provide medication and supplies for children with cancer.
• Fish of Tiffin—to provide food for disadvantaged families with children.
• Junior Achievement of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.—to purchase curriculum supplies for students.
• Seneca County Family & Children First—to purchase a poverty simulation kit.
• Saint Paul’s United Methodist Church—to support the Ecumenical Sharing Kitchen.
• The Salvation Army Corps of Tiffin, Ohio—to support the food pantry.
• Seneca County Agency Transportation—to support transportation assistance for children.
• Tiffin Community YMCA Recreation Center—to support the water safety program for fourth graders in Tiffin City Schools and parochial schools.
• Tiffin-Seneca Teen Center—to provide special programming for Tiffin middle school students.
• Tiffin-Seneca United Way, Inc.—to assist low-income families to pay heating bills through the First Call for Help program.

The B.A. Seitz Fund of Community Foundations, Inc. benefits the education and well-being of youth residing in Tiffin. B.A. Seitz, a native of Tiffin, left the area at an early age and made his fortune mining in Colorado. A bachelor, he died Aug. 2, 1939, and left bequests to a number of Tiffin-area institutions including churches, the hospital, and the trust from which this fund originated.

About The Community Foundations, Inc.

A statewide affiliate of The Columbus Foundation, Community Foundations, Inc., was established in 1987 to enable donors to support nonprofit organizations primarily in the state of Ohio and beyond the central Ohio region. For more information visit www.columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.

Award recipients

• Adena Mansion and Gardens Society—$5,000 to support the War of 1812 Bicentennial weekend and educational field trips for school age children.
• Altar Inc.—$11,000 to provide tutoring, character development, and skill training for at-risk youth through the Middleground program.
• Cancer Support Community Central Ohio—$3,000 to provide educational programs through the Frankly Speaking About Cancer series to those touched by cancer in Ross County.
• Carver Community Center—$3,000 to provide programming to low-income youth.
• Hope Clinic of Ross County Inc.—$10,000 to provide first year funding for a free health clinic for those unable to pay for basic medical care.
• National Church Residences—$16,850 to replace an existing lift-equipped van.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, Inc.—$2,500 to support families of seriously ill children through the Helping Hands Program.
• Ross County Community Action Commission—$12,500 to support the Emergency Men’s Shelter.
• Ross County Historical Society—$16,850 to support the construction of an artifact preservation facility.
• Scioto Society, Inc.—$1,375 to purchase five Motorola two-way portable radios and headsets.
• Simon Kenton Council, Boy Scouts of America—$3,000 to provide Scouting after School programs in low- to moderate-income areas in Ross County.
• South Central Ohio Big Brother/Big Sister Association—$1,728 to support monthly and summer activities and a new software program.
• Young Men’s Christian Association of Ross County—$9,900 to install automatic door openers at the main entrance to facilitate seniors, families, and members with special needs.

About the Robert E. and Genevieve B. Schaefer Fund

Robert E. Schaefer, a longtime Chillicothe resident, established this fund to provide for the cultural development, health and human welfare, and economic development of Chillicothe and Ross County. A veteran newspaperman, Mr. Schaefer, who died in 1997, served the community for more than 60 years. He joined the Chillicothe Gazette in 1938 and began a career that spanned 36 years.

A great believer in education, Mr. Schaefer established scholarships at Ohio University–Chillicothe and The Ohio State University to provide opportunities for the next generation of young people from Ross County. He also devoted much of his time and efforts to promote industrial development in Chillicothe, striving to move the community forward and position it for the future.

An advisory committee, made up of family members and community representatives, assists with grant recommendations.

About Community Foundations, Inc.

A statewide affiliate of The Columbus Foundation, Community Foundations, Inc., was established in 1987 to enable donors to support nonprofit organizations primarily in the state of Ohio and beyond the central Ohio region. For more information visit www.columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.

Now in its third year, The Columbus Foundation’s Summer Fellowship Program provides career-related work experience for selected college students interested in the nonprofit sector. Students will be placed with a Franklin County nonprofit organization, from June 11 through August 17. All Fellows will receive a stipend for their work.

To qualify for the Fellowship, applicants must be a college junior, senior, recent graduate, or graduate student in the fall of 2012 and be a Franklin County high school graduate or pursing a degree at a college or university at a Franklin County institution.

Dan Sharpe, officer in the Community Research and Grants Management Department, manages the Foundation’s Summer Fellowship Program. “We are excited to continue this excellent program, now in the third year—with demonstrated success and documented achievement for our nonprofit community. As we found with the nonprofit applicants, we expect to be selecting Fellows from an extremely talented and competitive applicant pool,” said Mr. Sharpe.

In April, the selected Fellows will be named to participate in the program after having been interviewed and matched with a nonprofit organization, based on their area of interest. The nonprofits participating in the program were selected to host a student through a competitive application process. Each nonprofit also receives a grant from The Columbus Foundation to cover the stipend for the Fellow.

To read past experiences from the Fellow’s, please visit the Fellow’s Blog.

For additional information about the program, participating nonprofits, and/or to submit an application, please visit www.columbusfoundation.org.

About The Columbus Foundation

The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor® to nearly 2,000 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 68 years, The Columbus Foundation is the tenth largest community foundation in the United States today. The Foundation’s new and improved online marketplace, PowerPhilanthropy®, makes it possible for anyone to be informed and access valuable information about our community nonprofits.

Outgoing Columbus Foundation Governing Committee members Tanny Crane, far left, and David Meuse, third from right, pose with the 2011 Community Champions. From left are: Byron Stripling, Jazz Arts Group; Ken Schnacke, Columbus Clippers; Michael Wilkos, The Columbus Foundation; Jeni Britton Bauer, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams; Tom Katzenmeyer, The Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation; Gene Harris, Columbus City Schools; Paul Astleford, Experience Columbus; Jack Hanna, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

“In a year that included record rains, NCAA sanctions, freeway construction, foreclosures, the rise and fall of Senate Bill 5, and high unemployment, there is still an enormous value to taking stock in the good news in our community, and to celebrate those who are achieving so much in a difficult time for so many,“ said Doug Kridler, president and CEO of The Columbus Foundation.

At The Columbus Foundation’s Community Champions Celebration, its third annual civic pride event, the 2011 champions were announced to a packed room of Columbus enthusiasts and business, nonprofit, and academic leaders on December 14. The Champions event recognizes community leaders and businesses who have received national or international distinction for being among the best of the best.

The following honorees were among those who participated in the discussion and celebration:

Paul Astleford, president and CEO of Experience Columbus, spearheaded efforts to have the city included in National Geographic’s “Best Fall Trips 2011,” amongst a host of other awards.

Jeni Britton Bauer, owner and co-founder, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, which won “#1 Exotic Ice Cream in America” by Food Network and “Best Ice Cream in the United States” by Out Magazine, to name just a couple.

Jack Hanna, director emeritus of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, who was named 2011 Wildlife Hero by the National Wildlife Federation.

Ken Schnacke, president and general manager, Columbus Clippers, who led the organization to winning the 2011 International League Governors Cup and Triple A National Championship.

Keith A. Myers, president, MSI Design, whose design for Bicentennial Park helped the new park win the designation “One of America’s Best New Parks” by The Atlantic Cities.

Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., superintendent and CEO, Columbus City Schools, who was named “2012 Ohio Superintendent of the Year” by the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA).

Michael Wilkos, senior officer, Community Research and Grants Management, The Columbus Foundation, named Columbus’ Biggest Fan in the November 2011 issue of Columbus Monthly.

The honorees reflected on their awards and shared their thoughts on where Columbus is today and how the community can progress into the future. They all struck upon a common theme—the importance of social offerings, openness, and beauty for emotionally connecting to a community. They also highlighted that this connection in turn drives economic growth.

“The bicentennial is a year where we have an opportunity to take a new level of pride in ourselves. Communities that have pride in themselves are the most economically viable communities in the world,” Astleford said.

Each honoree talked about the role of the community in fostering their success.
Jeni Britton Bauer started making ice cream at age 22 and her brand, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, has taken off at an incredible rate.

“We were raised by this community, 100 percent. It’s not just a place where you can start a business with very little skills, no money and a little idea. You can learn as you go from those with more experience acting as mentors. It’s a remarkable community to me,” Britton Bauer said.

Doug Kridler, president and CEO, The Columbus Foundation, left, along with the panelists applaud the efforts of community members during the celebration.

Gene T. Harris, Ph.D., superintendent and CEO, Columbus City Schools, who grew up and graduated from Columbus City Schools, emanates Columbus pride and passion.

“This city is a city of opportunity because people work together. We’re sitting here at The Columbus Foundation and people are providing their wealth to help others lift up their own lives,” Harris said.

All of the honorees, several of whom spent 2011 traveling the nation and the world for their work, found the perception of Columbus as a cow-town to have been all-but erased.

“Flying around the world and talking to people, Columbus has been transformed. I’m so proud I’m in Columbus. Columbus gives so much to the community. There is no city that can touch it,” Jack Hanna said.

Traveling around the country on a book tour for “Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at Home,” Britton Bauer found the same to be true.

“The perception of Columbus is changing. It’s definitely up-and-coming.”

The ice-cream maven also has advice for how Columbus can propel itself into the future.

“Let’s support emerging Columbus, emerging artists, businesses. It’s wonderful to support big ideas but let’s also support small ideas at the street-level. That’s what is going to change the face of the city,” Britton Bauer said.

The award-winning Bicentennial Park will certainly play a major part in marking 200 years of Columbus in 2012, but the park has already brought the community closer together.

“When we opened the park there was tremendous diversity, acceptance, tolerance and generosity. It was evident all summer long at the park. I think it speaks well to the character of Columbus and the future of the city,” Keith Myers, designer of Bicentennial Park said.

The list of awards bestowed on the Community Champions and the city at large in 2011 were expansive and communicated a clear message to the honorees.

“It says a lot about how our city is growing and progressing, how modern we are with the times. There is no place that has what we have. How well everything fits together, not to mention how friendly we are,” Ken Schnacke, president and general manager, Columbus Clippers said.

Schnacke also wants to inspire Columbus to take a deep breath and enjoy the great community we have built.

“Life is going so fast. The economic times are bad. We are all working so hard to fit in jobs, careers, and families. Maybe the Bicentennial is a time to enjoy everything this community offers. It might be a good excuse to do that,” Schnacke said.

The celebration wrapped up with comments from Columbus Foundation Governing Committee chairman David Meuse that echoed many of the ideas presented by the Community Champions.

“The donors are the blessing of the Foundation. I believe in philanthropy and the lasting value of philanthropy. That’s what we are all about here at The Columbus Foundation,” Meuse said.

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT

(Includes Neighborhood Revitalization)

Campus Partners for Community Urban Redevelopment, Inc.—$56,000 to support a part-time position to coordinate the neighborhood revitalization efforts in Weinland Park.

INNOVATIVE OPERATIONS

(Includes Arts & Culture, Capacity Building & Leadership Development, Continuous Improvement, Financial Innovation)

Mental Health America of Franklin County—$11,745 to support costs associated with the implementation of a shared services plan for four mental health organizations.

TARGETED NEEDS

(Includes Basic Needs, Developmental Disabilities, Disadvantaged Children, and Small & Specialized Grants)

Basic Needs

Columbus Housing Partnership—$65,000 to hire a full-time support service manager to provide direct services and to implement an evaluation component.

Community Development Collaborative of Greater Columbus—$35,000 to strengthen the capacity of community development corporations for the development of affordable housing and community building initiatives.

Community Kitchen, Inc.—$20,300 to provide nutritious, hot noon meals five days per week to low-income and homeless residents in the 43203 and surrounding ZIP codes.

Community Shelter Board

— $24,880 to support a transitional work program with Community Housing Network, the Center of Vocational Alternatives, and Concord Counseling as collaborators.

— $55,000 to support the Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio’s housing locator position, part of a new direct housing model to move homeless families into permanent housing.

— $25,000 to support the Central Point of Access by funding a driver to transport homeless persons to area shelters.

— $55,520 to support a transitional work program with Goodwill Columbus and Donatos as collaborators.

— $110,000 for operational support.

Furniture Bank of Central Ohio—$15,000 to provide basic furniture to an additional 400-800 families in 2012 while reducing waiting times and increasing attendance at appointments.

Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio—$20,000 to support a much larger food pantry on the west side of Columbus with expanded Ohio Benefit Bank services.

Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM)—$17,500 to provide free job-readiness and placement services to help underemployed and unemployed residents of the Westerville School District gain employment.

YWCA of Columbus—$25,000 to support youth programs and services of the YWCA Family Center, which serves all homeless families seeking assistance in Franklin County.

Developmental Disabilities

Heritage Day Health Centers—$20,000 to establish a health and wellness program adapted to the developmentally disabled young adults served in the Transitions Program.

O.S.U. Chabad House—$35,000 to support operations at LifeTown, a simulated town where life lessons are taught to school children with developmental disabilities.

Ohio Special Initiatives by Brothers and Sisters—$5,000 to provide a weekend retreat for 15 youth with disabilities and their siblings to help them understand school-to-adult life transition.

Ohio State University Foundation—$35,000 to support the Next Chapter Book Club to enhance literacy and lifelong learning experiences for members and non-members.

Recreation Unlimited Foundation—$31,000 to fund the purchase of new multi-sensory equipment that will serve individuals with severe/profound developmental disabilities.

Disadvantaged Children

Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus, Inc.—$25,000 to support youth development activities.

Columbus Urban League, Inc.—$40,000 to fund Project Survival, a comprehensive life-skills training, substance abuse prevention, and healthy lifestyle decision-making curriculum for middle school students.

I Know I Can—$50,000 to coordinate and expand local college access network efforts.

Otterbein University—$32,000 to fund the Ubuntu group mentoring program increasing self-awareness, civic responsibility, character development, and learning of Otterbein and urban high school students.

United Negro College Fund, Inc. (Cols.)—$10,000 to support minority students from Columbus City Schools who wish to go to college for the purpose of studying science, technology, engineering, and math.

Small & Specialized Grants

Animal Welfare
LifeCare Alliance—$8,000 to support the Senior Pet Care Program.

Ohio Federation of K9 Search Teams—$2,500 to provide training and certification workshops for search and rescue dogs and their handlers.

Education
CATCO-Phoenix Inc.—$2,000 to support a one-day residency at Columbus School for Girls and the Wellington School.

Health
National Society to Prevent Blindness – Ohio Affiliate—$2,200 to support access to comprehensive eye care for homeless and medically indigent children and adults.

North Community Counseling Centers—$9,000 to support drug and alcohol services with a high school dropout prevention program.

PBJ Connections Inc.—$5,000 to provide individual and family equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions to families in central Ohio.

Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio Inc.—$11,500 to engage 10 teenage women as peer educators.

Young Men’s Christian Association of Central Ohio (YMCA)—$25,000 to provide screening and linkage for children who have mental health concerns, to assist their families, and to provide training to community providers.

Social Services
Columbus Early Learning Centers—$6,540 to create developmental kits to help parents with toddlers and infants discover how they can best prepare their children for kindergarten.

YWCA of Columbus—$10,000 to support parent education at the Family Center.

Special Populations
Mount Carmel Health System Foundation—$10,768 to support a senior falls prevention exercise program on the near west side of Columbus.

About Giving Strength

The Columbus Foundation’s Giving Strength grantmaking program seeks to impact a broad spectrum of community needs to improve the quality of life for central Ohioans. The program focuses on vulnerable and underserved populations; increasing the quality of effectiveness, and viability of nonprofit organizations and leaders; developing and testing new, creative community solutions; and promoting problem solving that supports partnerships and collaboration. For more information about Giving Strength, please visit GO! GrantsOpportunites 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 more than 1,800 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 68 years, The Columbus Foundation is the tenth largest community foundation in the United States today. The Foundation’s new and improved online resource, PowerPhilanthropy®, makes it possible for donors and the community to be informed and access valuable information about our community nonprofits. For more information, visit www.columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.

Columbus, OH (December 20, 2011)—The Columbus Foundation has announced officers and members of the Governing Committee for 2012.

Michael J. Fiorile, president and COO of The Dispatch Printing Company and vice chairman and CEO of Dispatch Broadcast Group, was elected chairman. Mr. Fiorile has been a Committee member since 2008. He serves as past president-chairman of the NBC Television Affiliates Board, and on the boards of Newspaper Association of America, Television Operators Caucus, BMI, Television Bureau of Advertising, National Association of Broadcasters, Open Mobile Video Coalition, and Broadcasters’ Foundation of America. Active in the central Ohio community, Mr. Fiorile is past chairman of the board of trustees of Columbus School for Girls. He is currently board chair of Columbus College of Art and Design, and is a member of the boards of Nationwide Children’s Hospital and State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company.

Barbara J. Siemer, community leader and Committee member since 2010, was elected vice chairman. In 2003, she established the Family Stability Initiative through her family’s Supporting Foundation at The Columbus Foundation. An active community volunteer, Mrs. Siemer serves on the boards of I Know I Can, Columbus Museum of Art, and the New Albany Community Foundation, and supports of many central Ohio organizations including United Way of Central Ohio and the Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Additional Committee members include Jerry Jurgensen, Bruce A. Soll, Barbara Trueman, and Matthew D. Walter. Pictured left to right)

Three new members have joined the Committee. All were elected to seven-year terms.

David P. Blom has served as president and CEO of OhioHealth since March 2002. Under his leadership, OhioHealth has grown from six to eight member hospitals, and also manages two and supports nine hospitals in Ohio under an affiliation agreement. OhioHealth was named one of the Ten Best Healthcare Systems in America in 2009, 2010, and 2011 by Thomson Reuters. Mr. Blom currently serves as a member of the Voluntary Hospitals of America Board, Columbus Partnership, local World President’s Organization, and is treasurer of Columbus’ Downtown Development Corporation. He holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in healthcare administration from The George Washington University.

C. Robert Kidder served as chairman of the board of Chrysler Group LLC from June 2009 until September 2011. He co-founded 3Stone Advisors LLC in 2006, after he joined Stonehenge Partners, Inc., as a principal and partner in 2004. Previously, Mr. Kidder served as chairman and CEO of Borden, Inc. and Duracell International Inc. He currently serves on the boards of Morgan Stanley (where he is lead director), Merck & Co., Inc., and Microvi Biotech. In addition, he serves on the boards of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Wexner Center Foundation, and Ohio University, where he is chairman of the board. Mr. Kidder earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Michigan and a graduate degree in industrial economics from Iowa State University.

Dwight E. Smith founded Sophisticated Systems, Inc., an IT consulting firm, in 1990. Mr. Smith has 30 years of experience in the IT industry, and previously held positions with IBM, Cullinet Software, Inc., and Software Alternatives, Inc. He received his bachelor’s degree in marketing and his master’s degree in business administration from The Ohio State University.  Mr. Smith currently serves on the boards of CTL Engineering, Inc. and State Automobile Mutual Insurance Company; he is also trustee and chair of the board of Columbus Regional Airport Authority, and chair of the TechColumbus Board of Directors.

About The Columbus Foundation

The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor® to more than 1,800 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 68 years, The Columbus Foundation is the tenth largest community foundation in the United States today. The Foundation’s new and improved online resource, PowerPhilanthropy®, makes it possible for donors and the community to be informed and access valuable information about our community nonprofits. For more information, visit www.columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.

Bellefontaine Cultural Arts Commission—$8,000 to support Bellefontaine’s Downtown Mural Arts Education Project.

Discovery Riders, Inc.—$20,000 to provide scholarships for the therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals with social, cognitive, and physical challenges.

Logan County CASA—$10,000 to recruit, train, and monitor community volunteers for the Sponsor a Child Program.

Logan County Historical Society—$8,000 to build an addition onto its current location for a transportation museum.

Mac-A-Cheek Foundation—$9,500 to support educational events in Logan County.

Mad River Theater Works—$15,000 to write, develop, and tour a new production about immigration and to support school and community performances.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, Inc.—$10,000 to provide nights of rest for families of seriously ill children residing in Logan County through the Helping Hands Program.

Young Men’s Christian Association of Central Ohio—$10,000 to provide financial assistance to low-income youth to attend Camp Willson.

A native of West Liberty, Ohio, Mary Eleanor Morris settled in London, England, after her marriage. During World War II, she and her husband, James, did extensive volunteer work in hospitals administering to injured American soldiers. The Morris’ later returned to the States, dividing their time between California and Ohio. Joseph Millious, the trustee of Mrs. Morris’ charitable trust, with the approval of the Logan County probate judge, named the Foundation as the charitable recipient. Income is used to “assist, encourage, and promote the well-being of the inhabitants of Logan County.”

About The Columbus Foundation

The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor® to more than 1,800 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 68 years, The Columbus Foundation is the tenth largest community foundation in the United States today. The Foundation’s new and improved online resource, PowerPhilanthropy®, makes it possible for donors and the community to be informed and access valuable information about our community nonprofits. For more information, visit www.columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.

AHA A Hands On Adventure A Children’s Museum, Inc.—$3,500 to provide free and reduced museum visits to Fairfield County families, schools, and the community-at-large.

Canal Winchester Human Services—$5,000 to support the relocation of the food panty.

Decorative Arts Center of Ohio—$7,500 to support projects that bring art experiences to diverse and/or underserved populations in Fairfield County.

Lutheran Social Services of Central Ohio—$5,000 to provide emergency food supplies to residents of Fairfield County.

National Society to Prevent Blindness – Ohio Affiliate—$2,200 to support access to comprehensive eye care for homeless and medically indigent children and adults.

Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio, Inc.—$20,000 to provide family planning services for low-income residents of Fairfield and Hocking counties.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, Inc.—$2,500 to support the Helping Hands Program to provide nights of rest for families of seriously ill children residing in Hocking and Fairfield counties.

Smith Chapel United Methodist Church—$6,000 to Smith Chapel Food & Clothing Ministry to purchase a forklift.

United Way of Hocking County, Inc.—$10,000 to support three major food pantries in Hocking County.

R. Alvin Stevenson established this fund in memory of his parents, Robert and Helen, and his sisters, Faye and Maude. Income supports charitable activities in Fairfield and Hocking counties. A veteran of World War I, Mr. Stevenson operated a small business machine repair shop from his family home in Lancaster, Ohio. He also maintained an advised fund with the Foundation prior to his death.

About The Columbus Foundation

The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor® to more than 1,800 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 68 years, The Columbus Foundation is the tenth largest community foundation in the United States today. The Foundation’s new and improved online resource, PowerPhilanthropy®, makes it possible for donors and the community to be informed and access valuable information about our community nonprofits. For more information, visit www.columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.

On November 23, 2011, The Columbus Foundation updated the total amount leveraged through The Big Give to $8,504,303. This revised number reflects a reconciliation of credit card gifts and donor advised fund grants. The final Big Give results will be available after 60 days due to credit card settlements. To view preliminary results and the top ten nonprofits receiving the most gifts and grants, please visit http://columbusfoundation.org/p2/the-big-give-results

Historic Day of Giving Supports 507 Central Ohio Nonprofit Organizations

Columbus, OH (November 11, 2011)—Within minutes of the start of The Big Give at 11:00 a.m. on November 10, Columbus Foundation donors and the public had already surpassed $1 million in donations to Columbus area nonprofit organizations. Thanks to an incredible community response, The Columbus Foundation’s Big Give leveraged more than $8.7 million over 24 hours.

“We thank and congratulate everyone who was part of the community’s first Big Give—you helped central Ohio realize a magnificent achievement,” said Douglas F. Kridler, president and CEO. “We celebrate our dedicated nonprofits, who worked tirelessly to promote the event, and the incredible results that will benefit them. The tremendous generosity of our big-hearted community truly defines who we are.”

Throughout The Big Give, nonprofits received an outpouring of generosity. More than 600 nonprofits participated in the event, all of which have completed portraits in The Columbus Foundation’s new and improved PowerPhilanthropy® online marketplace.  There were a total of 13,430 transactions received during the 24-hour giving period.

The first donation totaled $730, made to support four nonprofits: Columbus Museum of Art; Unverferth House, Inc.; The Homeless Families Foundation; and Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

The Big Give was created by The Columbus Foundation to give the central Ohio nonprofit community an economic boost. It was bolstered from the start by over $1 million in matching funds from The Columbus Foundation’s Governing Committee and donors. These matching funds helped everyone’s donations go further. All participants receive a pro-rated share of the matching pool.

The creative use of social media by nonprofits to promote The Big Give to their respective donors has blanketed the community since late October. For most, social media tools were central to engaging new and existing donors and increasing awareness about The Big Give.

Additionally, on November 10, the Foundation announced a grant to cover all associated credit card fees so that 100 percent of donated proceeds will go directly to nonprofit organizations.

Full details about The Big Give will be posted on The Columbus Foundation’s website on Tuesday, November 15, 2011.

About The Columbus Foundation

The Columbus Foundation is the trusted philanthropic advisor® to more than 1,800 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 68 years, The Columbus Foundation is the tenth largest community foundation in the United States today. The Foundation’s new and improved online resource, PowerPhilanthropy®, makes it possible for donors and the community to be informed and access valuable information about our community nonprofits. For more information, visit www.columbusfoundation.org or call 614/251-4000.